Warsaw didn’t always receive the attention it deserved, usually falling in the shadows of other cities like Krakow, Gdansk and Wroclaw. In recent years, the capital city of Poland gained high praise as a top tourist destination in Eastern Europe.
Warsaw offers plenty to see across the different districts and perfect weather for the summer holidays. For accommodation, the city has an impressive variety. Warsaw is Poland’s largest city and is not very compact, so settling on a place to stay can be a bit of a challenge.
Fortunately, it has an extensive public transport system that you can use to visit various attractions. A decent number of hotels are available with options ranging from luxurious five-star accommodation to budget stays. B&Bs and hostels are other choices you have around the capital city. For tourists on extended stays in the area, apartments are a practical alternative.
What’s the best area to experience the city for the first time, tourists, what’s the best district when on business trip, or where to stay on a budget or nightlife? Read on below to find out more best neighbourhoods to stay and to suit varying requirements in Warsaw Poland.
Contents - Jump to
What is the Best Area to Stay in Warsaw?
Best for First Time (Sightseeing): Śródmieście Central Borough (Old Town, New Town)
If you are in Warsaw for the first time, Śródmieście District is the perfect place to stay. It’s smack in the heart of the city and consists of the Old Town and New Town. This section of Warsaw is the cultural, financial and cultural hub. For this reason, it’s the best connected in terms of transportation. The Old Town provides some of the best scenery in all of Warsaw. Visit the historical monuments to learn about the heritage of the region. Some attractions to see include Sigismund’s Column, Presidential Palace, Royal Castle, and the Palace of Culture and Science.
1. Old Town & New Town (Śródmieście)
Come for the marvellous attractions, stay for the culture. Old Town, or Stare Miasto, was destroyed during WWII after consecutive bombings. Since then, the city rebuilt, but some aspects of the pre-nazi era remain like the old walls. Old Town is colourful, charming and unforgettable, three main reasons to have it in your itinerary.
Pedestrian streets line the area from one end to the other with restaurants, shopping stalls and bars spread out across them. The attractions are only one reason it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The neighbourhood of New Town is ideal for tourists who want proximity to the city centre. New Town is almost twice the size of Old Town, and so has a broad selection of accommodation options ranging from hotels to apartment rentals.
Visit Marie Curie’s birthplace, several abbey churches and the statue of Klemens Maria Hofbauer. New Town survived massive destruction as well and underwent reconstruction. See some ruins of the former Warsaw ghetto as you stroll down the streets.
- Best Hotels (Great Value): Hotel Bristol, A Luxury Collection Hotel • InterContinental Warszawa
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Hampton by Hilton Warsaw City Centre • Hotel Metropol
2. Ochota
If you don’t mind a busy neighbourhood while enjoying your holiday, Ochota is a decent alternative. The district is fashionable, well-connected and convenient. It’s not far from the city centre and provides extensive rental options.
The area is largely residential, which makes it perfect when holidaying with family. Its great transport links mean that you can go back and forth to various parts of the capital without too much trouble.
- Best Accommodation (Great Value): Radisson Blu Sobieski • Millennium Awangarda Green (Apartments)
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: Ibis Warszawa Reduta • ibis budget Warszawa Reduta
3. Wola
To the west of Srodmiescie lies Wola, a bustling district with skyscrapers stretching across the horizons. If you prefer to rent an apartment to stay while visiting Warsaw, Wola is the best place to look.
The district is designed for business. Therefore if you are considering investing in the city or your trip is partly about business, Wola is worth the time. The Visit the Warsaw Uprising Museum and learn about the Varsovians war efforts.
- Best Accommodation (Great Value): Holiday Inn – Warsaw City Centre • The Westin Warsaw
- Best Cheap / Affordable Hotels: ibis Styles Warszawa City • Campanile Varsovie / Warszawa
4. Warsaw Central Train Station
Warszawa Centralna, the central station, makes sense because it gives you was access to the city. The Polish capital covers 517.24 square kilometres in city limits with the metropolitan spread on 6,100.43 square kilometres.
The railway system ensures that you can navigate from one district to another. Warsaw Central Train Station is in Śródmieście, so you can get to Old Town and New Town easily.
- Best Accommodation (Great Value): Warsaw Marriott Hotel • Hotel Polonia Palace
