24 Hours in Warsaw: What to See, Where to Go, and How to Make the Most of the City

This trip came together a bit spontaneously. Warsaw. I already had plans to head off to another country for a longer stay in a few weeks, but in the meantime, an opportunity popped up to join my dad on a business trip to Warsaw. We figured—why not turn it into a quick getaway? Basically 24 hours in the city, split across two days.

On the first day, we took care of all the business stuff, and in the evening, we went for dinner at Galeria Wileńska, a shopping center close to our Hotel Hit. I had classic Polish pierogi and a bit of meat—let me tell you, Warsaw pierogi just hit differently compared to the hearty Slovak ones.

Day two was packed to the brim. Having just one day to explore Warsaw is definitely a challenge, but with the right plan, you can actually fit in quite a lot. And that’s exactly what this post is about—everything you can experience in Warsaw in just 24 hours.

Morning stroll and first stops in Warsaw

We woke up, had some hotel breakfast—nothing fancy, but the usual eggs and sausages did the job. The plan was simple: cover as much ground on foot as we could before heading deeper into the city.

Our first stop was the Cathedral of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Florian the Martyr (in Polish: Parafia Katedralna pw. Św. Michała Archanioła i Św. Floriana Męczennika—yeah, quite the mouthful 😅). This neo-Gothic church from the late 19th century is one of the main landmarks in Warsaw’s Praga district.

What’s interesting is that it was heavily damaged during WWII but later rebuilt by the Polish people as a symbol of resilience and faith. Today, it stands tall with two massive towers you can spot from far away—making it a clear point of reference in the area.

Just a few steps from the cathedral—maybe 50 meters—we stumbled upon something that made us smile. There was the Monument to the Praga Courtyard Band—a quirky set of statues honoring the tradition of local street bands typical for this working-class neighborhood. It felt like a warm tribute to Warsaw’s music scene, and the vibe around the monument made it seem as if the musicians had just taken a quick break from playing.

Metro and the ride to the National Stadium

Our first metro ride in Warsaw was an experience on its own. We decided to buy a 24-hour travel pass the night before, just to keep things simple and avoid worrying about tickets every time we hopped on public transport. The cost? Around 15 PLN (roughly €3.50)—and it’s valid for all types of public transport in the city: metro, buses, and trams.

Warsaw’s metro might not be as massive as the one in London or Beijing, but it’s still super practical. There are just two lines—red and blue—that intersect in the city center, making it easy to reach all the major landmarks comfortably.

We got off at the National Stadium (Stadion Narodowy), one of the largest and most modern constructions in Poland. It was opened in 2012 for the UEFA European Football Championship and has since become a symbol of modern Warsaw. The stadium can hold over 58,000 spectators, and its red-white-grey façade is designed to resemble a waving Polish flag. Besides football matches, the stadium also hosts huge concerts, exhibitions, and various sports events—from speed skating to motor shows.

The Warsaw National Stadium has a capacity of around 58,500 people, making it the largest stadium in Poland. It’s even witnessed legendary music events—like the Metallica concert, which gathered over 65,000 fans (yes, even more than its official capacity).

The atmosphere was said to be electric: a massive crowd, music shaking the entire city, and the stadium literally vibrating with energy. The best part? You can visit it through guided tours that take you not only into the stands but also into the locker rooms, player tunnels, and VIP areas.

Warsaw’s Green Oasis – Łazienki Królewskie Park

After the sporty vibes of the stadium, we decided to slow down the tempo and headed to Łazienki Królewskie, the largest and most beautiful park in Warsaw. This royal complex is full of palaces, pavilions, and statues, and a walk through it truly feels like stepping into another world.

Our first stop was the Frederic Chopin Monument – a monumental statue of the famous Polish composer, standing in the middle of a stunning garden. The charm of this place is even stronger during summer when live Chopin concerts often take place right here. Even though it was quiet during our visit, we could almost hear his melodies in our heads. The atmosphere felt nothing short of magical.

Just a few steps away is the Belweder Palace, another icon of Polish history. This neoclassical palace served for years as the residence of Polish presidents and is still used for state functions and ceremonial events today. It looks very elegant – and when you’re standing in front of it, you can sense the weight of Polish history that has passed through its doors.

I highly recommend walking through the entire park, all the way to the bridge with the statue of Neptune. From there, you get a beautiful view of the amphitheater and the Łazienki Palace itself. Along the way, we stopped by the Royal Łazienki Theatre and the Old Orangery – which is a piece of art in itself and now houses an exhibition of ancient sculptures. A bit further, you’ll find the White Pavilion, which honestly looks like a smaller version of the White House in the US.

Eventually, we reached the Łazienki Palace itself, which once served as the summer residence of Polish King Stanisław II Augustus. The palace is built right on the water – hence the nickname “Palace on the Isle” – and its reflection in the lake gives it a floating appearance. Peacocks roam freely around the area, adding to the atmosphere and making it feel like a scene from a historical film.

