Top 25 Attractions and Activities in Warsaw, Poland

It is not an exaggeration to assert that Warsaw is a city that has emerged from devastation. In 1945, 85% of the city was irreparably damaged. However, one can now stroll through the streets of the Old Town without realizing the devastation that occurred during the German invasion in 1939, the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising in 1943, and the general Warsaw Uprising a year later.

Recommended tour to commence your journey: Warsaw Ultimate Day Tour

The human toll is more challenging to heal, and Warsaw houses museums and monuments that provide unwavering accounts of one of the darkest periods in European history. Nonetheless, there are also reminders of the grandeur of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the Early Modern Age when Warsaw served as the capital of Europe’s largest empire. To experience this, follow the Royal Route, which traverses royal properties like Łazienki Park, a serene collection of palaces and pavilions situated within the city.

Let’s examine the most noteworthy attractions in Warsaw:

1. Old Town

When exploring a historic urban center, visitors typically seek genuine, unaltered architecture and monuments. However, following Warsaw’s tumultuous 20th-century history, the enchantment of this district lies in the meticulous and faithful reconstruction carried out until 1962. After nearly ninety percent of the city was obliterated, the revival of Old Town was a remarkable achievement that earned it UNESCO World Heritage Status.

As you navigate through alleys and passageways, passing guildhalls, churches, and burgher houses, one could hardly imagine that this locale was merely a mound of debris 70 years ago.

Notable points of interest not included in the list below are Canon Square, a triangular plaza surrounded by tenements that formerly accommodated canons of the Warsaw Chapter, and St John’s Archcathedral, which holds the tomb of Stanisław II Augustus, the last King of Poland.

2. Royal Route

Almost all of Warsaw’s historical landmarks are situated along a single axis, commencing at Castle Square and extending approximately 15 kilometers southward to Wilanów Palace. Along this route, one can encounter churches, parks, palaces, academic institutions, and opulent townhouses.

The three residences that lend the route its regal appellation are the Royal Castle at the northern end, Łazienki Palace nestled within its splendid park, and Wilanów Palace at the southern terminus. All three are indispensable, resonating with the wealth and influence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth during the Renaissance and Baroque periods.

3. Łazienki Park

As the largest park in Warsaw, Łazienki serves as a key highlight along the Royal Route, and it is a favored destination for families and couples during weekends. Originally developed as royal baths (Łazienki translates to “baths”), the park was enhanced in the 18th century under the reign of King Stanisław II Augustus.

This expansive 76-hectare area comprises palaces, pavilions, two orangeries, an amphitheater, a planetarium, whimsical structures, promenades, water features, and monuments with national significance.

Wandering from one villa to the next, admiring the opulent Łazienki Palace, exploring various museums, or simply reveling in the lush green surroundings; one could easily spend an entire day here.

Perhaps the most esteemed monument in the park is the homage to composer Frédéric Chopin, designed in 1907 in the Art Nouveau style, postponed due to the First World War, and completed in 1926.

4. Old Town Market Place

Prior to the establishment of Stanisław II Augustus’ New Town in the late 18th century, this square represented the heart of commercial life in Warsaw. It stands as the most historic section of the Old Town, surrounded by imposing Renaissance and Baroque merchants’ houses in a variety of colors.

All of these structures are post-war replicas of their predecessors since the square was initially bombed by the Luftwaffe and subsequently destroyed by the Germans at the conclusion of the Warsaw Uprising in 1944. The square was reconstructed immediately after the war as it had been before, including the unique yet charming vertical extensions that adorn some of the houses.

The mermaid figure on the fountain at the center carries significant symbolism for Warsaw, and during summer, one can settle at a restaurant table and observe the bustling city life.

5. POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews

After seven years of development, this museum officially opened its doors in 2014 and documents the millennium-long history of Jews in Poland. POLIN is situated in the northern part of the former Warsaw ghetto in Muranów and was designed by Finnish architect Rainer Mahlamäki.

In its eight galleries, the primary exhibition combines genuine artifacts, reconstructions, and interactive displays to illustrate how Poland became home to Europe’s largest Jewish community.

Among the collection is a prayer book from 1272 featuring one of the earliest documented sentences in Yiddish, alongside narratives of the golden age of religious tolerance in the 16th and 17th centuries.

Subsequently, the Holocaust era is addressed, with accounts detailing the heroic endeavors of the Oyneg Shabbos group which aimed to preserve the truth about the Warsaw ghetto.

6. Royal Castle

Positioned at the southern entrance to the Old Town, the 90-meter facade of the Mannerist and Baroque castle has served as the residence for Polish monarchs for centuries. The castle has endured a tumultuous 700-year history marked by two demolitions, one led by the Swedes in the mid-17th century and another by the Germans during World War II.

