Looking for a spontaneous Weekend in Warsaw? Warsaw, Poland’s capital, offers a compelling mix of history, culture, and affordability—perfect for a 3-day city break.

The weekend in Warsaw was a last-minute booking. The flights were cheap, and the timing was convenient. I had great company—my brother and his wife were still riding the high from our successful Prague getaway.

🏛️ What to See and Do on a Weekend in Warsaw

Our weekend in Warsaw started with a stop in Warsaw’s Old Town, where our hotel was located. Once we hopped off the airport bus, it was just a short walk to the hotel. It felt good to leave our bags and get out exploring without a set plan. I’ve mentioned before how much I enjoy getting lost in a new city rather than following a strict itinerary, and Warsaw was perfect for that. The Old Town isn’t large, so you can stroll freely and still catch most of the highlights.

Wandering the streets, we came across beautiful, colourful buildings and some striking architectural details. One of my favourite discoveries was a shop called Pracownia Kilińskiego—honestly, it felt more like a museum than a store, packed with vintage treasures and unique finds. The area has plenty of little boutiques and peculiar spots, which added so much charm to our day.

We also visited the Castle Gardens (Old Town). Entry was free, which was a bonus, but in March the gardens were still dormant. Everything looked quite bare and sleepy—definitely something to consider if you’re visiting Warsaw in early spring. I’d imagine it’s a totally different experience during warmer months when everything is green and in bloom.

One of the highlights of the weekend in Warsaw was Wilanów Palace. It’s located about 30 minutes from the city centre, so we used Bolt for the ride, which was quick and cheap. The palace itself is stunning and worth the trip, but again, I’d recommend going in spring or summer to get the full experience with flowers and lush gardens. Access to the gardens cost us around 2 euros, and visiting the palace itself was about 10 euros. We chose to have a guided tour, which really helped us understand the history and appreciate the space more.

Just a short Bolt ride from the palace, we stopped by the Museum of Polish Military Technology. It’s all outdoors and showcases an impressive collection of tanks, helicopters, and planes. It’s not a huge site—you can walk through it in about 30 minutes—but it’s absolutely worth a stop, especially if you're into history.

Back in the city, we booked a Chopin concert through GetYourGuide.com. It costed around 17 euros and lasted an hour, with a supplementary glass of wine. Warsaw is the birthplace of Chopin, and it was a nice touch of local culture. Although we chose the most affordable option, there are many concerts available depending on your interest.

We also explored the newer part of Warsaw, which included a visit to one of the city’s big shopping centres. There were plenty of stores, from clothes to jewellery and accessories, and prices were generally reasonable. It was a good way to balance sightseeing with some casual downtime.

On Sunday morning, we stumbled upon a parade in the city center. People were marching in uniforms, singing, and waving flags. I later learned it was to commemorate both Remembrance Day for Poles who saved Jews and Belarus’ Freedom Day. It was a powerful and unexpected moment that made the morning feel quite special.

Later that day, we tried something very different: a visit to AGVO shooting range. I have mixed feelings about guns, but in a secure, supervised environment I was curious to try. The staff were professional, and the experience was very structured. You can book in advance or on the spot, and even add weapons during the session. It ended up being one of the most exciting and unique activities we did.

To close out the weekend in Warsaw, we visited the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews. It’s an important museum, modern and mostly interactive with a lot of multimedia content. While incredibly informative, the experience was quite emotionally heavy. The layout is vast, and after a long weekend, it felt a bit overwhelming, but it’s absolutely worth visiting if you’re interested in history.

🍽️ Where We Ate – My Honest Take

Let’s talk food. I’ve linked my full Google reviews with locations and photos, however here’s a quick rundown of the spots we tried during our weekend in Warsaw and what I thought of them.

Our hotel, Jess Hotel & Spa Warsaw Old Town, had the best breakfast buffet I’ve ever had in a hotel, definitely worth mentioning even if it’s not a restaurant. Everything was fresh, delicious, and there was a huge selection.

We had lunch at Gosciniec, which has a few locations in Warsaw. The menu had lots of Polish classics, and the food was comforting and full of flavour. A very pleasant stop.

Podwale 25 Kompania Piwna was another highlight. It had a great vibe, tasty food, reasonable prices, and solid service. I would definitely eat there again.

On the other hand, Restaurant Wilanów, which we picked because it was near the palace felt a bit disappointing. The food lacked seasoning and it was pricier than it should have been for the quality.

Restauracja U Wieniawy was the most elegant place we visited. Live classical music, refined dishes, and a lovely atmosphere made it a real treat. It’s not cheap, but if you’re looking for a memorable night out, it’s worth it.

For something more casual, Nap Caffe’ Vergnano was a cute little café with good drinks and a relaxed vibe. Perfect for a quick stop.

We also had dinner at NEM Asian Fusion Restaurant one night, mainly because it was just downstairs from our apartment. The food was okay, nothing amazing, but convenient and decent enough for a quiet night in.

🚖 Getting Around in Warsaw

Getting around during our weekend in Warsaw was surprisingly easy. From the airport, we took a bus directly into the city, the tickets cost about 2 euros and can be bought at the stop or on the bus itself. Public transport is efficient and inexpensive, but we ended up using Bolt quite a bit because it was even more convenient and still affordable. Depending on where you’re heading, walking is also a great option, just keep in mind that the city is quite spread out, so for longer distances, you’ll want to hop in a car or take public transport.

💳 Currency & Payments

Warsaw runs on the Polish zloty, but most places accept cards. I used my Revolut card everywhere with no issues. Cash is mainly useful for small purchases, tipping, or supporting street performers. It's worth having a little on hand, but you won’t need much.

📅 How Long to Stay in Warsaw

We spend only a weekend in Warsaw, arriving Friday morning and leaving early Monday. That gave us about 3 full days, which felt just right. The main attractions are spread out, so don’t expect to see everything in one go. But with good planning, or even spontaneous exploration like we prefer, you can fit in a lot.

Final Thoughts

Weekend in Warsaw was a good mix of history, modernity, and local culture. Some areas felt a bit empty, especially at night, and I didn’t fall in love with the nightlife, at least not in the Old Town. But overall, the city is clean, well-connected, and affordable. It’s a place where you can have a relaxing weekend while still seeing and learning a lot.

Would I go back? Probably not to Warsaw itself, only because I feel like I’ve seen everything I wanted to. But would I return to Poland? Absolutely—there are other cities I’m now curious to explore.