Weekend in Warsaw: itinerary, attractions, and practical tips to visit it in 2 days

In October, Fabio and I felt like discovering a new European capital, possibly one that was less touristy and easy to explore over a weekend.

 

While checking flights, we found a great deal for Warsaw: flying from Milan Bergamo with Wizz Air at a very good price.
In Poland, we had only visited Wrocław (you can find the article here), so we were very curious to discover the capital.

 

What makes Warsaw special is that it is a city completely rebuilt after World War II: every building, square, and monument in the historic center was brought back to life following original drawings and memories. Walking through its streets literally means seeing a city reborn from its ashes.

 

In this article, I’ll share our 2-day itinerary in Warsaw, with the most beautiful things to see, practical tips, and a few local curiosities to help you make the most of a weekend in the capital of Poland.

Where to stay?

Warsaw is crossed by the Vistula River, which divides it into two main parts: the left bank, where most of the tourist attractions are located, and the right bank, which has a more alternative vibe.

 

Nowe Miasto – the New Town (but historic)

Despite the name, it is an old area: an extension of the Old Town, with small churches, quiet squares, and traditional places. We decided to stay here and had a great experience!

Recommended apartment:

 

Stare Miasto – the Old Town

It is the most iconic district, faithfully rebuilt after World War II. Here you’ll find the Market Square, the Royal Castle, St. John’s Cathedral, and the Barbican, the ancient walls that once protected the city.

Recommended apartment:

 

Śródmieście – the modern and central heart

This area is home to many hotels, restaurants, shops, and the famous Palace of Culture and Science, a symbol of modern Warsaw. From here, you can easily reach the Old Town on foot or in just a few minutes by tram.

Recommended hotel:

From the airport to the city center

We landed at Warsaw Chopin Airport (the most convenient for the city center) at 11:00 PM. There are two airports: Chopin, which is about 20–25 minutes away, and Modlin, which is a bit farther (around one hour from the center). From Chopin Airport you have two options: take the train (or bus) or choose an Uber, which in our case was the preferred option since we were tired.

 

By Uber: book through the app, pay there, you’ll be given a code, and you line up in front of the arrivals area. When it’s your turn, you communicate the code.
Of course, you can also use the train or bus as an alternative. 🙂

Day 1

For breakfast, we stopped at To lubie for a generous slice of karpatka: a traditional Polish cake made of two layers of choux pastry filled with a vanilla and butter custard cream. It looks like a giant cream puff cut into slices, perfect if you love rich, slightly retro-style desserts. I’m leaving a photo below because it truly deserves it!

 

After breakfast, we headed toward the Barbican, the ancient defensive walls of Warsaw. What really stands out is that everything, including the walls, was rebuilt after World War II, when Warsaw was almost completely destroyed.
The reconstruction work was so faithful to the originals that today the Old Town (Stare Miasto) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as an “outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction of a historical center.”

 

Just a few steps away, you’ll find the Market Square, and in the center stands the Mermaid of Warsaw (Syrenka): according to legend, she is the sister of the mermaid from Copenhagen. Swimming along the Vistula River, she is said to have stopped here and decided to stay to protect the city. She became the symbol of Warsaw, and you’ll see her everywhere, even on the official coat of arms.

 

After a few minutes’ walk, you reach Plac Zamkowy, the Royal Castle Square, dominated by the Sigismund Column.
We went inside the Royal Castle mostly out of curiosity and, honestly, also to warm up a bit from the cold! Don’t expect anything extraordinary—it’s a nice visit but not a must-see. That said, the building does have an incredible history.

It was once the residence of Polish monarchs, then the seat of the President of Poland, and after the bombings of 1939 it was almost completely destroyed. What you see today has been rebuilt stone by stone.

 

HERE you can find the official website where you can buy tickets. Alternatively, you can also purchase them on site.

karpatka
barbacane
Piazza del mercato
Castello Reale
For lunch, of course, pierogi! These are the famous Polish stuffed dumplings that you’ll find pretty much everywhere. My favorites? Potato and cabbage, or cheese and spinach.
They are pure comfort food. If you’re vegetarian, you’ll have plenty of options, and they’re inexpensive (usually €5–6 for a generous portion). I had them at PierOgarnia and at Przystanek Pierogarnia. 

In the afternoon, we moved toward Warsaw’s modern center: Śródmieście. Here you’ll find many lovely cafés and bakeries. One stop you shouldn’t miss is Canela Bakery, famous for its cinnamon rolls.
If you prefer something more classic, you can try Vincent, a French-style pastry chain that is also very popular with locals.

Sweets in Warsaw are truly everywhere: you’ll also find pączki, fried doughnuts filled with jam or cream.

