Warsaw Three-Day Itinerary

This three-day schedule includes many key attractions, such as the Royal Route and the Old Town, as well as a mix of classic and contemporary Warsaw. But a day trip to Kraków is also part of this itinerary.

The Palace of Culture and Science

Some Things to Keep in Mind About Exploring Warsaw

There is a lot to see in Warsaw. This three-day schedule includes many key attractions, focusing on the the historic Royal Route and Old Town highlights, as well as the state-of-the-art POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the Soviet-era Palace of Culture and Science. On the second day, we suggest trip to Kraków and, on the third afternoon, we have offered a choice of activities to best suit your interests. These could also be adapted into a 4-day itinerary, if you have the time.

Excellent Warsaw tours are available. These bring a professional context and local insights. We’ll link to several below, as we move through each attraction.

Consider which area of Warsaw you book accommodation in, as this will impact any sightseeing or activities. Our Warsaw Visit Map helps you work out how close you could be staying to the attractions you most want to see.

Check Warsaw Hotel Availability

Destination

Check-in date

Tue 15 Oct 2024

Check-out date

Wed 16 Oct 2024

It’s impossible to cover everything over three days. If you find yourself rushing, stick with the things which interest you most. The Old Town, in particular, is beautiful enough to just sit outside with a coffee or beer and watch the world go by. If the weather looks good, you should probably pick the Łazienki Park option over the indoor museum.

Excellent English is spoken in most places. Debit / credit cards and contactless payments are accepted everywhere, unless stated. With many attractions, it makes sense to book in advance.

Sightseeing always includes a lot of walking. Make sure you have comfortable footwear and protection against the rain. The tourist season is from April to October, and opening times vary accordingly. Certain areas get crowded in summer – we have tried to accommodate this – but the itinerary will also work out of season.

Warsaw Three-Day Itinerary Summary

• Duration: Roughly 10 hours of touring over two days (not including evening meal and nightlife) and a 16-hour day trip to Kraków.
• Areas Covered: The Royal Route into Warsaw Old Town; Heritage Interpretation Center; Royal Castle; Palace of Culture and Science; Kraków Old Town and Wawel Hill; POLIN Museum; choice of either Warsaw Rising Museum or Łazienki Park.
• Sights visited: Royal Route: Nowy Świat and Krakowskie Przedmiescie; St. Anne’s; Castle Square; Sigismund’s Column; Old Town Square; Mermaid of Warsaw statue; Heritage Interpretation Center; Barbican and City Walls; Royal Castle; Palace of Culture and Science; Kraków Old Town: including Main Market Square, Rynek Underground, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Wawel Hill; POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews; choice of either Warsaw Rising Museum or Łazienki Park.

Day One: Morning

Greetings From Jerusalem Avenue

8:45am: Nowy Świat
There’s some interesting street art around the lower end of Nowy Świat, which makes for a fun treasure hunt.

Start with Greetings From Jerusalem Avenue on the Charles de Gaulle roundabout. This artificial palm tree was created in 2002 by artist Joanna Rajkowska as a comment on the Jewish exiles who once lived in Warsaw. You can reach the site via bus or tram (alighting at one of the Muzeum Narodowe stops). The Warsaw Powiśle train station is also nearby.

Mural Commemorating the Attacks on Cafe-Club

Then, if you cross to the Empik building at the left-hand corner of Nowy Świat, you’ll find Władysław Zych‘s early 60s mosaic, that dramatises two acts of resistance by the communist People’s Guard on a Nazi-filled café-bar that stood on this site.

Niedźwiedzie Brunatne

You’ll also find a couple of works tucked into a side street behind Nowy Świat, including Niedźwiedzie brunatne – hibernating brown bears – from 2009 by Dutch artist Roa and one of Polish singer Olga Jackowska aka Kora.

These are a bit trickier to find. Walk up Nowy Świat, past Flying Tiger on the left. On the other side of the road, at building number 25, you’ll find a passageway leading to a complex of bars. These are great for an evening drink. The Roa mural is opposite the Manhattan pub and the Kory Jackowskiej mural is on a little courtyard to the right.

Wrzenie Świata

9:00am: Breakfast – Wrzenie Świata
Once you’ve found the brown bears, retrace your steps and continue up Nowy Świat past Foksal on the right – Coctail Bar Max & Dom Whisky is on the corner. Continue past OTO!SUSHI and, again, you’ll find another passageway at building number 48. Carry on through here until you see Wrzenie Świata, which sits on the street Konstantego Ildefonsa Gałczyńskiego, parallel to Nowy Świat.

