The Palace on the Isle in Lazenski Park

The 10 Best Free Things to do in Warsaw | 2024 Edition

Warsaw is a budget-travelers dream! However, if you want to stretch your money further, this article holds some of the best free things to do in Warsaw. You may have picked Poland, and then Warsaw, as your destination for your trip because you heard how cheap it was, and this is true! But maybe you have a large family and buying 5-6 tickets for every attraction gets expensive quickly. Or maybe like me, you are a university student, looking to explore a new city while spending as little money as possible. This article will give you the best budget options possible: free activities! 

In general, most of these free activities are going to consist of free outdoor activities. Warsaw is a very green city, with parks spread everywhere, and for the most part, the best of these parks are free and open to the public. There are also some major attractions of Warsaw, such as the landmark Warsaw Old Town that are a lovely place to take a walk and are entirely free to use. While all these activities are outdoors, there are some indoor activities do, mostly centered around the many amazing museums in Warsaw, which usually have a free day once per week. 

All in all, while Warsaw is already a budget city, you can go even further with these 10 free activities on this list! In my opinion, there is enough to do on this list where if you plan your trip right, you might not spend a single dollar on an attraction for your entire trip! Read on to learn more. (Note: Click on the headings for a direct link to either the location or more information about the entry that is publically available and highly useful.)

1. Walk around the historic Old Town 

Warsaw Old Town
Warsaw Old Town during sunset. Taken by Poland Insiders photographer Andrzej Tokarski.

Description: There is perhaps no more iconic place in all of Warsaw, and maybe even all of Poland, than the historic Old Town of Warsaw. Like other historic centers in cities across the world, it is free to visit and explore, and by default, it must take the top place on this list. The Old Town was rebuilt from scratch to appear as it once did before WWII, as it was razed to the ground following the events of the Warsaw Uprising. Today, it is a beautiful place to visit, walk around, take pictures, and just admire the beauty of the architecture. 

As you explore the Old Town, you will find other popular tourist attractions and monuments that are free to explore. First, in Plac Zamkowy, you will find a lovely view of the Vistula River and the east side of Warsaw to take a photo or two. If you walk down the stairs there, you will also find the Royal Castle Gardens, a popular place for political speeches and completely free to enter. Walk back up into the Old Town via Kamienne Schodki and arrive at the Old Town Market Square, and take a picture of the iconic mermaid statue, a symbol of the city. Finally, walk north into the Barbican, and walk along the old city walls for stunning photos. 

During the winter, the Old Town has the benefit of being the central part of the city to explore. Here, you will find many Christmas lights to admire for free, as well as the central Christmas tree of the city. Additionally, you can walk along the city walls and explore the Warsaw Christmas Market, choosing whether you want to spend money or not, or just enjoy the atmosphere. As you walk back in to the Old Town Market Square, you will find more booths with food and mulled wine, and also an ice rink, which is free to use if you have your own skates.  

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While you will certainly spend money in the Old Town, as it is likely you will buy a souvenir or some delicious Polish food, such as pierogi at Zapiecek, while visiting, the act of visiting itself is entirely free. And it is completely possible to avoid buying anything if you really want, especially as the restaurants in the Old Town are a bit pricey compared to the rest of the city. One thing you will not have to spend money on is a bathroom, as there is a free bathroom hidden away just of the main square. Overall, do not skip the Old Town of Warsaw, it is one of the best free things to do in Warsaw.  

Best Time to Visit: There is no bad time to visit the Old Town! However, if you are looking to avoid the crowds, earlier in the morning will be the quietest time, if you want to walk through the streets in a peaceful or romantic atmosphere. This is especially the case in the summer, where you will also have the added benefit of avoiding the intense sun on the hotter days. If you are coming to Warsaw in the wintertime, visit after the sun sets, so you can see the Old Town lit up with the beautiful Christmas lights, and also admire the Christmas Tree in front of the Royal Castle.  

