Day Trips from Warsaw

Warsaw is the capital of Poland and also the most important city in the country. In the attractions of this destination you can get to know its cultural, architectural and historical legacy, but it is also a perfect place to use as a base to get to know the most outstanding nearby points in free and organized half-day or full-day excursions.

Among the best activities you can do in Warsaw are to visit the concentration camps located in the outskirts of the Polish capital, such as Majdanek or Treblinka, or even in other cities, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau. You can also dive into Poland's medieval heritage in Malbork, one of the most beautiful villages in the country.

Excursions to Majdanek Concentration Camp from Warsaw will offer you the opportunity to immerse yourself in one of the most shocking sites in the history of the Holocaust. Majdanek, located just outside Lublin, was established by the Germans during World War II and operated from 1941 to 1944.

Unlike other concentration camps, Majdanek was not camouflaged and was located close to a city, functioning as a normal prison, which today allows a unique experience for visitors who wish to understand the magnitude of the crimes committed during that time. During these tours you can explore from the prisoner barracks to the gas chambers and crematoria.

Also, at the Majdanek Concentration Camp's internal museum you will find visual testimonies such as the piles of personal items confiscated from prisoners and photographs that capture the brutal reality and provide poignant reminders of the human tragedy that took place at this site. These tours usually also include a visit to the memorial built in memory of the victims of the Holocaust.

This concentration camp, as one of the best preserved in Poland, also provides an educational and emotional experience that seeks to preserve the memory of those who suffered and perished at Majdanek. In addition, during these tours you can also get to know the medieval beauty of Lublin.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 245 euros per person.
• Duration: about 10 hours.
• Disadvantages of these tours: the trip from Warsaw is long.

If you want to see one of the medieval wonders around Warsaw, you can opt for an excursion to Malbork. There you can visit the Malbork Castle, also known as the Mariemburg Castle, which is an emblematic monument built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th century. As part of a fortified complex, it now bears witness to the region's rich medieval heritage.

During these experiences you can explore the castle's architecture, which includes the inner courtyards, defensive towers and the Great Hall. The castle museum also offers a deep dive into the history of the Teutonic Knights and their role in the Baltic region. There you can also discover exhibits including armor, ancient weapons and historical artifacts, providing a detailed insight into medieval life in the castle.

A visit to Malbork will also allow you to explore the surroundings of this fairytale castle and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the town. There you will discover picturesque landscapes along the Nogat River and the charm of the cobblestone streets. These excursions, therefore, will allow you to take a trip back in time to discover the secrets of this site of vital cultural and military importance in the region during the Middle Ages.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 338 euros per person.
• Duration: about 16 hours.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are very extensive experiences, which may not be compatible with a short stay in Warsaw.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp is the most visited site in Poland and you can discover it from Warsaw on your own or on an organized tour. These experiences will allow you to face one of the darkest chapters of world history in the outskirts of Krakow, where this extermination camp was one of the largest of the Second World War and led millions of people to death.

During the visit you can explore the barracks, gas chambers and the remains of Birkenau, where the Final Solution was carried out. The on-site museum and memorial includes a display of artifacts, photographs and testimonies that illustrate life in the camp and honor the memory of the victims. The experience is deeply moving and seeks to convey the devastating impact of Nazi persecution and genocide.

Krakow, the former capital of Poland, is another notable destination that is often part of the itinerary of travelers visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau from Warsaw. With its medieval charm, Market Square, Royal Castle and rich history, this site offers a remarkable contrast to other surrounding Polish cities.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 235 euros per person.
• Duration: about 14 hours.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they tend to be very shocking experiences, so they are not recommended for impressionable people or those with health problems.

If during your trip you want to visit another concentration camp, but in an area close to the Polish capital, you can opt for excursions to Treblinka, which will allow you to discover a site that played a grim role during the Holocaust. Treblinka was one of the most lethal extermination camps established by the Nazis during World War II and is located less than 100 kilometers from Warsaw.

During your visit you can tour the memorial site, which includes monuments, plaques and remnants of the original facilities. The museum offers a detailed look at the history of the camp and the atrocities that took place there. Visitors can explore the remains of the gas chambers and barracks, while hearing moving accounts from survivors who have recorded the brutality they endured as prisoners at Treblinka.

The Treblinka Concentration Camp tour experience is deeply moving and reflective, allowing visitors to reflect on the human tragedies that occurred here during the Nazi era. You should note, however, that the original structure that remains of this site is very precarious, as the Germans, during the retreat, dynamited much of this site.

