Last update: Mar 9, 2025

Warsaw

Warsaw as a capital city of a Central European country has a lot to offer.

Getting around #

Airports

There are two airports close to Warsaw: Warsaw Chopin Airport (WAW) and Warsaw Modlin Airport (WMI).

Warsaw Chopin Airport

It is located in Warsaw and there is a direct city bus connection to the center of the city.

Warsaw Modlin Airport

Is is located further from Warsaw, in Nowy Dwór Mazowiecki. You can take a train to the center of Warsaw. It departs every 20-30 minutes. More information about the tickets here.

Public transport

The public transport works quite well. There are two metro lines, the trams and buses also work quite well. The tickets are relatively cheap. You can buy them in the ticket machines at the tram/bus stops or metro stations. Afaik, not all the stops have the machines. You can also buy them online through the app.

Google Maps usually work well with the public transport in Warsaw. An alternative is Jak Dojade

Car

If you choose to take a car, parking in the city center may be a bit problematic because there are usually not so many places available. The traffic is also quite heavy, so unless you want to go somewhere outside of Warsaw, it’s not recommended. You need to pay for the parking in the parking machines or in the apps.

Bike

Warsaw is quite bike-friendly. There are a lot of bike paths and bike lanes. It is a pretty efficient way of transport. There’s a public short term rental for the bikes called Veturilo. Warsaw is quite safe, but don’t forget to lock your bike.

On foot

Warsaw is very walkable in the center. Most of the streets in the old town are pedestrian only. In Nowy Świat, it’s pedestrian + public transport only.

Where to eat? #

Middle/High-end restaurants

I don’t have many

Lunch restaurants

Bistro/Cafe

Most of the cafes in Warsaw have a really cosy atmosphere but here are some of the recommendations

Food spaces

Many food spots, everyone can choose what they like. The eating tables are common.

Kebab

Surprisingly enough, the kebabs/doners are quite popular in Poland. And sometimes it is the only option if you want to eat late (e.g. common spanish dinner time).

Milk bars (Bar mleczny)

Between the First and the Second World War the idea of subsidised restaurants was highly spread across Europe. Poland was one of the only countries where the milk bars remained also after the Second World War. Because of that it’s often recognized as a symbol of the Communist / Warsaw Pact era. However, some of them still operate, they serve really good polish food (some pierogi, placki ziemniaczane etc.) for a very low price. Definitely a place worth stopping at least once, just for the experience. The food is very good tho, so I really recommend it.

Pretty much any will do, but the last time I was here.

What to eat? #

A traditional polish meal consists of three dishes: a soup, a main dish, and a dessert.

Soups

Main dishes

Sweets and desserts