Here are some tips to enjoy affordable dining, free museum visits, and avoid parking tickets in Warsaw, where resourcefulness can go a long way.
Find a Free Day:
Explore Warsaw's rich cultural offerings without breaking the bank! Visit esteemed cultural venues like the National Museum on Tuesdays for complimentary access to its medieval, Nubian, and 19th-century European art exhibitions. Thursdays offer free entry to Zachęta, showcasing cutting-edge contemporary art. Sundays are perfect for admiring the Royal Castle's opulent 16th-century art-filled rooms. Enjoy perpetual free admission at the Xawery Dunikowski Museum of Sculpture, nestled in a serene park. Additionally, take advantage of free days at other iconic spots like Wilanow Palace, the Warsaw Uprising Museum, the Fryderyk Chopin Museum, Krolikarnia, Museum of Modern Art, and the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.
Know where to find your entertainment:
For culture enthusiasts, Warsaw offers an array of free entertainment options. From May to September, immerse yourself in open-air Chopin concerts every Sunday. Enjoy affordable cinema experiences at Iluzjon, housed in a charming 1950s building. During summer, indulge in Filmowa Stolica, a city-wide festival offering free outdoor movie screenings across ten parks, ensuring nightly entertainment for three months. Dance enthusiasts can sway to the rhythm at Tango Café every Tuesday, hosted by Steps4Salsa, featuring free tango lessons from 10:00 PM to midnight. In winter, glide across free ice skating rinks scattered throughout Warsaw, with the Old Town Market Place rink being a particularly delightful spot.
Look for Asian gems:
In Warsaw, finding inexpensive yet delicious meals is quite feasible. Numerous eateries offer budget-friendly options, with the key being to locate tasty and nutritious fare at a reasonable price. Among the city's dining scene, Asian restaurants stand out for meeting these criteria. For aficionados of Vietnamese cuisine, a visit to Co Tu is a must. Nestled in the vicinity of Nowy Świat Street near Foksal Street, this legendary diner has been serving patrons for nearly two decades, boasting a loyal clientele. Here, you can savor delectable Oriental dishes for as little as 15 PLN, making it a wallet-friendly choice.
Try out milk bars:
For an authentic taste of Polish cuisine, head to Bambino, a milk bar located on Krucza Street. Milk bars epitomize traditional Polish dining, offering dishes in their most authentic form. With a focus on dairy-based meals, as reflected in their name, Bambino serves up hearty Polish fare at budget-friendly prices. For less than 15 PLN, patrons can enjoy a satisfying meal, with a diverse selection of vegetarian options available, including crepes with white cheese or rice with cream and fruit.
Plan your eating issues ahead:
Warsaw boasts a diverse restaurant scene catering to various tastes, yet navigating the city's vastness can be daunting when seeking specific cuisines. However, with some foresight, you can align your dining preferences with the appropriate neighborhood. Downtown is a haven for vegans, with Krowarzywa joints specializing in vegan burgers priced from 12 PLN (approximately 3 euros/dollars). Night owls seeking late-night bites can head to Mamma Mia on 32 Świętokrzyska Street, an Italian restaurant open 24/7, offering spaghetti for 15 PLN and pizza for 18 PLN.
Park ahead:
Spanning 517 square kilometers, Warsaw is expansive, covering nearly five times the area of Paris. While driving in the city is common, it also comes with the risk of receiving parking tickets if one misjudges. To circumvent this annoyance, consider utilizing the SkyCash smartphone application. This app allows users to initiate parking payments and extends the duration until instructed otherwise. To begin using SkyCash for parking, one must create an account and affix a designated sticker to their vehicle's windscreen.
Take a free ride:
During European Car Free Day on September 22nd, public transportation including buses, trams, and tube trains are free of charge. Additionally, from March to November, you can enjoy complimentary rides on city bikes through Veturilo, Warsaw's public bicycle system. Registering with the system, which costs 10 PLN, grants you access to free 20-minute bike rentals. Once registered, you can enjoy unlimited 20-minute rides at no cost.
Ferry your way around:
If you're up for a ferry adventure across the Vistula River in Warsaw, seize the opportunity during the months of May to September. Four free ferries—Pliszka, Słonka, Wilga, and Turkawka—ply various sections of the river, linking both banks as it winds through the city. Here are their routes:
- Pliszka: Between Poniatowski Bridge and National Stadium
- Słonka: Between Czerniakowski Peninsula and the Saska Kępa district
- Wilga: Between the foot of the Royal Castle and Warsaw Zoo
- Turkawka: Between the Nowodwory district and the town of Łomianki
Ask around:
With Warsaw's dynamic nature and abundance of attractions, the list of highlights is extensive. Given the city's constant evolution, it's wise to seek recommendations from locals to discover the latest must-see spots.