Warsaw On a Rainy Day: 14 Things To Do
If you have planned a trip to Warsaw, you might be concerned about what will happen if you get there and the weather is not ideal. This is a common concern, but not one that you need to give too much thought. There are so many things that you can do in Warsaw even when the weather is not that great that you won't even notice that you have had to spend a day inside. Warsaw is a fascinating and incredible place full of history and things to see and do. A little rain won't slow you down at all when you visit.
The first thing that you need to do when you head to Warsaw, is make sure that your luggage is safe. Placing your luggage into secure storage in Warsaw is easy and you will love that you don't have to think about your bags again after they are stored. There is nothing like having your hands free to enjoy the things that you are interacting with and you will appreciate that you do not have to lug your heavy items through small city streets and crowds.
Once your bags are safe and secure, it's time to head out to see what kind of fun you can have in Warsaw when it's rainy!
14 Things to Do in Warsaw on a Rainy Day
No matter which of these things you are considering enjoying during a rainy day, you will want to make sure that you inquire about the cost for children if you have them in your group. At many of these locations, children under three get free entrance which can be really nice. There are also reduced ticket prices for younger children offered at most of the museum locations as well. You will find that prices for museums and activities are not overall that steep in Warsaw, which is a nice change of pace if you have been traveling throughout other parts of Europe.
Warsaw also offers lots of great little cafes and eateries to pop into if there is a sudden rain shower that crops up. You will not have any trouble getting inside out of the weather in nearly any part of the city, so don't worry too much about inclement weather during your trip.
Polin Muzeum
This museum was created to honor the lives and the culture of Polish Jews. The art and exhibits here tell the story of this part of the Jewish people and discuss the events of World War II as seen through the eyes of Jewish people in Poland. This is an amazing museum and a humbling one and you will feel like you have been shown a key aspect of Polish cultural history when you leave the Polin Museum. You can spend a large part of a day here easily at this historic centre, so don't plan on popping in and out.
This is a good museum to start your day with, so head out for some of the best brunch in Warsaw first, or a quick breakfast, and then dive into what this amazing museum has to offer.
Muzeum Powstania Warszawskiego
This is a free museum that offers you access to information about the fight for a free Poland and the sacrifices that have been made to create this opportunity for the country. The communist years are discussed in detail as well, and there are over 800 artifacts here that you can learn about, and some are even interactive. The Warsaw Uprising Museum is one of the museums that anyone familiar with would recommend visiting when you are staying in the city. No rainy day in Warsaw can be boring when you check out this collection.
Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanow
This lovely royal palace has beautiful gardens that are absolutely incredible just by themselves, but the interior of the royal castle building is also incredible. There is no English guide available, but you will still love getting to see this minor country home that belonged to the royals of Poland at one time. The museum itself can be a bit cramped and dark in some spaces, but this also shows you just how living in a castle really would have been when this location was in use as a residence.
Royal Castle
The Royal Castle and the Castle Square area as well as the Royal Route are all great options to enjoy when the weather is not the best. This was the former residence of the royal family of Poland, but it isn't anyone's home anymore. You will love that you can visit this spot without worrying about anyone being in residence, as is the case in some other cities. This spot was actually rebuilt after the Nazis completely destroyed it during the uprising. The current Castle Square area and the buildings that are on it are recreations of the original building that were installed in the 1970s. You can still head to the Old Town area to visit this museum and learn a lot about the history of this city as well as the Nazi presence that created so much chaos for the city at one time.
Free Chopin Concerts
In the summer, there are often free Chopin concerts that are held near the monument to Chopin in the Royal Kazienki Park. These are held on sundays from May to September. Even when it is raining these concerts might still go on. You should at least drop by if the weather is fairly mild and see if the concerts are being held despite a little bit of inclement weather from time to time. Just bring your rain jacket and an umbrella!
Copernicus Science Centre
This huge and impressive science museum is one of the best in Europe. You might want to head here as soon as you step off the train when you arrive in the city. This science museum is unique because it breaks up the science experience into disciplines. You can wander from exhibit to exhibit learning about different parts of science and how they connect to culture. There are more than 400 exhibitions here and you will be able to spend an entire afternoon here easily. This is also one of the great things to do in Warsaw with kids.
