30 of the best · Warsaw, Poland
Chopin’s city: the Chopin Museum and the summer recitals in Łazienki, the Grand Theatre – Polish National Opera, the National Philharmonic, the National Museum, the new Museum of Modern Art and the Polish poster.
Our 30 favourites, listed A–Z · Updated October 2026
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Three of our favourites from this list, vetted by people who know and love Warsaw.
Chopin’s city
The museum of Fryderyk Chopin, in the Ostrogski Palace on Okólnik, with piano recitals at weekends.
Okólnik 1, WarsawExplore View on map
On Plac Teatralny
The opera and ballet house on Plac Teatralny, home of the Polish National Opera and the Polish National Ballet.
New building, Plac Defilad
The new white building on Plac Defilad, designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners, with a 150-seat cinema.
The newest official trailers and upcoming films, updated automatically as they are released. Check Kino Kultura, Iluzjon and the Museum of Modern Art’s cinema for screenings.
Trailers play from the official YouTube channels of Rotten Tomatoes Trailers and the studios, and update automatically. Use the playlist button in each player to browse more.
In-depth stories behind the list.
The back story
Chopin’s city: the Chopin Museum and the summer concerts in Łazienki, the Grand Theatre – National Opera, the National Philharmonic, the National Museum, the new Museum of Modern Art and the Polish poster.
Visual arts
Great collections.
Freta 16
The museum of Warsaw-born Maria Skłodowska-Curie, in the New Town.
Freta 16, WarsawExplore View on map
On the Market Place
The city’s own museum, in a row of townhouses on the Old Town Market Place.
Rynek Starego Miasta 28/42, WarsawExplore View on map
Al. Jerozolimskie 3
The national collection of art, from antiquity to the 20th century, at the end of Nowy Świat.
Al. Jerozolimskie 3, WarsawExplore View on map
Post-war neon signs
The museum of Warsaw’s post-war neon signs.
Plac Defilad 1, WarsawExplore View on map
A thousand years
The museum of a thousand years of Polish Jewish history, on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto, facing the Ghetto Heroes Monument.
Anielewicza 6, WarsawExplore View on map
Reopened
The museum of the Polish poster, reopened with a new permanent exhibition, “Polish Posters: The Collection”.
On Castle Square
The royal residence on Castle Square, rebuilt after the war, and in winter the setting of the city’s great Christmas tree.
Plac Zamkowy 4, WarsawExplore View on map
Al. Jerozolimskie 51
A working 19th-century stereoscopic viewer, showing old Warsaw in 3D.
Al. Jerozolimskie 51, WarsawExplore View on map
The 1944 Rising
The museum of the 1944 Warsaw Rising, in a former tram power station in Wola.
Grzybowska 79, WarsawExplore View on map
Painting, sculpture and photography.
New building, Plac Defilad
The new white building on Plac Defilad, designed by Thomas Phifer and Partners, with a 150-seat cinema.
Jazdów 2
Contemporary art in a castle above the Vistula escarpment, by Łazienki.
Jazdów 2, WarsawExplore View on map
pl. Małachowskiego 3
The national gallery of contemporary art, on Plac Małachowskiego by the Saxon Garden.
pl. Małachowskiego 3, WarsawExplore View on map
Great buildings, old and new.
The highest in the EU
The highest observation deck in the European Union, on the 53rd floor of the Varso Tower, at about 230 metres.
Chmielna 69, WarsawExplore View on map
On Plac Defilad
The tower in the middle of the city, with theatres, museums, cinemas and a terrace on the 30th floor.
Plac Defilad 1, WarsawExplore View on map
The king’s summer residence
The summer residence of the last king of Poland: the Palace on the Isle, the court theatre, the peacocks, and Chopin concerts in summer.
Agrykola 1, WarsawExplore View on map
King Jan III’s palace
The palace of King Jan III Sobieski and its garden, with 200-year-old oaks, a Chinese gazebo and Mount Bacchus.
Stanisława Kostki Potockiego 10/16, WarsawExplore View on map
Performing arts
Where to hear music.
Chopin’s city
The museum of Fryderyk Chopin, in the Ostrogski Palace on Okólnik, with piano recitals at weekends.
Okólnik 1, WarsawExplore View on map
Chopin’s heart
The basilica on Krakowskie Przedmieście, where an urn holding Chopin’s heart is set into a pillar.
Krakowskie Przedmieście 3, WarsawExplore View on map
Organ festival in summer
Warsaw’s cathedral in the Old Town, home of the International Organ Festival from July to September.
Świętojańska 8, WarsawExplore View on map
Plays, musicals and the playhouses.
On Plac Teatralny
Poland’s National Theatre, in the Grand Theatre building on Plac Teatralny.
The great houses and companies.
On Plac Teatralny
The opera and ballet house on Plac Teatralny, home of the Polish National Opera and the Polish National Ballet.
Cinemas and film.
Writers, libraries and bookshops.
Above the library
One of the largest roof gardens in Europe, with views of the Vistula, above the University Library in Powiśle.
Dobra 56/66, WarsawExplore View on map
Folk & cultural traditions
Traditional crafts and the people who keep them.
A former distillery
The Koneser quarter in a former Praga vodka distillery: shops, restaurants and the Polish Vodka Museum.
The cultural calendar.
Every summer
Open-air Chopin recitals beneath the Chopin Monument in Łazienki, every summer.
Below the Old Town
The fountain park below the Old Town, with water, light and music shows in season.