This is an atmospheric independent bookshop with coffees, teas, and bagels. You can also sit out on the terrace on sunny mornings.

Nowy Świat

09:45am: Nowy Świat
With breakfast done, you should be ready to start the day properly. Rewind back through the passageway to Nowy Świat, reversing your route to the café. Then turn right into Nowy Świat. Like much of Warsaw, what looks old is actually a post-war reconstruction, and these elegant 19th-century neoclassical buildings are an approximation.

Nowy Świat was once part of the Royal Route connecting the Old Town Castle with the palace at Wilanów. As such, the street became a key address. Today, you’ll find restaurants, bars, and international brand shopping along Nowy Świat.

Krakowskie Przedmiescie

10:00am: Krakowskie Przedmiescie / Royal Route
Eventually Nowy Świat becomes Krakowskie Przedmiescie. As the Royal Route moves closer to the former seat of power, you’ll find government buildings and some important religious and educational buildings. There are also some of the city’s grandest hotels.

The road starts with the statue of Copernicus on the right, in front of the Staszic Palace – home to the Polish Academy of Science. To the left is the Church of the Holy Cross, which contains the heart of Chopin.

Further up on the right is the Czetwertyński-Uruski Palace and the main building of the University of Warsaw. Just past this is the rococo Visitationist Church – one of the few Warsaw churches that survived WWII unscathed.

Krakowskie Przedmiescie is then flanked by two examples of Warsaw grandeur around the turn of the 20th century: the Hotel Europejski on the left and the Hotel Bristol on the right.

Next is the Presidential Palace – home to the Polish head of state – and the baroque Potocki Palace, directly opposite. The Carmelite Church on the right has one of Warsaw’s most elaborate neoclassical façades, with belfries shaped like censers and a green globe representing the earth. Chopin had his first employment here.

The square in front of the church has a monument to the poet, activist, and national hero Adam Mickiewicz. There are some public toilets a little further on, opposite the Giovanni Rubino restaurant.

Krakowskie Przedmiescie ends with St. Anne’s, one of Warsaw’s most ornate churches.

St. Anne’s

10:30am: St. Anne’s
St. Anne’s is a lavishly decorated Catholic church with a stunning trompe l’oeil ceiling and several other unique architectural features.

The separate bell tower provides one of the best views in Warsaw and is perfect for photos of Castle Square.

View of Castle Square from St. Anne’s

11:15am: Castle Square

From St. Anne’s, it’s just a short hop to Castle Square, one of the iconic locations in Warsaw, and the start of Warsaw’s Old Town.

To the left is Sigismund’s Column and, to the right, is a view of the stadium and the Castle itself – which we’ll return to after lunch. Although much of what you see here is a post-war reconstruction, the results are stunning enough to have made the UNESCO World Heritage list.

At the far end end of the square, past the Castle, take the left turning into Świętojańska. After 2 minutes, you’ll pass the striking frontage of St. John’s Cathedral, which has a significant in Polish royal history.

Syrenka – The Mermaid of Warsaw

11:30am: Warsaw Old Town Square
Continue on from St. John’s and, after a few minute’s, you’ll emerge into Rynek Starego Miasta, Warsaw’s Old Town Market Square. Smart town houses in earthy colours border the square with an inner square of restaurant umbrellas.

In the centre you’ll find Konstanty Hegel’s Syrenka statue – the Mermaid of Warsaw. There are variations on this theme around Warsaw, based on the city’s coat of arms. You can learn more about the backstory at the Museum of Warsaw, which occupies a number of the historic houses on the top end of the square. This large collection of artworks and artefacts tells the story of the city and the people who have lived here. You could always substitute this for the Royal Castle visit, if you want to know more.

Museum of Warsaw Heritage Interpretation Centre

11:45am: Heritage Interpretation Centre
The Heritage Interpretation Centre makes for optional detour, which you can skip if you want to spend more time exploring the Old Town. This fascinating branch of the Museum of Warsaw tells the story of the destruction of the city and goes behind the scenes on the post-war reconstruction. It gives a great deal of context to the very streets you have just been walking around.

To find the museum, take ul. Celna, in the bottom corner (close to Bistro Warszawa), then turn left into Brzozowa. The museum is on the left, just a couple of minutes away, with Muzeum Warszawy above the doorway.

