48 hours in Warsaw – A 2 day Itinerary

Warsaw, Poland is a relatively unknown and underrated city but it is worth exploring. It is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe with an amazing history, great culture and vibrant nightlife.

The city has a lot to offer and it will take you at least 2 days to fully explore Warsaw city. The good news is that it is easy to get around in the city, so do not worry about not having enough time.

It is also very affordable to travel in Poland and there are many cheap hostels to choose from. You can get started with the following 2-day Warsaw itinerary or modify it according to your own preferences.

Best time to visit Warsaw

If you are after a weekend city break, the best time to visit Warsaw is in the summer when the weather is warm and sunny. The months to visit Warsaw are from June through to August but do not worry if you can not make it during this period. It is still a great city to explore year-round.

The weather in Warsaw is usually mild, with average temperatures during the summer months of around 24°C. During this time, there is less rainfall and the sun shines more, making it a great time to visit.

However, it can get very hot in the summer months, so make sure you pack light clothing and sunscreen when visiting Warsaw during that time of year. If you choose to visit Warsaw in winter, make sure to wrap up as it can get chilly!

Where to stay in Warsaw

With its history spanning centuries, Warsaw city has a lot of surprises in store for visitors. With beautiful architecture and plenty to explore, the city is full of attractions.

Whether you are looking for a romantic getaway, a family vacation or an adventure with friends, a long weekend in Warsaw has something for everyone.

The city has plenty of places to stay and it is easy to find accommodation in any part of the city. The best way to find the perfect place is to use an accommodation website like Booking.com and browse through the options available in Warsaw.

There are plenty of hotels, hostels and apartments available for all budgets, so it is easy to find something that suits everyone.

Stay near the Old Town Market Square

If you are wanting to stay near the Old Town Market Square there are options for both budget hostels or luxury apartments. The Luxury Apartments Mondrian Market Square and Royal Warsaw Apartments are excellent examples of luxury living in Warsaw.

However, if you are looking for a more budget-friendly option, the Oki Doki Hostel is an excellent choice. It is located right next to the Old Town Market Square, which makes it very convenient if you want to be close by when exploring Warsaw.

The hostel has both dormitory-style rooms available as well as private rooms with shared bathrooms. The building has a cafe/bar, courtyard and communal kitchen. It also includes a lounge with vaulted ceilings.

Warsaw Hotels

There are many highly rated hotels in Warsaw, including the Radisson Collection Hotel Warsaw, The Westin Warsaw and Hilton Warsaw City.

All are located in the centre of town, making it very convenient if you want to be close by when exploring Warsaw. If you are looking for something a bit more budget-friendly, try the Hotel Gromada or Hampton by Hilton Warsaw City Centre Hotel.

All of these hotels offer modern amenities and facilities, including Wi-Fi internet access. You will also find a range of restaurants, bars and cafes in the immediate vicinity.

What to eat in Warsaw

In Warsaw, it is all about traditional Polish cuisine. This means you will find a variety of meat dishes, soups and stews. Some of the most popular dishes include pierogi, bigos and golabki. Pierogi are a type of dumpling that can be filled with meat, cabbage or potatoes.

Try them with applesauce or mushrooms for an extra treat. Bigos is a cabbage and meat stew often named ‘hunters stew’. This traditional polish stew is made from sauerkraut and is simmered for hours until tender.

This is often served with lots of vegetables and cabbage. Golabki is stuffed cabbage rolls made with ground beef, rice and spices. You will also find a variety of Polish desserts to choose from. Try some pączki, doughnuts filled with jam or chocolate that are often eaten in Poland as a dessert or a special treat.

You will be tempted to eat lots of delicious Polish food when enjoying your weekend in Warsaw. Will you try some pierogi or golabki? How about the vodka? Polish vodka is delicious and comes in many different flavours such as blackcurrant, honey, vanilla or even lemonade.

You can find these at any bar across the city and no matter where you choose to eat there will always be one available on the menu. If you are not sure what to try, ask a local for suggestions.

They will be more than happy to help guide you through the Polish food scene. You can also find some great Polish restaurants in Warsaw that serve traditional Polish dishes and modern twists on them as well.

Things to do in Warsaw

A 48 hours in Warsaw itinerary might seem like a short trip but it is actually a very good amount of time to explore the city. You can easily see all the major spots, sample traditional polish cuisine and take in some of the local culture with friends or family.

If you are planning on visiting Warsaw with kids, there are plenty of attractions in the city that are fun for all ages. But even if you are not travelling with children and just want to experience some Polish culture, there are still plenty of things to do in Warsaw.

Old Town Market Square

If you are looking for the main things to do in Warsaw for tourists, make sure you visit the Old Town and Market Square. One of the most popular places in Warsaw, this square is located in the city centre and it is filled with vendors selling souvenirs, traditional Polish food and other goods.

You can also find street performers here as well as musicians playing everything from jazz to classical music. There are plenty of restaurants in the area if you want to grab lunch or dinner while exploring.

The Royal Castle in Warsaw

The Royal Castle in Warsaw is another one of the most popular places in Warsaw for tourists. The castle is located on the edge of Old Town and was built in the 15th century.

It has been destroyed many times throughout history, such as in September 1939 when the Luftwaffe bombed the building.

However, it has been rebuilt each time so that visitors can enjoy visiting this historic location today. You can take tours here, as well as visit the museum inside to learn more about Polish history.

Polin Museum

The Polin Museum of the History of Polish Jews is located on the site where Warsaw’s Jewish Ghetto once stood. The museum gets its name from a Hebrew word meaning either “Poland” or “rest here.”