Hala Koszyki
If you love a good meal and some of Warsaw's best shopping, this is the place to head when it's rainy out. Hala Koszyki is a market hall and food court, but even if you're not interested in eating, you can head to this location for free entrance to get out of the rain and check out a fun cultural experiment. The dining here is entirely chef-focused, which means that you will essentially be eating at specialty restaurants. This is sort of like belonging to a huge dinner club that will offer you a new dining experience every time you visit. Pick up food to take home and other interesting souvenirs as well.
Escape Rooms
Escape rooms are really fun and they are a great option to pick for days when the weather could be better. You will love how challenging these events are and there are so many really neat and uniquely themed escape rooms to try out in Warsaw. An escape room can be fun for all ages as well, so you don't need to worry if you have younger kids with you. There is something for everyone to do in the escape room adventure, and you can secure bragging rights if you manage to solve the puzzle!
Museum World of Illusion
There are 100 different exhibits here that will trick your mind and catch your fancy. From halls of mirrors to illusions and interactive magic tricks, this is an exciting place to visit on a rainy day in Warsaw. Adults and kids alike can have a great time here and you will love that this experience offers you a little break from the more serious museum options that are probably on your list of things to do. There are so many historic sites to see in the city that it can be nice to take a break and check out something whimsical and fun for a change of pace.
Polish Vodka Museum
Learn about 500 years of vodka-making history when you head to this museum. The history of alcohol is discussed in general, and the history of vodka in this part of the world. There are few alcohols that are as central to the experience of dining and merrymaking as vodka, and at this museum, you can learn the whole story about how this alcohol became such a central part of the industry and daily life in Warsaw. Best of all, you can enjoy a vodka tasting at the end of your tour!
Pinball Arcade and Museum
If you want to enjoy something that takes you back to your youth, head to the Interactive Museum of Pinball. There are so many classic machines to play here as well as some other really unique entertainment history items. There are over 100 games to see, but only some are actually playable. You'll enjoy this trip down memory lane, and the kids will love it too. This is truly a fun way to spend an hour or two when it's raining in Warsaw.
Pawiak Prison Museum
This location was used by the Nazis as a regular prison but also as a pick-up location for nearby concentration camps. The history of the Nazi regime in Poland is definitely sad and sobering, but it needs to be discussed. This is one of the more moving museums that you can visit in this city and you should not skip it just because of the heaviness of the subject matter. The prison and the atrocities committed here are, unfortunately, part of Warsaw's history. You will leave this location with a clearer understanding of what the Polish people and Polish Jews experienced at the hands of the Nazi regime. You will also leave with an appreciation for the steadfast nature of Poland in the face of so much tragedy.
Museum of Life under Communism
This small museum shows you the daily life of everyone in Poland under the Communist regime. This is a quick visit but one that will make a big impression on you and your family or friends. Communism impacted people's lives in so many ways, both big and small, and it's hard to comprehend how daily life was during this regime without seeing it for yourself. This is one of the things that you should consider doing with kids since your children probably have very little idea about what communism means and continues to mean in some parts of the world.
Fryderyk Chopin Museum
In many ways, Warsaw is the city of Chopin, and you will find that there are many places where you can learn about this composer and his life. The Chopin Museum is a really nice tribute to the great composer and you will enjoy your time here learning about the man, his compositions, and the contributions that he has made to Polish culture.
Warsaw On A Rainy Day Can be Very Fun
Warsaw is a great place to visit if you are worried about the weather. You can easily get inside out of the rain in this city and you will get to experience things that you might otherwise have missed out on. Warsaw is a very memorable city for so many reasons and bad weather can motivate you to go check out some additional museums that will enrich your experience during your stay.
No matter which plans you have for your Warsaw trip, you will be able to enjoy most of the things on your list even if the weather is not your friend. Make sure that your luggage is safe and secure before you start navigating the city. That way, you can keep your hands free to hold your umbrella!