2 Days in Warsaw: Our Dynamic 48 Hour Travel Guide

Warsaw is a dynamic city, steadily growing in popularity as a travel destination. Whether staying for a week, a night, or 2 days in Warsaw, you will have plenty to do. However, as a resident of Warsaw for the past 16 months, who has now had the chance to show both family and friends around this beautiful city, I am a strong believer that 2 days in Warsaw is the perfect amount of time to see the city! This amount of time will allow you to see the most important places in the city, while also getting a chance to enjoy some of the amazing food or relax in a stellar hotel. 

While you can stay as long as you want, 2 days in Warsaw is a sweet spot for many travelers. If you are on a weekend trip away from home, you can fill that weekend easily. If you are taking a longer trip through multiple cities and countries, 2 days in Warsaw provides a good middle spot, especially if you want to visit some other amazing cities in Poland like Kraków, Gdańsk, Wrocław, Lublin, or Toruń. The only thing you will miss out on an itinerary of 2 days in Warsaw is the ability to take a day trip to one of the many amazing locations around this city. 

This guide thus tries to provide a completely comprehensive 2 days in Warsaw for any traveler. I will start with the 6 most essential activities of visiting Warsaw that you should try to fit into your itinerary, based on my opinion of the dozens of Warsaw attractions I have visited. I will then provide a section on the best ways to maximize your time! If you are like me, you do not want to be wasting your precious time on a shorter trip, and I have some tips to help! Finally, I will provide an annotated sample itinerary for Warsaw, which I have used for visitors! Safe travel as you embark on a trip to beautiful Warsaw! 

6 Best Activities for 2 Days in Warsaw

Warsaw has many great activities to take part in! With a longer stay, you can see almost all of the most important sites Warsaw has to offer. However, with only 2 days in Warsaw, some priorities must be made. Thus, I have narrowed the dozens of top attractions in Warsaw to what I believe are the 6 most essential activities. I have struck a balance for travelers, including budget travelers, with half of the list including free activities to do in Warsaw. I predict you can comfortably do 3 activities per day, while still having time to add some other activities you want to see and enjoy some food and leisure time.  

For a more complete description of the activities listed below, check out this blog or this blog. 

1. Visit the Old Town

Location 

Description: The Old Town is the center of all activity in Warsaw. It is the most visited place in Warsaw for good reason. The Old Town has both a tragic and beautiful history. Long the location of the royal family and marketplace in Warsaw, during WWII, this entire area was destroyed and turned into rubble. However, like a phoenix (as is the nickname for Warsaw), this area was rebuilt to appear exactly as it once was, and today you can still appreciate the beautiful buildings of this area.  

Beyond the buildings themselves, there are also a few attractions to visit. One is St. John’s Cathedral and Church, which dates to the 12^th century and was once the place of worship for Polish kings. You can walk inside for free to admire the beautiful interior or worship, or you can visit the crypts below the church where many Polish monarchs are buried. The other main sight in the Old Town is the Royal Castle, located at the southern end of the Old Town. Today you can learn about the history of the former Polish royal families inside the castle. Other worthy attractions include the city walls and the Barbican. 

Overall, as the historic center of Warsaw, anyone spending 2 days in Warsaw should have the Old Town at the top of their list, both for its beauty and history. It is also centrally located, making it an easy attraction to fit into a shortened itinerary. So, make sure to visit! 

Opening Hours: You can walk around the Old Town anytime you want. The busiest times will be from lunch until sunset. For a more peaceful walk, visit earlier in the morning, or for a romantic walk, visit at night. The church does not have set hours but is open quite extensively. The only time visitors are not allowed is during services, with those times listed on the outside of the building right before you enter. The castle is open from Tuesday until Sunday from 10 AM to 5 PM, or until 6 PM during the summer months (starting in May).  

Costs: Walking around the Old Town itself is free. You can also go inside the church for free, although it does cost a small fee to go into the historic cellars to see the graves. To enter the castle, the cost will depend on how many exhibits you want to see. The Royal Route, which includes all the most popular locations in the castle, costs 50 PLN/40 PLN reduced. Children under 16 cost 1 PLN. If you are for some reason able to visit on a Wednesday, all the permanent exhibits are free.  

