Before Lyon and Valletta. The best Polish city for a city break
This is another such distinction for Warsaw. The British “The Times” decided that this spring will be the best destination for a spring trip. What decided this?
Honorable mentions for Poland in the foreign press are always pleasing. This time, the best city for a city break in Europe in 2026 turned out to be Warsaw – according to the authors of the ranking published on the website of the British daily “The Times”. They recommended tourists to European destinations that deserve attention and can be quickly reached from Great Britain.
Warsaw in 1st place
The capital of Poland was at the top of the ranking. Readers were recommended the most popular tourist place – the old town, almost entirely rebuilt after World War II, along with its characteristic point, the mermaid monument.
The list of museums to visit includes new facilities – the Museum of Modern Art and the Museum of Life in the Polish People’s Republic, which is popular among tourists. The author devoted a lot of space to gastronomy, including: he mentioned three Michelin-starred restaurants. As a budget option, he recommended the milk bar on Marszałkowska Street, with Polish classics – a plate of crispy potato pancakes and dumplings. Finally, he encouraged us to take an evening walk along the Vistula boulevards, with a stop at one of the bars by the river.
Where to go for a city break? Short flights from Poland
The next places included interesting destinations also from the perspective of a Polish tourist – Lyon in central-eastern France (2nd place) and the capital of Malta, Valetta (3rd place).
Lyon has been described as a pedestrian-friendly city, unpretentious and full of attractions that can fill several days. Valletta attracted the authors of the ranking not only to its baroque architecture, but also to its modern face – boutique hotels and rooftop bars.
This is another ranking in which Warsaw was recommended to foreign tourists. The New York Times placed the capital high on its annual list of recommended places to visit. The largest Polish city was praised, among others: for its green, pedestrian-friendly center as well as its rich cultural offer. The list of recommendations includes TR Warszawa and the exhibition “Women’s Question 1550–2025”, which can be seen at the Museum of Modern Art until May 3, 2026.
