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Last Updated on November 24, 2022 by Dominique de Merteuil
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 actually 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 history 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!FAQ-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 stars 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 to 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!
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- How to choose a hotel in Warsaw
- How to travel around town
- Best restaurants and bars in Warsaw
- Museums in Warsaw you can visit for free
Hotels
- Hotel Belloto, (old town)
- Hotel Bristol, (old town)
- Raffles Europejski Warsaw – located across from Hotel Bristol, (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 town
Bars and Restaurants
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 to-go place for a healthy lunch when I’m near the city centre.
Two of my favourite bars in Warsaw
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Cocktail Bar Max & Dom Whisky at 32 Nowy Swiat
Excuse my messy hair. At one of my favourite cocktail bars in Warsaw indulging in a frozen strawberry Margarita. - Worek Kosci at 10 Bagatela Street
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For the best Espresso Martini, great music, Burlesque shows, and for those who understand Polish, interesting criminology lectures, head straight to Worek Kosci. I can’t get enough of this place!
Museums in Warsaw
FREE ENTRANCE TO THE MUSEUM
The Royal Lazienki Park-always free entrance
The Royal Lazienki Museum-free Fridays
Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanow-free Thursdays
National Museum in Warsaw-free Mondays
The Royal Castle in Warsaw-free Wednesdays
The Museum of Warsaw-free Thursdays
The Pharmacy Museum-free Thursdays
The Royal Łazienki Museum
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 a stage of an authentic 18th-century court theatre? Now, that’s what I call the perfect weekend in Warsaw!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!
Location:
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 till 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!)- The Palace on the Isle
- The Old Orangery & the Royal Theater (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 till 1804, prince Loius 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 of 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
Wilanow for Young Talents – Fashion at the Court of King Jan III Sobieski exhibition.
Children’s clothing from the 17th to the 19th century – Wilanow for Young Talents.
Location:
Wilanów county
Wilanów bus stop – bus numbers 116, 180, 519
Opening hours:
The Park is open from 9.00 am till 8.00 pm.
Entrance fees: The entrance to the park is 7zl
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 as well as 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
Entrance Fees:
Permanent Galleries – 20zl
All Temporary Exhibitions – 40zl
(Free admission on Tuesday!)
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 till 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.
Location:
Opening hours:
Monday-closed
Tuesday-Sunday from 11.00 am till 5.00 pm
The entrance fee is 30zl
(Free admission on Wednesday!)
The Museum of Dollhouses, Games and Toys
Awake 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.
*The location of the main branch of the Museum with the permanent exhibition will be announced later this year!
You can view the temporary exhibition of beautiful dolls at 2/4 Krzywe Koło Street, Old Town
Entrance- 14zl
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!
The Clothing Room
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, 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 till 6 pm
Entrance Fee: 10zl
Free Entrance on Thursdays
Joanna
May 8, 2021What a beautiful recommendation of Warsaw. I feel like I need to revisit those places again
Dominique de Merteuil
May 9, 2021Thank you!
I can’t get enough of the museums in Warsaw!