Travel Information: The Old Town of Warsaw is well connected to the city at-large. Firstly, it has its own dedicated tram stops, Stare Miasto 01 and 02, with a direct tram service from the center via Tram 4. You can also take a bus to Plac Zamkowy 01 and 02, with a service from the city center via Nowy Świat, and from other attractions in the city. Furthermore, you can even get to the Old Town directly from the airport, using Bus 175, which also goes to the center and the M1 Metro line, which serves much of the city. Parking is hard to find in the Old Town, so I recommend using public transportation. 

2. Visit a museum on a free day 

Description: Warsaw has a great tradition of many great museums. From museums about the complicated, but interesting history of Warsaw and Poland, such as the Warsaw Uprising Museum, to the fine art found at the National Museum in Warsaw, there is something for everyone in the museums of Warsaw. And, while museums can often be quite pricey in other European and world cities, in Warsaw, you will not have this issue.  

The museums are cheap to start with, but almost every single museum in Warsaw that is funded by the government has one day per week that is completely free to visit! This includes such iconic places as the National Museum, and the fantastic POLIN and Warsaw Uprising Museum. All you must do is show up on the respective free day (listed in the table below) during the opening hours (which are often shortened on the free day, so check the museums’ websites before going), and ask for a ticket, and you will be given one free of charge! This is a great way to explore the history and culture of Warsaw without spending a dime! 

Painting inside the National Museum in Warsaw
A visitor in front of an impressive painting inside the National Museum in Warsaw. Taken by Poland Insiders photographer Andrzej.

I will note that the museums on this list are not the most kid friendly. The most kid-friendly museums, like the Copernicus Science Center, do not typically have free days due to their great popularity amongst families. Of the museums on this list, the coolest for kids would be the Chopin Museum due to the high level of interaction the exhibits provide, or maybe the Fotoplastikon, which is admittedly small, but involves a form of media your kids might find cool. Otherwise, most of these museums do try to cater to kids somewhat, but maybe not to a super high level. 

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit depends on which museum you want to visit! There are museums that are free every day of the week. I have compiled some of them into the table below, but there are certainly more museums than in the list, these are just the best available on each day, in my opinion. For a full list of museums that are free, and when they are free, visit this website.  

Monday Tuesday Wednesday 
Warsaw Uprising Museum Jewish Historical Institute National Museum in Warsaw Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum Royal Castle in Warsaw Chopin Museum 
Museums that are free in Warsaw between Monday and Wednesday
Thursday Friday Every Day 
Wilanów Palace POLIN Polish Army Museum Fotoplastikon Praga Museum Pawiak Prison Museum Royal Łazienki Museum Polish History Museum Geological Museum NBP Money Centre Legia Warszawa Museum Katyn Museum 
Museums that are free in Warsaw either on Thursdays or Fridays, or every day of the week

My other advice would be to get to these museums early on the free day, especially if you are visiting Warsaw in the peak tourist season during the summer months. Even if you visit in the winter, you will find that many schools conduct field trips to Warsaw’s museums on the free days and will take up most of the allotted tickets for certain time slots. While you may not be able to avoid it, getting there early is probably the best way to guarantee this, or sometimes even getting to each museum an hour after opening is a good strategy to get a ticket for when you want without having to wait an hour. 

Finally, make sure to check out the websites of each of these museums before visiting. If the museum sells tickets online, you can check on a day where the museum is not free to see how many tickets usually remain at a given time, this will give you a good gauge about which time during the day is the least busy, and the best time to visit each respective museum without waiting. 

Travel Information: Your travel in Warsaw will depend on which museum you want to visit. Many of the museums in the table above are in the city center, somewhere in a 15-minute circle between the Old Town and the Palace of Culture and Science (which is not free to go to the top). These museums include the Chopin Museum, National Museum, Royal Castle, Fotoplastikon, Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum, Geological Museum, NBP Money Centre, and more. The others on the list are all reachable by bus or tram from the city center as well, with the furthest museum being the one inside the iconic Wilanów Palace, which is about 30-45 minutes away from the city center depending on traffic.  