 

We spent the rest of the afternoon in the beautiful Łazienki Królewskie, the “Royal Park.” It’s one of the most romantic places in Warsaw: wide tree-lined avenues, squirrels jumping between trees, the Palace on the Island that seems to float on the water, and the famous Chopin statue.
In summer, free concerts dedicated to the Polish composer are also held here.

 

To end the day, we went up to the Varso Tower, the tallest skyscraper not only in Warsaw but in the entire European Union. The sunset view is spectacular, and I recommend booking online because the price varies depending on the time. HERE you can find the official website to book.We then went to dinner at Podwale 25 Kompania Piwnaa traditional restaurant recommended by many Italians (and in fact, almost everyone inside was Italian 😅). The food is good! Just make sure to book online.

Pierogi
Paçzki
Royal Park
Varso Tower

Day 2

On the second day, we started at Shabby Coffee • Wine • Books a very cute little place where I tried Polish cheesecake, which here is called sernik.
It’s made with twaróg, a fresh cheese similar to ricotta but denser. To be honest, it didn’t completely win me over, probably because Basque cheesecake is my absolute favorite. 🙂 However, I later discovered a Basque cheesecake at Sirena Gelato that was absolutely amazing!


Then we moved to the right bank of the Vistula to visit the Praga district, passing through Park Praski (right in front of the zoo).

 

Praga is completely different from the rest of the city: it’s one of the few original areas not destroyed by the bombings. Here you can still see shared inner courtyards, small domestic shrines where residents prayed during the war, and lots of street art. If you like urban art or want to discover a less touristy side of Warsaw, you really shouldn’t miss it.

For lunch… guess what? Pierogi, again! But if you want to switch things up a bit, here are some typical dishes to try:


-Placki ziemniaczane, potato pancakes served with sour cream or mushroom sauce
-Żurek, a thick soup made from fermented rye (not for everyone, but very traditional)
-Bigos, a cabbage and meat stew, considered the “national dish”
-And of course milk bars (bar mleczny), traditional cafeterias that originated during the communist era, where you can still eat homemade-style food at very low prices. Many are still subsidized by the state, and even the most expensive dish costs around €5.

 

In the afternoon, we visited the sites of the former Jewish Ghetto. In various areas of the city, you’ll find bronze lines embedded in the pavement: they mark the perimeter of the original ghetto.
Not far away, on ulica Waliców, there is one of the few buildings that remained standing after the war—a kamienica with bullet marks still visible on its walls. It’s a place that leaves you speechless, a powerful symbol of memory and resilience.

 

To end the trip, we had planned to visit the so-called “Versailles of Warsaw,” the Wilanów Palace, a beautiful Baroque residence surrounded by gardens. Unfortunately, since it was November 1st, it was closed, but I absolutely recommend it if you’re there at another time of year: it’s one of the most beautiful and less touristy attractions in the city. (I’m leaving here the direct link to book tickets..)

Street art Praga
Menu milk bar
Jewish Ghetto
kamienica

How to get around

We mostly got around on foot, because in the end the city isn’t very big. We took an Uber (Bolt is also available) once in the evening to get back from the Varso Tower, and we realized that with €5–6 you can basically get anywhere. Alternatively, you’ll find trams, buses, and the metro everywhere, all at a very low cost. As always, to figure out which transport to take, use Google Maps with the “public transport” option: enter your starting point, then your destination, and select “public transport.” It will show you the correct option to take.

Just a reminder that euros are not accepted, because the local currency is used: the Polish zloty. You’ll often find exchange offices to change cash, but we didn’t exchange anything because cards were accepted everywhere! As always, my Revolut card handled everything automatically with instant exchange.

Other places to see in Warsaw

If you have an extra day or simply want to enrich your weekend, here are some stops that are absolutely worth it.

 

Warsaw Uprising Museum

An interactive museum that tells the story of the 1944 uprising against Nazi occupation.

 

Chopin Museum

Dedicated to Poland’s most beloved composer, Frédéric Chopin, with multimedia experiences that let you listen to his music in an immersive way.

 

Palace of Culture and Science

A controversial icon of Warsaw, a gift from Stalin during the Soviet era. You can go up to the panoramic terrace and enjoy a view over the city as an alternative (or addition) to the Varso Tower. According to reviews, most people say the Varso Tower is more scenic.

Warsaw is a city that tells you its story as you walk: destroyed and rebuilt, melancholic and modern at the same time. In two days you can see a lot, so in my opinion it’s perfect for a weekend. Honestly? I loved Wrocław more, so the next stop: Kraków! 🙂 I hope this itinerary and my tips will be useful in planning your weekend in Warsaw. 💙 If you enjoyed the article, save it for your next trip!
And if you want to use Get Your Guide for your trip to Warsaw, just a reminder that with the code ANGELAISAI5 you get a 5% discount on any activity!
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