Warsaw is an essential stop for every traveler’s Poland itinerary. The capital city is bustling, ranking as one of the 10th most populated cities in Europe. But don’t let the busyness of Warsaw deter you from visiting. Whether you’re indulging in some Polish delights, wandering through scenic Old Town or learning about the dark but important history of the Holocaust, Warsaw will thrill and enlighten its visitors. If you are wondering how to travel around Poland, there are many options, but in this post, we walk you through a fantastic 2 days in Warsaw Poland full of history, culture, and deliciousness!
Table of Contents
2 Days in Warsaw, Poland
Day 1: Essential Warsaw and Main Sights
Free Walking Tour
As is the case with every major city in Europe, go on a free walking tour! It’s the best way to understand a new place and is wallet-friendly. A win-win! The guides operate on tips so be sure to let them know how much you appreciate their tour!
There are quite a few companies out there to choose from but we highly recommend Walking Tour. You’ll see all sides of Warsaw with these friendly folks.
Whether you’re interested in Jewish Warsaw, life during communism, or Old Town, there’s a free walking tour for that!
Please note that these tours take around two hours to complete. So, if you’d like to do more than one tour (we did 3!), you’ll want to plan your 2 days in Warsaw accordingly.
No matter which tour, or how many, you choose you will not be disappointed!
Warsaw Uprising Monument
One of the highlights of the Old Town tour, the Warsaw Uprising Monument is a must-see. This monument pays homage to one of Warsaw’s most devastating events, where citizens of the city rebelled against the occupying Nazis in 1944.
The rebellion was a disaster and the complete destruction of Warsaw followed. You’ll find the monument in Krasinski Square, neighboring Old Town.
Visit a Museum
Warsaw doesn’t usually make the list of European cities with the best museums. However, we think Warsaw’s museum scene is very underrated!
Chopin Museum
If you’re a fan of music, then you’ve come to the right place! Frederic Chopin, a famous Polish composer from the 19th century, is very much alive today in Warsaw and you can appreciate his musical genius by visiting the Chopin Museum.
It’s a highly interactive museum with multiple floors, showcasing the different stages of Chopin’s short but beautiful life. End your visit with a listening session to some of his greatest works. It’s closed on Mondays but free on Wednesdays!
Plan on a 1.5-2 hour visit.
POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
For a deeper look into the thousand-year history of Jews in Poland and memorable museum experience, be sure and visit the POLIN museum! It’s located on a former site of the Jewish Ghetto and is fundamental to Poland’s past.
Before you enter or after you leave, appreciate the memorial outside. On one side you’ll find a representation of Jews who are being sent to the camps. On the other, you’ll see a depiction of the Jews who took part in the Ghetto Uprising of 1943 and lost their lives in the struggle.
Plan on a 2+ hour visit.
Museum of Life Under Communism
Ever wonder what it was like to live in communist times in Poland? Head to Constitution Square where you’ll find lots of communist architecture and themes. You’ll also find the Museum of Life Under Communism.
Having traveled to several former communist countries, we can say that this museum is one of the best! From pictures to simple household items and old advertisements, go back in time and see the good and the bad of this period in Poland’s history. Entry is very cheap, 18PLN (around $5 USD), and worth every penny!
Plan on spending 1 hour, maybe less, during your visit.
Which One Do I Choose?
Great question! You only have 2 days in Warsaw so we think visiting all three is a bad idea. You don’t want to exhaust yourself and there is so much more to see than museums!
Personally, we visited the Chopin Museum and the Life Under Communism Museum (a short visit). Having taken a Jewish Warsaw tour and visiting Treblinka on a day trip (more on that below!), we decided to skip the POLIN Museum.
However, it’s all about your personal preference. Just know that there’s no wrong decision here. They’re all wonderful and worthy museums!
Old Town
If you elected to go on a free walking tour of Old Town then you’ll have already heard about the Royal Castle and the Old Town Market Square. But most importantly, head up the Taras Widokowy (the observation deck) for an amazing view of Old Town as well as all of Warsaw!
It’s very cheap but there are quite a few stairs so be prepared for a climb. The view is definitely worth the cost and effort and if you time your visit around sunset, you’re in for a real treat!
While you’re up top, don’t forget to gaze across the river to Praga, the district that survived most of the destruction of WWII. If you’re interested in how Warsaw looked before wartime then wander through Praga and explore its neighborhoods and churches.
There’s also a very friendly and very delicious pizza joint, Restauracja Tereza, which serves up some good Polish beer too! For a different museum experience, check out the Neon Museum, a collection of neon signs from the 1950s-70s.
One important thing to note: When you’re exploring the Old Town Market Square, imagine it all as a pile of rubble. That’s what it was like just after the war. The fact that Warsaw has rebuilt this historic spot with such detail is hard to believe. It has been restored so well that most people are fooled into thinking it’s the original square.
There’s one more important spot just on the outskirts of Old Town. For those who appreciate beautiful architecture, as well as those who love Chopin, visit the Holy Cross Church. This is where Chopin’s heart rests today (his body is in Paris). Entry is free and walking through is a true delight.
Eat at a Milk Bar
During the reign of communism, milk bars started popping up as places you could get your nutrients in the form of hearty meat and carb-heavy meals. They’re great for trying traditional dishes like pierogis or potato pancakes at an affordable price.
