Where to Stay in Warsaw: 9 Best Areas & Hotels
From chic city-center icons to hidden neighborhood gems, here’s where to stay in Warsaw—and why each area tells a different story.
Once dismissed as a grey, post-war outpost in Eastern Europe, Warsaw has transformed into one of the continent’s most exciting capitals: dynamic, design-forward, and buzzing with energy.
Today, glass-and-steel skyscrapers rise beside meticulously rebuilt historic streets, while former factories hum with life as art hubs, concept hotels, and cocktail bars.
With 18 distinct districts, each offering its own rhythm and charm, choosing where to base yourself can feel overwhelming. But don’t worry—I’ve done the groundwork after countless visits to Warsaw and narrowed it down to Warsaw’s very best areas to stay and its hotels, from luxury stays in the elegant city center to the most creative, design boltholes.
This guide is designed especially for first-time visitors to Warsaw who aren’t sure where to stay but want to be close to the main sights and top attractions. It doesn’t dive into the city’s residential or ultra-local districts—just the vibrant, easy-to-love areas that make for the perfect Warsaw introduction.
Here’s your guide to where to stay in Warsaw, Poland, and the best hotels in each.
*This ‘where to stay in warsaw’ guide may contain affiliate links, meaning I might make a small profit if you choose to book at no extra cost to you. This helps me to keep providing you with top-quality content for free.
Best Hotels in Warsaw at a Glance
Best Luxury Hotels in Warsaw: Raffles Europejski, Nobu Warsaw, Intercontinental Warsaw
Best Boutique Hotels in Warsaw: PURO Stare Miasto, H15 Boutique Hotel, Between Us Bed and Breakfast
Where to Stay in Warsaw: Best Areas & Hotels
Warsaw is a city of contrasts, its neighborhoods each offering a distinct personality—from the glossy skyline of the modern center to the cobbled charm of the Old Town and the artistic pulse of Praga across the river.
Where you stay shapes how you’ll experience the Polish capital, whether you’re here for culture, cuisine, or a stylish city break, so it’s a good idea to choose well.
So, what area in Warsaw is best for you?
If it’s your first visit, staying in the city center is absolutely the way to go. The heart of Warsaw—Śródmieście—includes both the beautifully reconstructed Old Town and the riverside district of Powiśle, making it ideal for exploring on foot.
This is where you’ll find most of the city’s luxury and design hotels, along with its top restaurants, bars, and boutiques. It’s polished yet full of character, and perfectly positioned for first-time visitors who want to be close to everything without sacrificing style.
Śródmieście District
If it’s your first time in Warsaw, Śródmieście is the best area to stay in Warsaw. This central district is the city’s cultural and historical heart, home to Warsaw’s top landmarks, best hotels, and liveliest streets.
Here you can stroll through the beautifully reconstructed Old Town (more on that below), admire the Royal Castle, or take in the views from the Palace of Culture and Science, Warsaw’s most iconic skyscraper.
It’s also packed with world-class museums like the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews and the National Museum, plus endless cafés, bars, and boutiques. With everything within walking distance and the city’s best public transport connections, Śródmieście makes exploring Warsaw effortless—and unforgettable.
Best Hotels in Śródmieście
Nobu Warsaw – blends Japanese minimalism with Warsaw’s modern edge. The hotel’s two wings—one a restored pre-war building, the other a sleek glass addition—perfectly reflect the city’s balance of old and new.
Inside, you’ll find serene, design-forward rooms, an elegant wellness area, and the iconic Nobu Restaurant, where sushi and cocktails draw Warsaw’s stylish set. Easily one of the best hotels in Warsaw.
Intercontinental Warsaw – Towering over central Warsaw, the InterContinental is one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks—and one of its most luxurious. Its spacious rooms and suites offer sweeping skyline views, many looking directly onto the iconic Palace of Culture and Science.
The highlight, though, is the indoor pool on the 43rd floor—the highest in Poland—where you can swim with the city glittering below. Where I stayed on my last visit to the city.
Hotel Warszawa – Set in a restored 1930s skyscraper, Hotel Warszawa combines heritage architecture with sleek, industrial-chic design. Polished concrete, brass accents, and warm wood tones define its understated luxury.
With a serene spa, refined Polish dining at Warszawa Restaurant and Szóstka, and an unbeatable central location, it’s one of Warsaw’s top picks for luxury stays.
PURO Warszawa Centrum – Effortlessly cool and full of personality, this PURO outpost embodies everything I love about the PURO brand—stylish yet approachable, and very much design-led. The interiors are bright, contemporary, and art-filled, with cozy lounges that invite you to linger.
Upstairs, the rooftop Loreta Bar offers cocktails with skyline views, while the spa and café downstairs make it just as appealing by day. It’s modern Warsaw living at its most relaxed —creative, and connected.
