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Warsaw packs a lot into a weekend: a pastel Old Town, a huge Stalin-era skyscraper you can go up for sunset, a royal park with a palace on a lake, and a restaurant that serves dinner with a side of communist nostalgia.
I spent two days in Warsaw on my own in August 2023, at the end of a trip around Poland. Here are the best things to do in Warsaw, my 2-day itinerary, and what it cost.
Quick answer:
- Worth it? Yes, for a weekend. Two days covered it for me.
- How many days? Two: one for the centre and the parks, one for the Old Town.
- What it cost me: about €80–110 for two days, including one night in a hostel (not counting the train in and the flight home).
- Safe solo? I felt safe travelling on my own.
Is Warsaw worth visiting? And how many days do you need?
Yes, for a weekend. Two days was enough to see what I wanted, and once felt like enough for me. It’s easy to add to a bigger Poland trip: I came in by train from Krakow and flew home from Warsaw Chopin Airport, so it worked well as the last stop. Fast trains take about 2.5 hours to Krakow or Gdansk, so you can turn a long weekend into a week without many more leave days.
My 2-day Warsaw itinerary
Here’s how I’d fit my picks into two days.
Day 1: the centre and the parks. Arrive at Warsaw Central station and drop your bags. Spend the afternoon in Łazienki Park, then go up the Palace of Culture and Science around sunset. Finish with dinner at Czerwony Wieprz (the Red Hog).
Day 2: the Old Town. Start at Castle Square and visit the Royal Castle when it opens at 10 am (it’s closed on Mondays). Wander the Old Town’s streets to the Market Square, then climb the Old Town view deck for the rooftops before you head to the airport.
Got a third day? Pick one of the extra sights below, or take the train on to Krakow or Gdansk.
Things to do in Warsaw
1. Palace of Culture and Science
A true icon of Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science towers over the city skyline. It was a “gift” from Stalin, and its viewing terrace gives you a panorama of the whole city. I paid 25 zł (about €5.70) in 2023; a normal ticket is now 30 zł. Go around sunset when the light hits just right.
2. Eat at Czerwony Wieprz (the Red Hog)
Czerwony Wieprz is more than a place to eat: it recreates the feel of communist-era Poland, down to the menu, where the dishes have names that playfully nod to the regime. Expect hearty stews and classic Eastern European comfort food. I wouldn’t recommend it if you’re vegan or vegetarian.
3. Old Town Market Square
The Old Town Market Square has cobblestones, colourful facades and the Warsaw Mermaid statue in the middle. It’s surrounded by cafes, so it’s the place to sit with a coffee and watch the street performers.
4. Royal Castle
The Royal Castle sits on Castle Square, at the entrance to the Old Town. Inside are the royal apartments and chambers, and the story of how the castle was blown up in the war and rebuilt. I paid 50 zł (about €11.50) in 2023; the main routes are now 60 zł. It’s open Tuesday to Sunday, 10 am to 5 pm, and some parts are free on Wednesdays (expect queues).
5. Old Town
Beyond Castle Square is the Old Town. Walk the narrow streets and look into the courtyards: it looks centuries old, but most of it was rebuilt after World War II, which is why it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
6. Łazienki Park
Łazienki Park is Warsaw’s big green escape: lakes, bridges and the Palace on the Isle, which sits on the water. Take a slow walk, hire a boat or just sit on the grass. Entry to the park is free.
7. Old Town view deck
For the best view of the Old Town’s rooftops, climb the bell tower of St Anne’s Church, next to Castle Square. It’s about 100 steps and costs 10 zł (about €2.30), paid in cash. The view is best at sunset.
If you have more time in Warsaw
I didn’t get to these, but they’re on most Warsaw lists and worth a look if you have a third day:
- Warsaw Uprising Museum: the story of the 1944 uprising against the German occupation. Most guides call it the city’s must-see museum.
- POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews: a thousand years of Jewish history in Poland, in the area of the former ghetto.
- Praga: the district across the river, with older pre-war buildings, street art and the Neon Museum.
- Wilanów Palace: a baroque royal palace and gardens in the south of the city.
Getting around: train, airport and onward
By train: I arrived by train from Krakow. Warsaw Central (Warszawa Centralna) is right next to the Palace of Culture, so you can walk to most central hostels. Fast Pendolino trains take about 2 hours 20 to 50 minutes to Krakow and about 2.5 hours to Gdansk.
From the airport: I flew home from Chopin Airport, Warsaw’s main airport. From there, the S2 and S3 trains take about 20 minutes to the centre on a standard city transport ticket. Bus 175 is the cheaper, slower option. If you take a taxi, use the official rank and a licensed company.
What my Warsaw weekend cost
Two days on my own in August 2023, with one night at Chillout Hostel. Not counting the train from Krakow and the flight home. Prices in euros, with dollars at about €1 = $1.12 (October 2026).
| What | € | $ |
|---|---|---|
| Hostel, 1 night (Chillout Hostel) | €20 | $22 |
| Palace of Culture viewing terrace (25 zł) | €5.70 | $6 |
| Royal Castle (50 zł) | €11.50 | $13 |
| Old Town view deck (10 zł) | €2.30 | $3 |
| Food and getting around, 2 days (including the Red Hog) | €40–70 | $45–78 |
| Old Town, Market Square, Łazienki Park | Free | Free |
| Total | about €80–110 | about $90–123 |
Ticket prices have gone up a little since 2023 (see each pick above), but Warsaw is still cheap for a European capital. The best parts, the Old Town and Łazienki Park, are free.
Where to stay in Warsaw
I stayed at Chillout Hostel and paid €20 for one night in August 2023. It’s in a pre-war tenement house close to the Palace of Culture and Science, so you can walk from the station.
Warsaw FAQ
Is Warsaw worth visiting? Yes, for a weekend. Two days covered it for me, and it combines well with Krakow or Gdansk by train.
How many days do you need in Warsaw? Two days for the main sights; add a third for a museum day or a trip across the river to Praga.
How much does a weekend in Warsaw cost? My two days cost about €80–110, including one night in a hostel, sights and food, but not the train or the flight.
Is Warsaw safe for solo female travellers? I felt safe travelling around Warsaw on my own.
How do I get from Warsaw Chopin Airport to the city centre? The S2 or S3 train takes about 20 minutes on a standard city transport ticket. Bus 175 is slower but runs from right outside arrivals.
Should I visit Warsaw or Krakow? If you only have time for one, I’d pick Krakow. But they’re only about 2.5 hours apart by fast train, so do both if you can. Read my Krakow guide and my Gdansk guide to plan the rest of your trip.
For more ways to keep Europe trips cheap, read my budget travel tips for Europe.
