The sights of Warsaw are so fascinating and numerous that you will not even have enough time to explore them for a whole month. If your stay in this hospitable city is planned to be short, you should think about what to see in Warsaw in advance.
What to see in Warsaw first of all
Experienced guides in Warsaw are never out of work. If you do not want to ask for help from an escort, and expect to see all the sights of the city on your own, our review of the most significant and recommended places to visit will bring you great benefit:
1. The Old Town
View of the oldest historical district of Warsaw
Such sights of Warsaw as the heart of the Polish capital are known to every educated person. The Old town is included in the UNESCO list of treasures, and will offer you an introduction to the Castle Square, the Royal Castle with ghosts, the tourist St. Petersburg Street. St. John’s Square, the Market Square, St. Martin’s Church – it is possible to list local cultural and architectural monuments, and just interesting places of this ancient historical district for as long as all the best sights of Warsaw. We recommend that you set aside an entire day to visit the Old Town, or at least a couple of hours for a walk among the colorful cottages and get acquainted with this pearl of the Republic of Poland.
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2. The Royal Castle
The Royal Castle is an architectural and cultural monument in the center of Warsaw
There are legends about this Warsaw landmark. At one time, it was completely destroyed by Hitler’s army. However, relatively recently, the country’s authorities restored it, making it one of the main historical monuments of the city. A permanent exhibition awaits you inside the castle, as well as symposiums, concerts and exhibitions are regularly held here. It should be noted that tourists are allowed to take photos inside the museum, capturing not only themselves, but also ceramics, tapestries, clocks, antique furniture and other interior values.
Tours of the Royal Castle in Warsaw will allow you to see: temporary exhibitions, the library, the Lanckoronski Gallery, the private chambers of the kings and their dining room, the common rooms of the palace, magnificent gardens. The journey can also take you all day.
Official website: https://www.zamek-krolewski.pl
3. Castle Square
View of the Castle Square at night
One of the most picturesque places of the capital is, according to the reviews of those who saw it. Made in the shape of a triangle, the square serves as a venue for various city holidays and events. During the New Year festivities, the main Christmas tree of the country is installed here. The Royal Castle and the ancient Cathedral of St. John are within walking distance. If you don’t know what to visit in Warsaw first of all, start your sightseeing route from the Castle Square.
Official website: https://www.zamek-krolewski.pl
4. Market square
The market square of the Old Town in Warsaw
When making a description of the Market Square, it is necessary to tell about its symbol – the sculpture of the Little Mermaid with a sword and shield. The siren represents the protection of the city from enemies. The square itself is surrounded by old stone houses with fancy facades of different colors. Here you can visit numerous cafes serving delicious dishes of national cuisine, go to a souvenir shop or just enjoy the view of the fountains. This is a great place to relax, filled with both tourists and Poles themselves. The unique spirit of Medieval Europe reigns here, street musicians perform and improvised exhibitions of local artists are held.
If you come to Warsaw on Christmas Eve, be sure to go to the fair of the main shopping area of the city. However, on hot summer days, the bright umbrellas of street cafes, which cover a huge part of the territory, will also not leave you indifferent. It is in these cafes that you will be offered to taste the famous Warsaw pastries and delicious coffee.
5. Warsaw Barbican
A powerful medieval structure to protect the entrance gate to the city
Warsaw Barbican (fortification of the fortress gates, placed outside the main fortress wall). Today, the Warsaw Barbican houses a museum that holds various exhibitions dedicated to the history and culture of the city. It is also a gathering place for street musicians, entertainers, merchants and artists. If your trip is intended to learn more about the life and traditions of the aborigines, a visit to this Warsaw landmark can be recommended with full confidence.
See the beautiful views of Warsaw in this exciting video!
6. Vilanava Palace
Majestic sculptures in the park near the Vilyanuva Palace
The national pride of the country and a masterpiece of Baroque architecture. Luxurious gardens are an integral part of the palace complex – as well as other Warsaw attractions, they are open for tourists to explore. The park contains sculptures, a winter garden, a hill, a stream with a waterfall, a greenhouse and a grove.
Official website: https://www.wilanow-palac.pl
7. Warsaw Citadel
Inside the Warsaw Citadel – barrels of antique Jolanta Dyr cannons
Tsar Nicholas 1 had a hand in the construction of this landmark in Warsaw. The fortress was built by his decree. We have included the citadel in our rating, given its rich history and the scale of its construction (the complex includes lunettes, towers, fort, Alexandrian Citadel and other objects of the war years).
8. Monument to the Warsaw Uprising
Monument to the heroes of the 1944 Warsaw Uprising in Warsaw
By visiting such interesting places in Warsaw, you have the opportunity to honor the memory of the heroes who fell in the battle against the Nazis in 1943. The memorial was built with money donated by local residents.
9. The Church of St. John the Baptist
The facade of the Church of St. St. John the Baptist Dennis Jarvis
The burial area of many great figures of culture and history of the country. The date of construction is 1390, the architectural direction is Gothic. Initially, as well as many other preserved architectural landmarks in Poland, the church was conceived as a place for the burial and coronation of the royal family. Today it is the main temple of the capital.