Depending on which museum you pick, there may also be some parking available. But if you are visiting any museum near the center, parking will be hard to find, so I recommend sticking to the great public transportation of Warsaw.  

3. Visit one of the many city parks in Warsaw

Description: Warsaw is a green city! With over 25% of the city covered with green spaces and parks, exploring the park closest to the Warsaw budget hotel you might be staying is among the best free things to do in Warsaw. Almost every public park is free, and open to the public, although some are found behind gates that may close during the nighttime. While there are hundreds of parks to choose from, I have listed 5 of the best ones in Warsaw in my opinion.  

Jeremy having a picnic in a park in Warsaw
PolandInsiders writer is having a picnic in a park in Warsaw. Taken by his girlfriend.

List of Best Parks: 

  • Łazienki Królewskie: This is certainly the most popular park to visit in Warsaw. Located south of the city center, it is Warsaw’s central park, with monuments, large ponds full of swans, trees everywhere, canals, beautiful palaces and buildings, and many paths and trails to explore. Additionally, during the summer, this is where you will be able to attend the widely popular free Chopin concerts (more on that later in the article). 
  • Saxon Garden: This is a popular green space found directly between the city center and the Old Town. While it is not large, it is still pretty, with large leafy trees, fountains, small ponds, and plenty of benches to have a nice lunch on. Additionally, at the eastern edge, you will find the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, continuously guarded by Polish soldiers, and a cool monument to admire, as every single battle Poland has every fought in is commemorated on the monument. This is also where they are rebuilding the Saxon Palace, but that will not be done for many years. 
  • Krasiński Garden: Another cool, and slightly less busy, public garden found about a 10-minute walk from the Old Town. This is a popular place amongst locals, and students at the nearby Economics faculty of the University of Warsaw (where I attend) to have lunch or sunbathe. There are also playgrounds, duck ponds, and many benches, as well as the beautiful Krasiński Palace, and free public restrooms! 
  • University of Warsaw Library Rooftop Gardens: Perhaps the most unique entry on this list, these gardens are found, as in the name, on top of the beautiful modern building of the University of Warsaw library. Here you can get amazing views of the city skyline and the Vistula River or just admire the gardenwork. This is very popular amongst students, tourists, and locals alike. Additionally, the rooftop can be closed during the winter, and the rest of the gardens close quite early, so make sure to get there early to not miss seeing them! 
  • Park Moczydło: This is one of the most underrated parks in Warsaw, in my opinion. My girlfriend and I love coming here for a walk, or to have a nice picnic on the massive artificial hill, that also has nice views of the city skyline. There are many places to sit along the duck pond, including normal benches, swinging chairs, and even hammocks. While this is found a bit away from the main areas of the city, it takes only about 15 minutes from the center using a tram, or the M2 metro line.  

Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit all these parks is during the daytime, especially when the sun is shining. If you are visiting during the fall, a daytime visit has the bonus of being the best way to see the beautiful fall colors present throughout Poland. In the winter, a daytime visit is great when there is snow on the ground, as your children (and maybe you too) can build a snowman, have a snowball fight, and sled down the hills of the park.  

The parks are quite popular with residents of Warsaw, and some also with many tourists, but do not let that stop you from visiting a park in Warsaw, a necessary experience as not just one of the best free things to do in Warsaw, but one of the best things to do in Warsaw.  

Travel Information: The parks of Warsaw are everywhere. In my opinion, you should just visit the park closest to you. But 4 of the 5 parks I mentioned above are either near the other main tourist attractions of Warsaw or are one of the best tourist attractions in Warsaw by themselves. If you want to travel in style, rent a bike with Ventrilo, which is free for the first 20 minutes after a 10 PLN registration fee (so, technically not free but close enough). Some of the parks also have street parking or lots, with very limited capacity.

