The Perfect Weekend in Warsaw!
Your Retro Travel Guide to Warsaw: Museums, Cafés, and Old-World Glamour
Last updated on April 25th, 2025 at 04:54 pm
- The Perfect Weekend in Warsaw
- My Top Tips For The Perfect Weekend in Warsaw!
- The Best Hotels in Warsaw
- Getting Around Warsaw
- Best Bars and Restaurants in Warsaw
- Best Museums in Warsaw
- Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanow
- Helena Modjeska- Icon of Style. Reconstructions of XIX-century costumes
- National Museum in Warsaw
- The Royal Castle in Warsaw
- The Museum of Dollhouses, Games and Toys
- The Museum of Warsaw
- The Antonina Leśniewska Museum of Pharmacy
- Maison Sisley For the Body and Soul
A Weekend in Warsaw- Travel Guide
Welcome to the perfect weekend in Warsaw!
The perfect weekend series is a difficult one to create during the time of the pandemic. Unpredictable lockdowns and restrictions on travel make it impossible to plan the next holiday trip, especially if it’s just for the weekend.
I would love to share with you all my favourite restaurants, bars and cafes in Warsaw, but since no one knows how many of them will survive the Covid 19 restrictions, I will focus on the most beautiful museums in the city instead
Fear not, I will be updating this article in due course! I’m not going to write about each of the museum’s histories, as you can read all about it on the official websites. Instead, I would like to give you a “feel” for the incredible vibe that each place offers.
The Perfect Weekend in Warsaw!The Perfect Weekend in Warsaw
There are plenty of hotels in Warsaw in every price range, and most of the luxurious ones are near Old Town, which is where I suggest you stay if this is your first visit to Warsaw. If your budget doesn’t permit the five-star hotel experience, consider renting an apartment through Airbnb. That’s what my friends from the UK did when they wanted to be near Old Town during their short stay in Warsaw, and they loved it. I always use Airbnb when I travel to Italy. Find out more from my Perfect Weekend in Florence article.
Public transport in Warsaw makes it easy to get from point A to point B. You can purchase a 20-minute or 75-minute ticket on the bus, tram or in a ticket machine at the bus stop, but not all of the bus stops have them. WTP is the official website of the Public Transport in Warsaw, so bookmark the page as it will come in handy later.
Taxis are inexpensive, but make sure you book one via an application. DO NOT get into a Taxi parked near Old Town or anywhere else, for that matter. Use Uber, MPT or Eco Taxi via their official application.
Taking a stroll around Warsaw is very enjoyable!
Food in Warsaw is delicious, and restaurants and bars are in abundance.
Every borough has something special to offer, so Google the type of food you like and see what restaurants pop up in your search. Always check reviews. Poles are very difficult to please, so if you see 300 reviews of your chosen place and all are positive, go ahead and try it out.
Yes, but only one day per week. Different museums offer different days with free entrance.
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My Top Tips For The Perfect Weekend in Warsaw!
- How to choose a hotel in Warsaw
- How to travel around town
- Best restaurants and bars in Warsaw
- Museums in Warsaw that you can visit for free
The Best Hotels in Warsaw
Many of you asked me about a hotel recommendation, but the one I used to stay at, the beautiful Art Deco Rialto Hotel, doesn’t exist anymore. Sadly, it was bought by Robert De Niro and turned into Nobu. (sigh) That’s great news, of course, for the modern interior aficionados, but bad news for those of us who prefer beauteous cosy rooms worthy of Marie Antoinette.
Hotels are a dime a dozen in every price range, and most of the luxurious ones are near Old Town, which is where I suggest you stay. There is a lovely 5-star Hotel Belloto at 13/15 Senatorska Street. My friend from LA stayed there a couple of times, and she loved it. And she is almost as fussy as I am when choosing delightful accommodation. Almost…
Luxury Hotels in Warsaw
- Hotel Belloto, (old town)
- Hotel Bristol, (old town)
- Raffles Europejski Warsaw – located across from Hotel Bristol, in (Old Town)
- Sofitel Warsaw Victoria. You can never go wrong with a Sofitel hotel if you like chain hotels, and this one is no exception. Great location.
- H15 Boutique Hotel is located in a historic building in the centre of Warsaw. It’s a hop, skip and jump from countless restaurants and bars. I can wholeheartedly recommend Tel Aviv for great food and Kraken Rum Bar for drinks.
