Warsaw in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

If you are planning to visit Warsaw for a short stay, you should bear in mind that it is the most important city in Poland and, therefore, also the one that offers the most attractions. Between museums, palaces, historic buildings and cultural activities, 3 days are not enough to make a thorough tour, although with this suggested itinerary you will be able to visit the most emblematic sites of this interesting destination.

Some of the best things to do in Warsaw include visiting the Royal Castle, touring the ghetto and the Museum of the Uprising, visiting the Majdanek Concentration Camp, attending a Chopin concert in the Old Town, visiting the Wilanow Palace, touring the Polish Vodka Museum and taking in the panoramic views from the observation deck of the Palace of Culture and Science.

For the first day of the Warsaw itinerary I propose a tour of the city's traditional skyline, involving the historic buildings of the Old Town as well as the ghetto and the Uprising Museum, two unmissable testimonies to the city's grim past during the Second World War.

Visit the Royal Castle

Located in the heart of Warsaw, the Royal Castle is a historical landmark that attracts visitors from all over the world. Originally built during the Middle Ages, the castle became the official residence of the kings of Poland in the 16th century. Its history is marked by moments of grandeur and tragedy, including its destruction and reconstruction during World War II and its meticulous rebuilding in the decades that followed.

Often featured on the best tours of Warsaw, you'll have the opportunity to explore its many rooms, which reflect the opulence of the Polish monarchy. From the Throne Room to the royal chambers, every corner of the castle offers a window into Poland's past.

You can reach the Royal Castle from all parts of the city by trams on lines 20, 23, 26 and 73, buses on lines 106 and 190 and Metro line M2.

See the Warsaw Barbican

Four streets away from the Royal Castle you will find the Warsaw Barbican, a historic fortification that stands as a symbol of the city's resilience and grandeur. Built in the 16th century as part of the Polish capital's defensive system, the barbican was intended to protect the main entrance to the city and defend it from potential invaders.

At the barbican you can explore its walls and towers, which provide an insight into the city's military history. The site also houses a museum dedicated to the history of Warsaw and its role in the defence of the capital over the centuries.

From the top of the Barbican you can enjoy panoramic views of the city and its surroundings. The wide perspective allows you to admire the historical architecture, modern buildings and picturesque cityscapes.

Walk through the Warsaw Ghetto

A tour of the Warsaw Ghetto will immerse you in one of the darkest chapters of the city's and humanity's history. This site was established by the Nazi authorities in 1940 and confined more than 400,000 Jews in subhuman living conditions, leaving them exposed to starvation, disease and systematic persecution.

Today, in this ghetto you can explore iconic sites such as the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising Memorial, which commemorates the courageous uprising of the Jews in 1943, and nearby you can also visit the Museum of the History of Polish Jews, which is considered one of the best museums in the city and offers a comprehensive insight into local Jewish culture and their tragic fate during the war.

In addition to these sites, you can walk through the surviving streets of the former ghetto and visit Grzybowski Square, once the centre of Jewish life in Warsaw. From the Barbican you can reach the ghetto in about 10 minutes on the 180 bus.

Visit the Uprising Museum

To delve deeper into local history you can visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum, a memorial to the resistance and struggle of the Polish people during World War II. This exhibition offers an immersive experience that chronicles the historical events leading up to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943, as well as the Warsaw Uprising in 1944.

Through a variety of exhibits, films and objects, this museum pays tribute to the heroes and martyrs who fought for Poland's freedom and independence. In addition, at this site you can also explore permanent exhibitions covering different aspects of the uprising, from everyday life in the ghetto to the melee battles that took place on the streets of the city.

From the Warsaw Ghetto you can reach the museum in about 20 minutes by bus on lines 106, 157 and 180 and by tram on lines 1, 15, 18, 22 and 35.

Take part in a pub crawl

To round off the first day of your visit to the city I suggest you take part in one of the best nightlife activities in Warsaw, which is the pub crawl that will allow you to visit some of the most popular and lively bars of this destination. During this tour around the area close to the Old Town you can visit The Churchill Arms, known for its traditional décor and selection of beers, and The Blind Beggar, famous for its history and live entertainment.

The pub crawl offers a diverse experience that caters for all tastes and preferences. From centuries-old historic pubs to modern and stylish bars, you will find something for everyone.

These tours allow you to discover a different side of the city and dive into Poland's lively nightlife. They usually start from the Old Town, which can be reached from the Rising Museum by trams on lines 20, 23, 26 and 73 and buses on lines 106 and 190 in about 15 minutes.

After getting to know the traditional skyline of the Polish capital, for the second day I propose you to take part in one of the best excursions from Warsaw, which will allow you to explore the Majdanek Concentration Camp on a full day tour. In the evening, you can attend a concert by Frederic Chopin, who is one of the city's illustrious personalities.

