Travel tips for visiting Warsaw without making mistakes

If you're contemplating a trip to Poland, you might be surprised to learn that while Krakow often steals the spotlight, Warsaw is a vibrant city that deserves just as much attention. Known for its unique blend of history and modernity, Warsaw captivates urban explorers with its eclectic architecture, rich cultural scene, and fascinating history. In this guide, we’ll share essential tips for traveling to Warsaw to ensure you make the most of your visit without any hitches.

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  1. Finding Flights to Warsaw from Spain
  2. Getting to the City Center
  3. Public Transportation in Warsaw
  4. Managing Your Money in Poland
  5. Roaming in Poland: What You Need to Know
  6. Understanding Warsaw's Rich History
  7. Best Time to Visit Warsaw
  8. Exploring Warsaw: Free Tours in Spanish
  9. Discovering Warsaw's Diverse Neighborhoods
  10. Must-Visit Museums: Hours and Admission Prices
  11. Delicious Polish Dishes to Try and Where to Eat
  12. Local Markets: A Culinary Experience
  13. Useful Apps for Planning Your Trip

Finding Flights to Warsaw from Spain

Getting to Warsaw is relatively straightforward, thanks to direct flights available from several Spanish cities. The journey typically takes around 3.5 hours. Flights are offered by various low-cost airlines, providing affordable options for travelers. Popular routes include:

  • Madrid (Ryanair to Modlin)
  • Barcelona (Wizz, Vueling to Chopin, and Ryanair to Modlin)
  • Valencia (Ryanair to Modlin)
  • Sevilla (Ryanair to Modlin)
  • Málaga (Ryanair to Modlin and Norwegian to Chopin)
  • Alicante (Ryanair to Modlin and Wizz to Chopin)
  • Santander (Wizz to Chopin)
  • Palma (Ryanair to Modlin)
  • Gran Canaria (Ryanair to Modlin)
  • Fuerteventura (Ryanair to Modlin)
  • Tenerife (Ryanair to Modlin)

This is complemented by direct flights from the Polish airline LOT, connecting major cities like Madrid and Barcelona.

→ Check out the best flight deals using Skyscanner

Getting to the City Center

Warsaw is served by two main airports: Chopin and Modlin. While both are operational, we recommend using Chopin Airport, located just 10 km from the city center. The transport options from this airport are frequent and efficient, including:

  • Train services to the city (costing around 4.40 PLN).
  • Buses that connect directly to various urban areas.
  • Uber rides that typically cost under 5€ (around 18-20 PLN).

Conversely, if you land at Modlin Airport, you can take a bus to Modlin train station and then a train into Warsaw. This route is slightly more complex but costs about 8€ per person (approximately 35 PLN).

→ For detailed information, read our article on getting to Warsaw from the airport.

Public Transportation in Warsaw

One of the pleasant surprises of visiting Warsaw is its highly effective public transportation system. The city boasts a metro network with two lines, serving as an excellent way to navigate between key areas. However, buses and trams are often the preferred modes of transport due to their extensive coverage.

If you plan to use public transport frequently, consider purchasing a travel pass. Options include:

  • 24-hour pass: 15 PLN
  • 72-hour pass: 36 PLN
  • Weekend pass: 24 PLN (valid from Friday 19:00 to Monday 08:00)

Managing Your Money in Poland

When traveling in Poland, you'll need to use the Zloty (PLN). We recommend using a card for payments and cash withdrawals, but be cautious of potential fees!

We personally use the Revolut card, which offers favorable conditions for travelers—including a bonus of 10€ for new users. Additionally, the N26 card is an excellent backup option. Both cards are free and help minimize transaction fees, but we suggest carrying a regular bank card as a backup.

If you prefer not to get a travel card, exchange a small amount of euros at the airport and the majority at a local exchange office in the city for better rates.

→ For more on currency exchange, see our guide on how to withdraw cash abroad without fees.

Roaming in Poland: What You Need to Know

Good news! In Poland, as in all EU countries, roaming charges no longer apply. This means you can use your phone plan as if you were in Spain, allowing you to make calls, send texts, and access the internet without incurring extra costs. Just remember to enable "data roaming" on your device!