Transit Information: The Old Town is easily reached from many parts of the city, with a tram line served by 4 different trams, including Tram 4 directly from the city center. The M1 metro is also only 1 tram stop away from the Old Town. There are also a variety of buses that serve the Plac Zamkowy stop, including Bus 175, which leaves from Chopin Airport, Centralna Train Station, and the city center. Parking is also available on the street in limited amounts around the Old Town.  

2. Walk along Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat 

Location 

Description: Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat are two of the liveliest streets in all of Poland. Both streets are connected and together span from the Old Town to the city center. Along the way, you will find a bunch of the best restaurants in Warsaw to try. You will also find luxury shopping closer to the Old Town and a bunch of great bars and other nightlife spots on the southern end of this route. In general, this is a great spot to take a walk along after finishing up your time in the Old Town. 

Along the way, there are also some attractions to visit. First, you can check out the President’s Palace, the Polish White House equivalent, where maybe you will sneak your way into the background of a news report. Just beyond there is Holy Cross Church, the beautiful church with two towers, that also houses the famous Polish composer Chopin’s heart. Across the street is the main campus of the University of Warsaw, which has both beautiful buildings and greenery to explore. Finally, for a side excursion, walk a few steps to the Saxon Garden, with its beautiful flowers and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, eternally guarded. There are many things to do, so don’t skip either of these streets! 

Opening Hours: You can walk along these streets anytime. At night, these streets become the nightlife spot, so this is a great place to go for a drink. If you have kids, hanging out here during the day is probably better. Nowy Świat is the more party-oriented street of these two, so Krakowskie Przedmieście is also alright for kids at night. For a romantic walk, visit around sunset.  

Costs: Walking around and all the attractions along the way are free, making this a great free activity for budget travelers.  

Transit Information: Many buses run along these two streets, most leaving from the city center. Or there is a dedicated M2 stop at the intersection of these two streets. Bus 175 is yet again a great choice for getting where you need. If you are arriving from the south end, many trams are running here from the city center and the Praga side of the river. Parking is extremely limited, and in fact, the roads are often closed to traffic, so you are better off taking public transport or walking there from the Old Town.  

3. Admire the view from the top of the Palace of Culture and Science 

Location | Website 

Description: The Palace of Culture and Science is a landmark attraction found in the heart of the city. Once the tallest building in Warsaw, this imposing, but beautiful, building was a gift from the terrible Soviet dictator Stalin and was built in the Stalinist style as other buildings that can now be found in various post-Soviet states. While many Poles are not fond of the building due to its history, it stays today as a symbol of a darker time in history.  

Part of the method of reclaiming this gift was to open a viewing tower at the top. A swift elevator ride gets you to a higher point on the tower, where you can admire a 360-degree view of the entire city on a clear day. This is a great way to check out other parts of the city you might not be able to get to if you are only spending 2 days in Warsaw. Also, you can buy a souvenir, take a photo, or enjoy a coffee at the top. On a clear day, you can see almost the entire city, so I recommend this as a great activity for staying only 2 days in Warsaw.  

Opening Hours: The terrace is open almost every day, except a few major holidays, from 10 AM to 8 PM. During much of the year, except for from May until August, there is a chance to see a sunset from the top of the tower, and I recommend doing this if you can. 

Costs: A ticket to the top costs 25 PLN/20 PLN reduced. There is no free admission day. I recommend buying your ticket in advance at the website above. During the summer especially, the viewpoint gets quite popular, and with only 2 days in Warsaw, you do not want to spend an hour in line waiting to get in.  

Transit Information: The Palace of Culture and Science is in the heart of the city, and thus any tram, bus, metro, or train towards the city center will get you there quickly. From the Old Town, you can use Bus 175, and from other places in the city, you can use either metro line to get there. There is limited underground parking located underneath Plac Defilad as well.  

