Itineraries for Your Trip to Warsaw
2 Days in Warsaw for First Timers
I first came to Warsaw as a recalcitrant teen, on a trip for kids of Polish descent to rediscover the motherland. Back then, it was still under a Communist cloud. Now, more decades on than I’d care to admit, the city has transformed itself, with street art, warehouse chic, and fancy bars and restaurants agogo.
Two days in Warsaw isn’t a long time. But it does give you the chance to see a bit more of the city than the historical monuments and culture—as well as trying your hand at Polish food, Polish vodka, and maybe even Polish beer. Find out how with this first-timer’s guide.
If you only have time for one thing, make it Warsaw Old Town Market Square—home to the city’s signature mermaid sculpture.
There’s always a risk of rain in Warsaw, even during the surprisingly hot summers, so bring a waterproof jacket.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Warsaw Old Town rose from the ashes of World War II to shine once again as the city’s center. It’s still the classic place to start your first time in Warsaw. Don’t miss the Warsaw Royal Castle, home of kings for centuries, and the bustling Old Town Market Square.
Cross the river and spend the afternoon discovering a fresher side of the city: Praga. Once an industrial district on the wrong side of the Vistula, today it’s alive with street art, chic eats and drinks, galleries, and even museums. Don’t miss the Neon Muzeum with its mesmerizing selection of Cold War–era neon signs.
Poland prides itself—rightly or wrongly—as the original home of vodka, and no visit to Warsaw would be complete without a vodka tasting. Get in the spirit at Praga’s Polish Vodka Museum, a converted factory that hosts tours, tastings, workshops, and more. If you dare, continue your night with a bar crawl.
As a city, Warsaw is one of Europe’s survivors. Learn about the heroes who bravely fought against the Nazis and how their uprising was brutally crushed at the Warsaw Uprising Museum. If time permits, delve into the tragic history of Jewish Warsaw on a walking tour of the former Warsaw Jewish Ghetto.
From cheese and sausage through to hearty stews and potato pancakes, there’s much more to Polish cooking than pierogi—although these flavor-packed dumplings are a table staple for good reason. Spend the afternoon taking a cooking class to discover the rich flavors of Polish cuisine.
After the late John Paul II, there’s no Pole more famous than Fryderyk Chopin—the Polish-French composer who was born just outside the city. Chopin’s compositions still test the talents of virtuosos everywhere, and an evening concert is the perfect way to wrap up your stay in the city.
