For couples looking for a romantic getaway outside Spain, Warsaw is an ideal destination. You can find a cheap flight from cities such as Madrid, Barcelona, or Málaga to the Polish capital. Its colourful historic centre, parks, and the Vistula River, invite you to stroll around and enjoy a city that was rebuilt after the Second World War and that retains a unique charm.
Whether it’s hot or cold, any time of the year is a good time to celebrate Valentine’s Day or simply to spend a weekend or several days away from everyday life and enjoy a city that also offers interesting cultural activities and a rich gastronomy. Warsaw was voted Best European Destination in 2023 by European Best Destinations for a good reason.
Range of activities
Strolling through the most romantic corners of Warsaw
What was once known as the “Paris of the East” suffered devastating destruction during World War II (1939-1945) at the hands of the German army, especially after the historic Warsaw Uprising in 1944. A major reconstruction of the city took place between 1945 and 1953, a milestone that led to UNESCO’s recognition of its historic centre as a World Heritage Site in 1980.
As this is a leisurely trip and there’s no need to get to know the Polish capital in depth, a moonlit stroll around some charming spots might the perfect plan. For example, the Market Square in the Old Town (Rynek Stare Miasto), with the darkness of the night and the light of the street lamps, is a place steeped in romance. In the centre of the square, you can see the illuminated monument of the little mermaid, which is the symbol of Warsaw.
As it is only a few metres away, you can continue your romantic evening stroll until you reach the New Town Square (Rynek Nowe Miasto). Afterwards, it is worth visiting the Royal Castle Square to see what was the official residence of the Polish kings until 1795 or the Sigismund III column, another of the icons of the Polish capital, lit up at night. And if you have any energy left, heading further south, a last stop on the romantic evening stroll could be the impressive Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki). At 237 metres high, it is the tallest in the Polish capital and, when bathed in light, it can be seen from almost any point.
The next morning, after a hearty breakfast, crossing from the Old Town to the other side of the Vistula to stroll through a different, more alternative, or post-industrial Warsaw is a good plan.
The Praga District can be reached by crossing the Śląsko-Dąbrowski Bridge, which is opposite the Old Town. History and modernity come together in this district, where you can experience a city with a more alternative atmosphere, have a few beers or eat in authentic places such as Soho Factory, a former motorbike and moped factory where there are now design shops, a restaurant, and artists’ studios.
In the evening, before dinner, on the beach in the Praga District there is a kind of “Café by the Sea” on the banks of the Vistula with deckchairs and a view of the Old Town where you can have a drink and relax.
Łazienki Park and Chopin’s notes
Łazienki Park deserves to be one of the most romantic places to walk in Warsaw, and because of its size, its beauty, and its links to the composer Frédéric Chopin, it’s a great place to spend a day or a large part of it.
Of the almost 100 parks in Warsaw (a quarter of the Polish city is occupied by green spaces), the 76-hectare Łazienki Park is the most popular. Its origin dates back to the 17th century, when a nobleman built a bathing pavilion – hence its name, Łazienki, meaning baths.
You can also admire pavilions, sculptures, or waterfalls during a walk through this park full of natural treasures in the form of hundred-year-old trees or peacocks and pheasants. One of the typical images of Warsaw is the Palace of the Isle; pictures of couples with their backs to the camera, looking at this beautiful building surrounded by water, which today houses a museum of paintings from royal collections.
If you are travelling to Warsaw from 14 May or before the end of September, there are open-air Chopin concerts every Sunday at 12:00 and 16:00 near the statue erected in his honour. For 45 minutes, virtuoso pianists perform, some of the pieces composed by the Polish composer, who is one of the best exponents of the European Romantic movement.
Romantic dinner and drinks
Among the romantic things to do in Warsaw, you can’t miss a candlelit dinner or a couple of after-dinner drinks in a special place.
A unique spot is Elektrownia Powiśle, the power plant that supplied electricity to Warsaw for a century and which is now a place for fine dining, shopping, and other leisure activities. It is home to a wide variety of restaurants and bars, with menus featuring international dishes as well as nightclubs.
If you want to treat yourself and dine in a Michelin-starred restaurant and sample the best of traditional Polish cuisine with an avant-garde twist, Mokotowska 69 will not disappoint.
If you happen to be staying at the Barceló Warsaw Powiśle hotel, which is next to the Elektrownia Powiśle, the sky bar on the fifth floor of the hotel offers beautiful views of the city of Warsaw and a varied menu of Polish vodkas.
Tips and recommendations
Despite being a member of the European Union, Poland still has its local currency, the zloty, and not the euro. Therefore, if you’re travelling to Warsaw as a couple, you should be aware of how and where to change money. If you choose to wait until you arrive in Warsaw, there are several bureaux de change (kantor in Polish) in the city centre, as well as banks, travel agencies, and post offices, for example. In any case, many establishments now accept card payments.
Getting around Warsaw is easy, as you can not only walk, but also take the bus, metro, or tram. Taxis are also affordable if necessary.
When eating in a bar or restaurant, it is customary to tip 10% of the total bill.
Lastly, as far as the climate is concerned, the high season is from May to September, with July and August being the hottest months, although it does sometimes rain. April and October are cool, with sunny days, and the winter months are cold and often snowy.
