When I was planning my long weekend in Warsaw, Poland – I had no idea what to expect. With Greece and Italy so close by, people couldn’t understand why I’d brave a Ryanair flight with football hooligans to explore Warsaw.
But WOW was I blown away by an incredible, unexpected experience. Not only was my long weekend in Warsaw affordable, exciting, and filled with young people – it was a relaxing escape from my hectic London life. I spent 80% of my time relaxing outside, enjoying tasty treats, and wondering why – OH WHY – was I going back to London?!
Here’s the 1-2-3 of how to make the most of your long weekend in Warsaw.
Accommodation
If you have accommodation booked already in Warsaw – cancel it. You’ll not find better value for money nor a better-located hostel than – DREAM Hostel Warsaw.
Located just 0.1 miles away from the Old Town Square, it was the PERFECT location to experience the best bits of Warsaw. It’s dead-center of Old Town and just outside your front door are the best bits of Warsaw.
With an incredible staff and pristine living conditions, DREAM Hostel Warsaw was an exceptional hideaway for my travel buddy and I when it all became just a bit much.
The long walks in the sunshine and delicious snacks along the way would tire out anyone, so we retired away to the drawing room regularly (also known as the common area – ha).
During the day, it was a quiet space for people to read, check emails, or hide away from the world… in the evening it would transform into a poppin’ bar with beer pong tournaments and other fun activities to help break the ice amongst traveling souls. People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome.
Whilst we were in town, there were several thunderstorms and we hid away in our private double room – pushed the beds together – and enjoyed a girls’ night in with lovely drinks and takeaway. With so much traveling ahead of me, I was so thankful to have such a peaceful place to steal away.
Food & Tourism
Poland is known for many things… food, not always being one of them. But I think this is a HUGE misconception as I found absolutely lush meals throughout the city.
Things you MUST eat whilst in Poland include:
- Lipka (steak) Tartar
- Pierogi (Polish dumplings)
- Polskie naleśniki (Polish pancakes)
- Kotlet schabowy (breaded pork cutlet)
If you’re feeling homesick, FEAR NOT, for I have located some of the best brunch places in town and a variety of other ‘alternatives’ to Polish food when the moment strikes you.
Instead of going one by one of my favorite destinations, I decided to just map them out for you on my custom Google Layer. It’s free and easy to use. Just…
- Click on the right corner of my map, where the broken square is [ ]
- It will launch Google Maps on your iPhone (or click here for my Warsaw Guide)
- Check out the pins that I’ve dropped along the way on your Google Maps app seamlessly
- Enjoy & happy eating!
If you don’t want to use my beautifully interactive map, I’ve highlighted all my favorite spots from my weekend in Warsaw below. Check it out, add it to your itinerary, and let me know what you think!
I‘ve lived abroad for many years and love helping others find work abroad and figure out their “Move Abroad Plan.” Check out my class below to get you started ASAP!
Places to Eat
Okay, so POlish cuisine might not be as popular worldwide as Thai or Italian, but my god is it good. From dumplings to pancakes to wholesome and hearty soups, Polish food is all about love. So, here are my favorite spots to try delicious food while you’re in Warsaw.
Zapiecek
Zapiecek might not look like much from the outside, but it has a ton of delicious traditional Polish cuisine at a reasonable price. Choose from sweet or savory dumplings, delicious pancakes, and more.
In the warmer months, you can sit outside the restaurant on one of the dozens of terrace tables and enjoy people-watching as you eat!
AïOLI
If you’re looking for something a little more familiar, check out AïOLI, located inside an old industrial building. They serve up some delicious pizza, pasta dishes, and burgers with a European twist that really just hits the spot.
Ceviche Bar
Okay so the last thing I thought I’d find in Warsaw was an amazing Latin American bar and ceviche restaurant, but that’s exactly what Ceviche Bar does so well. Enjoy nachos, vibrantly fresh and tangy ceviche dishes, and awesome cocktails at this industrially-designed spot.
It’s the perfect place to hang out with friends and spend the entire evening.
MOMU
Traditional Polish cuisine is great, but what MOMU does really well is put a contemporary twist on these classic dishes and create something completely different.
It’s housed in a cool industrial-style restaurant and focuses on smoking everything with a woody vibe. It’s the ideal place to eat in the winter and autumn months when the temperatures drop.
Bułkę przez Bibułkę
After a big night out in Warsaw, you’re going to need a hearty, filling, delicious breakfast. Bułkę przez Bibułkę is the place to go to soothe all your hangover needs. With huge portion sizes and affordable prices, it’s a brunch place that’s loved by both tourists and locals.
There’s a great mix of cooked breakfasts and bakery goods to choose from. They have an amazing bakery on-site, so the whole place smells absolutely amazing.
Shabby Chic Coffee & Wine Bar
If you’re looking for a cool place to hang out that can easily take you from day to night, head to Shabby Chic Coffee & Wine Bar. This amazing place is filled with books and has a cozy, cute charm to it.
Order a coffee and a cake, or get a brunch-style meal and a gorgeous glass of wine.
Places to Drink
Poland is a great spot for food, but the bars and drinking spots in the city are also completely amazing. You’ll be pleased to know that they offer way more than just high-quality vodka and beer but those are some pretty great options too!
Secret Bar – Weles Bar
Want to have a drink in a dark and moody spot, head to Weles Bar, a secret and secluded bar in the heart of the Frascati area of the city. It’s got an antique wooden decor style that feels super cozy and exclusive.
The Weles Bar serves up craft cocktails and tasty little bar bites that keep you going all night long.
Klar Cocktail Bar
Sometimes you just want a casual spot to relax in during the evening. Klar Cocktail Bar has a huge menu of beers, wines, and cocktails that are delicious and reasonably priced. If the summer, there’s a huge outdoor terrace where you can chill out and welcome in the evening.