4. Visit a couple of the fantastic museum in Warsaw

Locations: Visit this blog for information about the location of many museums in Warsaw 

Description: Warsaw, as a capital city with lots of culture, art, and history, has many great museums you can choose to visit. While spending 2 days in Warsaw, you should have time to visit at least one of the many great museums the city has to offer, and maybe two depending on how well you manage your time. My recommendations would be the following museums. You can find more details about them in the blog linked above in the location byline.  

• National Museum: This is the flagship of the chain of museums with this name found all around Poland. Here you will find arguably the most impressive collection of Polish art you will find anywhere. From religious icons and artwork to impressionist art full of beautiful colors and scenes, you will find everything here. There is also an extensive collection of Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Nubian artifacts to explore.  
• Warsaw Uprising Museum: Commemorating a poignant moment in Polish history, this museum is dedicated to telling the story of the desperate attempt of native Varsovians to reclaim their city from Nazi forces during WWII. It is a sad story indeed, so be warned that the details can be quite graphic and may not be suitable for kids. But it is a great museum you should visit if you get the chance. 
• POLIN: This is another poignant museum, dedicated to telling the history of Jewish peoples in Poland. Today found in what once was the Warsaw Ghetto during WWII, you will learn about the ups and downs of Jewish history, as they were accepted and somewhat integrated into Polish society, only to undergo the atrocities of the Holocaust, decimating what once was one of the largest Jewish populations in the world. The audio guide here is especially worth it.  

Opening Hours: For the opening hours of each of the museums listed above, make sure to visit the websites for each. You can find this relevant information linked in this blog.  

Costs: As for opening hours, check the linked blog for costs. Costs tend to range from between 15-30 PLN per person, with each museum also usually having a free day, although if you are a weekend traveler, you are out of luck, as the free day is almost always between Tuesday and Thursday.  

Transit Information: The museums are spread out throughout the city, so depending on which ones you want to visit, use either Google Maps or my personal favorite, Jakdojade, to plan your route. The National Museum and Uprising Museum can easily be reached by tram from the city center, and POLIN is not too far from multiple stops on the M1 metro. Parking is also available at most museums for a small fee if you prefer to drive.

5. Stroll around Łazienki Królewskie Park 

Location | Website 

Description: Łazienki Królewskie Park is the premier park in Warsaw. Once the royal baths and gardens for Polish monarchs, today it is a large public park that is popular amongst tourists and locals alike. Throughout this park, you will find dense trees, gardens, lawns for picnics and games, ponds full of swans, and during the summer, gondola tours. It is a great place to sit back and relax on a sunny day, admire the color of the leaves in the autumn, or play in the snow during the winter. 

Łazienki Królewskie Park also offers a few attractions. The first is free Chopin concerts that happen twice per Sunday throughout the summer months! At the Chopin monument in the park, you will be able to listen to piano masters play the works of Chopin entirely for free! For a paid attraction, consider visiting the former royal buildings of the park. These include the picturesque Palace on the Isle, as well as a variety of palaces and pavilions. All these things, plus general park entertainment, make Łazienki Królewskie Park the one park you should visit with only 2 days in Warsaw.  

Opening Hours: The park is gated and as such is open every day only from 6 AM to 8 PM. The Chopin concerts typically happen every Sunday from May until September at 12 PM and 4 PM. Finally, the museums in the park are open from Tuesday until Sunday each week, with openings typically between 10 AM and 6 PM, but check this website for the exact hours for each part of the museum.  

Costs: Visiting the park is entirely free. To visit the museums found in the park will cost between 45-55 PLN per person. On Fridays, you can visit these attractions for free.  

Transit Information: Multiple buses stop along the west side of the park. These buses leave from near the National Museum, so you can either walk there or take a tram from the center. If you are coming from the Old Town directly, both Bus 116 and Bus 180 take you directly to the park. Parking-wise, there is one tiny parking lot for the entire park, so taking public transportation is advised.  

6. Visit Wilanów Palace 

Location | Website 

Description: I have written many words about the beauty of Wilanów Palace, found in a quiet neighborhood in the southeast of Warsaw. So, I will sum these many words up briefly. Wilanów Palace is the most beautiful building in Warsaw, in my opinion. It is a great place to walk around the gardens that were once a royal summer residence, admire the yellow and white main palace that survived WWII almost unscathed, and learn some history and admire some art inside the palace itself. It may be a bit far away from the rest of everything to do, but the journey out is more than worth it. Do not skip Wilanów Palace! 