Since its last restoration in the 1980s, the castle has functioned as a museum, allowing visitors to view the apartments of the 16th-century King Sigismund II Augustus and visit the House of Parliament, which played a crucial role in Polish democracy and where amendments to the Polish-Lithuanian constitution fostered unprecedented religious tolerance.

The collection includes paintings from the 16th to the 18th centuries by renowned artists such as Rembrandt, van Dyck, Joos van Cleve, and Gainsborough.

7. Castle Square

Following the relocation of Poland’s capital from Kraków to Warsaw in 1596, the square adjacent to the castle became the foundation of the largest Empire during the Renaissance in Europe. This transition was facilitated by Sigismund III Vasa, who is honored by a bronze statue atop an 8.5-meter column.

This statue was first erected in 1644 but was destroyed by the Germans in 1944; its original red marble was subsequently replaced with granite. Fragments of the marble column remain by the castle walls.

Noteworthy events marking Polish history have transpired in this square, including a violent riot during the Martial Law era in 1982, a massacre by Russian forces during an uprising in 1861, and a speech delivered by Bill Clinton welcoming Poland’s entry into NATO in 1997. Regardless of the season, there is often a gathering or concert taking place at Castle Square during the summer months.

8. Warsaw Uprising Museum

This museum commemorating the Warsaw Uprising of August to October 1944 is housed in a repurposed former tramway power station located in the Wola district. Upon entering, visitors can utilize pre-war telephone receivers to listen to reminiscences from participants in the uprising.

Among the many innovative installations is the Kino Palladium, a cinema showcasing footage collected by insurgents, which was screened at the Warsaw Palladium during the uprising. Replicas of the underground sewage system utilized by fighters for movement are also on display, while “before and after” photographs of the city vividly express the harsh realities of the German reprisals.

9. Copernicus Science Centre

Poland’s premier science museum opened in 2010, featuring over 400 interactive exhibits across six distinct zones, each addressing a unique scientific field, such as the Roots of Civilization and the Lightzone, which explores the nature of light.

For example, the World in Motion section offers an earthquake simulator as well as a moving model displaying a human skeleton riding a bicycle. In the Humans and the Environment zone, visitors can learn about urban ecosystems and construction technologies.

Additionally, the center provides webcams streaming footage directly from a falcon’s nest at the Palace of Culture and Science, as well as the gorilla enclosure at the Warsaw Zoo. A state-of-the-art planetarium featuring a 3D sound system hosts shows on topics including the cosmos, nature, and human cultures.

10. Palace of Culture and Science

Regardless of personal opinions about this monumental building, it is virtually omnipresent in Warsaw. Standing at 237 meters, the Palace of Culture and Science is Poland’s tallest building, comprising four theaters, a multi-screen cinema, two museums, a 3,000-seat Congress Hall, government offices, academic institutions, and private companies across its 42 floors.

Taking inspiration from Art Deco skyscrapers and Polish Historicism, this massive Stalinist complex was regarded as a “gift from the Soviet Union to the Polish people” in 1955, which contributes to its mixed reception among the public.

If an international event occurs in Warsaw, there is a good likelihood it will take place in the Congress Hall. Additionally, the observation terrace on the 30th floor, open from 10:00 to 20:00, offers the most splendid panoramic views of the city.

11. Łazienki Palace

Situated on an artificial island within the lake at Łazienki Park, the exquisite Classical palace was conceived in the 18th century for King Stanisław II Augustus. This property represents a conversion of a Baroque bathing pavilion originally constructed for Count Stanisław Herakliusz Lubomirski during the preceding century, preserving elements of its initial architectural design.

The northern facade features a portico along the lakeshore, while the main entrance is set within a recess adorned with imposing Corinthian columns. The roof is bordered by a balustrade displaying statues of mythological figures.

The ground floor contains lavishly decorated salons, with The Solomon Room being particularly noteworthy, while the Lower Gallery houses works by Jacob Jordaens, Rembrandt, and Rubens.

On the upper floor, visitors can explore the Upper Gallery, as well as the King’s splendid cabinet and bedchambers.

12. Wilanów Palace

The palace located at the southern end of the Royal Route emerged from the Second World War unscathed. Therefore, Wilanów Palace offers a rare glimpse into the opulence of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth before the late 18th-century partitions by Prussia and Russia occurred.

This palace was constructed as a summer residence for King Jan III Sobieski towards the end of the 17th century and exemplifies Baroque architectural features, including a parterre with two terraces adorned with topiary, broderie, and love-themed statues.