Getting Around Warsaw
Warsaw is a very compact city, it could easily fit in my vintage purse if it were a compact powder, that is. If you have a proclivity for long walks in which you wish to lose yourself, preferably while listening to Depeche Mode’s “Only when I lose myself”, follow your heart and walk until you can walk no more, and then take a taxi.
I use Eco Taxi via their app or MPT Taxi.
Best Bars and Restaurants in Warsaw
Some of my favourite restaurants in Warsaw are
- Restauracja Różana at Chocimska 7 – one of the most beautiful restaurants in Warsaw! Perfect place for a romantic dinner.
- Restauracja Strefa at Próżna 9 – lovely interior, great food and very welcoming waiting staff. Perfect place for lunch and dinner.
- The Alchemyst Grill & Cocktail at Plac Pilsudskiego 3 – delicious food, great cocktails and friendly waiting staff.
- Tel Aviv Urban Food at 11 Poznanska Street – my go-to place for a healthy lunch when I’m near the city centre.
Two of my favourite bars in Warsaw:
Cocktail Bar Max & Dom Whisky at 32 Nowy Świat
Worek Kosci at 10 Bagatela Street
For the best Espresso Martini, great music, and Burlesque shows, and for those who understand Polish, interesting criminology lectures, head straight to Worek Kosci. I can’t get enough of this place!
Best Museums in Warsaw
Free Entrance to the Museum:
- The Royal Lazienki Park- always with free entrance
- The Royal Lazienki Museum- free Fridays
- Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanow- free on Thursdays
- National Museum in Warsaw- free on Mondays
- The Royal Castle in Warsaw- free Wednesdays
- The Museum of Warsaw- free on Thursdays
- The Pharmacy Museum is free on Thursdays
The Royal Łazienki Museum
Palace on the Isle in the Royal Łazienki Park.
I refer to Royal Łazienki, my second home, as it’s a few minutes walk from where I live, and I’m lucky to be able to stroll through the park every single day, and its beauty never ceases to amaze me. Every time I visit the museum’s surroundings, I discover something new. If you have a limited amount of time for sightseeing in Warsaw and can visit only one museum, the magnificent Palace on the Isle is the winner.
It’s a big tourist attraction, and to avoid the crowds, I recommend that you go early in the morning. I’ve noticed that many of the Palace’s visitors are not aware of the spectacular chambers on the first floor, so I suggest you go there first! The Palace on the Isle is magnificent, and it’s a big tourist attraction, but I’ve noticed that many visitors don’t know about the spectacular chambers on the first floor!
If you are new to Warsaw but have already made the city your home, follow the museums you love on social media. There are many concerts, operas and lectures you won’t want to miss. With such a variety of entertainment, you will be spoiled for choice. The Royal Theatre is my favourite secret, not-so-secret place. Can you think of anything better than seeing “Don Giovanni” or “Agrippina” on the stage of an authentic 18th-century court theatre? Now, that’s what I call the perfect weekend in Warsaw!
How to Get There:
There are several entrances to the museum, but I suggest you take the one near Łazienki Królewskie bus stop – Ujazdowskie Ave. Buses 116, 166 and 180 stop here.
I always choose the entrance near the Agrykola bus stop – Mysliwiecka Street. Buses 108 and 162 stop here. Opening hours: The gardens of the Royal Łazienki Park are open from 6.00 am to 8.00 pm (Free entry to the park)
The historical buildings of the Royal Łazienki Park are open from Tuesday to Sunday. (Free admission on Friday!)
What to See in the Royal Łazienki Museum:
- The Palace on the Isle
- The Old Orangery & the Royal Theatre (one entrance)
- The White Pavilion
- The Myslewicki Palace
- Amphitheatre
- The Royal Gardens
The Palace on the Isle for the perfect weekend in Warsaw!
Don’t forget to visit King’s bed-chamber, study and dressing room on the first floor!
The Myslewicki Palace
The Old Orangery
The White Pavilion
The elegantly nestled White Pavilion with its superb interiors is an 18th-century building designed by Dominico Merlini. Interesting fact: from 1801 to 1804, Prince Louis XVIII, the future king of France, stayed there during the summer season.
Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanow
My second favourite place in Warsaw is the Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów. The gardens are breathtaking in the summer and autumn, and the palace’s interiors are a feast for the soul.