Day One: Afternoon

Warsaw Barbican

12:45am: Warsaw Barbican and City Walls
Retrace your steps once you’ve finished in the museum and then cross to the far side of the Market Square. Take Nowomiejska, to the left of the main Museum of Warsaw building.

At the end of the street, just before you reach the Barbican, you’ll see a small orange sign pointing left to some public toilets.

Beyond this are the Old Town fortifications and the inside of the Barbican. The city walls were originally built between the 13th and 16th centuries, but have seen subsequent restoration and rebuilding. The 1540 Barbican was designed by Jan Baptist the Venetian, although the whole structure was partially dismantled in the 19th century, before reconstruction after its near destruction during WWII.

Most tours of Warsaw Old Town will include an overview of the Barbican and city fortifications. There is a small museum within the Barbican that is open during the summer months.

To Lubię

1:00pm: Lunch – To Lubię
Once you’ve had a look around the city walls, it’s time for lunch. Follow the road out of the Barbican and take a right into Freta. On the right, you’ll find To Lubię, a cosy cafe located in one of the towers of St. Hyacinth’s Church. You can get sandwiches and soups, as well as more substantial plates, and a delicious tea or coffee. You can eat outside in the pretty street if the weather is good. The cafe also specialises in Dominican mead.

St. Hyacinth’s interior

St. Hyacinth’s is a Dominican church with a fine, white Baroque interior, and is also worth a look.

Warsaw Royal Castle grounds

2:30am: Warsaw Royal Castle
After lunch, trace your way back through the Old Town to the Royal Castle, where you’ll be spending most of the afternoon. It’s a 7-minute walk.

Once you’ve had a good look around the square, you can head into the Royal Castle for the rest of the morning.

In a typical act of spite and vandalism, the Nazis blew up much of the Royal Castle during the brutal occupation of WWII, so what you see is a remarkable reconstruction, like much of Warsaw’s Old Town. However, most of the objects inside are either original or authentic to what was one of Europe’s most splendid palaces.

We have a full walkthrough of what to expect on our Royal Castle page.

Warsaw Royal Castle tours are well-worth taking part in, as they’ll give thoughtful context and insight to what you see in the museum.

These include skip-the-line guided tours and Chopin concerts are also staged in the Castle.

Day One: Evening

Café Zamek

5:30pm: Café Zamek
If you fancy a quick pick-me-up, you can get refreshments just next door to the Castle, less than a minute away. Café Zamek is tucked quietly away in plac Zamkowy. There is a powerful but faded aristocratic charm about the antique furniture and chandeliers. You can eat a full-blown meal here but there are also fine cakes and coffee to be had. Best of all, the terraces look out over the castle grounds and the Vistula river. You’ll pay a little bit extra here but it’s generally worth it.

From the Castle Square entrance to the Royal Castle, turn right and follow the castle walls into plac Zamkowy. You should see Café Zamek ahead at the other side of the square.

Stare Miasto 02 tram stop

6:15pm: Getting to the Palace of Culture and Science
Once you’re feeling fully revitalised, leave Café Zamek and cut back across Castle Square, hugging the wall of the castle. Just past the castle, to the left, you’ll see a flight of stairs down to the main road. Go down these to the bottom and turn left. Pass the ticket machine and, just past the newsstand, take the first crossing only. There is a bus and tram stop just ahead on the left side of the road.

If you cannot use the stairs, there is a lift and escalator (and some public toilets) in the building opposite McDonald’s, towards the back of Castle Square.

There should be a #4 tram every 9 minutes in the direction of Wyścigi. Travel 4 stops to Metro Świętokrzyska 05. The journey takes 6 minutes and the fare currently costs 3.40zł.

Look up and to the left and you should see the Palace of Culture and Science, 5 minutes away, with a flank of more contemporary skyscrapers behind it. Make your way towards the building as you make your way towards it. Pay attention as you cross the busy roads.

View from the Palace of Culture and Science

6:45pm: Palace of Culture and Science Observation Deck
No visit to Warsaw is complete without a trip to the Palace of Culture and Science. This imposing and controversial 1955 skyscraper was a ‘gift of friendship’ from the Stalin. The building itself contains three theatres, a cinema, cafes and restaurants amongst its 3000+ rooms. The highlight, however, is the observation deck on the 30th floor, which gives a bird’s eye view of the Polish capital.

A tour of the Palace of Culture and Science will give you access to some grand ballrooms, conference halls, and marble staircases, as well as the fantastic views from the 30th floor.

