Warsaw is a city full of charm and surprises. Despite the devastation it endured during World War II, Warsaw remains one of the most captivating capitals in Europe. As the beating heart of Poland, Warsaw is home to the country’s key institutions, including Parliament, the Presidential Palace, ministries, and main government offices. After the Second World War, the Polish capital lost some of its former “Paris of the North” allure but has kept its unique appeal. In 2012, it hosted some matches of the European Football Championship.
Today, much of the city’s architecture is characterized by socialist-realist styles, despite careful restoration of many monuments and historic parks. One striking example is the Palace of Culture and Science (Pałac Kultury i Nauki, or PkiN), close to the main train station.
Warsaw, the capital of Poland, is truly a unique and enchanting city—historic in its old town, ultra-modern in the new. Tourism in Warsaw has grown rapidly in recent years. If you’re wondering about the top sights in Warsaw and must-see attractions, this guide is for you.
Warsaw: What to Do and See in the Polish City
1 Warsaw Old Town
A fascinating tour of Warsaw often starts in the oldest district: the Stare Miasto (Old Town), the city’s original settlement dating back to the 13th century. Interestingly, thanks to detailed city views painted by the Italian artists Canaletto and Bernardo Bellotto, the Old Town was faithfully restored after the war. The Old Town is the most picturesque and captivating part of Warsaw, and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Take your time to enjoy the intricate facades and small sculptures. Wandering these charming narrow streets is a unique experience we highly recommend.
2 Warsaw, Market Square and Royal Castle
Within the Old Town, you can visit the splendid Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta), stroll along quaint streets lined with neoclassical and baroque palaces, see the Sigismund’s Column (Kolumna Zygmunta), the Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski), and the adjacent Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy).
3 Warsaw, Royal Route
From Castle Square, follow the “Royal Route” (Trakt królewski) and admire Krakowskie Przedmieście, a grand tree-lined avenue where you’ll find the President’s Palace, St. Anne’s Church, the statue of national poet Adam Mickiewicz, and the university campus. Continue on to Nowy Świat, one of the city’s most elegant streets, surrounded by historical mansions, stylish cafés, restaurants, and trendy boutiques.
4 Warsaw, New Town
Leaving the Old Town, head north into the New Town (Nowe Miasto), introduced by the Barbican—a semicircular defensive structure that once protected the Old Town district.
5 Warsaw, Łazienki Park
Nature lovers can’t miss “Łazienki Park“, famous for its elegant neoclassical palaces including the Palace on the Isle (Pałac na Wodzie), and a picturesque artificial lake with a small island home to an open-air theater.
6 Warsaw, Palace of Culture and Science
The Pałac Kultury i Nauki (Palace of Culture and Science) was gifted by the Soviet Union to Poland in the 1950s and built in Stalinist style—so much so that in 1989 its demolition was seriously considered but ultimately rejected by the city council. Today, it houses an elegant convention center, several halls, and a panoramic terrace with citywide views. It remains the tallest building in Poland, although Warsaw’s modern skyline is filling out with ever taller and more futuristic skyscrapers—including the Warszawskie Centrum Finansowe (Warsaw Financial Center), designed by the American studio Epstein & Sons just a few hundred meters away.
7 Warsaw, Theatres and Museums
Warsaw boasts a vibrant cultural scene, with over thirty major theaters and many museums and art galleries.
8 Warsaw, Wilanów Palace
The Wilanów Palace is one of the few buildings that survived wartime destruction almost intact. It served as a lavish summer residence, with Italian baroque as the dominant style among its many influences.