They are a truly Polish experience but don’t expect to be waited on hand and foot. They’ll have a menu of their dishes for the day and once you know what you want you can walk up to the counter and order. Once it’s ready, your meal will appear in a window for you to retrieve. Find a seat and chow down but don’t forget to clean up after yourself.
This is a really rare experience that you won’t find in other post-communist countries.
Day 2: Half-Day Trip
Treblinka
Another essential stop on your Warsaw itinerary is Treblinka. It’s a small village northeast of Warsaw and is known for housing the largest death camp, 2nd to Auschwitz, and existed from 1942-1943.
Though the death camp was completely destroyed as the Nazis were retreating and covering their tracks, visitors will find a small museum and beautiful outdoor memorial dedicated to the almost 900,000 Jews that were killed there between 1942 and 1943.
There are many ways to visit Treblinka. You can join a tour group, rent a car, or take a train. Whichever route you choose, visiting Treblinka is an important addition to your 2-day itinerary in Warsaw and the story behind it needs to be heard.
Book a Treblinka Concentration Camp Tour.
Łazienki Park
Covering 76 hectares, this park is a must-visit, especially during the summer months! The different historic buildings within the park were part of the summer royal palace and used by King Stanislaw August in the 18th century.
You can either stroll along the many paths through various gardens and monuments (like the Chopin monument!) or you can visit the 3 art galleries containing sculptures, prints, and paintings. If the history of hunting and horses interests you then a visit to the Museum of Hunting and Horsemanship is worthwhile and gives you insight on Polish hunting traditions.
But most of all, Łazienki Park serves as the perfect place to unwind after your day trip to Treblinka. Grab some ice cream if the weather is warm and take a stroll. There are benches just about everywhere you look and plenty of peace and quiet to be found.
Chopin Piano Concert
Frederic Chopin was a Polish composer during the Romantic period and many of his compositions were written for the piano so there’s no better way to end your day than to sit in on an intimate Chopin concert.
Warsaw (and all of Poland) love Chopin so there’s no lack of concerts while you’re visiting. If you’re visiting Warsaw between May and September, then you’re in luck! Łazienki Park offers free Chopin concerts at 12 pm and 4 pm by the Chopin Monument on Sundays.
If the weather is not in your favor then the Chopin Museum offers affordable concerts but you have to book them in advance. Check their website!
But we recommend a concert at Chopin Point, near Old Town. The hour-long performance takes place in a salon that Chopin himself played in when he was a teen. You’ll be offered a complimentary glass of Polish mead (or juice)!
End your 2 days in Warsaw on a high note (get it?) by listening to the music of one of the most famous Poles in history.
Enjoy an Authentic Polish Dinner at Kameralna
What better way to finish off your 2 days in Warsaw than more Polish food? Pierogies, potato pancakes smothered in an array of different sauces, you can’t go wrong with cuisine here.
Kameralna, one of our favorite restaurants in town, has been around since 1947. They have a very cozy and classy interior and some incredible dishes to choose from Pierogi to various meat and fish dishes. Great prices too!
Warsaw Tourism
How to Reach Warsaw
Book cheap flights through either TripAdvisor or Agoda or CheapAir or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Priceline to save huge on flight booking to reach Warsaw.
Where To Stay In Warsaw
For the best hotels in the Warsaw area or the best place to stay in Warsaw, we suggest checking out our favorite sites to book here. We always use these sites to book our stay. Warsaw hotel booking can be done through TripAdvisor or Agoda or Cleartrip or Makemytrip or Expedia to save huge and get the best deals on booking your stay in the Warsaw area.
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Tours/Activities available in Warsaw – Things To Do In Warsaw
Warsaw points of interest are many and if you are wondering what to see in Warsaw or what to do in Warsaw, then look no further. Warsaw attractions pass are available for the best Warsaw tours. You can now book tours in Warsaw as well as activities in Warsaw. Plan the best places to visit in Warsaw and experience Warsaw, Poland.
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Summary
Poland has a long and turbulent history and there’s no better place to learn about it than Warsaw. Culture, food and history aside, the Polish people will give you a warm welcome and you’ll be sad to leave!
We hope you liked our 2 Days in Warsaw post. Do share your thoughts in the comments section.
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I love a free walking tour – especially in Europe. They’re the best way to get started in a new place.
I have to be honest,I knew virtually nothing about Warsaw before reading your post. It looks like such a fascinating city! I love unearthing the history of a city when I visit and I also love a good walking tour! It’s such a great way to learn about the city. The neon museum also sounds intriguing! Thanks for the great guide and the inspiration!
Whoa! This post is so informative – I had no idea that poland had so much rich history and culture. I love how in detail you go, I had no idea bout the communist roots and how it impacted the square. I also had no idea Treblinka existed – so I’m learning lots! Thanks for so much educational material along with the travel facts
How nice, thanks for reminding me all those wonderful places in Warsaw. I’ve visited years ago and do have good memories. Loved the food, although it’s really heavy 😉
Over the years I’ve tired of museums while travelling (mostly because I kept to Asia alot and the culture is similar from cluster to cluster) – but omg, those museums you listed literally makes me want to hop on a plane and visit Warsaw right now! I’ve been bingeing on war movies on Netflix lately and some of these places you mentioned would be so, so surreal to visit!
Just to clarify a pint about the free Chopin concerts at Łazienki Park, it’s on Sundays.