In short: in one day in Warsaw you can see the Old Town, the Royal Castle, Krakowskie Przedmieście and the viewing terrace of the Palace of Culture and Science. Give the second day to Łazienki Park, museums and the Vistula boulevards. Buses from Ukraine are an easy way to get there: Kyiv — Warsaw and Lviv — Warsaw run every day.
10 places worth seeing
1. Old Town (Stare Miasto)
The historic centre was almost completely destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt after the war using old paintings and drawings. Today it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. At its heart is the Market Square with the Mermaid statue, the symbol of Warsaw.
2. Royal Castle
The residence of Polish kings on Castle Square. Inside are restored state rooms and Canaletto’s paintings of old Warsaw.
3. Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat
The main walking street running south from Castle Square: palaces, churches, the University of Warsaw and cafés. It is an easy walk from the Old Town to the centre.
4. Palace of Culture and Science
For decades the tallest building in Poland and the city’s best-known silhouette. The 30th-floor terrace offers a view over all of Warsaw.
5. Łazienki Park
A large royal park with the Palace on the Isle, peacocks and the Chopin monument. On summer Sundays there are free piano concerts.
6. Warsaw Rising Museum
One of the city’s most powerful museums, telling the story of the 1944 uprising through documents, photos and multimedia.
7. POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews
A modern museum about a thousand years of Jewish history in Poland, built on the site of the former ghetto.
8. Vistula boulevards
The riverside promenade on the left bank is the place for walks, cafés and evening meet-ups. Across the river is a city beach.
9. Copernicus Science Centre
An interactive science museum that children especially love. Book tickets in advance.
10. Wilanów
A baroque palace and park in the south of Warsaw, often called the “Polish Versailles”. Good for a relaxed half day.
Itinerary for 1 and 2 days
| Day | Morning | Afternoon | Evening |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Town and Royal Castle | Krakowskie Przedmieście, Nowy Świat | Palace of Culture viewing terrace |
| 2 | Łazienki Park | Warsaw Rising Museum or POLIN | Vistula boulevards |
How to get to Warsaw from Ukraine
Buses from Ukraine mostly arrive at Warszawa Zachodnia bus station, a few minutes by train from the centre. More about arrival points in Warsaw bus stations. The trip takes about 7–10 hours from Lviv and 12–16 hours from Kyiv, depending on the border. Carriers on these routes include FlixBus and Pavluks-Trans.
Practical tips
- City transport: one ZTM ticket for 20 or 75 minutes, plus 24-hour and weekend tickets. You can pay by card on board.
- Many museums are free one day a week — check their websites.
- Accommodation is cheaper in Wola and Praga, both well connected to the centre by metro.
- Warsaw is a good base for onward trips to Kraków or Prague.
FAQ
Two days are enough to see the main sights without rushing. In one day you can cover the Old Town and the centre.
The Old Town, Krakowskie Przedmieście, Łazienki Park and the Vistula boulevards. Many museums are free on certain days.
Usually 12–16 hours, depending on the border queue.
Mostly at Warszawa Zachodnia bus station, sometimes at Metro Młociny or on Lubelska Street.
Updated 22 October 2026. Check opening hours and prices on the museums’ official websites.