One day in Warsaw
Here are the top attractions that you can’t miss during a one-day trip to Warsaw! Start with a walk in the centre, see the UNESCO-listed Old Town and the enchanting Royal Łazienki Park, and at the end of the day relax by the Vistula River.
Old Town and Royal Castle – 3h
A UNESCO world heritage site, the Old Town charms with its colourful townhouses and the exceptional atmosphere of its narrow streets. When in the Old Town Market Square, you will meet a mermaid – the official symbol of the city.
Don’t forget to see the Barbican, stop by the bell on Kanonia Street, and walk along the old city walls. You should also visit the Royal Castle. Apart from the royal apartments, the old seat of Polish rulers also houses an art collection with paintings by Rembrandt and Bernardo Bellotto, also known as Canaletto.
The Royal Route connects three former residences of Polish rulers: Royal Castle, Royal Łazienki and Wilanów Palace. It is the city’s most famous route. Among the buildings lining the streets Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat are the Presidential Palace, the Warsaw University campus, as well as beautiful churches and townhouses.
The Route continues along the elegant and green Aleje Ujazdowskie, with embassies and ministries situated along the way. The historical route ends at Wilanów Palace. The Route is not to be missed in the wintertime when it is illuminated with thousands of lights as part of the Great Illumination.
The vast garden surrounding the summer residence of the last Polish king, Stanisław August Poniatowski, is where Varsovians like to go for longer walks. The park is home to a winter garden, an amphitheatre, and even a Chinese garden. The biggest attraction, however, is the garden’s permanent residents: the squirrels and peacocks. Another site worth seeing is the classicistic Palace on the Isle with its enchanting interior design and gallery of paintings.
The garden is also known for Chopin Concerts, which take place every Sunday from 19th May to 29th September at 12.00 and 16.00. Come to the Chopin monument, sit on the grass and enjoy the music.
- ul. Agrykoli 1
The best-known and one of the tallest building in the city, the Palace of Culture and Science, was a gift from the Soviet people to the Poles. Visible from almost any place in Warsaw, the palace is to Warsaw what the Eiffel Tower is to Paris – the perfect landmark.
Take the lift up to the 30th floor to see the city panorama from a height of 114 metres. The palace also houses theatres, a cinema, museums and trendy bistros, as well as the city’s main Tourist Information Point.
- pl. Defilad 1
No other river in Europe is like the Vistula flowing through Warsaw. Its natural banks, inhabited by wild fowl, are right next to the city’s boulevards. In the summer, the weekend city life comes alive here – trendy bars and clubs, charming bistros, and outdoor events attract both city dwellers and tourists, while the sandy beaches are the perfect place to chill out. A cruise down the river to see the city from the water is also an interesting option.
The Vistula Boulevards are the ideal place for a stroll or a bicycle trip. The exceptional atmosphere of this site is created by the sail-shaped lamp posts and pergolas that offer shade on sunny days. You can stop to rest on one of the stone sculptures in the form of fish and other water creatures or climb up to the overlook. The promenade is adapted for the needs of people with disabilities and families with children.