4. Stroll along the Vistula River 

Description: If you are looking for another good outdoor activity, consider taking a stroll along the pedestrian boulevards on the Vistula River. The Vistula is Poland’s most important river, flowing both through Warsaw, as well as through and near other amazing Polish cities, such as Kraków, Gdańsk, and Toruń. While once the water highway that connected Warsaw to the sea, today the river remains quiet and empty of boats, except for a few touristic ferry boats that cross the river. 

Vistula River Promenade
Vistula River Promenade during sunset. Taken by Poland Insiders photographer Andrzej.

Warsaw has created a pedestrian boulevard on the west side of the river that spans many kilometers, from as far north as Żoliborz to as far south as the Legia Warszawa stadium. Here you can enjoy the river completely for free and walk for many hours if you choose to. While you cannot swim safely in the river, there are a few beaches you might choose to enjoy, including some of the best in Poland. Poniatówka Beach is found on the east side of the river near PGE Narodowy, the Polish national stadium, and is a popular hang-out and barbeque spot for locals. This sandy beach is also a great place to admire the sunset in a very romantic atmosphere.  

You can also hang out at the northern Żoliborz Beach, which has playgrounds and activities for children. Overall, whether you go to a beach or go for a walk, the Vistula River supplies a few of the best free things to do in Warsaw.  

Best Time to Visit: If you are on the west bank of the river, walking during the day is amazing, and if you get there before sunrise, you can appreciate the sunrise from the steps along the promenade. If you want to go for a walk at sunset, use the east side of the river. Also note that at night, especially on Fridays, the banks of the river become a popular socializing and drinking spot, especially near the Copernicus Science Center. So, if this is not your scene, avoid the river at night-time. It is certainly safe, like most of Poland, but maybe just a bit rowdy. 

Travel Information: The Vistula River cuts Warsaw into the eastern and western half of the city. Thus, any tram or bus that takes you in the east direction is likely to take you across the river. Most trams and buses have stops before and after the bridges that cross the river, which you can use to access the river. Otherwise, the Vistula is downhill from the Old Town and the rest of the central tourist activities and is easy to access. Your best bet for parking is at the parking garage for Copernicus Science Center.

5. Explore one of Warsaw’s urban forests

Description: Warsaw also houses many forests within the city limits! While these are like parks, I chose to separate them because the forests of Warsaw supply a completely different experience than the typical park and garden. In these forests, you will not find massive playgrounds, benches to sit on, and grassy green fields. Rather, you will find pure urban forests to explore, with hiking and biking trails crisscrossing their way through massive trees and other plants. 

Kabaty Woods
Inside Kabaty Woods. Taken by Poland Insiders photographer Jeremy.

And while in other places, you might have to go outside the city to find these forests, there are multiple medium-sized to large forests that are easily reachable no matter where you are staying in Warsaw! Thus, visiting a forest and exploring is one of the best free things to do in Warsaw. Read on to learn more about 4 different highly regarded urban forests in Warsaw. 

List of Best Forests: 

  • Las Kabacki: This is perhaps the most popular urban forest in Warsaw. Located in the southern part of the city, about a 15-minute walk from the Kabaty Metro Station at the southern terminus of the M1 metro line, this forest is massive, covering almost 11 sq km (4 sq mi). Here, you can walk through the forest, admire the colors of the trees, especially during the fall, or have a picnic. It is very popular amongst locals, so do not expect it to be the quietest experience you will ever have. 
  • Las Bielański: If you are looking for a slightly less noisy experience than Las Kabacki, consider visiting this urban forest. Located a short distance from the Słodowiec metro station on the M1 line (but also served by trams directly), this forest is also large, with many trails to explore, as well as viewpoints along the Vistula River. You can easily spend hours discovering the wonders of this forest, many of them in complete peace. 
  • Lasek na Kole: This is also one of the more popular urban forests in Warsaw, due to its convenient location. Lasek na Kole is a smaller forest found near Park Moczydło. What the forest lacks in size it makes up for in controversial history. The park holds some ruins of questionable origins. Some claim a death camp was in the park from WWII, while others claim it is just simply a facility from an old recreational center. Regardless of the origin of the ruins, this park is a great place for a walk, but also to reflect on the many tragedies of Warsaw’s past. 
  • Las Bródnowski: For perhaps the quietest woods on this least, make your way via the M2 metro all the way from the Kondratowicza station to these woods. While small, these woods have a place dedicated solely for picnics, making it a great place to enjoy a meal, or, as with the other woods, walk around. Consider these woods for a quiet experience with mostly locals!  

