Warsaw

Where history meets modern vibrance

Warsaw stands out as Poland’s capital with a history shaped by resilience and renewal. After severe damage during World War II, much of the city rebuilt itself in the decades that followed. Today, Warsaw mixes historic sites like the Old Town – recreated from old plans – with modern architecture such as glass office towers along the Vistula River. Cultural venues include museums dedicated to both national heritage and contemporary art. Public transport connects neighborhoods efficiently, making it easy for visitors to explore its layered past and vibrant present without much hassle.

Add to list Map view

City in Poland

$$$

$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

See price details

Safety: 7.9

General Safety:	8
Health & medical:	8
Accessibility:	7
Tap water:	8

Read details

4/5

Many locals, especially younger generations and those in tourist areas, speak good English. Most signs and menus in central areas also include English translations.

Highlights Attractions Getting there Hotels Tips Travel costs Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

* We earn a commission from some links on this page.

Warsaw Summary

These place ratings give you a quick overview of how well a destination matches different types of trips.

‘Best for’ scores:
The specific interest scores show where this place really shines – whether it's ideal for hiking, food & drink experiences, museums or other activities. These highlights help you understand what makes the destination special at a glance.

‘Your personal’ scores:
This reflects how well a place matches your personal preferences. You can adjust the importances of travel topics or other personal requirements categories in your account settings.

‘Suited for’ badges:
These give you a quick overview of how well a destination suits specific types of travellers, to help you find the places that match your lifestyle, preferences or travel situation.

Read how our scores work

Excellent for history and vibrant city culture. Explore the rebuilt old town, visit major museums, relax in large parks and enjoy lively food districts.

Place score

8.0

Best at:

Guided tours

Street food

Historic sites

Luxury shopping

Markets

Personal score

Suited for

👶 7

Families

🧓 7

Seniors

🛡️ 8

Travel Beginners

💻 8

Digital Nomads

Poland – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Polish Złoty (PLN) £1 ≈ PLN 5.25
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payment is widespread in Poland, with credit cards and mobile payment options accepted in most places. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is appreciated but not obligatory in Poland. Rounding up or leaving 10% in restaurants is customary. Small tips for taxi drivers and hotel staff are also welcome.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is prohibited, though it may be overlooked in certain areas. Consumption is best kept to bars or private settings.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in public places, including restaurants and public transport stops, with designated areas available.

Constitution Day (May)	Expect patriotic parades and some closures.
All Saints’ Day (November)	Many visit cemeteries, and some businesses may close.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events are common, with closures on Christmas Day.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps:	Bolt, Free Now, Uber
Other:	Poland is known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and hearty cuisine. Public transport is efficient and affordable, making it easy to explore.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Warsaw, Poland

❄️

Jan

❄️

Feb

🌥️

Mar

🌥️

Apr

🌤️

May

🌤️

Jun

🌤️

Jul

🌤️

Aug

🌤️

Sep

☁️

Oct

☁️

Nov

❄️

Dec

High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	April, Oct., Dec.
Crowdedness:	9 (Very crowded)

Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info

Climate details

Christmas markets run late November to Christmas, Old Town illuminations glow through early January

1 November (All Saints' Day): cemeteries lit with candles, shops and transport closed or reduced

Many shops are closed on Sundays, with a few exceptions

Don't miss

🏘️ Explore the reconstructed Old Town and its colorful facades
🎖️ Visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum for powerful war history
🌳 Stroll through Łazienki Park and see the Palace on the Isle
🌆 Admire panoramic views from the Palace of Culture tower
🥟 Taste pierogi and Polish dishes in a local milk bar
🌅 Walk along the Vistula River boulevards at sunset

You've been here?

Why travel to Warsaw?

Warsaw offers an inspiring mix of old-world charm and modern buzz. The Old Town, beautifully rebuilt after WWII, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a testament to the city's strength. Beyond the historic sites, you'll find green parks, fantastic museums and a thriving nightlife. Be prepared for a walk through history, from royal palaces to reminders of the Warsaw Uprising, all while enjoying modern comforts and friendly hospitality.

