Warsaw for free
Visiting Warsaw needn’t be expensive—the Polish capital offers plenty of attractions that you can discover totally free! From strolling through historic sites, to museums with free admission, to relaxing in picturesque parks. Whether you are a history buff, an art lover, or simply want to enjoy the city’s atmosphere, you will find lots of opportunities here for a fascinating adventure that won’t hurt your pocket. Check out 18 ideas on how to explore Warsaw without spending a penny!
Do you know that you can visit many of Warsaw’s museums for free? Find out when there are free entries. Additionally, throughout November you can visit the Royal Castle, Wilanów Palace and Royal Łazienki for free. Also, Museum Night is organised in Warsaw every year in mid-May. On that night, you can visit over 200 museums, galleries and other places often closed to visitors without spending a penny.
Did you know that Warsaw is one of the greenest cities in Poland? See for yourself at the Royal Łazienki Park, Saxon Garden, Ujazdowski Park, Pole Mokotowskie or Skaryszewski Park in Praga. Also, you can visit the two-level roof garden of the University of Warsaw Library, one of the largest and most beautiful places of this type in Europe. From there you can admire the panorama of Warsaw’s Old Town, have a picnic or take part in concerts and exhibitions organised here.
We don’t know anyone who would not fall in love with Warsaw’s Old Town! Its cosy atmosphere, narrow streets and beautiful tenements are unique. Thanks to a thorough reconstruction after World War II, it has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. You will definitely be charmed by the Market Square with the monument of the Warsaw Mermaid, as well as by the Barbican and the Royal Castle. At the back of the royal residence you will find a beautiful two-level garden with a view of the Vistula River.
The several-kilometre-long promenade along the bank of the Vistula in the city centre is the ideal place to relax. Strolling along the boulevards, you can enjoy the views, jump on the trampolines or visit the beach. At the Mermaid monument you will find a sports zone with an area for skateboarding and parkour. Floating marinas are moored along the Vistula, from where, in summer, you can take the free ferry to the other side of the river. You can also get there via the new pedestrian and cycling bridge.
This is not the end of the attractions that await you on the Vistula. In the Multimedia Fountain Park you can take part in laser shows that are displayed on a water screen. The musical performances are based on Warsaw legends or characters related to the capital. They take place on weekends and holidays, from May to September and in December and January.
Listen to Jazz in the Old Town
Jazz in the Old Town is another festival with a great tradition. The stage on the Old Town Square on July and August Saturdays hosts jazz legends and discoveries. The concerts attract music lovers of all ages. If you’re one of them, don’t miss it.
The mermaid is the symbol of Warsaw, a heroine of legends and an ubiquitous sight in the city. In the capital, you can see the Mermaid almost everywhere: look for her sculptures and decorative elements with her image on tenements, gates, and even drains covers. How many do you think you’ll find?
Look for neon lights
Do you want to see old advertising neon signs? Take an evening walk through the streets of Warsaw when shop windows and building facades are illuminated. Most of them were designed in the 1950s and 1960s by famous Polish artists. Pay particular attention to the ‘Globus’ on Jerozolimskie Avenue and the ‘Volleyball player’ on Konstytucji Square.
Find out more about Jewish culture by taking part in the Singer’s Warsaw festival. This popular event takes place every year at the end of August and beginning of September. The festival includes many free theatre performances and meetings with artists. Be sure to take part in the final concert on Grzybowski square, which 100 years ago was the heart of the Jewish quarter.
See Warsaw’s murals
Street art in Warsaw appeared on a large scale several years ago. Today, you can see the work of world-famous street artists in every district of Warsaw. The most recognisable murals in the capital include: Soldiers-Marionettes (45 Sienna Street), the ‘Let’s Colour’ mural decorating a multi-storey car park (27 Nowogrodzka Street), the David Bowie mural (1 Marii Kazimiery Street) and the mural dedicated to Kora, one of Poland’s greatest music stars (18/20 Nowy Świat Street).
Go to the cinema under the stars
If you like films, go to one of the outdoor cinemas in the summer. You’ll find them in different districts of Warsaw, in parks and even on beaches. It’s the perfect way to catch up on films you might have missed.
Do you know that the famous composer Fryderyk Chopin spent his youth in Warsaw? To this day, there are many places associated with him in the city. Benches with maps of the places where the pianist lived or performed will help you find them. They also have a button you can press to hear a fragment of one of the famous composer’s pieces.
Listen to Fryderyk Chopin’s most famous compositions
Do you want to hear Fryderyk Chopin’s famous mazurkas and nocturnes performed by world-famous pianists? Then go to the Chopin Concerts in Royal Łazienki Park. Every Sunday from mid-May to the end of September, at the composer’s monument, you can listen to recitals given by the greatest celebrities of classical music as well as by young talented musicians at the beginning of their careers.
Warsaw’s beaches are clean, tidy and attract those who love sport and just lazing about. You definitely won’t get bored! During the summer at the Poniatówka beach you can rent free sunbeds and wicker beach baskets, play volleyball, play table tennis and work out at the outdoor gym, and in the evening you can sit round a bonfire with your friends. On the Landing Point you can take part in concerts, yoga classes, performances and film screenings, and at the nearby marina you can rent paddleboards and kayaks.
Do you know that there are over 100 outdoor gyms in Warsaw? You will find them by the Vistula, in parks and squares, in housing estates and at sports centres. In the capital, we also have street workout parks, long cycle paths and routes for runners. On certain Sunday mornings you can take part in outdoor yoga classes in Royal Łazienki.
Take a free guided walk
Do you want to learn about the most important places in Warsaw? Take part in free themed walks with a local guide organised by Orange Umbrella Free Tour or Free Walkative. It is an ideal opportunity to learn many lesser known facts about the capital, as well as to meet other tourists from around the world!
Go skating on an ice rink
There are several free ice rinks waiting for skating fans in winter in Warsaw. The most popular of them can be found at the Palace of Culture and Science and on the Old Town Square. Get ready for lots of fun!
Feel like You’re in a fairy-tale land thanks to the illuminations
From the beginning of December, Warsaw’s streets and parks come alive with colourful illuminations. The squares are decorated with beautiful Christmas trees, and the shop windows sparkle with fabulous decorations. Put on a warm jacket and go for a walk along the Royal Route illuminated with colourful decorations. It’s one of the most spectacular illuminated Christmas streets in Europe.