Restauracja Warszawska

8:00pm: Dinner – Restauracja Warszawska
Restauracja Warszawska is an excellent restaurant in a dramatic, Bond villain-type lair of concrete. The food is a modern take on Polish classics by Cordon Bleu chef Dariusz Barański.

Find your way back to the Centrum Metro station and cross over to the far side of Marszałkowska. Turn left and continue up the same main road. You’ll pass the Wars Sawa Junior shopping mall on your right. Turn right after 500m into Stanisława Moniuszki – there’s a branch of Orange on the corner – and then left at the end of the road into plac Powstańców Warszawy. The restaurant is in the 5-star Hotel Warszawska, which is on the left at the very end of the road. The entire walk should take 11 minutes.

Pijana Wiśnia

8:00pm: Nightlife – Bars and clubs around Nowy Świat
Finish your night with the bars on and around Nowy Świat. There are many here or tucked into side streets. Try Pijana Wiśnia or PiwPaw Beer Heaven on near by Foksal.

Leave the Hotel Warszawska and you’ll see Świętokrzyska on your left. Turn right into this and follow the road for about 5-6 minutes. You’ll pass the Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet Metro station. Turn right into Nowy Świat, which cuts across Świętokrzyska.

St. Mary’s Basilica

Day Two: Kraków Day Trip

Although nearly 300km away, a Kraków day trip is possible from Warsaw. The train is the fastest way to reach the city – with departures from 6am and journey times of roughly 2.5 hours. You can catch a train back after 8pm and be back in Warsaw before 11pm.

Tours are the simplest way to organise, with a vehicle picking you up at your hotel and getting you on the train. You’ll be met in Kraków and shown the highlights, with all tickets and timings taken care of. Get Your Guide carries a range of options, including the Old Town essentials, as well as options to include Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine as part of the experience.

If you book a tour, you’re all set! What follows assumes you are travelling independently.

We don’t list specific departure advice here because the Warsaw train system is currently being rebuilt with frequent changes to the timetable. The best advice is to book at the central train station (Warszawa Centralna) close to the Palace of Culture and Science. They can help you book what you need and tell you where you need to depart from.

You can also book tickets from any of these Passenger Service Points around Warsaw – they can be found in many Metro stations.

If you’d prefer a day trip with less travel, consider Łódź, roughly an hour away from Warsaw. See the one-day itinerary on our sister site VisitLodz.com, as well as information on How To Get To Łódź.

Day Two: Morning

We’ve assumed you’ll be catching an early train and reaching Kraków around 10am. If you want to go later, you can adjust the schedule accordingly. Be careful not to miss the last train back to Warsaw, though!

You can also find much more information and itinerary suggestions on our sister site VisitKrakow.com.

10:00am: Getting to Kraków Old Town
You should find a small bistro on the board the train, selling drinks and snacks but you may want to pre-pack some breakfast just in case.

The train will arrive at Kraków Główny, the central train station, mere minutes away from the Old Town. Once you’ve disembarked, take the stairs, escalator, or lift down to the next level. You’ll find youself in a long hallway lined with shops and cafés.

Exit from Kraków Główny train station

The station has two exits. The most straightforward is through the shopping mall that is attached to the train station. Follow the signs that point to both ‘Stare Miasto’ / ‘ul. Pawia’ and ‘Galeria Krakowska’. You’ll find yourself in the basement of the mall. Take the escalator to the ground floor and exit to ul. Pawia straight ahead.

Escalator leading out of Galeria Krakowska

Turn left onto the street and continue walking for a few minutes. Near the end of the road, you’ll pass Vienna House on the left, a big, modern hotel. Cut in slightly to your left and take the subway down. You’ll emerge in the Old Town on the other side.

Take the right-hand turning up the ramp and follow the path. After a few minutes, you’ll cross over a street called Szpitalna. Join Pijarska street, with the old city walls on the right and St. Florian’s Gate up ahead. At the gate, turn left into Floriańska. As with Warsaw, this formed part of the Royal Route down to Wawel Hill. You’ll see the spire of St. Mary’s Cathedral at the very end of the road. This is your first destination.

Despite the tourist shops and fast food outlets, it’s worth taking your time, as there is some 700 years of history in these buildings. The street includes the house of artist Jan Matejko and the Museum of Pharmacy.

Adam Mickiewicz Monument

10:30am: Rynek Główny
This should be a good time to get photos of Kraków’s Main Square (Rynek Główny) without too many tourists, while the restaurants are still taking in deliveries and before the main attractions are busy.