H15 Boutique Hotel – Housed in a former 19th-century embassy, H15 Boutique Hotel brings together historic charm with modern sophistication. Its art-filled suites feel like chic city apartments, while Signature Restaurant serves some of Warsaw’s best contemporary Polish cuisine.
Elegant, intimate, and perfectly central—it’s classic Warsaw with a stylish twist.
Between Us Bed and Breakfast – Tucked into a stylish townhouse in the heart of Śródmieście, Between Us Bed and Breakfast might just be the coolest B&B in Poland. Run by two artists, it’s effortlessly personal and full of character—think vintage furniture, local art, and a warm, lived-in charm that big hotels can’t replicate.
Old Town Warsaw (Stare Miasto)
While Warsaw’s Old Town technically lies within Śródmieście, it feels very much like an area of its own—an atmospheric pocket of cobbled streets, colorful facades, and café-lined squares that seem frozen in time.
The twist, however, is that it isn’t actually old. After being almost entirely destroyed during World War II, the Old Town was painstakingly reconstructed brick by brick, earning it a place on UNESCO’s World Heritage list for its remarkable restoration.
Wander through Castle Square, climb the Old Town Observation Tower for sweeping views, or simply lose yourself among the pastel-hued townhouses and hidden courtyards. It’s touristy, yes, but undeniably beautiful—and the perfect place to feel Warsaw’s resilient spirit.
Best Hotels in Stare Miasto, Warsaw
Raffles Europejski – A Warsaw icon reborn, Raffles Europejski blends 19th-century grandeur with modern sophistication. Overlooking Krakowskie Przedmieście, it offers opulent rooms adorned with Polish art, a serene spa, and the glamorous Long Bar, where signature cocktails are mixed with old-world flair. This is Warsaw’s most refined stay.
PURO Stare Miasto – this is PURO’s newest hotel, and I’m in love with the Japandi-inspired design and calming palette of earthy neutrals. PURO Stare Miasto sits just steps from Warsaw’s Old Town, offering a serene, design-forward escape amid the city’s most historic streets.
The interiors are warm and tactile, filled with natural textures, soft light, and understated elegance. There’s a spa for unwinding after sightseeing, a rooftop terrace for evening cocktails, and that signature PURO hospitality. Another one of the best hotels in Warsaw, especially for Japandi design lovers.
Hotel Bristol – An icon of Warsaw since 1901, Hotel Bristol is the city’s grande dame—elegant, historic, and perfectly positioned on Krakowskie Przedmieście. Its rooms balance classic charm with modern comfort, while Café Bristol and the Wine Bar offer timeless spots for a coffee or cocktail.
Hotel Verte, Warsaw, Autograph Collection – Set in two restored baroque palaces near the Royal Castle, Hotel Verte blends historic grandeur with sleek modern design. Elegant rooms, a leafy courtyard, and a refined restaurant make it a standout stay in the Old Town if you love understated luxury with a sense of history.
Powisle
Technically still part of Śródmieście, Powiśle is one of Warsaw’s most exciting areas—especially if you’re drawn to culture, nightlife, and riverside living. Once home to the city’s laborers, fishermen, and metalworkers, Powiśle was heavily damaged during the 1944 Warsaw Uprising and long carried a working-class reputation.
But in recent years, it’s undergone a dramatic transformation, evolving into one of the capital’s most desirable neighborhoods.
Today, you’ll find leafy parks, museums, and open-air cafés tucked among modern apartment buildings and revitalized warehouses. The Vistulan Boulevards stretch along the river, inviting locals and visitors to stroll, cycle, or linger with a drink as the sun sets.
Cultural highlights include the Copernicus Science Centre, with its 450 interactive exhibits and immersive planetarium. By night, Powiśle hums with rooftop bars, riverside restaurants, and a distinctly local energy that feels both stylish and effortlessly laid-back.
Where to Stay in Powisle
Barceló Warsaw Powiśle – Set in a converted power plant by the Vistula River, Barceló Warsaw Powiśle blends industrial heritage with sleek, modern design. Its rooftop pool and bar offer some of the city’s best skyline views, making it the perfect stay if you love contemporary style with a bit of edge.
Praga District
Across the Vistula River from central Warsaw lies Praga, the city’s raw and rebellious right bank. Long considered the rougher side of town, Praga once housed factories, warehouses, and working-class communities that gave it a gritty, lived-in edge.
Remarkably, much of it survived World War II intact—unlike the rest of Warsaw—making it one of the few places where you can still see pre-war architecture and cobbled courtyards that whisper of the city’s past.
Today, Praga has reinvented itself as Warsaw’s creative heart. Old factories now host art galleries, indie theaters, and design studios, while street art climbs the district’s faded brick walls.
Key spots like Ząbkowska Street and Centrum Praskie Koneser hum with cafés, bars, and cultural spaces, balancing the neighborhood’s rough edges with fresh, bohemian energy.