They have many concerts and special events throughout the year, and I would advise that you follow them on social media for updates. This particular museum is very close to my heart as I’m a big supporter of the Wilanow For Young Talents competition and a frequent guest at their lectures. If you would like to find out more, read my articles about the previous competitions.
Helena Modjeska- Icon of Style. Reconstructions of XIX-century costumes
How to Get to Wilanow Palace
Wilanów bus stop – bus numbers 116, 180, 519
Opening hours:
The Park is open from 9.00 am to 8.00 pm
You can purchase tickets online or from a ticket machine located at the entrance to the Park. (Free admission on Thursday)
National Museum in Warsaw
One of the oldest art museums in Poland was founded in 1862. Interesting collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, and photographs from Poland and beyond.
Location: The National Museum in Warsaw is located in the city centre, across from the Palm Tree at 3 Al. Jerozolimskie.
Opening hours: Monday-closed
Tuesday-Sunday – from 10.00 am till 6.00 pm
Free admission on Tuesday!
Portrait of Magdalena Radziwill née Czapska by Jakub Wessel.
Portrait of a Young Woman with a Rose by Anna Bilinska
The Royal Castle in Warsaw
The Royal Castle has a long musical tradition and holds many concerts throughout the year. You can enjoy the Festival of Ancient Music from October to December, and my favourite Mozart Festival, from June to the end of July.
The interiors of the Castle are a real treat, and if you have a limited amount of time, head straight to the Great Apartment and King’s Apartment. I promise you shall not be disappointed!
Opening Hours: Tuesday-Sunday from 11.00 am to 5.00 pm
Free admission on Wednesday.
The Museum of Dollhouses, Games and Toys
Awaken your inner child by visiting one of the most enchanting museums in Warsaw! The permanent exhibition consists of 150 dollhouses, shops, hospitals, schools, and many more delightful objects. Amongst them is a collection of religious toys that are truly fascinating even to an atheist like myself. The Museum of Dollhouses is like a candy shop filled with little delights, unfortunately, you can’t take them home.
You can view the temporary exhibition of beautiful dolls at 2/4 Krzywe Koło Street, Old Town
The Museum of Warsaw
Address: Old Town Market Square 28-42
Opening hours: Thursday-Sunday 11 am-8 pm
The Museum of Warsaw is a place that I can compare to an intricate jewellery box with its many hidden treasures!
Make sure that you reserve a lot of time to explore the Museum of Warsaw, as it occupies 11 historic townhouses. It’s probably the only dog-friendly museum in Warsaw and beyond! You can take your little pooch with you as long as it’s on a leash. I would, however, strongly recommend that you leave the four-legged member of your family at home, as there are a lot of stairs!
The Clothing Room at the Museum of Warsaw
The Antonina Leśniewska Museum of Pharmacy
My newest discovery is just a hop, skip and jump away from the Warsaw Museum. Named after the founder of the first pharmacy that employed only women. The old-world furniture, reconstruction of a Polish pharmacy from the 1920s-1930s, a variety of antique utensils and a cabinet of curiosities are reasons enough to pique anyone’s interest.
Address: 31/33 Piwna Street / Old Town
Opening hours: Thursday-Sunday from 10 am to 6 pm
Free Entrance on Thursdays
Maison Sisley For the Body and Soul
Maison Sisley, located at Mokotowska 57, will delight beauty and perfume enthusiasts and art lovers. The space is filled with works by artists such as sculptor Bronisław Krzysztof and painter Elżbieta Radziwiłł. Family heirlooms donated by Countess Isabelle d’Ornano, co-designer of the interiors, add a personal touch. It’s a place where history meets innovation, technology blends with nature, and French elegance embraces Polish art.
The elegant interior of the salon tells a story as rich as the brand itself. Inspired by the refined beauty of Nieborów and its famous porcelain, the space also draws on the intricate patterns of Portuguese azulejos, creating a harmonious blend of cultures and eras. Among its many treasures is a Murano glass chandelier that casts a warm glow, and a striking portrait of “Bellissima Giulietta,” Julia Potocka, the wife of The Manuscript Found in Saragossa author Jan Potocki and great-great-grandmother of Isabelle d’Ornano. Every detail reflects a deep appreciation for art, history, and timeless elegance—a perfect setting for the Sisley experience.
Enjoy your perfect weekend in Warsaw!
