Warsaw is my new favorite city. Here’s why.

I’ve never been a huge fan of cities. 

I mean, they’re okay to visit. But I’d much rather be out in the wild, on the road, or staying the night in a small town. 

At least, that’s how I felt until my recent trip to Warsaw, Poland.

Why?

Simply put, Warsaw has everything you could want from a city. Plus, it has fewer downsides that usually put me off of cities. Of course, Warsaw isn’t perfect, but the Polish capital captured my attention in a way most cities don’t. 

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Warsaw is Modern, But Has Tons of Character & History

Warsaw’s nickname is “The Phoenix City” because, like the mythical bird, it rose to new life from its own ashes. The city was nearly leveled in World War II, but you would hardly know it.

Skyscrapers tower over bustling city streets. Both international retailers and local businesses thrive. The city also boasts all the urban amenities you could ask for.

The new has not ousted the old, though. 

Much of the historic Old Town was rebuilt after the war. So, while it’s not 100% authentic (strictly speaking), it is far from touristy or gaudy. 

The cathedrals here feel old and venerable, as though they’ve been untouched for centuries. You can still walk on sections of the old city walls that surround the Old Town.

You’ll also find artifacts from the past in the city’s many antique shops. If you’re a military history buff, you’ll be like a kid in a candy shop.

Polish Culture is Incredibly Rich and Diverse

Poland has a remarkable history and there’s no better place to learn about it than in Warsaw’s many museums. I didn’t have time to visit more than a few, but my favorite (by far) was the National Museum of Ethnography.

There are extensive collections from cultures around the world, but I was most captivated by the folk costumes from Poland’s 16 regions (as well as neighboring countries).  

I learned that each area has unique, colorful costumes. Some are more intricate while others are more streamlined – but all of them are eye-catching. Tuxedos and designer dresses may be sharp, but they’re honestly kind of plain compared to these time-honored threads.

There’s Always Something Going On

Warsaw is big enough to have all kinds of entertainment. Naturally, the city that gave us Chopin has a thriving classical music scene. Chopin concerts (mostly piano performances as opposed to full orchestras) occur daily in the Old Town.

There’s also a lively contemporary music scene featuring everything from jazz to electronic music. Warsaw also has some great bars and several craft beer pubs. 

In particular, I loved Warsaw’s most famous landmark, the Palace of Art and Culture. The complex features 4 theaters, 2 museums, a university, and so much more. There’s also an observation deck on the 30th floor that offers the best panoramic views of Warsaw. 

In the quieter months (I went in March), the observation deck is a great place to take a break. I went there around 5 pm after being on my feet all day and, to my surprise, found lounge chairs facing out towards the city and very few fellow tourists. So, I grabbed a coffee from the cafe and enjoyed a little rest before continuing my adventures.

It’s Safe, Clean, and Efficient

One of the things that impresses me most about Warsaw is how safe, clean, and efficient it is. In fact, Yahoo! Finance rated Warsaw one of the safest cities in Europe to visit in 2024. 

As a solo traveler in Europe, I did a fair amount of walking alone at night and never once felt on edge. Of course, I stuck to the main streets with other pedestrians and good lighting. Like anywhere, I’d recommend following common sense safety practices.

The streets here are spotless, maintained, and well-lit. The Poles are proud of their culture, and you’ll find this pride even in the little things like being circumspect about litter. There is graffiti (as opposed to more intentional street art) here and there, but nothing like what I’d seen in other Eastern European destinations.

Warsaw also has an extensive and efficient public transportation system including subways, trams, and buses. I’ve always had a love-hate relationship with public transportation. In some places it’s unreliable. In some places, there are “characters” that make you feel on edge. In some places, it’s as crowded as a sardine can, even outside peak hours.

Warsaw’s public transportation is none of these things. And, to make things even better, it’s cheap. An unlimited 3-day tourist ticket cost me only $9. I usually opt to walk, but it was nice to have this option.

