I left Vienna for Warsaw on the 4th of March 2020. There was no direct train so I had to transfer a few times. Download the Rail Planner app by Eurail on your phone for route options. You want to get off at Warszawa Centralna, the city’s main train station. Warsaw is the capital of Poland but it is not usually regarded as a touristy city. Its rich history, however, definitely warrants a visit.

The city has a decent public transportation system. Buses, trams and metro lines run all over the city and it is easy to navigate using Google Maps. I was only in Warsaw for two days until the 6th of March 2020 and managed to get by solely on foot. I did not find any hostel accommodation during my stay as I was CouchSurfing but there are many cheap options available throughout the city.

Poland does not use the Euro; the currency used instead is the Polish złoty. Using a multi-currency card in this case was convenient for me as I did not have to worry about changing money to yet another currency. The good news is that most of the places in the city do accept cards as a payment option. I highly recommend getting a multi-currency card.

Things to see:

Royal Castle

The castle is located at the entrance to the old town at plac Zamkowy 4, 00-277 Warszawa, Poland. The striking red facade really makes the structure stand out. It costs 30 złoty for admittance into the museum within the castle where you also get to visit the royal apartments.

Old Town

Warsaw’s old town has an enchanting medieval feel to it. Wander through the streets and be charmed. The oldest part, the Old Town Market Square, is located at rynek Starego Miasta, 00-279 Warszawa, Poland. Stop for a bite to eat as the old town is the best place to get authentic Polish food for a good price. There are so many options!

St. Anne’s Church

The bell tower offers an excellent view of the castle square. You can climb to the top for a price of 6 złoty. Do take note that you can only pay in cash. The church is right next to the castle square at Krakowskie Przedmieście 68, 00-322 Warszawa, Poland.

Castle Square

The castle square marks the beginning of the Royal Route in Warsaw. It was earlier a communication route, now connecting the former residences of Polish rulers. The route is 11 kilometres long and ends at Wilanów Palace. There are many famous landmarks along the route.

Łazienki Park

I had a pleasant stroll through the park on a quiet evening. It is a wonderful escape from the bustle of the city. It is located at Agrykoli 1, 00-460 Warszawa, Poland. Do check out Lazienki Palace and the many beautiful gardens in the park.

Palace of Culture and Science

Dominating the skyline at a height of 237 metres, it is the tallest building in Warsaw and all of Poland. It is located at plac Defilad 1, 00-901 Warszawa, Poland. The enormous building houses a cinema, theatre, museum and congress hall. There is a viewing terrace on the 30th floor which has an entrance fee of 20 złoty.

POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

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The museum expertly details the history of the Jewish people from the olden times right up to the struggle and persecution they faced during the period of the second world war. The museum is located at Anielewicza 6, 00-157 Warszawa, Poland, formerly the Warsaw Ghetto. I visited the museum on a Thursday when entry is free.

Food I Tried:

I had this at a restaurant in the old town, located at Świętojańska 13, 00-288 Warszawa, Poland. The place is called Zapiecek and they have lots of traditional Polish food to choose from. Another famous Polish dish is dumplings called Pierogi. Polish food is simply delicious.

Milk Bars play a huge role in Polish history. The first one was said to have opened back in 1896 in Warsaw itself. The primary role of the milk bars was to provide substantial meals which were especially practical during the communist era. At present, a number of milk bars in Poland are still subsidised by the government, serving incredibly cheap, traditional Polish food like Pierogi. Essentially, a good meal for a cheap price; I was content.

I spent a full day exploring the city of Warsaw and even then I was not able to visit all the places I had intended. I will definitely go back one day to visit King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów. I recommend at least 2 full days for your stay in Warsaw to really get to know its interesting history. The city has stood the test of time, managing to rebuild after countless devastating wars.

I would like to thank my hosts for showing me around the city and taking care of me during my stay. If you are looking for a place to visit that is not so touristy but with a treasure trove of heritage, I recommend Warsaw. I hope this piece gives you an insight into the city and maybe you will visit one day. See you in Warsaw!