They even have live music on so you can discover the local talent and have an amazing night out in Warsaw.
Czupito Shot Bar
If you’re wanting to have a wild night out in Warsaw, you have to stop off at Czupito Shot Bar. With a huge menu of vibrant and bizarre shots, you can get wavy without spending a fortune. There are literally only shots on the menu, so get a board of shots to share with your friends and start your night off with a bang.
Places to Visit
You might not know a lot about Warsaw when you first plan to visit, but this amazing Polish capital is full of amazing places to visit and sights to see.
Dom Towarowy Bracia Jabłkowscy
First up, we have Dom towarowy Bracia Jabłkowscy, an awesome marketplace that is full of handmade artisanal crafts and products. If you love to shop or just want to discover more about local culture, this is an amazing spot to check out.
Housed in an old 1920s department store, there are always awesome events, conferences, and shows going on, so it’s well worth checking out. It’s super pretty on the inside and the traders are continually rotating so there’s something new every time you visit.
Bazylika Archikatedralna w Warszawie p.w. Męczeństwa św. Jana Chrzciciela
It’s no secret that Warsaw is full of beautiful buildings and churches, but the Bazylika Archikatedralna w Warszawie p.w. Męczeństwa św. Jana Chrzciciela is a Royal Cathedral that harks back to Kings John III Sobieski & Sigismund III Vasa.
The architecture is beautiful and features a whole range of different styles, which is really cool. You can definitely see all the different influences as you wander around.
Łazienki Park
If you want to spend some time out in nature, head to Lazienki Park. It’s filled with amazing sculptures, artworks, and more all in a beautiful lakeside setting. There’s even a palace in the middle of the lake that you can go and visit while you’re there.
Warsaw Barbican
As a massively historic city, Warsaw has no shortage of castles and fortresses. The best one is probably the Warsaw Barbican, which was initially built in the 16th century and rebuilt in parts in the 1900s. It’s an amazing fortress and definitely worth a visit.
Multimedia Fountain Park
If you’re looking for a super chill place to sit back and relax in Warsaw, there’s probably no better place than the Multimedia Fountain Park. With over 367 water jets and fountains all around the park, you can wander around for days.
If you’re visiting in the summer months, you should definitely check out the Multimedia Fountain Park in the evening. When the sun sets, the park transforms into a vibrant light show which is really spectacular and the perfect way to end a day in Warsaw.
Presidential Palace
This kind of does what it says on the tin, but it is a truly amazing palace to walk around and discover. Its history stretches back to the 18th century, and although it is the official residence of the President of Poland, there are a ton of guided tours of the elegant and opulent rooms that make this such a beautiful location.
Neon Museum
Located in the cool Praga District in an old warehouse, you’ll find this museum with a difference. The Neon Museum is full of vintage and retro signs from the Cold War era.
It’s a completely different way to experience this period of history and although it’s not the biggest museum in the world, it’s a really fun way to spend an hour, especially if the Polish weather isn’t the best!
Old Town Market Square
If you’ve ever seen a photo of Warsaw then chances are that you’ve seen the Old Town Market Square. Filled with colorful buildings, al fresco cafes, and the iconic mermaid statue, this square is a hub of activity and is full of tourists and locals alike.
Despite being a medieval square, it was pretty much completely destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in the fifties. It’s full of charm and honestly, no trip to Warsaw is complete without a visit to the Old Town Market Square.
Krasinski Palace
Despite the name, I’m sorry to report that no, this is not where John Krasinski and Emily Blunt live. Instead, this opulent and beautiful palace is brimming with ornate Baroque architecture which will transport you to another world.
If you’re heading to Warsaw in the springtime, then you absolutely have to check out the formal gardens that surround the palace. They’ll be in full bloom and it’ll honestly take your breath away.
Spa
Shocker shocker, Vanessa went to yet ANOTHER spa. Well I’m on a mission to #SpaAroundTheWorld and damn I’m doing a great job. I went with the intention of enjoying a relatively tame spa experience as my travel buddy for the occasion was not so keen on being in the buff with me for hours on end. I was offended, but I managed to move on from it.
Something was definitely lost in translation on the website (jokes on us), but I definitely prefer stomping around in my birthday suit in all of my naked glory!… my friend not so much. Much to my surprise, she took the plunge and went ‘sans’ towel because it wasn’t a big deal. Get involved.
Studio Sante Uzdrowisko Miejskie is described as a ‘public Swimming Pool’ on Google Maps, but it was very much a spa of the future that could be enjoyed with or without clothing. Inside the spa, you can enjoy…
- Japanese Rock Sauna
- Goldarium (wut)
- Himalayan Salt Grotto
- Jacuzzi with Himalayan Salt & Magnesium
- Finnish Sauna
- Steam room
- Collagen light therapy
- Outdoor ice bath
I’m not sure what half these things do but DAMN were they lovely.
I was living La Vida Loca whilst I was in Warsaw, Poland and I definitely could have budgeted £30 pounds per day for food, fun, and drink… I just choose NOT to – ha. Everything in Poland was so reasonable and the quality of food/alcohol was divine so I allowed myself to live a little. Sue me.
On average:
- Accommodation = £20 – £50 per night
- Food = £10 – £15 per day
- Transport = £1 – £2
- Tourism = £5 – 10 per day
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Vanessa Wachtmeister is a travel tech professional and the creator of the wealth & wanderlust platform, Wander Onwards. Vanessa is originally from Los Angeles, California, she is a proud Chicana, and she has been living abroad for the last 9 years. Today, she helps people pursue financial and location independence through her ‘Move Abroad’ Master Class, financial literacy digital products, and career workshops.