It’s Very Affordable

Public transport isn’t the only affordable thing in Warsaw, though. Poland has a strong economy but remains quite affordable for American tourists. At the time of my travels, the exchange rate of złoty to dollars was 4:1 (very handy for doing the conversion in your head. Whatever price you see will cost you ¼ in dollars).

By the way, the distinct “Ł,ł” may look like an “L” but it makes a “W” sound. 

A private room in my hotel (a&o Warszawa Wola) set me back only $192 dollars for a four-night stay. The price included breakfast and the hotel had everything a traveler could need, including laundry facilities, a bar, a coworking space, and a shared kitchen.

Food is also easy on the wallet in Warsaw, making budget travel easy. When I travel solo, I often opt for food from a convenience store. Poland has plenty of these (Żabka is the most famous and common) where you can get a sandwich and a soda or beer for around $5.

Polish Food is Massively Underrated

That’s not to say I only ate food in convenience stores in Poland. I did overcome my innate introversion and brave the restaurant scene from time to time. And I’m so glad I did!

Poland gets unjustly overlooked when it comes to cuisine. Hearty meat dishes, savory soups, fresh bread, and a variety of vegetable salads (think beet or carrot salad, etc. as opposed to leafy greens) are the foundation of any feast in Poland.

The weather was chilly on my second day in Warsaw, so I wanted something hot. I stopped in at a Gościniec, a chain that makes traditional favorites. The interior is bright and painted with Polish folk motifs. I ordered żurek, a sour rye soup with sausage, bacon, and eggs. I paired that with spiced tea. You couldn’t ask for a better meal on a cold day.

If you’re vegetarian or vegan, have no fear. Polish cuisine is heavy on meat but has plenty of vegetable dishes. Warsaw also has a wide selection of international restaurants, so no matter your diet or preference, there’s something for you.

Locals are Friendly & Helpful

Of course, any destination is only as good as its people. Again, being more of an introvert, I’m not the kind to go out and make new friends in every new destination. However, I found that the people I interacted with were very friendly and helpful.

I found this especially true when I shipped some items home to Washington. I had been traveling for a while in Georgia before I arrived in Warsaw and my luggage was maxed out. So, I decided to ship some items home to lighten my load.

Being thrifty, I opted for the cheapest post option – the Polish post office. However, I don’t speak a word of Polish and even basic phrases of this notoriously difficult language elude me.

However, some locals who knew English bridged the gap and helped me ship two packages home.

Warsaw is Nomad Friendly

Warsaw is seriously underrated as a digital nomad destination. There are tons of cozy coffee shops peppered across the city, perfect for getting a little work done. 

There are also great coworking spaces and longer-term stays (such as apartments) are quite affordable compared to America.

Of course, Poland is part of the Schengen Zone, so Americans like myself have to jump through some extra hoops to stay longer than 90 days. Be that as it may, I wouldn’t hesitate to head back to Warsaw for a few weeks given the opportunity.

👉 Read Next: Why You Should Visit Poznań, Poland

It’s Easy to Travel To

Finally, Warsaw is extremely easy to get in and out of. For one, the airport is surprisingly small for a major European capital. Its layout is also very straightforward.

It’s easy to get from the airport to the city with trains, buses and taxis. I took the train (my preferred mode of travel in any situation), which runs every 20-30 minutes.

Warsaw is also a hub for Poland’s rail system. The train station is smack in the middle of the city. Train tickets are affordable (I paid $16 for a 2nd-class ticket from Warsaw to Poznan – a 3-hour trip) and the trains are clean, comfortable, and punctual. You can get all over Poland and to several Western and Central Europe destinations.

👉 Read Next: Where to Stay in Warsaw

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Thanks for reading about why Warsaw is my favorite city! Do you have a favorite city to visit? What is it, and what makes it special to you? I’d love to hear about it in the comments below!

And if you liked this story, you might like Niamh’s piece about why another city in Poland is her favorite place for a night out.