What to see in Warsaw in 3 days

The summer has arrived and with it exciting plans to make: go to the seaside, the country or maybe visit a city which has risen from the ashes like a phoenix? Of course I am talking about Warsaw, Poland's capital city. After the freezing winter passes, its streets come alive, filled with music and people. Whether it be a small escape or a step on the way to somewhere else, here is a guide covering what things to do and see in Warsaw over 3 days.

Warsaw's landscape at night

How to get to Warsaw

If you so desire, all roads lead to Warsaw. This capital city has excellent connections over both land and in the air. Having said that, however you get there, you will still need one last push to get you to the centre. Take note, we will cover flights to Warsaw, how to get from its airports to the centre and it's train connections with just as sought after cities like Krakow.

How to get from the airport to Warsaw's centre

Warsaw has two airports which travellers flow through: Chopin and Modlin. Just like as in many other European cities, they're quite a considerable distance away from the centre, so you will have to rely on other modes of transport before stepping foot in the city.

How to get from Warsaw Modlin airport to the centre

This small airport, which is principally operated by Ryanair, is some 25 miles away from the city centre. But looks can be deceiving as its small stature does not impede it from being a bustling airport with many connections!

In order to arrive to the centre, you have a choice between taking a train, a taxi, or the shuttle bus. Each one brings its own inconveniences: either very expensive or takes a long time. Let's focus on the most comfortable way to get to the city, the Modlin bus service. This fleet of buses can take you to the city centre for just €4 (about zł18). Furthermore, they are very comfortable to travel in and shorten the journey by three quarters of an hour. I would advise that you book the tickets in advance just in case.

How to get from Warsaw Chopin airport to the centre

Located some 6 miles away from the city, it is considered Warsaw's major airport. Just like its name, it has many connections with the city, principally by train and bus.

A view of Chopin airport

To start off with, let's discuss the bus service which goes to Warsaw. Before doing anything, make sure you know your destination, you could end up on the other side of the city! Lines 175, 188, 148, 331 and N32 connect the airport with the city, the last line being a night time service. The buses pick up passengers from the ground floor of the terminal.

On the other hand, there are also trains which go to Warsaw. It may seem straightforward, but it's not! There are two companies, SKM and KML, which both leave from the airport. SKM's trains are suburban, meaning they operate in and around the city. However, there are two lines, S2 and S3 which go to the centre. They tend to pass every half an hour. Then, LKM controls the RL line. With respect to prices, this is where it gets even more complicated. Depending on your age, the number of people you travel with and the duration of your ticket, you may only have to pay zł 2.20 (€0.49) or the more significant sum of zł 57 (€13).

How to get from Krakow to Warsaw

Another Polish city which is a popular tourist destination is Krakow. In fact, we're talking about Poland's most touristic city, even more than the capital! Krakow also attracts hoards of students, boosting its modern and vibrant atmosphere. Also unlike Warsaw, it was fortunate enough to have its old town conserved, which was declared a world heritage site in 1978. Most people make the most of their trip to Poland by starting in Krakow and then finishing in the capital. And they have good reason to!

A view of Krakow

As we have already seen, there are multiple ways to reach Warsaw from Krakow so we will pick the best option based on duration and price: the train from Krakow to Warsaw. Taking the bus is cheaper but if you're only going to spend one day, then you really don't have a moment to lose.

The journey takes around two and a half hours although some slower lines can take up to six hours. I would recommend buying the tickets beforehand as you may be able to snag a discount. Prices vary especially in relation to the type of ticket: from zł 54 (€13) to zł 229 (€54 ).

What to visit in Warsaw in three days

Mentally prepare yourself: they are going to be three intense days and by the end of it you will be shattered and your feet adorned with blisters. But it will be worth it! Wear your most comfortable socks, put on your ruck sack containing plenty of water, as well as a cute outfit as you are going to take a lot of cool pictures. In this section we are going to focus on what to do in Warsaw and places to see. Shall we start with the list of places to visit?

