Poland’s capital is a great place for work as well as a vacation but when is the best time to visit? May is definitely up there since the temperatures crawl to the 20°C mark which begins the spring season in earnest. But at the same time, the city is not yet overrun by tourists. With that said, here are the best things to do in Warsaw in May 2022.
May events in Warsaw
The number one event you simply cannot miss out on is the Chopin concerts in the Royal Łazienki Garden near the Chopin Monument. There are two concerts – one at 12 pm and one at 4 pm – which take place every Sunday from May 15th until September. Bask in the sunny park and listen to some of the best piano music ever written every Sunday. There’s hardly anything as relaxing as this.
Similarly, another tradition that begins in May has returned after the COVID-19 lockdowns. The Multimedia Fountain Park has reopened its free admission and puts on a beautiful show every Friday and Saturday at 9:30 pm. This mesmerising artistic feat includes lasers, water fountains, and lights that are set to music which creates a truly unforgettable experience.
If you’re looking for a more intellectual past-time, then you cannot miss out on the free chess matches by the Vistula River. Every Saturday from 3 pm to 8 pm, you can play chess with strangers of all levels, including people who never played chess before. There are chess instructors who will teach you how to play and you can also observe nail-biting matches between more experienced players.
Lastly, if you love food, then May is a great time to be in Warsaw. The so-called “Breakfast Markets” in Żoliborz every Saturday from 9 am to 4 pm and every Sunday in Mokotów from 10 am to 5 pm are perfect for any gastronomy-loving visitor of Warsaw. Expect everything from street food, ice cream, and vegan foods to fresh vegetables, bread, and so much more. Just make sure to check the weather forecast before you go – the events are cancelled last minute if the weather is poor.
Places to go in May in Warsaw
Most people notice the Palace of Culture and Science when they arrive by train in Warsaw. The impressive building stands as an icon of Stalinist socialist realist architecture, though today it serves mostly as a place where you can see all of Warsaw from the very top of the building. And since Warsaw is a very flat city, on a sunny day, you will see very far indeed.
The historic centre of Warsaw is also worth your time. Krakowskie Przedmieście is a part of town that is strictly reserved for pedestrians who can enjoy restaurants, candy shops, bars, gift shops, and much more. The place can be packed in the summer, but in May you will get the chance to explore the crooked streets and romantic castle walls a bit more peacefully.
And when you're tired of exploring, go relax in one of the many parks in Warsaw. Places like Łazienki Park, the Gardens of the Royal Castle, or the Szczęśliwicki Park are all blooming with the approach of spring, and they are perfect for a slightly chilly picnic.