Opening Hours: The palace is open every day between 10 AM and 4 PM. The museum is also closed on Tuesdays. Finally, you can visit the park separately from 9 AM to 9 PM, and the park is open every day. There are self-automated ticket machines to allow you to do this.  

Costs: A ticket to the museum costs 35 PLN/28 PLN reduced. A ticket to the garden costs 10 PLN/8 PLN reduced. Finally, you can visit both the museum and garden for free on Thursdays.  

Transit Information: To get to the palace requires a longer transit journey. The easiest way from the city center is to take Bus 519 from Centralna train station directly to the palace. Coming from the Old Town, you can take either Bus 116 or Bus 180, with a direct connection also to Krakowskie Przedmieście, Nowy Świat, and Łazienki Królewskie Park. The final alternative is to take the M1 metro to the Wilanowska metro stop, Bus 139, or Bus 339 to the palace. There are also a few parking lots in the area if you prefer to drive.  

How to Maximize Your Time for 2 Days in Warsaw

If you are like me, you do not want to waste any moments when you are traveling with a shorter time frame. Thus, as a resident of Warsaw for a good amount of time now, I have some tips and tricks I can provide you with to save as much time as possible! This will allow you to comfortably see the attractions on the list above, while also maybe even seeing some more! Read on to find out the answers to some questions that can save you time! 

Where should I stay? 

There are many great hotels in Warsaw, from luxurious hotels with pools to hotels meant for budget travelers. However, for 2 days in Warsaw, the best location to stay in Warsaw is as close to the center as possible. Warsaw is divided into a variety of neighborhoods, and the best one to stay in is certainly Śródmieście. Located in the city center, most of the activities provided above are in this neighborhood. Staying here will minimize the amount of time you spend traveling. Additionally, it is convenient for arrival and departure, as you have bus and train access to both airports from Warszawa Centralna train station, as well as train service to almost anywhere in Poland. 

However, staying in the city center, especially during the summer, can be quite expensive. While there are hostels that stay relatively cheap, for families, this might not work as well. So, other possible districts of Warsaw that could work to minimize time spent traveling include Ochota and Wola. Both are west of the city center and have direct tram and bus connections to the center in no more than 15 minutes. There is also easy transit to both the central train station and the airports, as well as the possibility to use local trains. The neighborhoods themselves also offer things to do, such as the Warsaw Uprising Museum in Wola and Park Szczęśliwicki in Ochota.  

Beyond these three districts, other districts can be convenient to stay in, but you must stay close to a metro station, as you can get to the city center in around 15 minutes using the metro from many places in the city. Adding a bus or tram ride to the metro will slow things down greatly, however. For example, you could stay in Mokotów south of the center, but I would recommend nowhere farther south than Metro Racławicka. You could also stay in Żoliborz north of the center, but I would also stay close to the metro, and no farther north than Metro Marymont.  

You could also choose to stay on the east side of the Vistula River, and still be in a convenient location for a stay. If you choose to do this, make sure to stay in Praga, which is only 5 minutes by tram, bus, or metro from the main sites of the city. There is direct tram access to the Old Town, or you can take a scenic walk across one of the many bridges over the Vistula, including the new pedestrian and bike bridge that should open by April 2024. There are also a lot of good restaurants and shops, and in general, this can be a great underrated budget stay for your 2 days in Warsaw.  

Areas of the city that are not recommended would be anywhere near the airport, as you will find yourself spending 30 minutes each way just to get to the center if not more. Also, stay away from the farther south areas of Mokotów and Ursynów, which while well-connected by metro, are not great places for restaurants and other entertainment. The same goes for neighborhoods at the end of the M2 Metro line, which includes Bemowo to the west, and Bródno to the east. Overall, try to be as close to a metro station as you can get!  

When and from where should I arrive and leave? 

