Places to visit in Warsaw– Top 10 most popular attractions

When it comes to visitor numbers, the Polish capital is in constant competition with the “unofficial capital” Kraków. / Places to visit in Warsaw

There are several good reasons to visit the city on the Vistula. After all, in hardly any other city in Poland has the cityscape changed at such a rapid pace since reunification.

Modern skyscrapers soar here among the remnants of ‘old Poland’. Some buildings even come from renowned architects such as Daniel Libeskind and Helmut Jahn.

We will show you which Warsaw sights you should have seen on a city trip to the Polish city.

1st place: Old town / youngest old town in Europe

The pioneering spirit typical of Warsaw combines with historical buildings in the old town to create a unique atmosphere. You will experience them in the many restaurants and cafés in the city as well as in the small streets around the old town market (our square 4).

Almost completely destroyed in the Second World War, the old town was subsequently reconstructed and is now reminiscent of the historic townscape. It is not without reason that Warsaw’s Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1980.

Today, holidaymakers and locals alike gather in Europe’s youngest old town. This is also where some of Warsaw’s other must-see attractions are located, including the Royal Castle and the Old Town Market.

2nd place: Lazienki Park / The largest park in Warsaw

With 80 hectares, Lazienki Park is the largest and one of the most beautiful parks in Warsaw.

Lazienki Palace

At the same time, it is home to other sights, including the park’s main attraction, the Lazienki Palace. It owes its nickname “Water Palace” to its location on an artificial island, which makes it appear to be floating on the lake.

Two bridges take visitors to the no less impressive interior of the palace. A ballroom, Solomon’s Hall and sculptures of numerous Polish kings are worth seeing, as are the baths.

Walking around the park you will also come across the Theater on the Island, a Chopin Monument, the Old Orangery and the Myslewicki Palace.

3rd place: Warsaw Uprising Museum / Places to visit in Warsaw

There are several museums in Warsaw. But hardly any museum is as important as the Warsaw Uprising Museum, which focuses on this historical event.

Opened in 2004, the museum shows in an innovative multimedia exhibition how the Warsaw Uprising from August 1 to October 2, 1944 came about.

The riot

At that time, the Polish army rose up against the Nazi occupying forces. However, after a resistance struggle that lasted 63 days, they were defeated by the German troops, who then razed the city to the ground. Today, the exhibitions in the former power station remind us of the horrors of that time.

4th place: Old Town Market (Rynek Starego Miasta)

It is not without reason that the Old Town Market is considered the most beautiful square in the Vistula metropolis. In the center of the market stands the siren, the symbol of Warsaw’s coat of arms. It was created by the Warsaw sculptor Konstanty Hegel in 1850 and commemorates the legend of a mermaid who has always been said to protect Warsaw.

Around the square, manorial houses line up with small cafes and souvenir shops. The oldest house in the old town, the House of Saint Anna, is also located on the corner of Waski.

In winter, the square is transformed into a contemplative Christmas landscape when the Warsaw Christmas market opens its doors here.

5th place: Royal Route or Royal Tract (Trakt Królewski)

A walk along the Royal Route is a must for every Warsaw vacationer. It connects the former royal residences with each other and leads visitors along numerous sights.

From the Royal Castle to the Presidential Palace

At the southern end of the old town, the trail begins at the Royal Castle and ends in Wilanow on the western bank of the Vistula. Especially between the suburbs and the district of Nowy Swiat (New World), walkers and holidaymakers cavort in summer and winter. On the Krakowskie Przdmiescie, as this part of the Royal Route is called, are St. Anne’s Church, the Prazmowski House, the Presidential Palace and the Hotel Bristol, a grand hotel from 1911.

There is also a lot to discover for shopping fans. You can reach the lively section on foot or by bus and train.

6th place: Wilanow Palace

The Wilanow Palace, also called Wilanow Castle, was built in 1677 and served as a residence for several kings.

After the end of World War II, the palace became state property and was soon used as a museum. On a guided tour of the castle, visitors learn about the history of the palace.

The park of the Wilanow Palace / Places to visit in Warsaw

But not only the interior is worth seeing, the park around the castle also attracts visitors from far and wide. On 45 hectares you can walk around lovingly tended gardens, plants, fountains and streams or go for a walk in the baroque garden. There is also an English-Chinese garden, an orangery and a romantic rose garden. Perfect for relaxation away from the hustle and bustle of the big city.

Our place 6 of Warsaw sights.

7th place: Castle Square

Despite its small size, the Schlossplatz is a popular meeting place and forms the actual center of the city. This is also where the popular Königsweg begins. On the other side it goes to the old town of Warsaw.

In the middle of the square is the Sigismund Column, one of the city’s symbols. Before the destruction of Warsaw, Castle Square was one of the busiest in the Vistula metropolis. Today, traffic bypasses the old town and makes the square a popular destination for city explorers and walkers.

From here you can also go to the shopping streets and cultural sights in Warsaw, not least of which is the eponymous Warsaw

8th place: POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

And one more museum made it into our list of top 10 sights in Warsaw – the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews.

The POLIN is located exactly where the Polish Jews used to suffer under the Nazi occupation. Only opened in 2014, it is already one of the most popular museums in the city. Here visitors can learn all about the history of Polish Jews, from their arrival in Polin to the construction of the Warsaw Ghetto.

By the way, another sight, the Monument to the Heroes of the Warsaw Ghetto, is located right next to the museum.

Opening times: Mon, Thu, Fri 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. | Wed, Sat, Sun 10 a.m. – 8 p.m

Tip: on your Warsaw city trip, you absolutely have to try the Polish pierogi and the poppy seed strudel. They taste better here than in almost any other place.

Brioches warm from the oven and a good breakfast are available on almost every corner in the Bistro Charlotte, Pierogi, for example. Enjoy your meal!

9th place: Ulica Nowy Swiat / Places to visit in Warsaw

Warsaw’s diversity is primarily reflected in its neighborhoods and streets. In addition to the Königsweg, the Nowy Swiat is also a popular destination.

It more than lives up to its name. Ulica Nowy Swiat, the New World Street, is part of the Royal Route and leads from Staszic Palace via Rondo Charles’a de Gaulle’a to Plac Trzech Krzyży.

As early as the 18th century, impressive aristocratic palaces were built here, which made the popular main shopping street so attractive. The buildings reconstructed after the Second World War are reminiscent of this heyday and still attract numerous holidaymakers and residents to our 9th place among Warsaw sights.

10th place: Copernicus Science Center

On the west bank of the Vistula there is a sight that is dedicated to promoting knowledge. The Copernicus Science Center.

With a size of 22,000 m², the Copernicus Museum houses not only the exhibition rooms but also laboratories, a conference center and a restaurant. More than 350 exhibits show the history of mankind, science and nature. Visitors discover the planetarium and can carry out experiments independently.

And of course the theses of the heliocentric worldview of the science center, Nikolaus Kopernikus, can also be found here.

Opening hours:
January to March: Tue-Fri 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m. – 7 p.m
April to June: Tue-Fri 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m. – 7 p.m
April to June: Tue-Fri 9 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat-Sun 10 a.m. – 7 p.m
From June 23rd to September 2nd Tue-Sun 9 a.m. – 7 p.m

The top 10 Warsaw sights in a nutshell

Warsaw is full of historical sights that are reminiscent of the city’s turbulent history. Numerous museums illuminate Warsaw’s past from different perspectives.

But not only history and culture enthusiasts should have Warsaw on their agenda during a city break in Europe. The city continues to develop and impresses with modern architecture, trendy fashion labels and trendy bars. Visit Warsaw and see for yourself!

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