The exterior is embellished with medallions, busts, statues, and other Baroque ornaments, while the interior showcases stuccowork, striking trompe-l’œil frescoes, and chinoiserie. Highlights include the opulent White Hall, framed by mirrors, the King’s Library, the King’s Bedroom, and the North Gallery, which is enhanced by statues and magnificent ceiling frescoes.

13. Krakowskie Przedmieście

Krakowskie Przedmieście marks the most prestigious thoroughfare in Warsaw and begins its journey southward at the onset of the Royal Route near Castle Square. Along this route, one can observe palaces, notable monuments, and prominent Polish institutions such as the Polish Academy of Sciences, Warsaw University, and the Presidential Palace.

Opposite the entrance to Bednarska Street lies Warsaw’s second oldest surviving monument, the Madonna of Passau, which dates back to 1683 as a votive offering commemorating King Jan III Sobieski’s pivotal role in the defeat of the Turks at the Battle of Vienna, where he commanded the largest cavalry charge in warfare history.

14. National Museum

As Warsaw’s largest museum, the National Museum is also among the most expansive in Poland, housing a vast collection of historical artifacts from a variety of cultures and eras. Of particular note is its assemblage of antiquities, which includes approximately 11,000 Egyptian, Greek, and Roman pieces.

Allocate an hour or two to explore the Faras Gallery, which features Nubian early Christian frescoes, friezes, and architectural elements that were relocated from the Egyptian-Sudanese border before the Aswan High Dam inundated the region.

The museum’s collection also encompasses Polish Medieval art from the 14th and 15th centuries, including devotional paintings, altarpieces, and sculptures designed for churches and cathedrals. Additionally, numerous works from the Early Modern Age and 19th century by esteemed artists such as Lucas Cranach the Elder, Brueghel the Elder, Rembrandt, Courbet, and Renoir are prominently displayed.

15. St Anne’s Church

As one of the oldest landmarks in the city, St Anne’s Church on Krakowskie Przedmieście was established in 1454. In the 17th century, the church underwent reconstruction no less than four times before attaining its final Neoclassical façade in 1788. Nestled between columns and pilasters are statues of the Four Evangelists framed by a substantial pediment.

The interior retains its theatrical Baroque design, featuring striking frescoes adorning the barrel vault, and a nave lined with Corinthian pilasters embellished with gilded capitals. Regular organ recitals are hosted at St Anne’s Church, and they are highly recommended.

16. Taras Widokowy na Stare Miasto (Viewing Platform in the Old Town)

St Anne’s Church features a standalone bell tower, which provides an alternative vantage point over the city. This tower may, in fact, be superior to the Palace of Culture and Science, as it is situated on the edge of the Old Town and boasts regal Baroque architecture.

If you manage to ascend the 147 steps, you will be rewarded with a bird’s eye view of the Castle, Castle Square, the Old Town to the north, and Krakowskie Przedmieście to the south.

17. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Located in Piłsudski Square, the largest square in Warsaw, is a monument commemorating unidentified soldiers who have died defending Poland. The tomb was established in 1925 and houses the remains of a soldier who fell during the Battle of Lemberg between Poland and the West Ukrainian People’s Republic in 1918-1919.

The tomb monument features a fragment of the arcade (three arches) from the former Saxon Palace, which was demolished following the Warsaw Uprising. Beneath the central arch lie the tomb and eternal flame, observed by the Representative Honour Guard Battalion of the Polish Armed Forces. The changing of the guard occurs at every hour throughout the year.

The monument and square serve as the focal point for ceremonies on Polish Armed Forces Day, held each year on August 15th.

18. Jewish Ghetto Memorial

Adjacent to the Museum of the History of Polish Jews is a monument dedicated to the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising of 1943. A circular plaque situated below the wall bears the inscription: “Those who fell in the unprecedented heroic struggle for the Dignity and Freedom of the Jewish people, for Free Poland, for the liberation of man – Polish Jews,” inscribed in Polish, Yiddish, and Hebrew.

Unveiled in 1946, it is encased in red sandstone, symbolizing the bloodshed experienced. The wall behind it was constructed later, in 1948, designed by artist Natan Rapaport to resemble Jerusalem’s Western Wall and the wall of the Warsaw Ghetto. The eastern side of the monument features a bronze bas-relief depicting Jewish children, women, and the elderly being driven by German soldiers, while the west side features the April 1943 uprising depicted in a relief titled “Fight”.

19. Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery

Covering 33 hectares, Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery, established in 1806, ranks among the largest Jewish burial sites globally. The cemetery contains over 250,000 marked graves, along with multiple mass graves for those who lost their lives during the Warsaw Ghetto Uprising.