Best Time to Visit: If you are in Warsaw in the fall, it is almost necessary for you to visit one of these forests for the best display of fall colors Warsaw has to offer. Otherwise, visiting the forest in the morning is the quietest time, especially during the summer. I would not recommend hanging out in any of the forests after dark. It should not be unsafe, but it is quite spooky in my opinion, especially if you are by yourself.  

Travel Information: All these urban forests are spread throughout the city, and with more than just these four, you can probably find one near where you are staying. But all these forests were chosen due to their proximity to a metro station, with more direct connections to tram lines from the city center. You should have no trouble getting to any of these woods within 25-30 minutes after leaving the city center. Parking is also usually available in limited capacities. 

6. Attend a performance of the Multimedia Fountain 

Description: Finding an artistic performance for free can be hard. Luckily, there are a couple of great options in Warsaw, the Multimedia Fountain being the first one. This is a large fountain just north of the center of the Old Town, along the Vistula River. It is an impressive fountain, one of the largest in Poland, equipped with many jets spraying water far into the air. In general, it is a nice place to hang out on a hot day, where you can be gently sprayed by the water of the fountain, and with lots of nice lawns surrounding the fountain, as well as a few food shacks. 

Multimedia Fountain
The Multimedia Fountain is a large fountain north of the center of the Old Town. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

But, during the summer, the Multimedia Fountain hosts shows on weekends. The fountain is also equipped with lights and the ability to project images. Thus, using the water as its medium, you can watch colorful images shimmer and shift on the water, as the water is shot high into the sky. Music and narrations accompany the image show, with narration done in both Polish and English, and songs typically in Polish. When I attended this past summer, the shows were Disney themed, with Polish-dubbed Disney soundtracks in the background. All in all, it is a fun time at the fountain, and one of the best free things to do in Warsaw related to music.  

Best Time to Visit: You can visit the fountain anytime during the day, but certainly it is most worth visiting the fountain during a performance. Performances happen from May to September on Fridays and Saturdays once per day. From May to July, the performance is at 9:30 PM, in August it is at 9 PM, and in September at 8:30 PM. I recommend getting there 15-20 minutes early at the minimum, as the performances are wildly popular, and getting a good place to sit can be hard. If you do not mind standing for the 30-minute performance, getting there 5 minutes before is sufficient. 

Travel Information: The Multimedia Fountain is found just downhill from the Old Town. Most people arrive at the fountain via first arriving at the Old Town. Alternatively, you can take a tram east towards Praga from the city center, switching to Bus 185 at the Most Poniatowskiego 05 bus stop, or taking the M2 to Metro Centrum Nauki Kopernik, and switching to the same bus there. Bus 185 stops at Sanguszki which is right across the street from the fountain. Either of these options is your best choice, as parking in the area is extremely limited.  

7. Observe locals at Hala Mirowska

Description: If you want a truly authentic cultural experience, I think visiting Hala Mirowska is one of the best ways to do this. Hala Mirowska is one of the many market halls found throughout Warsaw, but unlike the trendy Hala Koszyki, this market hall is dedicated solely to commerce. Inside the marketplace, you will find many farmers and vendors selling their fresh fruits and vegetables, and any other food you might want. You can also buy fresh bread, sweet treats, and there is usually a large array of flower vendors in front of the marketplace. Anything you want that is locally made; you can buy here. 