🏯Places worth seeing

1 Royal Castle
2 Palace of Culture and Science
3 Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews
4 Zachęta National Gallery of Art
5 National Museum in Warsaw
6 Wilanow Palace

🎡Places for activities

1 Skatepark
2 Copernicus Science Centre
3 Warsaw Zoo
4 National Stadium in Warsaw
5 Multimedia Fountain Park
6 Hala Koszyki

🏞️Natural landmarks

1 Skaryszewski Park
2 Saxon Garden
3 Royal Łazienki Park
4 Park Wilanowski
5 Skwer Ormiański
6 Mokotów Field

🛍️Shopping

1 Vitkac
2 Arkadia
3 Golden Terraces
4 Hala Mirowska
5 New World Street Hostel
6 Plac Unii
7 Blue City
8 Westfield Mokotów
9 Bazar Różyckiego
10 Hala Gwardii

🎈Events

Warsaw Film Festival
Warsaw Summer Jazz Days
Warsaw Book Fair
Chopin Concerts in Łazienki Park
Orange Warsaw Festival
Warsaw Autumn (Music Festival)
Night of Museums
Wianki on the Vistula
Warsaw Christmas Market
New Year's Eve in Warsaw

Explore on map

Open map view

Knowledge before you go

Rebuilt Old Town is beautiful but largely reconstructed after wartime destruction.
Buy a Warsaw public transport card for cheap trams, buses, metro and easy airport-to-center connections.
Allocate time for POLIN Museum and Warsaw Uprising Museum to grasp the city’s difficult twentieth‑century history.
Stroll the Vistula boulevards and Praga district in warmer months for local bars, street art and relaxed riverfront evenings.

How to travel to Warsaw

Warsaw is well-connected by air through Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) and the smaller Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI). Trains and buses also connect the city to major European destinations. The central railway station (Warszawa Centralna) is a key hub.

Access summary

From Chopin Airport (WAW): SKM/SKM trains or bus 175, about 20–30 minutes.
From Kraków: High-speed trains to Warszawa Centralna, usually around 2.5–3 hours.
From Gdańsk: Direct intercity trains to Warsaw, typically about 3–3.5 hours.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay in Warsaw

Warsaw offers a wide range of accommodations from budget hostels to luxury hotels. The city center, especially around the Old Town and Śródmieście, is a great base for exploring most attractions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

InterContinental Warszawa By IHG

9.2

Novotel Warszawa Centrum Hotel

8.8

Mercure Warszawa Centrum Hotel

8.9

Leonardo Royal Hotel Warsaw

8.8

Regent Warsaw Hotel

8.7

NYX Hotel Warsaw by Leonardo Hotels

Sofitel Victoria Warsaw Hotel

9.1

Holiday Inn Express Warsaw - The HUB By IHG

9.3

Explore more accommodations

How to get around Warsaw

Public transport is efficient with buses, trams and the metro. Single tickets cover all modes and can be bought at machines or kiosks. Taxis and rideshare apps are also widely available. The city is quite walkable, especially in the center.

Budget snapshot

Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

-22 %

Daily expenses in Warsaw are around 22% lower than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably less on meals and getting around.

Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

+0 %

Your exchange rate (GBP to PLN) is 0% worse than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Travel costs

To help you plan your trip, we provide estimated daily costs per person (when travelling as a pair) for different travel styles. These numbers give you an idea of what you might spend each day at this destination, including accommodation, food, transport and activities.

Additionally, we also provide average hotel costs for different travel styles to give you an estimate for the accommodation only.

Please note that these are only estimates. The real costs depend on booking times, season and other factors.

Daily cost summary

Travel style categories explained:

Backpacker:
Staying in hostels or budget hotels, cooking your own meals or eating cheap and choosing low-cost activities.

Mid-range:
Staying in mid-range hotels, eating at a mix of restaurants and casual spots and enjoying a variety of activities.

Luxury:
Staying in luxury hotels, dining out at high-end restaurants and enjoying premium experiences without worrying about the price.

	Backpacker	Mid-range	Luxury
💵 Total costs per day, including accommodation	£47	£105	£280
🏨 Accommodation per night, per person	£19	£45	£90
🍝 Food per day	£24	£53	£161
🚕 Transportation per day	£4	£7	£29

Food & Drink

🍽️ Restaurant Dinner, per person	£20
🍛 Lunch Set, per person	£8.50
🍟 Fast food combo	£7.50
🍝 Preparing your own food, per day	£8
☕ Cappuccino	£3.50
🍺 Beer in a restaurant, 0.5 l	£4.10

Transportation

🚌 Public transport ticket	£0.90
🚕 Taxi Ride, 10 km / 6 mi	£18
⛽ Petrol, 1 l	£1.30

Other

🎞️ Cinema ticket	£7.50
👩‍⚕️ Doctor's consult	£65
🤧 Cold medication	£10.50
💇 Basic haircut	£21

Safety information overview

General safety

Warsaw is generally safe for tourists. As in any large city, watch out for pickpockets in crowded places. The city has a visible police presence, particularly in tourist areas.

Health & Medical

Medical care is widely available and of good quality. EU citizens can use their European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for emergency care. Pharmacies are common and often have English-speaking staff.

Accessibility

Warsaw has improved accessibility significantly, with many public transport options and attractions wheelchair-friendly. Some older areas may have cobblestones and narrow paths.

Tap water

Tap water is safe to drink. Many restaurants serve tap water on request and public drinking fountains are available in parks during warmer months.