One day in Warsaw: Warsaw Highlights

Do you only have one day in Warsaw and want to cover all the possible Warsaw Highlights, then this guide will help you plan the itinerary. 

When I mentioned that I was visiting Warsaw, no one really showed any excitement except a few bloggers. No wonder it is one of the most underrated countries in terms of travel.

Everyone suggested I visit Krakow instead. However, I was intrigued to visit Poland and its capital because it rose from the ashes after World War II. I only had one day in Warsaw, and although there are many, many places to see, I could only manage a few.

I visited Warsaw on a very cold December day, and it was extremely cold. Not to mention it became dark at 3:30 pm, leaving very few options for sightseeing in Warsaw. I still made the best of the trip. Check out all the things to do in Warsaw through this post.

BEST THINGS TO DO IN WARSAW IN ONE DAY

The Old Town of Warsaw

I am always interested in the heart of the city, and the Old Town of Warsaw is a vibrant place where all the actions happen as the Old and New Towns meet. The colourful houses and cobbled streets made me reminisce about the Middle Ages of the country when the town was thriving. The Old Town is one of the best places to visit in Warsaw.

In the middle is the water pump and the Warsaw Mermaid sculpture – the symbol of Warsaw, considered to be a guardian angel. It turns into a skating rink in winter. This square has a number of street vendors, cafes, shops, museums, art galleries and restaurants. If you visit Poland in Christmas, like I did, you will find a Christmas market which sells souvenirs and Polish food items.

This area is also known for beautiful street art in Warsaw. There are tours that specifically cater to visit these.

Castle Square

The castle square, locally known as Plac Zamkowy w Warszawie, is located in front of the Royal Castle in the old town of Warsaw. You will notice the long column with a figurine at the top.

It is a figure of King Sigismund who made Warsaw the capital of Poland. This square is important from a historical point of view as it was part of the many demonstrations, speeches, executions and other important public events in the past. Now it a place where locals and tourists enjoy lunch and explore the interesting attractions dotted around the square.

The Barbican

The Barbican is the gateway between the Old Town and the New Town and is a short walk away from Old Town Market Place. The Barbican lends an artistic look to the city. It was partially demolished in the 18th century and again destroyed during World War II.  

The fortified wall and barbican were restored later in their full glory. Today, it serves as a bridge between the Old and New Town, and is also the hangout of choice for many artists selling their paintings and Polish souvenirs. If you have time, do visit the small museum on its history.

The Royal Route of Warsaw

Warsaw’s Royal Route links the city’s three Royal residences – The Royal Castle, via Lazienki Park to Wilanów Palace, covering 11 km in length. This is the main route which covers most of Warsaw’s historic buildings, churches, embassies, parks and monuments.

You will now find swanky hotels, expensive restaurants and shops on this route. The entire route during Christmas is decorated with festive lights, and it is a sight to behold.

Presidential Palace

Built in the 17th century, this is Warsaw’s biggest palace. Currently, the building is home to Poland’s president, but in yesteryears it had various functions: public gathering place, gala balls and theatre performances. It is said that Fryderyk Chopin gave his first concert in the palace.

The entrance to the palace is guarded by a statue of Prince Józef Poniatowski and four stone lions, and it is lit up at night.

Palace of Culture and Science

The highest and most recognisable building in Warsaw can be seen from almost every part of the city and is locally known as Stalin’s Penis, as it was gifted by Stalin to the city.

Currently, the palace is home to theatres, a cinema, museums, pubs and the Warsaw Tourist Information office. Give in to the urge to go to the observation deck on the 30th floor of the building and see the beautiful panorama of the city.

Lazienki Park

Lazienki means bath, and it was constructed as a private bathhouse for the royal family. Today, it is the largest public park in Warsaw, an important venue for music and culture and a must-see for architecture and nature lovers. Once inside Lazienki Park, you will probably forget you are in the city centre, away from the hustle and bustle of traffic.

This massive park, covering about 76 hectares, is also home to a variety of buildings worth visiting. The park was created within the old wild forest, so the animals there are detained under their normal natural conditions.

