W E L C O M E TO TH E
G O O D L I F E
I N
W A R S A W
P L A N N I N G
Warsaw’s layered history and sprawling urban layout mean you are best planning with distance in mind.
While many important bits are walkable within the Old Town and its immediate surroundings, the city’s broader expanse—including its cultural hubs, museums, and green spaces—benefits greatly from private transport.
That said, its relatively compact core mean a well-planned visit can capture its essence in just two days, with the option to extend for deeper exploration.
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) are ideal times to visit, offering mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Winters are very cold, but there are festive Christmas markets and snow-dusted streets, and, though very hot, summer sees long days perfect for riverside walks and open-air concerts.
Staying in Śródmieście (City Center) near-ish to the Old Town ensures easy access to Warsaw’s major sites, while areas like Powiśle offer a more modern, design-forward experience with trendy cafés, bookstores, and riverside venues.r expert guidance.
M U S E U M & S I T E B O O K I N G
Royal Castle & Old Town: Entry to the Royal Castle is ticketed, with online reservations recommended during peak travel seasons. Start early to enjoy Castle Square before the crowds.
POLIN Museum: This museum is one of Warsaw’s most profound experiences, and it’s outstanding with one of our guides. Pre-booking tickets ensures entry, particularly during weekends or holidays.
Warsaw Uprising Museum: Advanced booking is advisable for this interactive and immersive museum. Arriving in the morning allows for a more breathing room before the larger groups arrive. Be aware that as important as the museum and its subject matter are, it is a very difficult place to navigate, and often crowded and chaotic. You're best served having one of our guides here.
Łazienki (Wa-zee-en-kee) Park & Palace on the Isle: Entry to the park itself and the Chopin recitals is free, but note that the recitals run throughout the summer season on Sundays only at 12:00 and at 16:00.
Tickets are required for the palace and other historic buildings.
Chopin Museum: Tickets for the museum are often available at the door, but for performances or special exhibitions, booking in advance is recommended.
Wilanów Palace: Known as the "Polish Versailles," King Jan III’s beautiful baroque residence is the former home of one of Poland’s most celebrated heroes, and best visited with one of our private tour guides to fully understand its significance.
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y P O I N T S
DAY I
Old Town, Chopin, & Jewish Heritage
Morning: Start in Warsaw’s Old Town, a stunning UNESCO World Heritage Site reconstruction of the city’s pre-war grandeur. Walk through Castle Square, where the Royal Castle stands, and you might want to visit inside as well.
Stroll through the Old Town Market Square, admiring its colorful facades, before making your way to Krakowskie Przedmieście, Warsaw’s historic royal avenue.
Along the way, you'll see the Presidential Palace and pop in at the Church of the Holy Cross, where Chopin’s heart is interred in a column.
Lunch: Enjoy a meal in a classic Polish restaurant—think pierogi (already plural, no need to add an 's'!), a stunning żurek (Thing of the 'g' in 'engine', then oo-rek) soup, or placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes, pronounced 'plats-key')—before heading to the afternoon’s historical deep dive.
Afternoon: Spend the afternoon at the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, an essential stop for understanding Warsaw’s Jewish legacy. The museum’s interactive exhibits provide a powerful narrative of Jewish life in Poland, from the Middle Ages through to the Holocaust and modern times.
Evening: Time for a contemporary Polish restaurant, where chefs reimagine traditional dishes, and have a chance to properly show off. End the night with a quiet drink, perhaps a local Polish wódka (vodka) or nalewka (fruit liqueur). Don't forget there is also plenty of spectacular creative beer brewing that happens here.
DAY II
Jan III's Royal Warsaw, Green Spaces, & Modern Warsaw
Morning: Begin at Wilanów Palace, an elegant baroque residence that once served as the summer retreat for King Jan III. Wander through its grand halls and beautifully landscaped gardens, both quite a contrast to much of Warsaw's bustling city centre.
Lunch: Return to the city and enjoy lunch near Łazienki Park, Warsaw’s most stunning green space.
Afternoon: Explore Łazienki Park, home to palaces, pavilions, and the iconic Chopin Monument. Ideally you're here on a Sunday for a concert – it might be a bit of a tight squeeze to make it in time for the 12:00 start, but it's possible if you get an earlier start today.
Continue with a visit to the Warsaw Uprising Museum, a deeply moving tribute to the city’s heroic resistance against Nazi occupation.
Evening: Wrap up your stay with a memorable dinner. Consider a fine-dining experience showcasing Polish seasonal ingredients, or another round at something classic. Alternately, a really fun option is a lively evening in Hala Koszyki, a beautifully restored market hall with a bunch of different restaurants open late.
DAY III PLUS
You might also want to stay longer, and here’s why we think you should:
For those interested in Warsaw’s contemporary edge, explore Powiśle, a riverside district full of indie galleries, vintage shops, and lovely bistros. Alternatively, cross the river to Praga, a once-industrial neighborhood transformed into a hub of art galleries, cafés, and independent boutiques.
And, some day trips are very possible, of course:
Żelazowa Wola: A day trip to Chopin’s birthplace, set in a peaceful countryside estate with live piano performances.
Lublin: A hidden gem of Polish heritage, with a beautifully preserved Old Town and deep Jewish history. Also note: this is where the author had by far the best żurek of his entire life, and gladly revisits just for this on its own.
Żyrardów: A former textile manufacturing town that won the Grand Prix at the Paris 1900 World’s Fair for its design. Beautiful and somewhat eerie in places today, the factories have been bit by bit converted into shops and galleries and restaurants.
Masurian Lake District: A nature lover’s paradise, ideal for sailing & hiking.
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.