Hala Mirowska
Hala Mirowska is one of the market halls in Warsaw. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

If you do not want to spend money, the joy of visiting Hala Mirowska is what you get to see. Here, you will see an authentic Polish marketplace, with older Poles buying much of their food here, bartering with the vendors, and talking about their days. It is also a great place for you to practice your Polish if you are learning. For a city as urban as Warsaw, Hala Mirowska is a nice breath of fresh air that feels entirely different from the rest of the city. Thus, I highly recommend Hala Mirowska as one of the best free things to do in Warsaw.  

Best Time to Visit: The market is open from Monday to Saturday and closed on Sundays. It is open from 6 AM to 8 PM, and from 6 AM To 6 PM on Saturdays. The stalls outside the market may remain open for longer, but this is unlikely. The best time to visit if you really want to get a feel for the locals is earlier in the morning, but most times of the day this market is bustling with local Varsovians doing their shopping.  

Travel Information: Hala Mirowska is served by its own tram stop, with Tram 17 or Tram 33 getting to the Hala Mirowska stop in about 5 minutes from the central train station. Alternatively, Hala Mirowska is about a 10-minute walk from Rondo ONZ, which is served by buses, as well as the M2 metro line. There is some street parking to the north of Hala Mirowska, but it is usually taken up by vendors early in the morning, so you are better off using public transportation.

8. Admire the view of the city from Górka Szczęśliwicka 

Description: Górka Szczęśliwicka is a hill found in the wonderful Park Szczęśliwicki in the Ochota neighborhood of Warsaw. Why did I not include this park in the earlier entry dedicated to green spaces? Simply because this park provides this hill. Górka Szczęśliwicka is quite a tall hill as far as Warsaw hills go, and thus it supplies some of the best free views you will find anywhere in the city. This is a perfect place to see the skyline of Warsaw, while having a picnic or spending time with loved ones and family. 

Górka Szczęśliwicka in Warsaw
Górka Szczęśliwicka is a hill in the wonderful Park Szczęśliwicki in the Ochota neighborhood of Warsaw. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Additionally, the park itself is quite nice, with lots of paid activities available as well. While you stand on the hill, next to you will be a paid activity park, one that has an artificial ski hill, gravity coaster, and paid viewpoint. But you can get the same view right next door entirely for free, with this view making a visit to Górka Szczęśliwicka one of the best free things to do in Warsaw.  

Best Time to Visit: The park is open 24/7, and when I have gone, it is not the busiest park, mostly due to its location. So, you should be able to visit anytime on a sunny day without having issues finding a spot on the hill to relax. People may play loud music or smoke on the hill, but not in such a high amount it becomes an issue. At night, this becomes a fun and safe place to see the skyline for free at night. In the winter, this becomes a terrifying sledding hill!  

Travel Information: Górka Szczęśliwicka is found a bit away from the city center. There is a bus loop at the northern end of the park, however, which is quite convenient. You can take either Bus 128 or Bus 521 from the city center and get to the park in 15-20 minutes. Bus 128 also leaves from near the Old Town. Trams 7, 9, and 15 also stop at the nearby Dickensa tram stop, which is about 10 minutes from the park. If you want to park, there is a public parking lot to the east of the park.

9. Visit the solemn Powązki Cemetary 

Description: For a slightly outside-the-box free activity in Warsaw, consider visiting Powązki Cemetery. This cemetery is the oldest and most famous in the city, originally opened in 1790, with burials continuing to happen to this day. It takes up 43 hectares (110 acres) of land near the very popular Arkadia Mall. While visiting a cemetery is not usually high on the list of recommended activities, Powązki Cemetery is quite cool. Here you will find some of the most ornate gravestones and tombs you have ever seen, as well as the graves of some of the most famous Poles, from musicians to actors. 

Powązki Cemetery
Powązki Cemetery in Warsaw. Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

Perhaps the best time to visit Powązki Cemetery is if you happen to be in Warsaw around November 1. November 1 is All Saints Day, a Catholic holiday celebrated around the world in Catholic countries, like Dio de los Muertos in Latin-American countries. Unlike other celebrations of All Saints Day, the Polish version is typically quite serious. Families visit the graves of loved ones, friends, and people they admire, leaving large bouquets of flowers and candles on the grave. As the sun sets, the candles are lit, creating an eerie, but beautiful atmosphere. The experience of visiting Powązki Cemetery on November 1 is reason enough to make it one of the best free things to do in Warsaw.  