City Center

After everything we had seen in the park, we decided to head to the city center. And there – a completely different world. Skyscrapers, shopping malls, the hustle and bustle of a big city. Warsaw is often nicknamed the “New York of Europe.” But the true dominant feature of the skyline is the Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki) – a massive building in the style of socialist realism, gifted to Poland by the Soviet Union in the 1950s.

The building stands over 237 meters tall, has 42 floors, and remains the tallest building in Poland. We took the elevator up to the viewing terrace, and the panoramic view was stunning – skyscrapers, the old town, and Warsaw’s sprawling city streets all laid out before us.

The Palace of Culture and Science

This towering giant – 237 meters tall with 42 floors – was built between 1952 and 1955 as a “gift” from the Soviet Union. For many Poles, the building is a symbol of a conflicted past – on one hand, an architectural masterpiece of socialist realism, and on the other, a stark reminder of Soviet domination. Because of that, it’s often jokingly referred to as “Stalin’s gift” or simply “The Gate to Hell.”

Today, the building houses a mix of offices, museums, theaters, and even a cinema. The biggest highlight, however, is the observation deck on the 30th floor, offering breathtaking panoramic views over the whole of Warsaw.

The Warsaw Uprising

Next, we moved on to something that truly gave us goosebumps – the Museum of the Warsaw Uprising (Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego). To understand the impact: in August 1944, an uprising broke out in the city against the Nazi occupiers. It was meant to last just a few days, but stretched on for 63 days.

Around 50,000 fighters – soldiers of the Home Army (Armia Krajowa) and civilians – joined the battle. But the result was tragic: the Nazis crushed the uprising with brutal force, killing more than 150,000 Warsaw residents and nearly leveling the entire city.

The museum, which opened in 2004, is both modern and deeply immersive. You won’t just find display cases with artifacts – instead, you’re surrounded by multimedia exhibits, including videos, photographs, personal diaries, and real weapons. One of the most powerful moments comes in a small cinema room, where they show the original Nazi-made film “The Destruction of Warsaw” – documenting how the city was almost entirely erased from the map. Watching it will leave a lasting impression.

There’s also a recreation of the underground sewer system used by the resistance fighters to escape German forces, as well as a memorial wall listing the names of all the fallen. The atmosphere here is so intense, you almost feel as if you’ve been transported back to 1944.

Evening in Warsaw

In the evening, we took another walk through the city center, where we stumbled upon Christmas markets. Stalls, twinkling lights, warm drinks, and the classics – sausages and gingerbread. The whole city sparkled with festive decorations, and there were even these funny talking figurines – when you pressed a button, they’d start talking or singing. It totally cracked us up and added that perfect pre-Christmas vibe.

Of course, there was also the giant “Warszawa” sign, where every tourist lined up to take a photo.

Warsaw’s Rebirth and Jan Zachwatowicz

We didn’t make it to the Copernicus Science Centre in the end, but we did explore the very heart of Warsaw – a city center that’s truly unique. After being completely leveled during World War II, it was later rebuilt from scratch. The person most responsible for this remarkable restoration was architect Jan Zachwatowicz – head of the postwar reconstruction team who led the efforts to restore the Old Town.

Thanks to him, Warsaw’s historic monuments were brought back to life using old paintings, architectural plans, and even the detailed works of Italian painter Bernardo Bellotto (also known as Canaletto). It’s because of this titanic effort that Warsaw’s Old Town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

We also passed by the Presidential Palace, and then headed straight to the heart of the Old Town. There we found the Royal Castle in Warsaw – once the residence of Polish kings. It too was completely destroyed during the war and has since been faithfully reconstructed. Even though it was already dark, we still soaked in the view of the courtyard and parts of the interiors.

Of course, we didn’t forget the spiritual side of things – we visited the St. John the Baptist Basilica and the nearby Academic St. Anna Church. Both buildings breathe history and added a special feeling to the evening – like stepping back in time to a city that had once been lost, and is now beautifully rediscovered.

Warsaw – Christmas Markets

Of course, the Christmas markets were an essential part of our visit. Stalls full of sausages, mulled wine, sweet treats – and to top it all off, a gentle layer of snow that turned the whole place into a real-life winter postcard. As a bonus, there was even the famous statue of the mermaid – the symbol of Warsaw. For the Polish, she holds a similar meaning as the one in Copenhagen does for the Danes, though she has her own legend and mythology.

Right in the middle of the square, people were even ice skating, which gave the entire scene a magical feel.

To wrap things up, we stumbled upon a statue of the man responsible for bringing the Old Town back to life – none other than architect Jan Zachwatowicz. I couldn’t resist snapping a photo with it. Without him, Warsaw would look completely different today.

And just like that, my quick trip to Warsaw came to an end. In the next part of the blog, we’ll head to a completely different country – one where I even moved to and still live today. So don’t forget to subscribe to the newsletter and follow me on Instagram, so you don’t miss the next chapter of Flying Easterner.

Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.

Flying Easterner