Most international travelers to Warsaw are going to arrive by plane, as Warsaw is well-served by both flagship carriers such as LOT and Lufthansa, and budget carriers such as Wizz Air and Ryan Air. If so, it is important to realize that Warsaw technically has three different airports! Each of these airports will be described in short detail below. But it is not a question that Warsaw Chopin airport is the most convenient for maximizing your 2 days in Warsaw! 

• Warsaw Chopin Airport: Chopin Airport is southwest of the city center but still within the city limits! It is the easiest to access the airport in Warsaw for this reason, and due to excellent public transport to and from the airport! Bus 175 goes directly from the airport to both the city center and the Old Town. There is also a train service that is included on the basic Warsaw transit ticket (which costs around 1 euro for 75 minutes of travel) that will get you to the center in comfort and style in around 20 minutes. All flagship airlines fly here, but budget carrier Wizz Air does too! 
• Warsaw Modlin Airport: Modlin airport is your typical European airport along the lines of airports such as Beauvais Airport outside of Paris or Luton and Stansted airports outside of London. Modlin Airport exclusively serves Ryan Air and its many subsidiaries. Thus, many of the cheapest flights to Warsaw arrive here. However, it is found about 40 km (25 miles) outside the city. Luckily, there is a combined shuttle bus and train service that will get you to the city center in about an hour, but this adds a lot of extra time to your travels, especially as the service does not consistently happen as the main public transport in Warsaw. 
• Warsaw Radom Airport: This airport name is completely misleading! And, at all costs, if you have 2 days in Warsaw, do not arrive at this airport! As it is, there is only limited service at this airport for now, but in the foreseeable future, more and more Ryan Air and Wizz Air flights that used to arrive at Modlin or Chopin will begin to arrive here. This is not a good thing for travelers on a time constraint. Radom is a large city about 90 minutes by train from Warsaw! This train time is slow, and you must take a taxi from the airport to the train station, as there is no bus service! Avoid this airport at all costs! 

With these things in mind, Chopin Airport is certainly the best airport to arrive at. However, Modlin Airport may be worth it to you especially if you can get a budget flight. Just try your best to get an early flight in and a late flight out. Just be warned that if your flight arrives too early or leaves too late, you will have a harder time getting to Modlin, as the train service stops around 10 PM, and then you will be forced to take a very expensive taxi ride! 

The other choice for arriving in Warsaw is to take a train. If you are arriving from somewhere else in Poland, or from a neighboring location such as Berlin in Germany or Vilnius in Lithuania, taking a Polish train is a great choice for arrival into Poland, as well as departure to these same locations. Polish trains, from my experience, have comfortable seats, good legroom, and low prices, as well as decent onboard services. Arriving by train may also be good for families compared to a plane, as it is a little less stressful, and allows you to take suitcases for free compared to a budget airline. 

If you want to arrive or leave from Warsaw, there are two train stations which will matter. All long-distance trains to and from Warsaw currently are routed through either Warszawa Centralna or Warszawa Gdańska train stations. Of these two, the former is more convenient. Centralna station is the largest station in Warsaw, directly in the city center, with lots of shops and restaurants to relax in before leaving, as well as access to a shopping mall. Gdańska station is a smaller station meant for regional connections, but currently in higher use due to some construction. It has no waiting places or large restaurants to sit in, so getting there not too early before your train is advised.   

As far as getting to these train stations, you can get to both with ease. Centralna station is right in the center, not far from many bus and tram lines, as well as both metro lines. Additionally, many buses, both during the day and night, start their journeys from the large bus depot north of the station. For Gdańska, the M1 Metro line will get you to the city center in 3 stops, so it is also convenient.  

The final choice for arrival and departure is the bus. This is the method I recommend least, due to extremely long travel times, but if you have that time, it can be a cheap choice. All long-distance buses, both to other cities in Poland and international destinations, will leave from Warszawa Zachodnia bus station. This depot is located about 15 minutes west of Centralna train station. It is not the most convenient location to arrive at, but you can get there directly by bus from the center, as well as hopping on a local train to arrive at the neighboring train station.  

