This was our second time in Poland. The first was a flight from Manchester to Kraków, and this time we made our way to the capital, flying from Riga. The journey couldn’t have been easier. Fifty‑five minutes in the air and we were already touching down at Warsaw Chopin Airport, named after the city’s most famous former resident.
Getting to the Old Town was a piece of cake. I loved the colour‑coded markings on the floor showing exactly where to go for each type of public transport. It made everything feel effortless. If you’re living in Riga and fancy a smooth weekend break, Warsaw should be on your list.
We took bus 175 to the Old Town, buying a single‑fare 75‑minute ticket for 4.40 PLN on the zbiletem app. The ride took about forty‑one minutes to the final stop where we got off.
Boarding with us were three Malaysian women travelling the same route, though they got off a few stops earlier. Funny enough, we bumped into them again later while wandering the Old Town.
Accommodation in Warsaw Old Town
We stayed at Jess Hotel & SPA, only four minutes’ walk from the Royal Castle. Bars, cafés and restaurants were everywhere, which made the location perfect. For three nights, we paid 229 euros, sauna access included. The room was spotless, the bed was comfortable, and the shower was brilliant. The only thing that felt slightly early was the 11 am checkout, but it didn’t bother us since we planned to have brunch before heading back to the airport for our 3:35 pm flight. If we return to Warsaw, this will be our hotel again without hesitation.
Places of Interest
Autumn in Warsaw was wet and grey, but it never stopped us from exploring. More than eighty‑five per cent of the historic centre was destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising, and what stands today is the result of twenty years of careful reconstruction. Knowing that makes every pastel townhouse and every cobbled lane feel even more meaningful.
We wandered through the Old Town, watching street musicians trying to impress passers‑by and youngsters filming dance videos in front of the Royal Castle despite the spitting rain. We also stepped inside the Archcathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist and listened to an organ performance. The interior was beautiful, and it’s well worth a visit.
We didn’t make it to the Church of St Cross, where Chopin’s heart is kept, but the Old Town itself was worth every step. The defensive walls offered lovely views, even under grey skies.
Later, we watched the ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a moment of stillness in the middle of the city. From there, we walked towards Warsaw Central Station, passing the Palace of Culture and Science. It reminded us of the Latvian Academy of Sciences in Riga, only taller and far more imposing. You simply can’t miss it; it’s become part of Warsaw’s identity.
Food
Our favourite restaurant was conveniently right next door: Nem Restaurant, the hotel’s own fusion spot. We enjoyed proper Asian dishes there, and the servers were lovely. Our first meal cost 199 PLN, and our final meal before leaving was 140 PLN.
For Polish food, we tried Specjały Regionalne – restauracja polska Stare Miasto. It was busy, and we were lucky to get a table. The service was friendly and professional, though understandably slow because of the crowd. Mike ordered homemade bigos, and I had the beef cheek. We spent 178 PLN, and it was worth every minute of waiting.
Another Polish restaurant we tried was Zapiecek, only a few steps from the hotel. Every time we walked past, it was packed, so we went in early for lunch and managed to get a lovely table by the window. Our server was friendly, and the menu had a wide selection of dishes at affordable prices. The portions were generous too. I couldn’t even finish mine and ended up taking the rest back to the hotel.
Now, dumplings are a must in Poland. Unfortunately, most places we tried had run out, so we ended up at the chain restaurant Gościniec Polskie Pierogi. Besides dumplings, they serve Żurek, potato pancakes, pork chop and plenty of drinks, including cheap beers.
It was packed when we arrived, and service was slow. I suspect our order was forgotten because the table next to us was served first even though we arrived earlier. We spent 120 PLN for two plates of dumplings and two drinks.
If you fancy pizza, head to Portobello Pizza & Pasta, just a seven‑minute walk from Warsaw Central Station. Cosy, delicious, and absolutely worth it.
Drinks
For drinks, our favourite spot was Polski Smak, only a few steps from the hotel. The lady and the owner, Grzegorz Andrzej Ślak, were friendly and even treated us to a couple of shots. He told us about his legal battles and proudly mentioned that it was his son who was, at that moment, appearing on the telly reporting a case on TVN24. The resemblance was unmistakable. Sadly, dumplings weren’t available when we visited.
Another place I liked was PiwPaw Beer Heaven, about a twenty‑minute walk from the hotel. The interior was cool, with bottle caps covering the walls. They had over seventy beers on tap. For a strawberry cider and a smoky IPA with a bacon aftertaste, we paid 50 PLN.
We also tried an Irish pub where we watched football; drinks cost 47 PLN for cider and Okocim beer. At Herring & Vodka, the young server didn’t speak English and wasn’t very friendly, but the beer was cheap at 29 PLN for Zywiec Białe and Namysłów.
Final Thoughts
Warsaw is definitely on our list for future short breaks from Riga. It’s easy to get to in a short time, affordable, full of history and character, and perfect for a spontaneous escape. All we ask next time is a bit of blue sky.
Travel Date: 15th – 18th November 2025