Things to Do in Warsaw in April
April weather, activities, events & insider tips
April Weather in Warsaw
Is April Right for You?
Advantages
- Spring blooms transform the city - Łazienki Park and Saxon Garden hit peak magnolia and cherry blossom season mid-month, with locals actually picnicking under the trees rather than rushing through. The Royal Łazienki looks particularly stunning when the peacocks wander among flowering trees.
- Shoulder season pricing means accommodation costs drop 25-35% compared to summer peaks, and you'll actually get tables at top restaurants without booking weeks ahead. Flight prices from Western Europe typically run €80-150 return in April versus €200+ in July.
- Comfortable walking weather - that 8-14°C (46-58°F) range is ideal for covering the 4-5 km (2.5-3 miles) most visitors walk daily between Old Town, Polin Museum, and the Vistula boulevards without overheating or freezing. Locals shed their heavy winter coats by mid-April.
- Easter traditions are genuinely visible if you're here during Holy Week - you'll see Wielkanoc preparations in markets, święconka basket blessings at churches, and the city takes on a festive energy that feels authentic rather than tourist-focused. Shops sell traditional mazurek cakes and pisanki eggs throughout the month.
Considerations
- Weather genuinely swings - you might get 18°C (64°F) and sunny one day, then 6°C (43°F) with drizzle the next. That 10-rainy-days average means roughly one in three days sees some precipitation, though it's rarely all-day downpours. Pack layers because mornings can be 5°C (41°F) while afternoons hit 15°C (59°F).
- Trees don't fully leaf out until late April, so early-month photos of parks look somewhat bare compared to May. If you're visiting for lush greenery, the first two weeks can feel transitional between winter starkness and spring abundance.
- Some outdoor attractions operate reduced hours or remain closed - Wilanów Palace gardens look better later in spring, and rooftop bars don't fully open until May when evening temperatures stay comfortable past 8pm. The Vistula beach bars are still setting up in early April.
Best Activities in April
Royal Łazienki Park and Palace Complex Walking Tours
April is genuinely the best month for Łazienki - the 76-hectare park comes alive with spring blooms while tourist crowds remain manageable. The Palace on the Isle reflects beautifully in the lake without summer algae, and you'll spot peacocks displaying for mating season. Morning light between 8-10am is spectacular for photography when mist rises off the water. The outdoor Chopin concerts don't start until May, but you avoid the Sunday crowds that come with them. Temperature-wise, 10-14°C (50-58°F) afternoons make the 3-4 km (1.9-2.5 miles) of pathways comfortable without overheating.
Vistula River Boulevard Cycling Routes
The riverside boulevards become genuinely pleasant in April once temperatures climb above 10°C (50°F) - locals emerge on bikes after the winter lull, but you're not dodging the summer crowds yet. The 15 km (9.3 miles) of paved paths from Wilanów to Młociny offer flat, easy cycling with the city skyline views that look particularly crisp in spring air. Afternoon rides between 2-5pm catch the warmest hours. The Veturilo bike-share system fully reopens in April after winter maintenance, making this accessible without hauling your own bike. Cherry blossoms along the Powiśle section typically bloom late April.
Polin Museum of Polish Jewish History Deep Dives
April weather makes this world-class museum an ideal rainy-day anchor - and you'll need 3-4 hours minimum to properly absorb the core exhibition. The museum rarely gets overcrowded in shoulder season, so you can actually read displays and watch multimedia presentations without being rushed. The building itself is architecturally stunning, and the neighborhood around Muranów carries genuine historical weight that's worth exploring when weather permits. Locals tend to visit weekday mornings, so afternoons offer quieter experiences.
Praga District Street Art and Revitalization Walking Routes
Praga on the east bank maintains its gritty, authentic character while gentrifying in real-time - April is perfect for exploring before summer heat makes the 2-3 hour walks uncomfortable. The district's murals and Soviet-era architecture photograph beautifully in spring's softer light. You'll find locals at Hala Koneserów food hall and vintage shops along Ząbkowska Street without tourist bus groups. The neighborhood genuinely feels different from polished Old Town - this is where Warsaw's creative class actually lives and works. Morning walks around 10am-1pm catch businesses opening and street life emerging.
Warsaw Uprising Museum Extended Visits
This emotionally intense museum deserves 2-3 hours and works perfectly as an April afternoon anchor when weather turns. The museum rarely feels crowded in shoulder season, giving you space to absorb the multimedia exhibits and reconstructed sewers that tell the 1944 uprising story. The 3D film showing destroyed Warsaw is genuinely powerful and runs every 30 minutes. April timing means you avoid school groups that flood the museum in May-June. The museum stays open until 8pm Thursdays and Sundays, useful for rainy evenings.
Wilanów Palace and Gardens Spring Explorations
While gardens don't reach full bloom until May, late April offers emerging spring flowers and significantly smaller crowds than summer peaks. The baroque palace itself is Warsaw's Versailles and the interior tours run year-round. The 45-hectare grounds allow genuine exploration without tourist groups clustering at every photo spot. April's cooler temperatures make the 2-3 km (1.2-1.9 miles) of garden paths comfortable for extended wandering. The palace looks particularly striking against spring skies without summer's haze.
April Events & Festivals
Easter Holy Week Traditions and Markets
If your April visit coincides with Easter (dates vary yearly - check 2026 calendar), you'll see genuine Polish traditions rather than tourist performances. Markets sell pisanki decorated eggs, święconka blessing baskets appear at churches Saturday morning, and families shop for traditional mazurek cakes and żurek soup ingredients. Wielkanoc Monday involves śmigus-dyngus water-splashing traditions that locals actually participate in. Churches hold elaborate Palm Sunday and Good Friday services worth attending for cultural insight.
Warsaw Gallery Weekend
Typically held late April, this contemporary art event opens 40-plus galleries across the city for special exhibitions, artist talks, and extended hours. It's genuinely focused on the local art scene rather than tourists, giving authentic insight into Warsaw's creative community. Most events are free, and galleries concentrate in Powiśle, Śródmieście, and Praga districts. The weekend includes studio visits and curator-led walks that aren't available other times.