Nature has reclaimed significant portions of the cemetery, creating a site that juxtaposes beauty and poignancy alongside Art Nouveau and Historicist monuments. Notably, this cemetery was designed to accommodate Jewish individuals of all denominations, evidenced by designated areas known as “Quarters” for military burials, Orthodox burials (for men, women, and sacred texts), reform Judaism, and children.

After World War II, a small section of the cemetery was reopened for the Jewish populations returning to Warsaw.

20. Zachęta

Located at Plac Małachowskiego, this distinguished gallery, established in 1900, is dedicated to showcasing modern and contemporary Polish art. Since its inception in 1860, the Society for the Encouragement of Fine Arts has focused on promoting artistic expression in Poland.

In its formative years, several of the nation’s most renowned artists, including Jan Matejko and Wojciech Gerson, held exhibitions at Zachęta. Today, it continues to serve as a bridge to Poland’s art scene through temporary exhibitions featuring both emerging talents and established figures such as Katarzyna Kozyra and Krzysztof Wodiczko.

The permanent collection includes works by prominent post-war artists like painter and set designer Tadeusz Kantor, and surrealist Jewish sculptor Alina Szapocznikow.

21. Nowy Świat Street

Also situated along the Royal Route, Nowy Świat is a one-kilometer thoroughfare extending from Krakowskie Przedmieście to Three Crosses Square. The street’s history dates back to the 16th century when it initially served as a route for the upper class heading to their properties in the countryside south of the Old Town.

As Warsaw expanded, affluent and aristocratic residents began constructing homes along this street. By the Napoleonic era, these structures were transformed from half-timbered houses into elegant Neoclassical mansions and villas.

Presently, the street is lined with cafes, upscale shops, and international retailers like Sephora, all of which draw a diverse clientele during the day and lively nightlife when the sun sets.

22. Copernicus Monument

The monument honoring the groundbreaking Renaissance astronomer and mathematician stands prominently in front of the Polish Academy of Sciences at Staszic Palace. The sculpture depicts Copernicus with a compass and armillary sphere, created by Bertel Thorvaldsen, who was regarded as one of the leading sculptors in Europe at the time.

Unveiled to the public in 1830, the monument experienced an uneventful first century until the onset of World War II. Shortly after the German invasion in 1939, the authorities replaced the Latin and Polish inscriptions with a German version, triggering a back-and-forth campaign between Polish resistance and the occupiers.

Following the uprising of 1944, the statue was removed to Nysa to be melted down; however, as the German forces were retreating, it was rescued and returned to its designated location.

23. Holy Cross Church

Another remarkable feature along Krakowskie Przedmieście, the Holy Cross Church is a Baroque monument constructed in the first half of the 18th century to the design of royal court architect Józef Szymon Bellotti. The church sustained considerable damage during the Warsaw Uprising and was subsequently destroyed by the German army in 1945. Upon its reconstruction immediately after the war, the design was simplified, lacking the frescoes and polychrome statues that characterized its earlier form.

Nevertheless, there remains a compelling reason to visit: In accordance with his wishes, Frédéric Chopin’s heart was transported to this church by his sister, where it is encased in an urn embedded in one of the pillars within the chapel.

24. Warsaw University Library Garden

A short distance from the Vistula River, the Warsaw University Library presents a striking view from ground level with its austere stone facade and a blue scaffold-like porch reminiscent of the Pompidou Centre. However, ascending the exterior stairway reveals one of Europe’s largest roof gardens.

Open from March to November, this one-hectare space provides a tranquil setting filled with fountains, streams, pergolas, arbors, and lawns, while the library’s windows and skylights contribute to a surreal atmosphere.

This space, designed by landscape architect Irena Bajerska, was inaugurated in 2002. The views of the city are breathtaking, offering a perspective of the Vistula, the modern PGE National Stadium, and the Copernicus Centre.

25. Saxon Garden

When Saxon Garden, situated off Piłsudski Square, opened to the public in 1727, it became one of the first public parks globally. The park had been landscaped in the 17th century for the Saxon Palace, which was lost during the Second World War, in addition to the Rococo Brühl Palace that also bordered the park.

In its first century, Saxon Garden was designed as a Baroque parterre inspired by Versaille, yet transitioned to an English landscape park style in the 19th century. Pay attention to the park’s sandstone allegorical sculptures, which were crafted in the mid-18th century. Of an initial 70, 20 remain, and you might challenge yourself to decipher the symbolism behind each (Intellect, Justice, Astronomy, Painting, and Poetry being quite straightforward).