Free things to do · Warsaw · Poland
9 free things to do in Warsaw
Warsaw without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Cybularny, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Warsaw without paying an entry fee: Old Town Market Square, Castle Square and Sigismund's Column, Royal Route: Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat and Łazienki Park are all free. Several major museums have one free-admission day a week for their permanent exhibitions; check each museum's site before planning.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 9
- Low-cost extras
- 4
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Old Town and New Town
1.Old Town Market Square
Visit the Museum of Warsaw on the square first; its film and exhibits make the rebuilding much more meaningful.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- After dark
Landmark · Old Town and New Town
2.Castle Square and Sigismund's Column
Come at dusk, when the castle and column are lit and the square fills with street musicians.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Photo spot
Street · Śródmieście
3.Royal Route: Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat
Look out for the musical benches along the route; press the button to hear a piece by Chopin.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Iconic
- History
- Architecture
Park · Śródmieście
4.Łazienki Park
Bring a picnic on a summer Sunday and sit on the grass by the Chopin Monument for the free open-air recital.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Couples
Neighbourhood · Praga
5.Praga and the Koneser Centre
Book a Polish Vodka Museum tour for the late afternoon, then stay in Praga for dinner and drinks.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Food
- Off the beaten path
- After dark
Waterfront · Powiśle
6.Vistula boulevards
On a summer weekend, catch the fountain show, then walk south along the boulevards to the bars near Powiśle.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- After dark
- Couples
- Kids
Garden · Powiśle
7.University of Warsaw Library roof garden
Go late on a sunny afternoon and look down through the glass panels into the library's reading rooms.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Off the beaten path
- Couples
- Outdoors
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Historic site · Śródmieście
8.Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Watch the changing of the guard, which takes place every hour, then walk through the Saxon Garden.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
Historic site · Wola
9.Powązki Cemetery
Visit in the days around 1 November to see the cemetery lit by candles, one of Warsaw's most moving sights.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Off the beaten path
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town and New Town | Old Town Market Square and Castle Square and Sigismund's Column | 1 hour + 20–30 minutes |
| Śródmieście | Royal Route: Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat, Łazienki Park and Tomb of the Unknown Soldier | 1–2 hours + 2–3 hours + 30 minutes |
| Praga | Praga and the Koneser Centre | Half a day |
| Powiśle | Vistula boulevards and University of Warsaw Library roof garden | 1–2 hours + 45 minutes |
| Wola | Powązki Cemetery | 1–1.5 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Viewpoint · Śródmieście
Palace of Culture and Science
Go up at dusk to see the city lights come on; there is a saying that it is the best view in Warsaw because you can't see the Palace.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Views
- Architecture
- After dark
Museum · Praga
Neon Museum
It is small, so combine it with a walk around Praga or a visit to the Koneser Centre.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Art
- History
- Off the beaten path
- Rainy day
- Photo spot
Museum · Old Town and New Town
Museum of Warsaw
Head up to the viewing terrace at the end for a view over the Market Square's rooftops.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Rainy day
- Views
Zoo · Praga
Warsaw Zoo
Visit the Żabiński Villa during your visit; the story of the zookeepers was told in the book The Zookeeper's Wife.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Outdoors
- Nature
- History
More ways to save
- Several major museums have one free-admission day a week for their permanent exhibitions; check each museum's site before planning.
- Buy a 24-hour or 72-hour ticket: it covers metro, trams, buses and the train to Chopin Airport.
- Eat lunch at milk bars or in food halls, where good meals cost far less than in Old Town restaurants.
- Łazienki Park, the Old Town, the Royal Route and the summer Chopin recitals cost nothing.
- Business hotels in Wola and Śródmieście often cut prices at weekends.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card terminals and pay in złoty.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Warsaw expensive to visit?
Warsaw is affordable for most visitors, but 9 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Warsaw?
Old Town Market Square: Visit the Museum of Warsaw on the square first; its film and exhibits make the rebuilding much more meaningful.