The museum’s design and curation are exquisite. It covers the multifaceted history of Polish-Jewish relations from many angles.

There are permanent exhibits on Jewish life in Warsaw before the Holocaust, as well as temporary exhibitions that cover topics such as Jewish art and culture.

If you are travelling with kids, they will enjoy the interactive displays that allow them to learn about Polish-Jewish history through games and hands-on activities.

Łazienki park

Łazienki park is a must-visit in Warsaw city. It is a beautiful park that is ideal for a stroll or bike ride. The park is surrounded by opulent buildings, most notably the Łazienki Palace on the Isle.

You can also visit the park’s many fountains and if you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of peacocks roaming freely throughout the grounds! Łazienki Park is the largest park in Warsaw, Poland and stretches over 76 hectares.

The sprawling grounds contain gardens, parks and palaces that form a popular tourist attraction.

Polish Vodka Museum

If you are interested in vodka, then the Polish Vodka Museum is a must-visit in Warsaw. The museum contains exhibits on the history of vodka and how it became so popular in Poland.

You can also learn about different types of vodka and how they are produced. The museum gives visitors an opportunity to try some of their favourite local brands of vodka as well!

Warsaw Uprising Museum

The Warsaw Rising Museum, located in Wola district of Warsaw Poland, commemorates the Warsaw Uprising as well as all Polish Resistance efforts during World War II.

It is a unique museum that commemorates the largest underground combat operation in Warsaw during World War II.

The Warsaw Rising Museum is a must-see in Warsaw and is sure to be an eye-opening experience for anyone wanting to learn about Polish history. The museum is also well-designed and contains many interactive displays that make it very engaging for visitors of all ages.

Tours to do in Warsaw

There are a number of tours that can be done in Warsaw, including walking tours and day trips to the surrounding areas. If you are after a free walking tour, there are plenty that are available to download.

Or pop over to the local tourist information office where they will be happy to help show you around. If you want to see some of the best attractions in Warsaw, then consider taking one of the below tours.

Half-Day Polish Food Walking Tour with Guide and Dinner

The Polish diet is known for its hearty and delicious foods, such as pierogi (stuffed dumplings).

On this walking tour of Warsaw, you will sample a variety of different traditional dishes at several restaurants and learn about the history behind each one from your guide.

This Half-Day Polish Food Walking Tour is a great way to see the city and experience the food and culture during your 48 hrs in Warsaw.

One-day tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Warsaw

If you are a first-time tourist in Poland, you will want to take the time to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau. On this full-day private tour from Warsaw to Auschwitz you will learn about World War II history in Poland at the infamous concentration camp where so many innocent people died.

This One-day tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau will help you simplify your visit and get straight there without having to take public transportation. Visit the former concentration camps where Jews and others were held by Nazi forces during World War II.

The museum is a powerful reminder of the atrocities that took place in Europe during World War II. The tour will take you to Birkenau where you can walk through the barracks and see how prisoners were treated.

You will also learn about the gas chambers, watch films of Auschwitz survivors recounting their experiences and visit an old crematorium.

Private Tour: Warsaw City Sightseeing by Retro Fiat

Tired of walking around, then try the Warsaw City Sightseeing by Retro Fiat. Drive through Warsaw in a vintage model of the Fiat 125p during this private tour to see the city’s top attractions, including Castle Square and Soviet-era architecture.

Add a visit to one of the city’s museums or spend time exploring its Jewish Ghetto or Bohemian Praga district.

On this private tour, you will hear entertaining stories about Varsovian life as your guide takes you to a communist-era milk bar and helps you enjoy refreshments on board.

48-hour guide to Warsaw

Having a two-day trip means you have to fit in as much as you can! For a two-day visit, we recommend that you spend the first day taking in some of Warsaw’s most important museums and buildings.

Start with a visit to the Old Town and its Market Square, then head to Castle Square for views of Warsaw’s historic past. Marvel in the beauty of The Royal Castle before heading over to Łazienki Park where you can take a relaxed stroll.

Add on a tour for the afternoon such as the Half-Day Polish Food Walking Tour to ensure you have tried the traditional polish cuisine and then you can say you know all there is to know about Warsaw.

Day two of the trip should focus on the history of Poland, especially if you are a first-timer. A One-day tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau will ensure you understand the tragic history of Poland.

Alternatively, if you wish to stay more local, the Polin Museum is a great start for the day followed by a tour of the Warsaw Uprising Museum. Make sure you add a few shots of vodka to your evening to really get into the Polish spirit.

Conclusion

If you are looking for an affordable city break, then Warsaw city is worth a visit. It is easy to get around with public transport and there are plenty of things to do both in and around the city centre.

There are plenty of museums and galleries to explore, as well as some beautiful parks to enjoy the outdoors.

You can also take a tour through Warsaw’s Jewish history or visit one of the many bars and restaurants for a taste of Polish cuisine. If you are looking for an affordable city break, then 48 hours in Warsaw is worth the trip.

Recommended tours in Warsaw

• #1 Pub Crawl Warsaw with Premium Open Bar
• Private Tour: Warsaw City Sightseeing by Retro Fiat
• Polish Dumpling Cooking Class, Lunch or Dinner with Liqueur Tasting
• Warsaw In A Nutshell: Walking Tour
• Half-Day Warsaw City Sightseeing Bike Tour for Small Group
• Krakow and Auschwitz Small Group Tour from Warsaw with Lunch
• Discover the Dark Side of Warsaw in Praga District by Retro Bus
• Half Day City Sightseeing Tour of Warsaw

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