Best Things to Do in Warsaw, Poland

Things to do in Warsaw include summer concerts around the Fryderyk Chopin Monument.

Lists of top things to do in Warsaw, Poland usually include museums and historic sights, but if you want to “live like a local” in this Eastern Europe capital you might want to consider a summer music concert.

By the way, I’m not a big fan of this “live like a local” expression. Taken literally, it doesn’t make sense. If a visitor to San Diego, my hometown, asked a person on the street where to eat, he’d probably say “the Olive Garden Restaurant,” and that certainly isn’t where I’d recommend.

However, I still use “live like a local” because – in my mind at least – it’s short for “connect with local people and enjoy an authentic travel experience.” If you find my shorthand expression annoying, leave a comment below and I’ll try to come up with something else.

You may remember that I’ve previously made the case for garden tours and celebrating local holidays as good ways to connect with locals. Here’s another way:

Things to do in Warsaw during the summer:

Winters in the Baltic Sea region are no walk in the park. Temps are cold and days are dark, so when summer finally comes, sun-starved residents spend every possible minute outside, enjoying picnics, festivals, and outdoor activities. In Warsaw, locals worship their summer’s warm winds and short nights when the sun barely sets, and travelers who seek an authentic connection to this culture should find a way to join them.

Warsaw is a modern and fast-developing metropolis that cherishes its traditions and rich cultural heritage.

Warsaw Music Concerts

Music is an important part of life in Poland and concerts are high on everyone’s list of summer things to do in Warsaw. Jazz fans come to the historic Old Town Square on Saturday evenings for the International Jazz at the Old Town Square Festival. One of Europe’s oldest jazz festivals, the event features big names of the international jazz scene. (Monday, June 22, 2015 to Monday, August 17, 2015).

International jazz at the Old Town Square Festival.

On Sundays, locals relax at Lazienki Park and listen to free piano performances of pieces by Warsaw’s native son, Frederic Chopin at the Chopin Concerts in Lazienki Królewskie (noon – 4 pm). Even more Chopin and other European composers are featured at the 11th International Music Festival ‘Chopin and his Europe‘ (15-29 August 2015).

More things to do in Warsaw: make hay while the sun shines at La Playa Music Bar.

Also in summer, consider sampling the beach bars along the Vistula River. Here, young and old join the fun at places like La Playa Music Bar and Temat Rzeka.

After all, where else can you combine sunbathing, dancing, city light views and hanging with the locals?

Have fun!

Summer nights are short in Warsaw. Dance them away at La Playa Music Bar.

Tags: Baltic Sea, Baltics, beach bars, Chopin, classical music, dancing, Eastern Europe, Europe, Frederic Chopin, jazz, music concerts, performing arts, Poland, summer activities, Warsaw

Category: concerts, Poland