City trip to Warsaw
Warsaw, the capital of Poland, has developed into an attractive destination for city travelers in recent decades. As the cultural and economic center of the country, the city offers an impressive mix of history, modern architecture and vibrant city life.
Warsaw was already established in the early Middle Ages due to its favorable location. However, the city only gained political significance in the 15th century when the Mazovian rulers moved their seat to the city. Conveniently located between Krakow and Vilnius, Warsaw became the seat of parliament and the seat of power of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth in the 16th century.
The city was almost completely destroyed during the Second World War. Fortunately, it was possible to rebuild almost everything true to the original. The old town was restored to such an extent that it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980. Visitors can explore the royal palace and the market square with its colorful facades, which offer an insight into the city’s past.
In addition to historical sights, you can experience a lively cultural scene on a city trip to Warsaw. Numerous museums, such as the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews, offer in-depth insights into Poland’s eventful history. The city is also home to a variety of theaters, art galleries and music venues that round off the cultural offerings.
Warsaw is also known for its parks and green spaces, which provide a pleasant contrast to the urban surroundings. The Łazienki Park with its picturesque palace on the water is a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. In summer, classical concerts are held here in the open air, offering a special experience.
Warsaw’s culinary scene is diverse and reflects traditional Polish cuisine as well as modern trends. From hearty pierogi to innovative fine dining experiences, there is something to suit every taste.
In terms of infrastructure, Warsaw is well connected and has an efficient public transport network that makes it easy to explore the city. Chopin International Airport also makes it easy to travel to and from the city.
City trip to Warsaw
Our tips for a varied time in the exciting city of Warsaw.
Warsaw is a multifaceted city that you can't just discover along the way. There is so much to see that we realised after our visit that we had not yet visited some items on our list.
For me, vodka has always belonged to Eastern Europe. When we were in Krakow, we came into contact with vodka and its tradition for the first time. When I discovered the Polish Vodka Museum in Warsaw while researching before our trip, it was clear that we absolutely had to go here.
It's Sunday and the weather is beautiful. We and many other visitors are visiting Łazienki Park in Warsaw. The day simply invites to explore the largest park in the city and enjoy a free piano concert.
A visit to Warsaw definitely includes an exploration of the city's history. The POLIN deals with the history of Polish Jews and was a real experience for me.
After we had seen "Stalin's Birthday Cake" in Riga, the Academy of Sciences, we were quite curious about the visually quite similar building in Warsaw, the Palace of Culture and Science. For us, the Warsaw Palace of Culture is one of the most impressive buildings of the city, that we wanted to take a closer…
Book a tour of Warsaw
Find a hotel
InterContinental Warszawa, an IHG Hotel
Nobu Hotel Warsaw
Novotel Warszawa Centrum
PURO Warszawa Centrum
Warsaw travel information
Arrival
By plane
Fryderyk Chopin Airport is located not far from Warsaw. It is the largest and most important airport in Poland.
From the airport there are suburban trains and buses to the center of Warsaw.
By train
The main station of Warsaw is not far from the Old Town. By train, for example, you can go directly from Berlin to Warsaw by EC in about 5.5 hours.
The entire railroad traffic in Poland is star-shaped starting from Warsaw. The most important cities are connected with IC trains.
By bike
The international long-distance cycling routes EuroVelo 2 and EuroVelo 11 pass through Warsaw.
By car
The road network around Warsaw is well developed. From Berlin you can take the A2 highway to Warsaw.
By bus
There are several bus companies that offer regular trips to Warsaw from Germany.
From Warsaw, numerous intercity buses travel throughout Poland.
By ship
There is a large port in Warsaw. Excursion boats sail on the Vistula River.
On the way in...
Tickets for public transportation are available at kiosks and vending machines at bus stops. You can also buy them on the bus or tram.
By Metro
The metro is the best and fastest way to get around Warsaw. There are two lines (M1 and M2). The M1 runs north-south from the southern edge of the city to the center. The M2 runs in a west-east direction across the Vistula River.
During the week, the metro runs until midnight, on weekends until 3 am.
By tram
The tram network is quite dense and trains run frequently. During rush hours, the trams are quite crowded.
By bus
Buses also run through Warsaw at a relatively frequent interval. Within the city you can travel with zone 1 tickets. These are valid for 120 minutes, but you are not allowed to change buses. Alternatively, tickets for zone 1 with the possibility to change buses are also offered. Depending on the price, these are only valid for 20, 40 or 60 minutes.
The night buses are marked with an “N”.
By boat
The Vistula River is navigated by water streetcars and excursion boats departing from the piers on Vistula Boulevard.
By bike
Warsaw has an excellent and fast network of bike paths along the main roads.
From March 1 to November 30, rental bikes are available at 350 stations.
By taxi
Attention. Pay attention before boarding:
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- on the windshield there must be a plate with hologram, taxi license and vehicle registration number
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- on the front door there must be a yellow and red stripe with a clearly visible five-digit serial number and the Warsaw coat of arms
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- on the right rear door there must be a sticker containing tariff information
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- a photo and the name of the driver must be clearly visible in the interior of the vehicle
Best time to travel
Spring (March to May)
Temperatures gradually rise from an average of 5°C in March to around 15°C in May. These months are ideal for walks in the city’s many parks, such as Łazienki Park. Spring is relatively dry, with an average of 8 to 10 days of rain per month.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is the most popular time to visit Warsaw. Temperatures average a pleasant 22°C, with July and August being the warmest months. These months offer the most hours of sunshine, especially in June with an average of 8 hours of sunshine per day. However, occasional showers and summer thunderstorms can occur.
Autumn (September to November)
Autumn offers temperatures that drop from around 15°C in September to 5°C in November. October can be a little rainier, with an average of 10 to 12 rainy days.
Winter (December to February)
Winter in Warsaw is cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing. Average temperatures are around -1°C in January. Snow is common, which gives the city a special charm. There is an average of 10 to 12 rainy days, with precipitation often falling as snow.
WIFI
There is a free municipal Internet network in the city marked “HOT SPOT UM-Warszawa”.
Alcohol and Smoking
Smoking is prohibited at public transport stops, clubs, pubs and restaurants.
The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in public places. Public consumption of alcohol is allowed only in summer and garden restaurants, pubs and on Vistula Boulevard.