Things To Do in Warsaw in a day
Warsaw is a city where you could spend one or two days, discovering all its corners, contrasting neighborhoods, and don’t forget their fantastic food scene! In order to visit all things to do in Warsaw within 24 hours, we recommend using trams or scooters like Lime. Lime offers day passes for 25 Polish Zloty. (~ 6 EUR)
9 AM – Hala Mirowska Market
Start your morning strolling down the lively Hala Mirowska. An old market in the center of Warsaw with two market buildings and an open-air market between them. Locals do their grocery shopping for the cheapest fruits, vegies, locally produced cheeses, fresh flowers and so much more!
One of the halls still has visible bullet holes because during the Second World War civil executions were done here.
10:00 AM – Warsaw University Library Garden
Enter one of the largest rooftop gardens in Europe! The public gardens on top of the Warsaw University Library are incredibly eye-catching. The different levels offer a panoramic view of the city but also a look down into the library. You will completely forget the fact that you’re in the busy capital city.
Also visit: Poland’s greatest city: Krakow (Things to do)
10:30 AM – Old Town – The Best Place to visit in Warsaw
Warsaw Old Town is a stunning area with pastel-colored houses on the lively Castle Square. During WWII, Warsaw Old Town was almost entirely destroyed but thankfully it is reconstructed after. Discover the many fantastic restaurants, street artists, and cafes inside the old town.
See all: hotels in Warsaw
Warsaw Barbican
One of Warsaw’s few remaining buildings is the Barbican: which nowadays is the gate connecting the old and new parts of the city. Along the barbican is the outer defensive walls, giving Warsaw a completely medieval experience.
See more of Warsaw: In a bike tour around the city
12:30 PM – Lunch
Take a rest during your busy morning exploring the city and eat in Warsaw Old Town at one of these restaurants:
- Sambal restauracja (Indonesian)
- Ciao Napoli (Italian)
- Vegemiasto (Vegan)
- Portretowa (Polish)
Also see our dinner recommendations.
2:30 PM – Discover Praga, Warsaw’s Hipster Neighborhood
Hop on the scooter or into the tram and cross the bridge towards the Praga district. A district that has been no place for tourists until it was revamped into an artistic, hipster area.
For example, visit the Soho Factory: a massive industrial site transformed with creative workspaces, some of the city’s best restaurants, and as well as organic food markets and cultural events.
Tip: Get some drinks or food at Komu Komu!
Neon Museum
Neon is a part of Warsaw’s history. In the 1950s and 60s traditional signs were traded in massively for neon signs to get Praga, which was still in ruins, out of the darkness. The neon museum, next to Soho Factory, has an incredible collection of neon signs and highly recommended to visit!
Street art
There is street art all over Warsaw. (locations) However, most of them seem to be in the Praga district. Praga district was a forgotten district during the restoration after WWII. Artists began to color the grey walls, and now some of the most incredible pieces pop up on the side of a building.
See all: hotels in Warsaw
5 PM – Palace of Culture and Jerusalem Avenue
At the end of the day, cross the Poniatowski Bridge and stop by Jerusalem Avenue, where Poland’s only palm tree is located. The tree is not real; it is made from steel and designed to bend by the wind. In 2019, the palm appeared ‘dead’; this transformation was part of a new art project to draw attention to air pollution and global climate change.
See all: hotels in Warsaw
Continue your way to the Palace of Culture: A building built by Stalin, who wanted to mark his territory by creating a similar building as the one in Moscow. Nowadays, you can go up to the 30th floor for an incredible panoramic view of the city: one of the best things to do in Warsaw.
Also read: Best Things to do in Gdansk, Poland
7 PM – Dinner & Drinks
Close-off your 24-hour trip to the newer, urban, business part of Warsaw. Around Parkingowa street is a buzzing nightlife with great little bars and restaurants! Get your dinner at one of the following places and a few drinks after!
- BEIRUT hummus & music bar
- Youmiko Vegan Sushi
- Tel Aviv
- Soul Kitchen (Polish)
- Flambeeria (Italian)
Getting there & around
As Poland’s capital, Warsaw has many direct international flights and a good connection by both train and bus. For example, from Amsterdam to Warsaw by train in 14 hours. Or from Prague, it is a 10-hour bus ride. A fantastic way to travel!
For renting a car in Poland we recommend Sunny Cars because they work with local car rental companies. When booking through Sunny Cars, all insurances are included, and you will not have any surprises when collecting your car. Book your rental here.
Getting Around
Warsaw is a large city, and to do all the things to do in Warsaw; it is advisable to use public transport. The tram, metro, and bus can take you to pretty much any place in the city.
Tickets are available at the stations, local tobacco shops, and the yellow ticket vending machines.
Alternatively, ride-sharing scooters like Lime are a different way to discover the city. Get your first ride unlocked for free here. Lime offers day passes for 25 Polish Zloty. (~ 6 EUR)
Where to stay in Warsaw
Warsaw’s old town is the best area to stay in. Additionally, search for hotels in the Srodmiescie district. We stayed on the newer side of Warsaw at Hotel Metropol.
When you purchase something through our links we earn a small fee. However, you still pay the same. Win-win!
- Find Hotels via Booking.com
- Find a Rental Car via Sunny Cars
- Find Cheap Flights via Skyscanner
- Get a Travel Insurance via Heymondo
- Book Tours & Attractions via Viator
- Book a Bus/Train/Transfer via 12Go
Looking for more travel information? Plan a chat with us for personalised travel advice or get an answer from the Salt in our Hair Travel Community on Facebook.
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