I arrived in Poland’s capital with pretty low expectations, but the city and all these fun things to do in Warsaw completely blew me away. It felt like a surprisingly perfect combo between the colorful, relaxed vibes of Brasov and the sharp modernism of Frankfurt.
The architecture? Wow from the first walk. In the Old Town, you’ve got pastel buildings, pedestrian streets and romantic corners, while in the new area it’s all business: skyscrapers, wide boulevards and sleek terraces between glass towers. That’s where you’ll also find Varso Tower, the tallest skyscraper in the EU at 310 meters.
Panoramic view of Warsaw
In just one day in Warsaw, I managed to see so many cool places, walk for hours, soak up the city vibe and even taste some local dishes. I loved how green the city is, how polite and chill people are, and how clean and colorful everything feels. There are relaxing spots, endless cafés and stunning viewpoints everywhere.
What made me even happier is that, although it was just a layover before my 10-day Northern Europe cruise, Warsaw still managed to leave such a great impression. I can’t wait to go back and explore even more of the city and of Poland, which was new territory for me.
And if you’re wondering how to get there, the distance from Bucharest to Warsaw is around 950 km, and the flight takes just a bit over an hour and a half. Get yourself a well-priced Warsaw plane ticket and you’ll be on your way to a city break that really delivers!
Warsaw from above
Things to know before visiting Warsaw
Warsaw is one of those cities you don’t hear much about until you actually visit. And when you do, you’re left wondering why no one told you earlier how cool it is. So here are a few essential things to help you get the vibe faster:
- Warsaw has been the country’s capital since 1596, when King Sigismund decided to move it from Krakow. Yes, he’s the guy with the big column in the main square.
- The city was nearly wiped out in World War II. But the Polish rebuilt the entire Old Town from scratch, based on sketches and paintings.
- Warsaw is split by the Vistula River. The western side is more touristy and Insta-worthy, while the eastern side is more raw and artsy.
- It’s right in the middle of the country, but also close to Eastern Europe, and you can feel it. Russian, Western, communist, aristocratic vibes – all in one place.
- It’s way greener than I expected. There are huge parks, lots of fountains, and if you’re into squirrel-spotting while sunbathing, you’re gonna love it.
Where to stay in Warsaw – best areas and hotels
When it comes to Warsaw accommodation, the best choice is to stay either in the Old Town or in that area full of skyscrapers, so you’re close to everything that matters. The best zones are Centrum (right in the heart of the city), Wola (more modern and business-like), Mokotow (calm and green), and Zoliborz (with an artistic vibe).
The key is to pick a place as central as possible, so you don’t end up spending your city break in Warsaw on trams.
Here are my recommendations, depending on your budget. Click each one to check prices and availability:
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Low budget: Gold 61 Apartment – a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony, located near Zlote Tarasy Mall. Stylish, clean, spacious, free Wifi.
Mid-range: PURO Warszawa Centrum – ultramodern, amazing view, great location between the Palace of Culture and Nowy Swiat Street. Restaurant, garden, terrace, massage, fitness, spa, free bikes.
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High-end: NYX Hotel Warsaw by Leonardo Hotels – located in the same area as above, with a terrace and an incredible view. Modern, spacious rooms, parking, bar, fitness center, restaurant, room service, pet friendly.
Warsaw skyline – where old meets new
One day in Warsaw – What to visit in just one day
Relaxed morning walk on Krakowskie Boulevard
The first thing I recommend in the morning, before you take the city by storm, is to sit down at a café on Krakowskie Przedmiescie Boulevard (yeah, don’t even try to pronounce it, just put it in Google Maps and follow the smell of coffee). It’s the perfect spot to start the day: peaceful, elegant buildings, people walking by at their own pace, and a Polish pastry that’ll make you forget all about dieting.
Order a croissant or whatever looks good – Polish people really know how to do sweets, and enjoy the fresh morning air. If you get there early, you’ll have the whole street pretty much to yourself, maybe with two or three other humans and a sleepy pigeon. This is the moment when Warsaw lets you discover it slowly, your way.
Discover Stare Miasto – Warsaw’s Old Town
After you’ve perked up with a good coffee on Krakowskie Przedmiescie, head gently toward Stare Miasto. It’s literally the heart of the city, and even if it sounds cliché, you’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a pastel-colored Polish fairytale.