• Stare Miasto (Warsaw's historical centre): This neighbourhood is the city's oldest and a tourist hot spot. Also, it's considered a place which has demonstrated exceptional levels of resilience, it has managed to rebuild itself from the ruins of the 1944 uprising against the Nazis. Stroll through the Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta) and sit in one of the cafes or restaurants to have something to eat or drink whilst you enjoy the surrounding beautiful architecture and the atmosphere. If you are wondering where's the best place to eat in Warsaw, you could go to a mleczny bar (in Polish this means milk bar). They are typical Polish eateries which serve traditional food at low prices. I would especially recommend Bar Pod Barbakanem which is considered one of the most traditional in the whole of Warsaw. Don't forget to visit St John's Cathedral, a clear reflection of the Masovian gothic style. Simply stunning!

What better than a Warsaw Freetour to wander around the historic centre? You have plenty to choose from!

Old Town Market Place (Rynek Starego Miasta)

• Warsaw Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski w Warszawie): This is where the Polish monarchy (when it existed) used to reside in. Nowadays, the castle is home to the Polish Centre of History and Culture as well as a museum. It is also the starting point for the famous Royal Route, a 6 mile walk which dissects Warsaw's most important streets and buildings. It is the perfect way to really understand and delve deeper into the city's chronology and history.

Warsaw Royal Castle

• Warsaw Barbican: A link between the old town and the new city, it is one of the few fortifications which surrounds the city that still stands.

• Warsaw New Town (Nowe Miasto): Just like the old town, it was destroyed when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939 but has since been rebuilt. There are a lot of worthwhile places to visit in this neighbourhood, like the monument to the heroes of the uprising, St. Hyacinth's Church or the Visitation of the Virgin Mary. Without a doubt, the hallmarks of a bygone communist era can still be seen in the new city square. You can also see this in the murals which adorn the area. Don't miss the chance to visit Freta street, where Maria Curie was born.

Freta street in the evening

• Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki): Do you get vertigo looking down, having the city at your feet? It certainly makes your heart skip a beat! Don't throw away this opportunity to see the country's tallest building. I Insist, go up to the view point, it will blow your mind!

The view from the Palace of Science and Culture

Well, well, well, with all these sites I am sure we have filled the agenda for things to see in Warsaw in 3 days. The key thing is to come up with a route which incorporates all these iconic sites without the need for a map. Before I finish, I feel a duty to highlight two more places which could sweeten your memories of Warsaw that you will bring home with you.

• Prague Neighbourhood: No, I'm not referring to the capital of the Czech Republic, but to the birthplace of street art, the bohemian centre and the city's market place. Enjoy the murals, they are a work of art!

• Warsaw Ghetto (Getto warszawskie): Now we turn to Warsaw's Jewish neighbourhood. In order to understand the city, it is prescient to relive its history, even if this covers a dark period. Once established in Warsaw, the Nazis forced the Jews living in the city into this ghetto, making it the biggest in Europe. There are millions of things to admire in this area, but what really stands out is the Jewish Cemetery and the Warsaw Uprising Museum.

The Warsaw ghetto building

• Auschwitz: In this article, we have covered what there is to visit in and around Warsaw. This place, this cheerless and mournful place, is crucial in tracing the destruction caused by the Nazis across the whole of Europe. Auschwitz is one of the most infamous concentration camps, just 195 miles from the capital. There are many tourists who want to include this visit on their itinerary when they visit Poland. Even if you go with little time, try and find time to visit Auschwitz. But how to get from Warsaw to Auschwitz? It is quite close to Krakow. I would suggest killing two birds with one stone by visiting Krakow and then catch a train or bus there.

  I would also recommend reserving in advance as it's a very popular place to visit, especially in the summer which is high season. Also, I should say that entrance is free prior to 10am and after 4pm. Between those times, it is obligatory to hire a guide to take you round, although I would recommend it in any case. It's the best way to get to know Auschwitz.

  Take a look at this post to get to know more about Auschwitz and its links to Krakow.

The entrance to Auschwitz

I hope that this article has been useful and that you now have an idea of what sights to see in Warsaw over 3 days. And as they say in Warsaw «Miłej podróży!» (For the rest of us, that means have a good trip!).

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