Three days in Warsaw

In three days, you will not only see the most important sights of Warsaw, but you will also feel the atmosphere of the city. You will learn about the royal past, hear about the heroic struggle of Poles during World War II and see traces of Jewish culture. At the end, visit Warsaw’s Praga district, which is considered the most authentic part of the city.

First day:

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.

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.

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.

Second day:

This interactive museum is an exceptional place to gain a deeper understanding of Warsaw’s history. It was founded in commemoration of an event that profoundly changed the city: the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. Listen to the oral accounts given by insurgents, go down into the sewers – similar to the ones that insurgents used to move around the city – and see The City of Ruins, a bird’s-eye view of Warsaw burnt to the ground. Don’t forget to see the murals painted by Polish artists on the Wall of Art.

The museum building is interesting in its own right since it was previously an old electric power plant for trams.

Situated on the right bank of the Vistula, Praga is seen as the most genuine and authentic part of the city. During World War II, it did not suffer as much as the city centre; hence, you can still admire its original architecture. The charming alleys, restaurants pulsating with life, trendy art galleries, and exceptional combination of historical industrial architecture with modern design concepts have made Praga a favourite spot among Warsaw’s artists and creatives.

The National Museum houses a wonderful collection of well over 830,000 objects from all epochs – from antiquity to contemporary times. Here you will find works of both Polish and world art, including such gems as Jewess with Oranges by Aleksander Gierymski and the large-format Battle of Grunwald by Jan Matejko. Visit the Gallery of Medieval Art to see the unique artefacts there or visit the biggest collection of Nubian cultural artefacts and art in Europe. Don’t forget to check out the schedule of temporary exhibitions.

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.

Third day:

The POLIN Museum restores the memory of the rich, thousand-year shared history of two peoples: Poles and Jews. The interactive exposition will take you on an incredible journey across centuries. You’ll have the chance to walk the streets of a pre-war Jewish shtetl and discover how Polish and Jewish cultures have intermingled. The edifice of the museum is itself an architectural attraction and a landmark of modern Warsaw.

Wilanów Palace is a true pearl of Baroque architecture in Warsaw. Learn about King Jan III Sobieski, who successfully fended off the Turks in the battle of Vienna and who lived in Wilanów with his beloved Marysieńka. Take a walk in the park and tour the palace interiors; see the portrait gallery and listen to stories of great romances. The building and the park have both kept their original form, despite the partition, war, and occupation. Wilanów Palace is a must-see when visiting Warsaw. In the wintertime, the venue, illuminated with thousands of lamps, transforms into the Royal Garden of Lights.

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.