As you emerge from ul. Floriańska, the square opens up before you. It’s a stunning view. St. Mary’s Basilica is directly in front, the Sukiennice (or Cloth Hall) sits in the very middle, and the Adam Mickiewicz Monument between the two. Mickiewicz is considered Poland’s national poet and his remains are buried under Wawel Cathedral.

Spend some time exploring the entire square, taking in the Town Hall Tower and the ‘Eros Bendato’ statue (known as ‘The Head’) on the far side of the Cloth Hall, the Church of St. Adalbert (aka Church of St. Wojciech) to the south, and the gorgeous buildings on all four sides. Each of these has its own history. The Wierzynek restaurant, for example, has royal origins in the 14th century.

There are plenty of picturesque pavement spots to stop off for coffee.

St. Mary’s Basilica

11:30am: St. Mary’s Basilica
Directly opposite the Cloth Hall, and impossible to miss, the elaborate Gothic interior of St. Mary’s Basilica is an absolute treat for the eyes. The 15th-century altar by Veit Stoss is considered the highlight. It is traditionally unveiled with great ceremony at 11:50am each day. The scale of deep blue vaulted ceilings and the sumptuous stained glass windows are essential viewing.

St. Mary’s Basilica Ticket Office

You will find the tourist entrance is on the right side of the building with the ticket office directly opposite. Just look for the crowd. Understandably, the queues are long, especially when people want to see the unveiling of the altar. There’s a bit of pushing and the church gets very full but, in my experience, the queue moves quickly and everybody gets inside without too much fuss.

Entrance to St Mary’s Basilica

The northern tower served as lookout for the city and, from here, a bluesy bugle call is played at the top of every hour. This call breaks off abruptly mid-melody, allegedly to honour a trumpeter shot with an arrow in 1241. Both towers can be seen with a separate ticket.

You can pay for a ticket in advance from Get Your Guide but you’ll still need to exchange it at the ticket office. Make sure you bring a print out with you, as a digital copy may not be accepted.

Day Two: Afternoon

Entrance to the Rynek Underground Museum

12:15pm: Rynek Underground
From 2005, Rynek Główny underwent a huge excavation project, revealing foundations and artefacts to the beginning of Kraków’s past. The 6000m area is now an imaginative and engaging state-of-the-art museum explaing Kraków’s history, directly beneath the pavement of the Main Square. It’s the ideal way to find out more about what you have just seen above ground.

The exhibition entrance is on the outside of the Cloth Hall building, at 1 Rynek Główny. It’s hard to spot from a distance. Head to the corner of the Cloth Hall opposite St. Mary’s Basilica. Look for the small glass pyramid and fountain to point you in the right direction. Confusingly, you collect tickets from the opposite side of the Cloth Hall. So, follow the building around so that you’re in the same side of the Main Square as the Town Hall Tower. The ticket office is about halfway down. It’s marked with a #21 on the wall and says ‘Podziemia Rynku’ on the door.

Rynek Underground Museum Ticket Office

Entry is limited to 300 people at a time, so advanced booking is recommended. You can reserve a time slot at the official Rynek Underground website. Click on the link for the Online Tickets Reservation System and change the language to English if necessary – click the EN button at the top of the page. Print your reservation out, as a digital confirmation will not always be accepted in Poland. You pay for the ticket when you pick it up. Cards are accepted. Admission is free on Tuesdays, but places are always booked up early.

If you buy a ‘skip the queue’ ticket from Get Your Guide, you can pay upfront and print out the reservation at home. However, you will still need to visit the ticket office with your document. But, if you book a tour through Get Your Guide, you need only turn up at the stated meeting point and everything else will be organised for you.

It’s a bit crowded when you first enter the museum, as groups come and go, but it quickly settles into a peaceful and atmospheric wander through over 700 years of vivid history. There are holograms, models, and reconstructions, a series of genuinely entertaining films, and an exhibit on how to bury vampires, as well as many objects and trinkets.

Balaton restaurant

2:00pm: Dinner – Grodzka Street

Come out of the museum and turn left. The street leading out of the Main Square to the bottom left is called Grodzka, part of the final leg of the Royal Route up to Wawel, and has a number of impressive churches and other points of interest. There’s also plenty of places to stop for lunch.

If you fancy Polish (with a touch of Italian), we recommend a window table in Miód Malina, on the corner of Grodzka and Poselska. Look for the painting of a raspberry. A main course of duck, roe, or potato pancakes is around 15€. Or there’s Balaton with a strong, spicy Hungarian influence. There are dozens of places to eat, as well as some excellent shops.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul

If the weather is good, you can pick up a snack from a street vendor. Obwarzanek are similar to pretzels and can be bought for a couple of złoty each. There’s usually a stand opposite the magnificent baroque gates of the Church of Saints Peter and Paul. Look for somewhere to sit in the grounds of Romanesque St. Andrew’s Church, next door.