Understanding Warsaw's Rich History

Warsaw is a city with a profoundly rich and tumultuous history. To truly appreciate its present, one must delve into its past, encompassing wars, occupations, and significant cultural shifts. For instance, the Warsaw Uprising is a pivotal event that shaped the city.

For thorough background information, resources like Wikipedia can be helpful, as well as engaging films such as The Pianist by Roman Polanski.

Best Time to Visit Warsaw

The ideal time to explore Warsaw is during the summer months, when the weather is milder, providing a pleasant atmosphere for sightseeing. The winters can be harsh, with cold temperatures and significant rainfall.

Exploring Warsaw: Free Tours in Spanish

Similar to many European capitals, Warsaw offers free walking tours in Spanish, an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the city's highlights. We recommend taking one on your first day to get an overview of what Warsaw has to offer. You can book your tour here.

If you prefer a personalized experience, consider hiring a private guide. Our favorite is Iza, who speaks flawless Spanish and possesses extensive knowledge about the city. You can contact her at warsaw.with.iza@gmail.com.

Discovering Warsaw's Diverse Neighborhoods

Warsaw is a city of contrasts, with distinct neighborhoods each offering a unique atmosphere. Here are five must-visit areas:

  • Old Town: Meticulously reconstructed post-WWII, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.
  • MDM: Known for its Soviet-era architecture, showcasing the starkness of socialist realism.
  • Jewish Ghetto: Once one of the largest ghettos in Europe, remnants of its walls can still be seen today.
  • German Occupation District: This area retains early 20th-century buildings and is home to several embassies.
  • Praga: The artistic hub of Warsaw, known for its vintage vibe and crumbling brick buildings.

→ For more, check our list of things to do and see in Warsaw.

Must-Visit Museums: Hours and Admission Prices

Visiting Warsaw's museums is highly recommended, as they offer incredible insights into Polish culture and history, often at reasonable prices. Be sure to check their hours and any free admission days:

The Night of the Museums on May 19th is a special event where many exhibits open only for that night—don’t miss it if you're in town!

Delicious Polish Dishes to Try and Where to Eat

Polish cuisine is hearty and flavorful, with several dishes you must try. Although we’ll cover this in depth in an upcoming post, here are three essential dishes:

  • Pierogi: Dumplings filled with a variety of ingredients, both sweet and savory.
  • Zurek: A sour rye soup with potatoes, meat broth, hard-boiled egg, and white sausage.
  • Bigos: A national dish made with meat, onions, bacon, fresh cabbage, sauerkraut, dried plums, and red wine.

→ For more on Polish cuisine, check out our article on what to eat in Poland.

Be aware that some dishes are priced by weight. For example, golonka (pork knuckle) can cost about 6 PLN for every 100g, and the portion typically exceeds 1 kg!

In Milk Bars without English menus, we recommend showing photos of dishes from Google Maps to order something appealing. These eateries are usually quite affordable.

→ Here are our top restaurant recommendations in Warsaw.

Local Markets: A Culinary Experience

Gastronomic markets have become increasingly popular, providing a place to sample local specialties, organic products, and artisan goods. Here are some of the best options in Warsaw:

  • Hala Koszyki: Possibly the most famous market, ideal for grabbing a beer or a meal; open daily.
  • Hala Gwardii: Offers a variety of food stalls and communal tables; open Friday to Sunday.
  • Hala Mirowska: A local market selling fruits, vegetables, flowers, and meats; open daily except Sundays.
  • Nocny Market (Night Market): An open street lined with various food stalls; open Friday to Sunday from 5 PM.
  • Breakfast Market: If you're visiting on a weekend, this is the perfect spot for a delightful breakfast; open Saturdays from 9 AM.

Useful Apps for Planning Your Trip

We recommend several apps that can enhance your travel experience in Warsaw, including Uber, Maps.me, Moovit, and Zomato. While we often prefer Google Maps for navigation, these tools can also be incredibly useful for various travel needs.

Specifically for Warsaw, consider downloading Jakdojade for public transport information and Miejska Ścieżka, which offers audio-guided tours of the city in English. There are also several travel guide apps available.

Got more travel tips for Warsaw? We’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments!

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