Visit the Majdanek Concentration Camp

Visiting the Majdanek Concentration Camp is a deeply moving experience that allows you to honour the memory of the victims of the Holocaust and to understand the brutality of the Second World War. Located on the outskirts of Lublin, this concentration and extermination camp was one of the largest centres of Nazi genocide in Europe.

Built in 1941, Majdanek, located just outside Lublin, was used to detain, torture and murder tens of thousands of prisoners, mostly Jews, but also Poles, Russians and others considered enemies by the Nazi regime. You will see the prisoner barracks, crematoria, gas chambers and the memorial.

Majdanek, one of the best preserved camps in Poland, can be reached on your own from Warsaw in a journey of about 2 hours each way on long-distance trains or you can visit it as part of a full-day guided tour, which usually also includes a tour of Lublin.

Attend a Chopin concert in the Old Town

On the evening of the second day, I suggest you attend a Chopin concert in the Old Town, a typical experience of this destination that combines classical music with the charm of the city. Frederic Chopin, one of Poland's most famous composers, lived much of his life in Warsaw, and his musical legacy remains an integral part of the local culture, which you can discover at these performances.

Chopin concerts are often held in iconic locations such as the Church of the Holy Cross or the Radziwill Palace, where the composer used to play during his lifetime. During these performances you will also have the opportunity to listen to some of the composer's most famous works, including his nocturnes, polonaises and mazurkas.

The historic centre of Warsaw can be reached by trams on lines 20, 23, 26 and 73, buses on lines 106 and 190 and the Metro line M2. These concerts usually start after 18:00.

The third and final day of your trip will be a tour that combines the historical buildings of this destination with two of the best experiences you can have in Warsaw, which is a visit to the Polish Vodka Museum and a gastronomic tour so that you don't leave the city without discovering the tastiest of its culinary offerings.

Tour the Wilanow Palace

Wilanow Palace is an architectural gem that reflects the grandeur and splendour of Poland's past. Built in the 17th century as a summer residence for the king, the palace has survived conflicts and political transformations. Its baroque architecture and beautiful gardens make it one of the most popular destinations for visitors.

During a visit to the palace, which is often included in the itineraries of the best guided tours of the city, you can walk through the art-decorated halls, the antique furniture and the architectural details of the façade. You can also stroll through the surrounding gardens and parks with statues, fountains and winding paths.

The Wilanow Palace can be reached by trams on lines 4, 20, 23 and 26 and buses on lines 164 and 263.

Join a gastronomic tour

After visiting the Wilanow Palace in the morning, I suggest you join a gastronomic tour in Warsaw at noon to discover the rich and diverse Polish cuisine. During this tour, you can visit everything from small restaurants to lively flea markets. Places that are usually included in these tours include the Hala Koszyki Market and other places nearby.

Here you can enjoy a variety of typical Polish dishes, including pierogi, bigos, and zurek, a sour soup made with rye flour, meat and vegetables.

The Hala Koszyki Market, which usually marks the meeting point for these experiences, can be reached from the Wilanow Palace on bus lines 164, 263 and 519 in approximately 30 minutes.

Visit the Polish Vodka Museum

Visiting the Polish Vodka Museum is a unique experience that will give you the opportunity to explore the history and culture behind this iconic drink. This exhibition is ultimately a tribute to vodka, a drink that has played an important role in Poland's identity and tradition over the centuries.

This museum offers an immersive experience that combines education with fun. Here you can participate in expert-guided vodka tastings, where you can sample a selection of high quality Polish vodkas.

From the Hala Koszyki Market you can reach the Polish Vodka Museum by trams on lines 15 and 35 and buses on lines 222 and 520 in approximately 15 minutes.

See Warsaw's skyline from the Palace of Culture and Science

At the end of your trip to Warsaw I suggest you take in the city's skyline from the Palace of Culture and Science. This building of socialist architecture is the tallest in the Polish capital and has become a local symbol. From its 231-metre-high observation deck, you can discover some of the best sweeping views of this destination, especially at sunset.

Also, inside the Palace of Culture and Science, you will find a museum with temporary exhibitions covering cultural and scientific facets, which tells the story of this structure that has become an inseparable part of the city's skyline.

From the Polish Vodka Museum you can reach the palace by trams on lines 4, 15, 18 and 35, by Metro line M1 and by bus on line 520, which takes about 10 minutes.

With this intensive tour, organised according to the geographical location of each site, you will get to know the main sights of the city as well as some of the best attractions in and around Warsaw. You can also dive into its culture and traditions and get a glimpse of this unique destination.