Additionally, depending on where you are planning to stay in Warsaw, many buses, which are typically run by FlixBus, will make other stops in the city of Warsaw. One potentially convenient place to get off at is Metro Marymont, as you will save yourself about 30 minutes of bus travel to Zachodnia, and also have direct and easy metro access to the center. The same goes for any buses from the north that arrive at Metro Młociny, which also has direct metro access. From the south, getting off at Chopin Airport could be convenient, as you can get the direct bus to the city center without having to wait to get off at Zachodnia. 

So, to sum up, this quite lengthy section: 

• If you are arriving by plane, Chopin Airport is the best airport to arrive at to minimize your travel time into the city 
• Modlin Airport is also okay but calculate an extra hour on each way to and from the airport.  
• DO NOT arrive at Radom Airport.  
• Arriving at either Centralna or Gdańska train station is convenient 
• Arriving by bus is the least desirable choice, but there are flexible options for stops in the city to minimize the time to get to your hotel or place of stay 

Should I buy tickets for attractions in advance? 

The short answer is yes! There is no reason not to. Most attractions in Warsaw allow you to buy tickets in advance, except for special event days and free days. Especially if you are coming to Warsaw in the summer, having your tickets in advance for popular destinations like the viewing tower at the top of the Palace of Culture and Science will save you time waiting in line. Additionally, buying online is not any more expensive! The only drawback is that paying for things online in Poland can be a bit inconvenient due to their 2-step verification payment process, so make sure you can pay this way easily from where you are buying tickets.  

How should I get around? 

The best way to get around Warsaw is either on foot or using the amazing public transportation in the city! Many of the locations you will want to see in Warsaw can be reached by walking between them. If not, you can grab a ride on one of the many buses or trams throughout the city or use the quick and efficient metro system to get to your destination in 15-20 minutes, at a low cost!

However, if you can use the metro or tram over buses, you will save even more time, as buses can get stuck in traffic around the city center during rush hour. But with trams going almost anywhere the metro does not, you should not need to use a bus if you do not want to. 

While some people might want to rent a car while in Warsaw, I would not recommend it for 2 days in Warsaw. Driving a car in Warsaw for a vacation is extremely inefficient. Not only is the traffic in Warsaw not the best you will find in Europe, but you will also spend lots of time, and money, looking for parking near your destination. And, once you find parking, it is likely to be in a small parallel spot that will require extra effort on your part. In general, there is no need to rent a car in Warsaw, the public transportation can get you anywhere! But, if you are interested, you can check out this guide here.  

In a pinch, if you are running late to somewhere you want to be and do not have time to either walk, drive, or use public transportation, you could also use a taxi. Taxis in Warsaw are relatively inexpensive, especially if you use one of the many taxi apps in the city for a guaranteed rate, such as Bolt, Uber, or others. Taxi drivers in Warsaw are good and will get you to your destination on time almost every time (or in my case one time, help me avoid missing a train I was running late for). Just make sure to use a taxi company with an app to avoid issues of needing cash and to avoid language barriers! 

Is there a way to store my baggage for Day 2? 

If you are spending 2 Days in Warsaw, with a late train or plane on the 2^nd day, you might find yourself needing a place to store your luggage. My advice is to book a hotel that allows baggage storage! Pretty much every hotel does, including budget hostels, but make extra sure this is allowable, or at minimum, available for a small fee. But, if you are staying in an Airbnb, this will likely not be possible. So, your best possibility is to store your bags at one of the many independent bag storage locations throughout the city, such as those provided by Radical Storage or Stasher.  

Additionally, if you are taking a train, you can also take advantage of the extensive self-serve luggage storage at Centralna station, which does allow payment by both coins and credit card! The luggage storage here can be a bit hard to find. But start by walking down a level from the main hall with all the restaurants. Then, walk in the direction of the entrance to the mall to the north of the station, and soon you will find a massive selection of lockers available for use. 

Sample Itinerary for 2 Days in Warsaw

Below, you will find a sample itinerary for 2 days in Warsaw, using the activities listed above. It is based on an itinerary I have used before to show a friend around the city whom I only visited for a short period. I have also provided some annotations to my suggested itinerary. Read on to find out more! 