Of course, if you choose to visit the cemetery, it is very important that you are respectful. The Polish are very religious, and very formal, so loud talking, socializing, or walking on graves would not be tolerated, and considered extremely disrespectful. Of course, absolute silence is not necessary. In fact, on All Saints Day, you can expect the cemetery to be quite loud, due to all the people. But on a typical day, do your best to keep quiet and see the graves respectfully and peacefully.  

Best Time to Visit: As mentioned, if you can visit around November 1, it will be a busy time, but the most interesting time. Otherwise, visit anytime during opening hours, which are every day of the year from 8 AM to 8 PM. On weekends, expect the cemetery to be a bit busier, but with its massive size, it will remain quiet throughout the year, expect on major holidays such as November 1 and others. 

Travel Information: Powązki Cemetery is easy to get to. At present, the temporary Tram 73 will get you to the Powązkowska tram stop from the Old Town in about 20 minutes. Or you can take any number of trams and buses to Arkadia Mall and walk about 10 minutes from there. Around November 1st, there are special buses that run often from the city center. These buses are marked with a “C” in front of the number. If you want to park, you will be out of luck, as there is limited street parking around the cemetery.

10. Attend a free Chopin concert

 

Description: For the second of the two best free things to do in Warsaw related to music, consider attending a free Chopin concert! Fryderyk Chopin was a revered pianist who today stays one of the most famous Polish people in the world. His legacy is in his beautiful piano compositions, many of which were influenced by Chopin’s life in Poland as he grew up. Today, his legacy is everywhere, with the airport, streets, parks, restaurants, and more named after him. There is also a large monument to him found in Łazienki Królewskie. Here, you will be able to attend a free Chopin concert. 

Chopin concert
You can attend free Chopin concerts in Warsaw! Taken by Poland Insiders writer Jeremy.

To celebrate Chopin’s legacy, at the monument on summer Sundays, piano masters from around the world come to perform a free set of Chopin’s music. Pianists come from around Poland, from Japan, Canada, Spain, Italy, and even Vietnam to perform. The experience is beautiful, the acoustics of this part of the park are perfect for listening to music. Of course, with so many people, there can be crying babies and the occasional cell phone, but this does not take away from the magic. I highly recommend doing this if you are visiting Poland in the summer.  

Best Time to Visit: The concerts take place every Sunday at 12 PM and 4 PM. The concerts usually start in the middle of May and continue throughout the summer until the end of September, when the weather gets cold. These concerts happen rain or shine, as the piano can be covered. I would recommend getting to the monument at least 30 minutes early if you want a good seat. I got there 15 minutes early and had to sit in a patch of dirt behind the piano. There are benches available, but these will certainly be taken quite early.  

Travel Information: The monument is close to Łazienki Królewskie 01 and 02, which are served by Bus 116 and 180, both of which go near the Old Town. If you want to arrive from the city center, you can take Bus 520 to Plac na Rozdrożu, and walk 10 minutes from there. Alternatively, the Politechnika metro station is only about a 15-minute walk away. I would recommend using public transportation, as parking is very hard to find in the area, especially around the times of the concerts.

Conclusions on the Best Free Things to Do in Warsaw

All in all, there are many good free things to do in Warsaw, and this article holds the best free things to do in Warsaw. If you were to do everything on this list, you could easily fill a 2-day itinerary with just these activities. And these activities would, in my opinion, paint a pretty good picture of what Warsaw, and Poland are like. Of course, I would recommend spending some money on some other top attractions of Warsaw, but all the activities on this list are ones I have taken part in, and greatly enjoyed! So, I wish you the best as you plan your trip to Warsaw with lots of free activities! 

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