View of Wawel from Kanonicza Street

3:30pm: Wawel Hill
Cross the square opposite Saints Peter and Paul and take a left into Kanonicza. There are a few plush hotels and restaurants down here, and the former house of John Paul II on the right. But the real reason to take this backstreet is the stunning view of Wawel that emerges at the end of the street.

Leave Kanonicza, cross over Podzamcze and follow the path to your right up the hill to Wawel. It’s impossible to miss. Follow the crowd.

Wawel Cathedral and Royal Apartments

Wawel is a complex of different attractions, each of which are highlights to any Kraków visit. Your best bet is to focus your energy on either the Cathedral or the Royal Apartments, as each will take a couple of hours to see, and you’ll want a bit of time to stroll around the grounds. I especially recommend a guided tour if you want to get the most out of the Castle. You can book in advance through Get Your Guide and need only turn up at the right time, handily sidestepping the queues. You’ll come away with a much greater understanding of Poland’s impressive history.

The grounds are free to enter and offer panoramic views. Take advantage, even if you don’t intend to tackle any of the paid attractions.

Szara

Day Two: Evening

Follow the same route back to the Main Market Square. Or take a detour if you’re feeling brave. The Old Town is fairly compact and encircled by a border of parkland, so it’s difficult to stray too far.

6:00pm: Dinner – Old Town
As you will have noticed, the Old Town is packed with fantastic places to eat and drink, and the standard is generally good. It’s great fun to bar hop and just follow your instincts.

You’ll generally pay more if you stick to the Main Square, though Szara is a fine Michelin-listed restaurant. You’ll eat well for less if you wander just a little from the centre, and virtually every street has somewhere good. Morskie Oko on pl. Szczepanski, for example, has huge portions of Southern Polish and Eastern European dishes.

Pawia entrance to Galeria Krakowska and Krakow Glowny train station

Be sure to leave plenty of time to return to the train station the same way you arrived. Enter Galeria Krakowska and descend to the basement. The train station is directly ahead, with signs to point you in the right direction.

Departure board in Kraków Główny train station

Enter the station and look for the departures board just to your left. The platforms are actually directly above the station hallway. So, once you’ve worked out which number your train leaves from, wander down the passage until you find the one you need. These are well signed and should be easy to spot. Take the stairs, lift, or escalator up to the next floor and you should emerge on the right platform.

Passageway leading to platforms in Krakow Glowny train station

Platforms are subdivided in Poland and you may get confused as to where you should wait. I’ve found it’s best not to worry about it. Just be on the right platform number at the right time and always check the destination on the side of the train before you get on.

There should be a small bistro-bar on board the train, so you can relax with a drink, before arriving back in Warsaw a couple of hours later.

Day Three: Morning

Fat White Coffee

9:00am: Breakfast – Fat White Coffee
Kick-start your morning with a great cup of coffee at Fat White. Chemex, AeroPress, drip, and cold brews are all available, as well as a fine espresso and flat white. You won’t get much more than a snack to eat in here but the Putka bakery across the road is really good if you need something more substantial.

Fat White and Putka are both on Gen. W. Andersa, which can be reached via the Muranów tram stop.

POLIN Museum’s stunning bimah

10:00am: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
One of Warsaw’s contemporary highlights is the huge, state-of-the-art POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. From the stunning building to the imaginative multimedia displays, this excellent museum covers a millennium of Jewish history in Poland.

Obviously the museum covers the bleak history of the Holocaust but this is countered with beauty and joy, not least in the breathtaking reconstruction of the bimah from the Gwoździec Synagogue – a visual highlight that will stay with you.

You can buy tickets for the POLIN Museum through Get Your Guide or join a tour to get the most out of the experience.

Turn left outside Fat White, taking the zebra crossing. Turn right at the crossroads into Mordechaja Anielewicza and continue for another few minutes. Cross at the traffic lights. The POLIN is the contemporary building through the trees once you get to the other side. It’s a 7-minute walk from the cafe.

Gdański Bar Mleczny

1:00pm: Lunch – Gdański Bar Mleczny
Milk bars are a Polish institution. Once government subsidised, these cheap, nutritious, and functional eateries came to prominence during the communist era – though they actual pre-date.

