Explore the City

Walk and Cycle Through Greenery

This is all nice in itself, but if the sun is out and you're looking for something a little quieter from the bustle of the tourist trail, then some park scenery will be right up your street; Łazienki Park is ideal everyone, from couples to families, but so too are many other parks, like Skaryszewski Park in the Praga district (among others), but none more popular than Pole Mokotowskie (Mokotów Fields) in Warsaw's southern half, where locals tend to hang out on the grass or in the many bars there – that is, if they're not down by the river! And on that note, in the last few years, Warsaw's left bank riverside has been revitalised in the form of the Vistulan Boulevards, resulting in a mix of spruced up promenades, ideal for cyclists, skaters, walkers, and lazy loungers. But even along the sanitised stretch of the boulevards, there are barges-turned-food-and-drink-venues dotted around for you to enjoy. Wander further and the southern older half of the boulevards still remains fairly raw, with many gathering on the riverside steps in the evenings to enjoy the sunsets, the company of friends, and... to enjoy drinking your own shop-bought alcohol here, without the risk of a fine from the locan Varsovian 5-0! All this is legal on the left bank of the boulevards due to a 2018 update in Polish law in regards to drinking in public – but be careful, this doesn't apply to every stretch of the riverside, so drinking on the wilder side of the right bank in areas not designated as a place for selling alcohol (along with the amenities that go with it, such as toilets – crucial if you have a weak bladder, huh?) can set you back with a hefty fine!

Thanks to this ruling, and its subsequent adoption by the city authorities, the right bank of the river is the much wilder, rugged side, with areas which are mainly intended for recreational use, such as public beaches (found in various districts of the city along the river), paths for walking and cycling, which is great for the more active types amongst you, as the contrast between the two riversides can't be more stark – the views of the Old Town from Rusałka [Praga district public] beach, for example, can be quite breathtaking, especially during the sunset. If you're here as the night begins, it's worth turning around and enjoying the nightlife of one of Warsaw's most active beach venues – La Playa. This place can get wild at the weekends, so party animals will be satisfied with the beach party vibe, available to all urban dwellers looking for something a little different. If that sounds a bit too much, no problem, it functions as a perfectly pleasant place to hang around during the warm summer days, where you can lounge around or even play some volleyball.

Speaking of the river, there's a lovely walking and biking path that runs along the Praga side and can be accessed from plenty of spots along the river. We suggest going in at the entrance to the beach in Saska Kepa, just below the Poniatowski Bridge. From there, you can either wander down south (very far--the path goes on for a while) or north, where you'll likely run into the new pedestrian bridge that takes you across the river! 

If you prefer to cycle rather than walk, (whether for leisure, or to really crunch up the km count), then we suggest hiring a local Veturilo city bike (it's so easy to sign up and provides over 5,000 bikes), you can zig-zag your away across all Warsaw's bridges, be on wild paths on the right-bank and back on the concrete boulevards on the left-bank within mere minutes. You have so much to choose from. We've written extensively about the city's bike routes in the past and it's certainly very much a favourite with the IYP team! Head far north or south (within city limits if have a city bike, of course) and you'll see some fairly wild terrain and wildlife to match!)

If you decide to head north with your bike, or hell, even if you wish to travel there using public transport, the north-eastern Białołęka district has something special for adrenaline seekers! '2 Wieże' (translated as Two Towers), is just that, once an industrial area, these remnants stand tall, which you can now climb, or alternatively, jump off, should you see fit to do so! It's all heart pumping stuff, with quite a range of jump packages to choose from – from smaller heights right up to the top!

Take in Some Art!

If bringing on a heart attack is less your thing then there's still plenty to enjoy around city, and although we've mentioned the various walking tours in our guides, it's worth noting for culture vultures that the street art scene in Warsaw is pretty mighty. Our guide maps mark (with a spray can symbol) as many murals and street art installations around the city as we can find! The city's Praga district is a bit of a Mecca for this stuff, so check out some outdoor art if you're in the area! Luckily for you, the Street Art Festival is also coming up, so you may even get a chance to see some street performances!

Take a Dip in the Water

Though many first-timers to Warsaw tend to think Poland is a land of frigid temps and grey (true, in winter), in the summer it gets really sunny and really hot. In fact, after all that walking and biking, you'll probably be eager to take a dip in some cool water. And Warsaw's ready for you in this respect, too (although don't think about jumping in the Wisła, for many reasons)! There are all kinds of water worlds and pools to choose from here, starting with one of the most popular: Suntago Water World. This giant covered water park is affordable, has a massive pool and offers tons of slides for adults and kids alike to cool off and have fun. Plus it just has those great island vibes, with palm trees throughout the space and offers a wellness and spa area for those who really want to kick back and relax. A little south of the main part of the city you'll also find Warszawianka a casual water park that offers slides, a recreational pool and more just a quick 20-minute ride from the center of the city.  
 

For those with kids, the easiest and most enjoyable bet will be Moczydło Water Park, which is located in Wola and easy to get to by metro. The area offers a number of open-air pools including a sports pool (50x20m), water playground for young children and a huge recreational pool (2,833m2) that features a wave machine, artificial river and numerous water slides. Beyond the pools, there are also beach areas for playing football and volleyball. Immensely popular, it’s wise to avoid weekends. 
 

Head to a Festival

Of course, one of the most popular visits during any warm Warsaw day is a street festival, rife with food and drink. An increasingly popular urban trend, these hip gastro markets are as much about socialising as they are about shopping for local food products or filling your belly, and definitely worth checking out if you’re brave enough to go beyond the centre of town. 

The first, of course, is  the Breakfast Market (Targ Śniadaniowy), which offers foodies a range of delicious day starters from dozens of local food producers, farms, restaurants and catering companies. Taking place in neighbourhood parks, mingle with locals, explore new parts of town and get your grub on by creating a picnic spread from the fresh foods on sale here, or choose from an array of ready-to-eat meals from local producers as well. A highly social event, the Breakfast Market caters to families by organising events for kids and other attractions. Best of all, you don’t have to get there early. Occurring on weekends beginning from April 13th from 9:00-16:00 you’ll find the Breakfast Market near Plac Inwalidów (corner of Al. Wojska Polskiego and ul. Śmiała) in the leafy Żoliborz area; on Sundays from 10:00-17:00, the Market moves to the park area of Skwer AK Granat in Mokotów.



If family-friendly isn’t your vibe, Warsaw’s legendary Nocny Market (Night Market) may be more to your taste. Occupying an abandoned railway platform, Nocny Market aims for the atmosphere of a Beijing street market and the vibe of a Berlin club to create a cult Warsaw institution. The largest street food market in PL, this is a full-on feast for the senses where you’re guided by colourful neon lights, tantalising smells assault your nose as you wander from stall to stall, live bands and DJs set the mood, and intoxicating drinks pour forth from the fully stocked bars. If you really want an experience you can’t forget you can even get a tattoo here. With a huge diversity of culinary offerings from around the world, this is definitely one of Warsaw’s coolest places to eat, drink and chill when the weather’s warm. It's open Thurs-Sun in the evenings, and of course, at night night! 

We've listed some of our favourite things to do in Warsaw when the weather is fine, ranging from perfectly normal, rational activities, to the more ballsy adrenaline pumping craziness of adrenaline sports, and we hope you try out some of our recommendations and enjoy them. Our guide is full of stuff for you to check out, and don't worry, if you're reading this and the weather doesn't quite allow a stroll in the park, then we've got you covered for plenty of indoor attractions too. Get on out there, regardless!