Warsaw

Poland's capital, known for an Old Town rebuilt after World War II, Chopin sites and a city that was largely destroyed in the war.

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Warsaw is Poland's capital and largest city, on the Vistula River in east-central Poland. It is the seat of government, so Parliament, the President's office and most national ministries are based here. The historic core lies in the Śródmieście district, where the Old Town and New Town stand. Much of the city was destroyed in World War II. The Old Town was rebuilt afterward and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1980.

Walk the Old Town to the Royal Castle, Sigismund's Column and the Market Square, then follow the Royal Route south to Royal Łazienki Park, where a Chopin monument stands. Pianists give classical concerts there in summer. Wilanów Palace, a Baroque former royal residence, sits on the city's southern edge. The Warsaw Uprising Museum and the Jewish heritage sites cover the war years. May and September are usually mild, summers can reach 30 °C with stormy spells, and winters are cold.

Warsaw in five

Take the train from Chopin AirportTrains from the airport station reach Warszawa Centralna and Śródmieście in about 20–25 minutes.
Give the Warsaw Rising Museum half a dayThe museum on the 1944 uprising is large and busy. Allow at least 2–3 hours, and go early to avoid school groups.
Catch a free Chopin concert in ŁazienkiOpen-air piano recitals are held on summer Sundays at the Chopin monument in Łazienki Park, free to attend. The season's dates change each year, so check the park's official page.
Buy a 24- or 72-hour ticketOne ticket covers the metro, trams, buses and city trains in zone 1. Validate paper tickets when you board.

Things to do in Warsaw

See all attractions in Warsaw

Museum · WarsawVodka museum

Park · WarsawBeach RusałkaChoose a weekday for a quieter visit.

a large building with a green lawn in front of it

Sight · WarsawWarsaw University Library Garden

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to WarsawPut the places you like in Warsaw on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Warsaw Chopin (WAW), about 25 min by train
Getting there: Trains from Kraków, about 2.5 hours
Getting around: Metro, trams and buses; one ticket covers all
Best base: Śródmieście, near Nowy Świat or the Old Town
Time needed: 2–3 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Snowy days
Festival

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuarySnow13 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh2°Low-2°Cold, gray
FebruaryCloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low-1°Cold
MarchPartly cloudy10 rainy daysHigh9°Low1°Cool
AprilPartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh14°Low5°Mild
MayPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh19°Low9°Warm, green
JunePartly cloudy11 rainy daysHigh24°Low14°Long days
JulyRain15 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Chopin concerts
AugustPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh25°Low16°Warm, events
SeptemberPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Calm, mild
OctoberPartly cloudy12 rainy daysHigh14°Low8°Autumn color
NovemberPartly cloudy9 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh7°Low3°Cold, gray
DecemberCloudy11 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh4°Low0°Christmas lights

Average daily high and low in Warsaw, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Festivals: Jun Science Picnic · Sep Warsaw Autumn · Oct Jazz Jamboree

Right now in Warsaw

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 6°
Humidity: 66%
Wind: 9 km/h
Chance of rain: 0%

Warsaw

09:47 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT+1

Today8°7°0%Monday: Drizzle. High 8°, Low 7°. Chance of rain 0%.
Tue10°5°7%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 10°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 7%.
Wed9°2°2%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 9°, Low 2°. Chance of rain 2%.
Thu9°0°0%Thursday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri9°5°2%Friday: Cloudy. High 9°, Low 5°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sat6°1°2%Saturday: Cloudy. High 6°, Low 1°. Chance of rain 2%.
Sun7°0°4%Sunday: Cloudy. High 7°, Low 0°. Chance of rain 4%.

Updated 07:00 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 3.951 PLN

Amount

Converted to

PLN · Polish Zloty

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

What's on in Warsaw

Concerts, festivals and big events in and around the city

Events calendar

Coming up

PGE Narodowy · concertKarol G TropitourJul 14, 2027 · Rooms near the venue

Every year

JunScience PicnicWarsaw
SepWarsaw AutumnWarsaw
OctJazz JamboreeWarsaw

Day trips by train

Łódźabout 1.5 hours by trainRestored factories and Piotrkowska Street.
Żelazowa Wolaabout 1 hour by roadChopin's birthplace and its gardens.

Before you go to Warsaw

Museum tickets in WarsawRising Museum and POLIN slotsBook timed entry

Stays in WarsawŚródmieście, Praga and the Old TownCheck availability

eSIM for WarsawData for metro and tram appsRead the guide

Travel insurance for PolandCover for winter delays and lost bagsRead the guide

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Rules for Warsaw, checked

Poland is in the Schengen Area. Check entry requirements on the Polish Ministry of Foreign Affairs site (gov.pl/web/diplomacy) before you fly.Source
Non-EU visitors can be fingerprinted and have their photo taken at the border under the EU Entry/Exit System. Check the European Commission's current EES guidance before you travel.
Buy a ticket before you board Warsaw trams and buses, and validate it when you board. Check current fares and rules at ztm.waw.pl.Source
Paid parking has operated in the city centre since 1999. Check the zone and payment rules before you park.

Plan around Warsaw

All of Poland

Cities, trains, entry rules and money

Read the guide Kraków

Old royal capital, 2.5 hours by train

Read the guide Gdańsk

Baltic port, about 3 hours by train

Read the guide Berlin

A direct rail corridor west

Read the guide Money and cards

Paying in złoty and avoiding bad rates

Read the guide Schengen 90/180 rule

Counting days for a multi-country trip

Read the guide Poznań

Old Market Square, goats and a cathedral island.

Read the guide Wrocław

Market Square, Panorama and a trail of bronze dwarfs.

Read the guide

Warsaw FAQ

Is Warsaw worth visiting?

Yes, for two or three days. The rebuilt Old Town, the Warsaw Rising Museum, POLIN and the Vistula riverbanks give a clear picture of Poland's 20th century.

How do you get from Warsaw to Kraków?

By express train in about 2.5 hours from Warszawa Centralna. Book ahead for the cheapest fares.

How many days do you need in Warsaw?

Two days covers the Old Town, the big museums and Łazienki Park. Add a third for Praga and a slower pace.

Where should I stay in Warsaw?

Śródmieście for walking to the Old Town and Nowy Świat, Praga across the river for a cheaper and more local base, and near Warszawa Centralna if you arrive late or leave by early train.

Can you visit Warsaw as a day trip from Kraków?

It is possible by express train, about 2.5 hours each way, but it leaves little time for the museums. Two nights are a better fit if the Rising Museum and POLIN are on your list.