Though gentrification has softened some of its bite, Praga still feels unapologetically authentic—a place where Warsaw’s history and creativity collide in the most compelling way.
Before planning your time in Praga, also read: A Guide to Praga, Warsaw: The Eclectic Right Bank
Where to Stay in Praga
Moxy Warsaw Praga – Playful and industrial in spirit, Moxy Warsaw Praga fits seamlessly into the revitalized Centrum Praskie Koneser complex. With its lively social spaces, smart design details, and an always-buzzing lobby bar, it injects a shot of youthful energy into Warsaw’s right bank.
ArtHotel Stalowa 52 – Housed in a beautifully restored 19th-century tenement, this art-inspired boutique stay captures classic Praga with a creative edge. Every room is uniquely designed, featuring striking murals and contemporary furnishings that blend heritage with modern flair.
Other Neighborhoods to Consider in Warsaw
If you’d prefer a more local, residential experience, there are a few other neighborhoods worth considering beyond the city center. These areas offer a deeper glimpse into everyday Warsaw life—leafy streets, neighborhood cafés, weekend markets—but keep in mind you’ll be farther from the city’s main attractions and nightlife.
Luxury and boutique hotels are few and far between here, so apartment rentals or boutique-style Airbnbs are often the best (and most authentic) way to stay.
Żoliborz and Bielany Districts
To the north of the city center, Żoliborz and Bielany offer a quieter, greener side of Warsaw that feels worlds away from the bustle of Śródmieście.
Żoliborz, one of the city’s oldest planned districts, is known for its charming 1920s architecture, leafy boulevards, and artistic community vibe—think local cafés, farmers’ markets, and design shops tucked into elegant residential streets.
Just beyond lies Bielany, an even more tranquil district where sprawling parks, forest trails, and bike paths dominate the scene. Both areas are perfect for travelers seeking a local, lived-in feel over luxury polish.
While boutique hotels are rare here, you’ll find plenty of stylish apartment rentals and cozy stays that let you experience Warsaw at a gentler pace.
Wola
Once Warsaw’s gritty industrial quarter, Wola has reinvented itself as one of the city’s most dynamic and fast-changing districts. Today, gleaming skyscrapers rise beside old factory walls, creating a fascinating contrast that tells the story of Warsaw’s evolution.
It’s a great area to explore if you like history with an urban edge—visit the powerful Warsaw Uprising Museum for an unflinching look at the city’s wartime resilience, then wander through Norblin Factory, a restored industrial complex now filled with restaurants, boutiques, and art spaces.
Wola also boasts some of the city’s best contemporary architecture and a growing food scene that blends business-lunch polish with creative, late-night energy. For travelers curious about Warsaw’s modern pulse, this is where the future—and the past—collide.
Where to Stay in Wola District
In terms of where to stay in Wola, which is very close to Śródmieście, I’d go for The Westin Warsaw, which offers sleek, modern rooms with panoramic skyline views and all the five-star comforts you could want.
Hilton Warsaw City is another solid option—spacious, well-equipped, and ideal for travelers who don’t mind a slightly more business-oriented atmosphere but still want easy access to the city’s main attractions.
Mokotów and Wilanów Districts
To the south of the city center, Mokotów and Wilanów offer a calmer, more residential slice of Warsaw—leafy, elegant, and full of charm.
Mokotów is one of the city’s most desirable neighborhoods, known for its broad boulevards, stately pre-war villas, and an abundance of green spaces like Łazienki Park, Warsaw’s most beautiful royal garden.
It’s also home to embassies, chic cafés, and a handful of stylish restaurants that give it a quietly upscale, local feel.
Further south, Wilanów feels almost suburban, centered around the magnificent Wilanów Palace, a baroque masterpiece often called “the Polish Versailles.” It’s a great area for travelers who appreciate history and tranquility, with bike paths, lakes, and family-friendly cafés scattered throughout.
While luxury hotels are rare here, you’ll find comfortable serviced apartments —perfect if you prefer space, calm, and a more local rhythm to their Warsaw experience.
Where to Stay in Mokotów
Due to it’s proximity to Chopin Airport, most hotels in Mokotów cater to travelers flying in or out. For accommodation in Mokotów, two excellent modern options stand out.
The Vienna House by Wyndham Mokotów Warsaw offers sleek, loft-style interiors, a chic urban design, and an inviting terrace—perfect for unwinding after a day in the city.
Nearby, the Four Points by Sheraton Warsaw Mokotów delivers polished comfort in the heart of the district’s business area, with spacious rooms, a fitness center and sauna, and the highly rated restaurant.
Any doubts about where to stay in Warsaw to experience the best of Poland’s vibrant, historic, and modern capital? Share your questions and comments below—I’d love to hear from you!
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A Guide to Praga, Warsaw: The Eclectic Right Bank
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