Day 1 

1. Arrival 

Try to arrive as early as you can to maximize the time you have to spend. As mentioned, arriving at Centralna or Chopin Airport is recommended. If you have bags, either drop them off at your hotel before you check-in or use the luggage lockers at Centralna train station 

2. Old Town 

The Old Town should be the first thing you see on your first day. It is easy to access both from the airport and Centralna train station. If you can get a hotel in this area too, it is even better for dropping off your bags and getting started. I would spend around 1-2 hours exploring the area and any sites you want to see, such as the Castle or Church. This is also a great time to have some lunch. 

3. Krakowskie Przedmieście/Nowy Świat 

If you did not have any lunch in the Old Town, start your walk down Krakowskie Przedmieście by eating some lunch at one of the many restaurants along the way. Or, if you are done with the Old Town before lunch, make your way to Nowy Świat, where there are less-touristic restaurants. Along the way, stop at the many churches, statues, plazas, and buildings of interest including the Presidential Palace, the main campus of the University of Warsaw, and more. This walk, with stops, should take around an hour.  

4. National Museum 

As you reach the end of Nowy Świat, you will have made it to the National Museum, which is right across the street. So, cross over, and spend an hour or two exploring the museum, making sure to leave enough time for the beautiful artwork on the 1^st floor (for my Americans, the 2^nd floor) of the building! 

5. Uprising Museum or POLIN 

If you have some time remaining, consider heading over to another museum, such as the Uprising Museum or POLIN. Arriving at both will require some tram transit. However, there is a direct tram between the National Museum and the Uprising Museum, and you only must make one quick transfer by tram to get to the tram stop closest to POLIN. If you do not have time before closing, instead enjoy a nice meal or some relaxing time at your hotel. 

Day 2 

1. Wilanów Palace (at the opening) 

If you want to see Wilanów Palace, the best time is to start the second day of your 2 days in Warsaw. Wilanów is the attraction farthest from the city center, taking around 45 minutes to get to by a combination of metro and bus. But you can take a direct bus starting from the city center, meaning you can first store your bags if you need to. I would recommend spending 1-2 hours visiting both the museum and admiring the stunning grounds. The museum opens at 10, so I would recommend getting a ticket in advance online for entering the museum at that time.  

2. Łazienki Królewskie Park 

Łazienki Królewskie Park is the second farthest activity from the center. However, there is a direct bus service between Wilanów Palace and Łazienki Królewskie Park, which will take around 25 minutes. Once at the park, you can have a picnic lunch as you admire the surroundings or stop at one of the cafes within the park. Depending on your interest level you could spend up to 2 hours here, but I think 1 hour is suitable.  

3. Palace of Culture and Science Viewpoint 

From the park, you can take a direct bus to the city center. Once there, the Palace of Culture and Science awaits you. For this activity, make sure to book a ticket in advance. Conveniently, the ticket you buy for the viewpoint is valid for the next 12 months after you buy it, so you do not have to worry about entering at a specific time like at some museums. This activity will probably last no more than 30 minutes, so it is a great final activity for a busy 2 days in Warsaw.  

4. Departure 

Based on the itinerary I have created for Day 2, you should have ample time to get to either Chopin or Modlin Airport, or the train station for a later evening departure. If your departure is a little bit earlier, feel free to knock off either of the first two activities for the day, whichever you prefer. If you are leaving by train, this itinerary is especially convenient, as you can both start and end at Centralna station.  

Conclusions about 2 Days in Warsaw

In conclusion, while Warsaw is a large city with a lot of different activities to do, it is still possible to see a lot of what Warsaw has to offer with 2 days in Warsaw. With the guide provided, you can see all the main tourist sights of the city, learning a lot about the history and culture as you go. I hope that you find all the information and the sample itinerary useful as you plan your 2 days in Warsaw (or longer).  

Also, note that the information provided is not necessary for a good 2 days in Warsaw! If you want to do entirely different activities than I have recommended, that is okay! There are so many good things to do in Warsaw. Just make sure to cluster your attractions to minimize transportation time and exhaustion, and you will be good to go!