In the Lazienki complex, there are several museums and buildings that you can visit all year round, so plan a couple of hours here. Must-see places here are Palace on the Water, Amphitheatre, Myślewicki Palace and Chopin Monument. Do look out for Chopin’s concerts during the summer on the official website. It may seem difficult to see so much during one day in Warsaw, but a quick visit should do the trick.

Wilanów Palace

Known as the Versailles of Poland, Wilanow Palace is set in 45 acres of gardens which escaped unhurt during World War II. Built by King Jan 111 Soblieski in the 17th century, the grand interiors will leave you in awe. The palace is now a museum, and the Polish Portrait Gallery is not to be missed. The park is landscaped with a dual-level Baroque garden, and there is also a Renaissance-designed rose garden, besides a classical English and a Chinese garden.  This is a must for one day in Warsaw.

DAY TRIPS FROM WARSAW

Looking for day trips from Warsaw? There are plenty to choose from. Whether you have one extra day or a few to spare, it is highly recommended that you get out of the capital city to explore some lovely towns.

Malbork Castle

This 13th-century Malbork Castle is the largest in the world (area-wise). Built entirely of red bricks, it is also the most massive brick structure in the world. Unfortunately, it was destroyed during World War II. It was reconstructed later to what it is in the present day.

Auschwitz Camps

Auschwitz is the place where the most gruesome concentration camps of World War II are located. It’s not a pleasant day trip to take, but if you like history and have seen the many movies on this topic, you will have an interesting day exploring the concentration camps. This trip is not for the faint-hearted, so beware.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka is a UNESCO-protected 13th-century salt mine consisting of subterranean tunnels. It is open only during the summer every year. This underground mine would take you through the deep tunnels leading to the mines and the only underground chapel in the world.

Kampinos National Park

This park is located just 40 minutes away from Warsaw. This massive reserve area is a highly recommended day trip option if you like hiking, animals, and enjoy outdoor activities in general. For tourists, cycling, skiing, walking and horse riding trails are available. Depending on the season you are arriving, you can plan your activities.

WARSAW TIPS AND TRAVEL ESSENTIALS

Best time to visit Warsaw

Like all European cities, Warsaw is pleasant during summer (June to August), so it is best to visit then. Summers are comfortable, which can make moving around and walking bearable.

Alternatively, spring months (March-April) and autumn months (August-September) bring about the beautiful colours of nature.

How To Get To Warsaw

If you are flying into Warsaw, you will likely be arriving at the Frédéric Chopin Airport, which is the main airport that handles both domestic and international flights. One can hire an Uber or a city shuttle bus to travel in the city.

How To Get Around Warsaw

Getting around Warsaw can be done easily with buses and trams. You can easily find a bus or tram around the city. Uber also runs in the city and is fairly cheap compared to other European destinations.

For travelling around from city to city, you can never go wrong with Flixbus and their wide network of bus routes you can take throughout Europe.

WHERE TO STAY IN WARSAW

Warsaw’s town center is full of history. The most popular areas to visit and eat are here, which is why it’s also one of the best places in Warsaw to stay.

There are great options for hotels, resorts, homestays and hostels in Warsaw. Let’s look at some of the other accommodation options:

Luxury hotels in Warsaw: Campanile Varsovie / Warszawa, Hotel Warszawa

AirBnb in Warsaw: Hidden Peak Guestrooms, Villa Kava

Hostels in Warsaw: Lull Hostel, Chillout Hostel

SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR ONE DAY IN WARSAW

• Use public transport like the tram and bus, instead of calling an Uber. Most places are in walking distance of the old town.
• Many companies offer walking tours which start from the old square. It is best to register with them before, or you can also join them at the last moment. They last a little over 4 hours, so come with a lot of time in hand. They tell you the history and walk you through the popular places of the town. All this for a small tip at the end of the tour.
• Do tip the walking tour guides, they are generally part-time student,s and that is the only way they earn. Ideally, 5 euros per person is the least you should give.
• Respect the memorials, museums, walls and old architectural buildings by not sitting on them for a photo opportunity.
• Enjoy the local food. Everywhere in Poland, I did not face a problem finding vegetarian food. There are a lot of vegetarian as well as vegan food cafes in Warsaw.

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