If you want to deepen the experience of this site you can also visit the Pawiak Prison Museum, which is considered one of the best museums in Warsaw and was, in many cases, the previous step of the prisoners before being transferred to Treblinka, being operational for a little over a year between 1942 and 1943, a time that was enough to turn this site into a scene of terror unheard of until then.

Details of interest

• Price: approximately 179 euros per person.
• Duration: between 4 and 5 hours.
• Disadvantages of these tours: although the plan of the concentration camp is recreated and many of the structures were reconstructed, little remains of the original buildings of this site because they were dynamited by the Germans during the retreat from Poland.

If you want to visit one of the most beautiful destinations in Poland, which, at the same time, is not usually part of the main tours in the country, you can choose to visit Torun on a private excursion from Warsaw. This city, located about 180 kilometers from the Polish capital, stands out for its medieval architecture and well-preserved Gothic buildings, such as the Church of St. John and the Clock Gate.

On the other hand, Torun is known worldwide for being the birthplace of Nicolaus Copernicus, the astronomer who formulated the heliocentric theory of the solar system and who provoked the Copernican turn with his postulates. You can discover his legacy in the Copernicus House Museum, a very complete exhibition in which you can find objects of the mathematician's work and also many of his personal items, such as his desk.

On these private tours, which usually last between 10 and 12 hours, you will have the opportunity to explore the historic center of the city on your own and also visit some of the main buildings of this destination. You can also sample the local food and take a stroll along the banks of the Vistula River, which separates the old and new parts of the city on either side of the river.

Interesting details

• Price: approximately 359 euros for groups of up to 3 people.
• Duration: between 10 and 12 hours.
• Disadvantages of these tours: they are full day tours but half of the day will be spent on transfers to and from Warsaw.

You can book any of these tours in advance online or book them once you are in Warsaw. However, keep in mind that many of these experiences are among the most demanded in the city, so if you plan to visit the Polish capital during the summer or during the high season months, I advise you to book them before your arrival to this destination.

On the other hand, as these are full day experiences, it is more advisable to do them if you are going to be in Warsaw for 3 days or more, otherwise I advise you to stay in the capital and get to know it in depth in one of the best tours of Warsaw.

These tours usually offer not only an in-depth knowledge of the historical events that took place at these sites, but also seek to sensitize visitors to the importance of memory and the preservation of humanity, whatever the global context.

At Treblinka, Auschwitz-Birkenau and Majdanek, you can experience a profound historical reflection and discover in the remains of a Nazi extermination camp, gas chambers and barracks a first-hand testimony of the horrors of the Holocaust and the Second World War.

Also, in Majdanek, located on the outskirts of Lublin, you can find exhibitions and monuments that serve as a tribute to one of the best preserved concentration camps, so you can also pay your respects to the events that took place there.

First of all, if you want to visit any of these sites you should keep in mind that they are among the most visited in Poland, so I advise you to book in advance. This will allow you to secure your place in each of the experiences and get better rates, as prices are dynamic and can increase in last minute bookings.

On the other hand, during the excursions it is essential that you adopt a respectful and reflective attitude. Many of these sites, such as Treblinka, are testimonies of human tragedies and acts of profound violence, so it is important to maintain a considerate tone and avoid inappropriate behavior, especially with regard to photographs at Auschwitz.

I also advise you to prepare your visit by learning about the history of each site. Knowing the historical information will allow you to better understand the context of what you will see and get the most out of the educational experience.

Warsaw's proximity to various tourist sites around the city makes logistical planning easy, so you can combine these daily tours with some of the Polish capital's best nightlife experiences on your return or with other activities in the city.

Similarly, the efficient interconnection between downtown Warsaw and nearby concentration camps or Malbork Castle will allow you to discover a greater number of sites in a shorter time, so you can get the most out of your visit during your tour.

Opting for a guided tour offers numerous advantages. On the one hand, you will be able to access detailed information about each of the sites and historical contexts, which will enrich your experience and prevent you from overlooking important details. A guided tour will also guarantee an efficient and convenient organization of the itinerary, maximizing the time available for the visit.

Keep in mind that the surroundings of Warsaw usually generate a logistical complexity when it comes to transfers, so in a guided tour you will be able to give up the organization of the means of transportation and the schedules of each of the movements and simply focus on enjoying the experience.