Gdański Bar Mleczny is a minimalist contemporary update of the milk bar, with a frame of benches, glowing balls suspended in nets, and bold typography, set against cheery yellow walls. Queue up at the counter, eat in or take away, this is great tasting Polish home cooking. Outstanding value too!

Once you leave the POLIN, take the same route back to Fat White, but remain on the left-hand side of Gen. W. Andersa instead of crossing the road to the cafe. Stay on this road for 5 minutes and you’ll see Gdański Bar Mleczny on your left.

There is a faster route with a shortcut through to Gen. W. Andersa which you can find with Google Maps.

Day Three Options

Warsaw Rising is another of the city’s award-winning museums but we appreciate that it may be too much for one day in conjunction with the POLIN. What’s more, if you’ve good weather during your stay, you will want to make the most of being outside.

Therefore, we have given two options for the rest of the day, depending on your interests and circumstances. What’s more, if you’re in town for a longer stay, you could choose one option today and the other tomorrow, with the morning free for a lazy start or some shopping.

Day Three: Afternoon (Option 1)

Warsaw Rising Museum

2:30pm: Warsaw Rising Museum
After nearly 5 years of Nazi occupation, the Polish underground resistance undertook a major operation to liberate Warsaw, through August and September of 1944. This incredible museum, in a former power station, opened in 2004, to commemorate the 60th anniversary of this heroic struggle.

As with the Schindler Museum in Kraków, the Warsaw Rising Museum gives a sometimes overwhelming insight into the contexts and day-to-day realities of life under Nazi occupation. Warsaw and its people paid a terrible price during the war but this excellent museum is also a tribute to those who fought for independence.

The museum takes 30 minutes to reach via public transport. However, if you take part in a tour of Warsaw Rising, you’ll get an excellent overview and can arrange a pickup as part of the deal.

To reach the museum on your own, turn left outside Gdański Bar Mleczny, cross at the lights, and walk to the Muranowska 02 bus stop slightly to the left on the other side of Stawki. Catch the 157 bus in the direction of Szczęśliwice, which run every 15 minutes. Get off after 9 minutes at Mennica 03, which is the 9th stop. The fare currently costs 3.40zł.

Head back up Żelazna in the same direction the bus has just come from and turn left into Grzybowska. You’ll need to walk another 10 minutes, unfortunately, and it’s a bit of a boring walk past glass office blocks. Look for Holmes Place on your left and the elegant curve of the Warsaw Spire peeking above the other buildings. Get a cab, if you’re pushed for time.

Finally, once you get to the crossroads of Grzybowska and Towarowa, you can see distinctive shape of the museum across the road to your left. Cross over and continue along Grzybowska, then turn left into Przyokopowa. Look for Starbucks on your right – the red brick museum is opposite.

Day Three: Evening (option 1)

SZUM

6:00pm: Dinner – SZUM
This is very much a business and new-build residential part of Warsaw. Nevertheless there are places to eat. SZUM does pizza and seasonal comfort food with a twist. The menu is loaded with little surprises. There are cocktail with some original flavours, a strong selection of wines, and a clean contemporary interior.

Exit Warsaw Rising through the same gate you entered and turn right into Przyokopowa. After 2 minutes, turn right into Giełdowa and continue for 270m. Roughly 3 minutes later, you’ll find the restaurant on the right.

Kulturalna

8:00pm: Nightlife – Kulturalna
After dinner head back to Kulturalna, tucked into the Teatr Dramatyczny, itself part of The Palace of Culture and Science. This retro bar and club has bags of atmosphere and generally excellent staff. You’ll also get great music, DJs, and live events. It’s open until midnight.

SZUM to Kulturanlna is possible via the M2 Metro line from Rondo Daszyńskiego to Swietokrzyska. However, there’s a bit of walking at either end, and it’s simpler to ask the restaurant to call you a cab. You’ll be there in 10 minutes.

Day Three: Afternoon (Option 2)

Łazienki Park

3:00pm: Łazienki Park

Another way point on the Royal Route, Łazienki Park is a 76-hetare complex of palaces, follies, and monuments, set amidst Warsaw’s largest public garden. Originally designed for private baths, which give the site its name, Łazienki was gradually adapted and embellished by King Stanisław II Augustus.

There are numerous reasons to visit the grounds, including the variety of gardens, the showcase island Palace that sits on an ornamental lake, the sculpture gallery in the Old Orangery and Royal Theatre. You couldn’t get further from the popular myth of concrete Warsaw.

