How to spend a long weekend in Warsaw, Poland
Since its near destruction during WWII and the reconstruction efforts that followed, Warsaw, the capital city of Poland, has been seen as the country's unattractive city, with most visitors favouring Krakow* or Gdansk* for their history, colourful architecture and lively pub scenes.
In recent years, the city has woken up from its post-war slumber as a confident metropolis ready to take on the world, and Warsaw has become the place to be.
Having regularly visited Warsaw over the past 20 years, I've witnessed its transformation. Within the city centre itself, modern high-rises mushroomed rapidly among the uninspiring communist flats; museums and historical landmarks got the clean-up they needed, and former factory complexes have been repurposed into cultural and leisure hotspots.
Even in the surrounding suburbs, roadside soup shelters have been replaced by cafés serving flat whites and an international dining scene means the Poles are as likely to be snacking on their national dishes as ordering sushi with a side of miso soup.
Recently voted the 'Best Destination in Europe', here we look at how you can enjoy the perfect weekend in Warsaw to see just what all the fuss is about.
Getting to Warsaw: find affordable weekend escapes and city breaks to Warsaw with Love Holidays*, which packages flights and accommodation into one great value bundle.
Friday afternoon
Take a walk around the UNESCO-listed heritage Old Town. As much as 80% of Warsaw's urban buildings were destroyed during WWII, so much so that the post-war Communist government considered moving the capital to another city and making Warsaw some kind of open-air war museum.
In the end, Warsaw's importance paved the way to one of the largest post-war reconstruction projects in history.
Instead of simply restoring monuments and historical buildings, Warsaw* was to rebuild itself to its original blueprint; the result is what you see as you walk through the crisscrossing cobble streets and around colourful architecture of the 13th to 20th centuries in the Old Town.
Spend some time in the Museum of Warsaw and the Royal Castle to learn more about the history of this resilient city.
The Old Town is also a good place to try some great Polish cuisine, with plenty of taverns and restaurants to choose from. Do try the iconic national dumpling, pierogi, of various fillings, placki potato pancakes and the 'Hunter Stew' bigos.
Night owls should take in the vibes on Mazowiecka Street, or in one of the cosy pubs or cocktail bars for a more intimate nightcap.
Saturday morning
Brunch has become trendy among slick Varsovians (aka Warsovians) and modern cafés are aplenty in the new city centre, stacked with high rises and department stores.
Although, on a Saturday morning, you'll find the best wake-up call at BioBazar market among the seasonal fresh and locally made produce. Located in the converted Norblin Factory complex in the Wola district, it also houses its own museum, shops, event and exhibition spaces.
Just before lunch, book a guided tour of the Palace of Science and Culture. This monumental 'wedding cake' building is typical of Stalinist architecture, a gift to Poland* from the Soviet Union 65 years ago.
The tour will take you behind the walls of conference rooms, ballrooms, original furnishing from the 1950s and a glimpse into the country's Soviet years.
Today, the Palace is home to a shopping centre, restaurants and cafés, a cinema and a couple of cultural and educational museums.
Across the road, you'll find Warsaw's Modern Arts Museum (MSN Warsaw), which finally has a permanent home since its foundation. The new purpose-built building is already open, but the museum, officially inaugurated in February 2025, is an excellent place to marvel at Polish artistic greats.
After a busy morning, experience lunch in a 'milk bar', or bar mleczny. These are small canteens that were set up during the communist era that provide government-subsidised meals at low cost, which make them the best places to sample authentic Polish food. Although now difficult to find, there are a couple near the palace if they are open.
Saturday afternoon & evening
In the past 10 years, Warsaw has undergone a positive transformation from a city that once felt bleakly concrete to one that is loud with creative energy. In particular, the Praga district across the river once had a shady and questionable reputation, but is now where all the cool kids hang out.
Street art enthusiasts will spy vibrant murals, while the district also contains an overlapping contrast of architectural styles through the ages.
You'll find some of the city's quirkiest museums here, including the Polish Vodka Museum, housed in the former Koneser Vodka factory and the eclectic Neon Museum in Soho Factory, whose collection of neon lights and advertising signs became popular during the post-war era.
For evening drinks and dinner, both the Koneser and Soho factory complexes have a handful of trendy cafés and restaurants that offer traditional Polish cuisine or fusion world food, as well as several bars offering local and regional craft beers.
Sunday morning
Sundays are traditionally rest days, and shops are likely to be closed, which makes this morning a good time to experience some nature around Warsaw.
Although the city has had its modern boom, Warsaw is surprisingly green along the riverbank and the fringes of the city centre, which is perfect for those who like a quiet early morning run along the Vistula River.
Hunt down the mermaid statue, the symbol of Warsaw, and delight in watching the early birds that come out to hunt along the riverbank.
Parks around Warsaw are beautiful, and you'll find locals enjoying their tranquillity on Sunday mornings with their kids and family. Go for a stroll in the Royal Łazienki Park with its historical monuments and palaces as well as a lovely lake and canal system.
If visiting between May and September, there are free concerts held near the Chopin statue, which is a particularly pleasing way to spend time before your flight home.
Climate in Warsaw
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maximum daytime temperature °C |  -1 |
 1 |
 6 |
 13 |
 19 |
 22 |
 24 |
23 |
18 |
13 |
6 |
1 |
| Hours of sunshine (daily) | ||||||||||||
| Days with some rainfall |  16 |
 13 |
13 |
 12 |
12 |
13 |
13 |
11 |
12 |
13 |
15 |
17 |
The above guide shows the climate in Warsaw. Find out more about conditions across the country in our complete guide to the climate in Poland.
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