On your way to the main square, you’ll pass by Sigismund’s Column, which stands 22.9 meters tall and honors the king who moved the capital here. On the right, you’ll be greeted by the Royal Castle – an elegant building with a reddish façade and perfectly aligned windows.
This used to be the residence of Poland’s kings, and it’s still open for visits. It holds an impressive collection of paintings, lavish rooms and halls that look straight out of a historical film. Even if you don’t go in, stop for a few seconds and admire it. It’s not every day you walk past a royal palace rebuilt with such care after being nearly wiped out.
Once you reach the central square of Stare Miasto, it feels like you’ve entered a vintage puzzle scene. Pastel houses, each with detailed facades, some baroque, some renaissance, but all incredibly photogenic.
In the middle stands the mermaid statue, the symbol of Warsaw. Not just any mermaid, she’s got a sword and a shield, because legend says she was captured by a merchant but saved by a local fisherman. Since then, she protects the city.
The streets around the square are a maze of beauty. You can walk around for hours and still find new gems: a souvenir shop with ceramic cats and miniature houses, a gorgeous door covered in balcony flowers, a café hidden in a narrow alley.
And because most places in the area open a bit later, you can take it slow. Stroll, admire, snap photos, and when you get hungry, just stop at one of the terraces in the square and order something local.
The panoramic view from St Anne’s Church Tower – totally worth it (even the wind)
Right next to the Royal Castle, you’ll find St Anne’s Church. At first glance it looks like any regular church, but it hides a little secret up high. On the side, you’ll find the bell tower you can climb for one of the best views in Warsaw.
The ticket costs 15 zloty per person and can only be paid in cash, right at the base of the tower, at a small wooden booth (heads up, no card reader or machines, but there’s an ATM across the street if needed).
The climb is on a spiral staircase, not too tough, and once you get to the top, it’s so worth it: you can see the entire Old Town, the Vistula River, the modern area with skyscrapers, and the whole Krakowskie Przedmiescie boulevard stretching into the distance.
Warsaw view from St Anne’s
From up there, the city looks bright and colorful, and you have time to just enjoy the view in peace. It’s usually not crowded, and there’s plenty of space to move around and take photos. If it’s windy (and it usually is, especially in the morning or at sunset), bring a hoodie or a light jacket.
In my opinion, this is one of the highlights of one day in Warsaw. Don’t skip it, the view really is unforgettable. And if you can time your visit around sunset? Even better.
Warsaw view from St Anne’s
The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and a walk through Saxon Garden
After that panoramic view, walk just 10 minutes and you’ll get to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Three arches, an eternal flame and two guards who don’t blink. This one is simple but powerful. On Google Maps, it shows up as World War I Memorial, but it actually honors all Polish soldiers fallen in battle. Don’t skip it.
Right next to it is Saxon Garden: a quiet, open-air park with benches, wide alleys, flowers, a small lake and plenty of trees. The standout here is the Wielka Fountain: big, white and super photogenic. It’s a peaceful area, perfect for a short break or a few quick photos. And like I said earlier, the many fountains scattered all over the city are among the fun things to do in Warsaw that people don’t talk enough about.
Quick break in Swietokrzyski Park with a view of the city’s skyscrapers
Keep walking down Marszalkowska Boulevard and you’ll reach Swietokrzyski Park. It’s not huge, but it’s cozy and very well maintained. You’ll find fountains, monuments, lots of greenery, all tucked into the city’s more modern side.
From here, you get a really cool view of the Palace of Culture and Science, a massive building with a Soviet feel that looks a lot like the Press House in Bucharest. Like, for real, they’re almost identical. Except the Polish version is taller and it even has a viewing platform on top.
Bonus: from here, you can see almost the entire Warsaw skyline. Skyscrapers, fancy hotels, glass office buildings. You’ll start to understand why the city feels like such a mix between the past and the future.
Shopping, modern train station and the tallest tower in the EU
If you’re into shopping or just curious about what a mall looks like in a big European city, check out Zlote Tarasy. It’s super central and easy to reach, especially if you’re on your own during your one day in Warsaw.
Here you’ll find all the classic brands, some local shops you’ve never heard of, and plenty of cafés and souvenir stands. Plus, the glass rooftop looks amazing in photos. If you’ve got time to kill, spend an hour here; it’s worth it.
Zlote Tarasy mall in Warsaw
Right next to the mall is Warszawa Centralna train station, one of the most modern in Eastern Europe. I was honestly impressed by how clean, spacious and well-organized it is. There are waiting areas, restaurants, ATMs, elevators and even a calm vibe. If you’re into architecture or ticking off unique spots, this deserves a place on your list of the best things to do in Warsaw.