As with the Warsaw Rising Museum, Łazienki Park takes roughly 30 minutes to reach from Gdański Bar Mleczny. However, if you sign up for a tour of Łazienki highlights, you’ll get an expert’s insight into the grounds, with all fees included, plus pickup and transport there and back.

If you are travelling independently, there are a number of buses and trams from close to Gdański Bar Mleczny. Try the 116 that leaves every 12 minutes from Muranowska 05.

Come out of the milk bar and turn left on Gen. W. Andersa. Turn right into Muranowska at the junction and then right again into Bonifraterska. The bus stop is just ahead. It’s a 6-minute walk in total.

Look for the bus to Wilanów and get off at Łazienki Królewskie 01 (10 stops). The journey takes 18 minutes and the current price is 3.40zł.

The bus stops opposite the park with entrance gates all along the perimeter of the grounds.

Day Three: Evening (Option 2)

Cool Cat TR

7:00pm: Dinner – Cool Cat TR
Cool Cat delightfully laid-back restaurant with hearty, wholesome food and shady outside dining.
Bao buns and K-fries, ramen, burgers, and all-day breakfasts illustrate what’s on the menu.

Exit the gardens near the Józef Piłsudski Monument, close to where the bus first dropped you off. Then cross over to Bagatela and keep walking for 5 minutes. At the roundabout, take the second turning on the left and walk along Marszałkowska. The Cool Cat is a minute or so further on the right.

Bar Wieczorny

9:00pm: Nightlife – Bar Wieczorny
With what some reckon to be the best cocktails in Warsaw and a spacious summer garden, Bar Wieczorny is a fine place to wind down at the end of a long day. There’s a tasting menu of 6 signature cocktails, which are currently gooseberry (gin), strawberry (vodka), hawthorn (gin), currant (tequila), viburnum (bourbon), and beetroot(rum). And there are classics on hand if you don’t like the sound of those. You’ll need a taxi to get back after!

Bar Wieczorny is less than 10 minutes away by vehicle and 17 on foot but you may consider getting a taxi. There are various buses from the pl. Unii Lubelskiej 58 stop, although at this time of night you may have a wait. Walk back down Marszałkowska and across the roundabout, as if you were returning to Łazienki. The walk takes about 5 minutes and the stop is on the left, about halfway down.

Look for the 168 to Spartańska and get off after 4 stops at Wiśniowa 02. The journey takes 4 minutes and costs 3.40zł.

Once you get off the bus, walk back a little the way you’ve just come and turn right into Wiśniowa. The bar is less than a minute away on the left. Keep your eyes peeled, as it’s easy to miss!

Warsaw Map

Plan your Warsaw visit with Warsaw map of Warsaw’s attractions, restaurants, sightseeing and hotels.

Each type of landmark has a different colour marker on the map:

• YELLOW: Warsaw Sightseeing
• BLUE: Warsaw Hotels
• RED: Warsaw Places To Eat – Michelin restaurants are DARK RED
• ORANGE: Warsaw Nightlife
• PURPLE: Shopping In Warsaw
• GREEN: Warsaw Transportation

Click on a marker and it will give you the name of the landmark, with a brief description and links for more information and directions. You can pan, scroll, and zoom around the map, or use the + or – buttons in the bottom left of the map to zoom in and out.

Click on the icon in the top left corner for an index of every location, sorted by category. Scroll down or use the map search (the magnifying glass icon) to find the place you want. Click the name of the place in the list. Its location pin will be highlighted on the map.

Each category is on a different layer, which can be switched on and off. So you can just see the Hotel or Restaurant pins, for example.

If you are using the map on your phone, open the Visit Warsaw map and then search for the name of the place. The map will then zoom in on its location.

More Warsaw Itineraries

See our range of itineraries to suit your stay in Warsaw:

• Warsaw One-Day Itinerary
  This tour is for visitors to Warsaw with limited time who want to get a flavour of the city. Here, you’ll find a window into the history and culture of Warsaw.
• Warsaw Two-Day Itinerary
  Warsaw is packed with things to do, but you can still see a lot in two days. This itinerary is perfect for getting the most out of two full days, such as a long weekend.
• Sightseeing In Warsaw
  This page summarises the key attractions you won’t want to miss during your trip to Warsaw, with information on how to visit them.
• Things To Do In Warsaw
  This page is full of suggestions for some essential and fun things to see and do in Warsaw. Here, we offer an overview of different activities and link out to where you can find out more information.