Warsaw Sights and Landmarks Guide, Poland

Warsaw lay in ruins after the Second World War; however, like Kaliningrad (which was also destroyed during WWII), Warsaw has risen from its ruins and the present city is full of tourist sights and attractions. There are castles and palaces, historical sights and monuments, museums and galleries to explore and you can expect a packed schedule while touring the city. Warsaw sights are concentrated within certain districts and the best way to go viewing them is to explore them district-wise.

Warsaw Sights – Old Town Attractions

Warsaw's Old Town is full of structures that were originally built between the 13th and the 20th centuries. Much of the Old Town had to be re-built after the WWII. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1980.

Begin your tour by paying a visit to the Castle Square. As the name suggests, this square is close to the Royal Castle (which, in fact, lies on the eastern part of the square). The castle was destroyed by the Nazis during WWII and rebuilt between 1971 and 1984. The other attraction in the Castle Square is the statuette of King Zygmunt III Waza, the Polish King during whose reign the capital was shifted from Krakow to Warsaw.

Next move to the Old Town Square; here you will come across many renaissance, baroque-style buildings.

The Warsaw Barbican is a semi-circular red-brick defensive tower. Originally built in the 16th century (to replace a gate of the Warsaw city-wall), the structure was re-built after WWII.

The Old Town also has a Gothic style Cathedral (originally built in the 14th century).

Warsaw Sights – New Town Attractions

Warsaw city New Town attractions include historical sites like the Lazienki Palace, Water Palace and Wilanow Palace. Standing in the Lazienki Park, on the edge of a lake the Lazienki Palace is famous for its serene beauty. The Water Palace was used by the Polish royal family as their summer residence. Wilanow Palace, like Lazienki Palace stands amidst a park, the Wilanow Park.

The Radziwell Palace, the residence of the Polish President, is the other significant structure in the New Town.

The New Town also has two important religious buildings, namely, St Annes Church and Church of the Holy Cross.

Beside the Old and New Town attractions, Warsaw city has a number of galleries and museums. These include The National Museum, Warsaw Historical Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Chopin Museum, Marie Curie Museum, Polish Military Museum and others. The Palace of Culture and Science in the city center is a modern building that houses offices, cinemas and swimming pools. The viewing deck on the 30th floor gives great views of Warsaw.

You can get hold of a Warsaw Tourist Card and enjoy free rides on city public transport; the card also entitles you to sizeable discounts on entrance fees of various Warsaw Sights.

email to a friendAsk our travel experts a question about Warsaw
ask now

Things about Warsaw you may be interested in

Be the first who requests a site listing for this page.

 

+ list your site

 

ReviewsTravel TipsWrite a reviewWrite a travel tip

 

 

Read our members' reviews about Warsaw

No reviews have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.

 

Read our members' travel tips about Warsaw

No travel tips have been added yet for this category. Be the first to add a new one.

 

 

Community

Members Who Have Been to Warsaw

See who has been to Warsaw and ask them a question (membership required)

welt-raiser ask a question add to friends

david79 ask a question add to friends

bicska ask a question add to friends

Viktosha ask a question add to friends

 

show all

 

 

the best travel deals provided by TravelZoo...