10. St. Casimir’s Church
The Church of St. Kazimierz on the Market Square of the New City of Warsaw Marcin Białek
Part of the Benedictine Sacramento Church of the Holy Communion. The location is the Market Square (we have already said that it should be viewed in Warsaw first of all). Inside the church is the grave of Maria Caroline de Bouillon. The surrounding area is a beautiful 17th century garden.
11. The Church of the Holy Cross
Monument to Nicholas Copernicus and the Church of the Holy Cross
The upper church of the church keeps urns with the ashes of V. Raymont and F. Chopin. The graves are decorated with a bust of the banner and a ponderous epitaph made of Carrara marble stone. In the lower temple there are crypts with the remains of V. Sikorsky, Y. Slovatsky and other famous Poles.
12. St. Anne’s Church
The main entrance to the Church of St. Anne
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, included in the list of what every tourist should visit in Warsaw. According to many, the interior of the church is not of particular interest. You should come here for the sake of solemn services, inspection of the facade with three graceful towers of exquisite shape and the same height, and the bell tower.
13. The Copernicus Science Center
One of the thematic galleries at the Copernicus Science Center World3000
Where to go in Warsaw with children? Every visitor is allowed to put unique experiments in mathematics, chemistry, physics and biology in this wonderful scientific center with its half a thousand interactive exhibits. The list of permanent exhibitions includes, for example, the huge Foucault pendulum, demonstrating the rotation of our planet. Any exhibit can be touched and photographed. Back at the hotels in Warsaw, the guests of the Copernicus are usually full of emotions and impressions.
Official website: https://www.kopernik.org.pl
14. Palace of Culture and Science
The Palace of Culture and Science against the background of modern skyscrapers in Warsaw
Our recommendations telling you about the main sights of Warsaw would be incomplete if we did not mention the tallest building in Poland (42 levels). The skyscraper houses: an exhibition center and office buildings of the country’s global corporations, bookstores, a swimming pool and a cinema. But most importantly, there is an observation deck open to tourists. Buy a ticket for it, and everything you can see in Warsaw in 1 day, you will immediately see from a bird’s-eye view.
Official website: https://www.pkin.pl
15. Frederic Chopin Museum
Frédéric Chopin Museum at Night
If you like classical music, visit the museum dedicated to the famous Polish composer. He once gave his first concert in a Baroque building. The exposition of 15 halls will show you a piano, autographs, letters, portraits and other personal belongings of Chopin.
Official website: https://chopin.museum
We have listed only the most visited sights of the capital. If you are lucky, you will have time to see them all.
Sights of Warsaw: what else to visit in Warsaw
If you have free time after visiting these sights of the capital, you should explore:
16. Marie Sklodowska-Curie Museum
The exposition at the Museum of Maria Sklodowska-Curie Adrian Grycuk
The only museum in memory of the discoverer of radium and polonium, sponsored by the Chemical Community. The expositions will give a complete picture of the works of the famous woman physicist, her relationship with the world of science and the people around her. Every year in June, an event called “Night at the Museum” is organized here. Every week, admission is completely free for everyone (a traditional practice for museums in the country).
Official website: https://en.muzeum-msc.pl
17. Museum of the Polish Army
Open-air exhibition of weapons samples from other countries User:VargaA
The second largest museum in the country, after the national one. The theme of the exhibitions is military history and memorable victories of the Polish army. Most of the copies (uniforms, weapons, etc.) are dedicated to the participation of Poles in World War II. In addition, there is a unique collection of battle paintings.
Official website: https://www.muzeumwp.pl
18. Uyazdovsky castle
View from the park to the Uyazdovsky castle
The Royal Palace of the 13th century, the current director of which is F. Cavallucci. Over the past 25 years, over 600 exhibitions have been held here. Educational seminars and concerts, thematic exhibitions are regularly organized. There is also a Contemporary Art Center in the Castle.
Official website: https://u-jazdowski.pl
19. Lazenkovsky Palace
Lazenkovsky Palace on an artificial island surrounded by a pond
A former royal residence with an adjacent area of more than 70 hectares. The main building is the Palace on the island, famous for its works of art (more than 2.5 thousand samples), an art gallery, a neoclassical ballroom and the Hall of Solomon. On the territory there is an original 17th century bathhouse, canals, greenhouses, pavilions and other structures of Baroque and French classical architecture.
Official website: https://www.lazienki-krolewskie.pl
20. Lazenki
Arched bridge in Lazenki Park
A huge park called Royal Lazenki near the center of the capital. On the way to it, you can see Uyazdovskaya Alley, Novy Svet streets and the Krakow suburb. The palace and Park complex is considered the best monument of early classicism. The gentrified area has benches for recreation, jogging paths, a small pond and even its own attractions, such as the Royal Palace and the Chopin Monument.
Official website: https://www.lazienki-krolewskie.pl
If you want to come to Warsaw to explore its historical and architectural masterpieces, we recommend that you hire an experienced guide. Or develop a detailed sightseeing route in advance, because the number of interesting sights in the city is really large. Read also about the sights of Gdansk and be inspired to travel further in Poland.
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