Also, the view from here of Varso Tower is insane. The tower is 310 meters tall, has 53 floors, and is currently the tallest building in the European Union. If you love tall buildings and cityscapes, you’ll want to stare at this one for a while.
Walk down Nowy Swiat – a must during one day in Warsaw
If you ever find yourself in Warsaw, you have to take a walk down Nowy Swiat. It’s the most popular street in the city, filled with boutique shops, cafés and restaurants, one after the other.
Even though the name translates to “New World”, Nowy Swiat is actually one of the oldest and most historic streets in Warsaw. Along this road, you’ll also find important landmarks like the University of Warsaw and the Holy Cross Church, where the heart of composer Frederic Chopin is kept. Yep, his actual heart – it’s embedded in the left wall of the church.
Nowy Swiat street in Warsaw
The street itself is really pretty: clean, classy, but also super relaxed. I recommend coming here around lunchtime, when it’s full of life and people. You can grab food, enjoy a drink or just wander around and admire the buildings and atmosphere.
The side streets are just as lovely. There are hidden terraces, quiet restaurants, and tons of photogenic corners. If you’re in town for a city break in Warsaw or just passing through for one day in Warsaw, make sure you don’t miss this area.
Extra spots to see if you have time
If you’ve still got time and energy after ticking off the big stuff, here are a few more Warsaw tourist attractions you should definitely add to your list:
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Lazienki Palace and Royal Park – peacocks walking freely, lakes, bridges and the famous Palace on the Water
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University of Warsaw Library – with a rooftop garden and surprise views
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Praga District – for its alternative vibe, street art and hidden cafés
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Presidential Palace – elegant and heavily guarded, right along the main route
They’re all worth visiting, even quickly, if you want a more complete picture of the city. Some are well known, others are more low-key, but each has something special. These make for some of the best things to do in Warsaw if you’re staying more than one day.
Recommended tours in Warsaw
If you want to learn more about the city’s history or just see more in less time, I totally recommend booking a guided tour. You can find loads of options on GetYourGuide – that’s where I book mine too.
Click the ones you like, check the prices and see what’s available. You’ve got walking tours, bike tours, boat rides, hop-on hop-off buses and even retro car experiences. Great if you want to make the most of your one day in Warsaw.
What to know before visiting Warsaw
Is one day enough for Warsaw?
Yes, one day is enough to check off all the essentials and get a feel for the city. But to be honest, Warsaw is beautiful and deserves 2, 3 or even 4 days. It’s got a calm vibe, it’s clean and full of pretty places to explore.
What’s the best way to get around?
Warsaw is super walkable. If you love walking and the Warsaw weather is on your side, you can easily do 15 to 20k steps. If walking’s not your thing, there are electric scooters everywhere, public transport is efficient and cheap, and Uber works great too.
Warsaw Old Town
Is Warsaw expensive?
Not at all. It’s a very affordable destination. Prices are similar to other countries in Eastern Europe, maybe even cheaper in some areas. You can eat well, stay central and visit everything without draining your card. Even accommodation is quite budget-friendly compared to other European capitals; you can easily find cheap places starting from 30 EUR per night.
What to wear depending on the season?
The climate is temperate-continental. Winter can be cold and snowy, with icy wind, while summer is warm but not too hot. When I visited, it rained a lot; short bursts of rain followed by sunshine. So pack a light jacket or a raincoat just in case the Warsaw weather surprises you.
What’s the currency and do you need cash?
Poland uses the zloty (PLN) and cash is still needed in some places, especially for small entry tickets, tower terraces or local souvenirs. But in general, cards work pretty much everywhere.
Can you find everything you need?
Totally. You’ve got mini markets, pharmacies, souvenir shops and kiosks all around. Everything’s close by and easy to reach. People speak English pretty well too: no problems at restaurants, shops or hotels.
How to get from the airport to the city?
If you fly into Chopin Airport, you’re just 30 minutes away from the city center. We used Uber on arrival since it was late, there’s a simple queue system, first come first served. It worked smoothly. Or you can book a private transfer.
On the way back, we took a bus directly from the Old Town. The station was right near our hotel, and in 40–60 minutes we were at the airport. The buses are clean, have air conditioning, and you can pay by card, either in the station or via app.
