Warsaw is one of the Polish cities that attracts crowds of tourists with numerous attractions and monuments. It is not only the capital of Poland, but also a cultural, scientific and economic center. A city marked by a turbulent history, today it combines historic places with the already modern face of this place. For years, it has aspired to be one of the most interesting European metropolises, because no one will be bored here.
The accumulation of monuments, museums and other attractions in Warsaw is impressive. For this reason, everyone should visit the capital of Poland at least once to learn about the difficult fate of this city, but also to see how it has changed over the years. There are many places in Warsaw that you just have to visit and lots of interesting places to visit.
Therefore, before leaving, it is worth getting acquainted with the obligatory points on the tourist map of the Polish capital to be sure that you will not miss anything.
Sightseeing of Warsaw
There are many places to visit in Warsaw. You can’t see them all in one day. Such a minimum is a weekend and it is a three-day weekend rather than the contractual Saturday and Sunday. On the other hand, if we don’t manage to see everything during one trip, there will always be some reason to come back.
Every season is good for visiting Warsaw. Each of them has its own charm, both spring, when all the greenery in the capital comes to life, and summer, which can be very sunny and hot. In autumn, the changing color palette of the surrounding nature makes an impression especially in the local city parks, while in winter the entire city is decorated with light decorations, which creates a specific atmosphere.
Warsaw is best explored on foot. However, most attractions can also be reached by public transport, including the only metro in Poland. Unfortunately, Warsaw, regardless of the season, is usually very crowded, which must be taken into account when arranging a sightseeing plan. The solution to the situation may be to rent a city bike or an electric scooter, of course, only if the weather allows it.
Tourist attractions in Warsaw
So let’s start exploring Warsaw with our Warsaw tourist guide from the most important tourist attractions.
Palace of Culture
One of the most recognizable attractions of Warsaw is certainly the Palace of Culture. Quite a peculiar gift from the Soviet people and, at the same time, an extraordinary monument to the past. Its originator was Joseph Stalin himself, but Lev Rudnev took care of the project.
Today, no one can miss a visit to Warsaw without visiting the Palace of Culture.
Inside, various cultural events, exhibitions and concerts take place here. The most famous is the Congress Hall, which hosts prestigious events. The building also houses the Polish Academy of Sciences, and the City Council organizes its meetings here. However, the most important fact for all tourists is that in the Palace of Culture in Warsaw you can go up to the 30th floor, to the observation deck. It is from here that you can admire the panorama of the entire city.
See on the map of Warsaw how to get to the Palace of Culture:
Royal Łazienki
Another very attractive tourist destination in Warsaw is the Royal Łazienki Park. A favorite park of both local residents and people visiting the capital. Their name comes from the bathhouse built in the 18th century, which was later rebuilt into the residence of one of the last kings of Poland – Stanisław August Poniatowski. It is his Palace on the Island that is the greatest attraction here. Currently, there is a museum inside, where you can see paintings and sculptures from the royal collection.
In addition, in the Royal Łazienki, during walks along the alleys, you can also admire such historic buildings as the Myślewicki Palace, the Amphitheater and the Old Orangery. The area of the entire park is 80 hectares, and its area also includes separate, themed places such as the Royal Garden, the Romantic Garden, the Modernist Garden or the New Chinese Garden.
In addition, in the summer, near the monument to Fryderyk Chopin, there are live music recitals of this composer.
Copernicus Science Center
A relatively young attraction in Warsaw, attracted by crowds of tourists, is the Copernicus Science Center. There are exhibitions on science such as biology, chemistry, astronomy and physics. This object is so unusual that you can touch all of the more than 500 exhibits here.
More specifically, visitors can visit the Copernicus Science Center as many as six interactive permanent exhibitions, the topics of which are: Man and the environment, World in motion, Roots of civilization, Buzz !, Light zone and Re: generation. In addition, there are always changing temporary exhibitions, as well as educational laboratories and the “Heavens of Copernicus” planetarium, where educational films are shown, and of course where you can watch the stars.
A visit to the Copernicus Science Center is therefore an ideal entertainment for the whole family.
See on the map how to get to the Copernicus Science Center:
Multimedia Fountain Park
Another more modern attraction of Warsaw is the Multimedia Fountain Park, created in 2011. Situated on the Vistula River, it attracts crowds of tourists in the evenings. The entire park is made up of four fountains that give water-light-sound shows after dark from May to September. The multicolored illuminations last about half an hour here and, interestingly, they are different every season.
In addition to matching music and moving water jets, the Multimedia Fountain Park also uses LED lighting and lasers. All this together creates an unforgettable dance show of all the fountains, perfectly synchronized with each other. This Warsaw attraction stands out from other great shows of this type, with its size and panache.And these are not all the attractions in Warsaw that are worth visiting.
Monuments of Warsaw
See now what monuments in Warsaw are worth seeing and visiting while spending time in the capital of Poland.
Old Town
One of the most visited historic places in Warsaw is the local Old Town. Part of the capital that was almost completely destroyed in World War II and then completely rebuilt. Although the buildings are not original, but only reconstructed, this Old Town in Warsaw has been placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Within the limits of the Old Town, you can admire not only restored, colorful tenement houses, but also, among others, the monument of the Warsaw Mermaid. There is also a Barbican within it, which dates back to the 16th century and was once a fortification of the New Town Gate. There are also other interesting objects, such as the Museum of Literature, the Museum of Warsaw, the Museum of Pharmacy and the interesting Museum of Caricature. On the other hand, there is a Monument to the Little Insurgent by the city walls.
See on the map how to get to the Old Town in Warsaw:
Castle Square
Another historic place in Warsaw that cannot be overlooked is the Castle Square, located near the Old Town. Designated in the 18th century, like the Old Town during the war, it was completely ruined under bombardment. Later it was rebuilt together with its most famous monument – the Zygmunt II Vasa Column.
This characteristic statue was originally built in 1644, commissioned by Zygmunt’s son, Władysław IV Vasa. Today, the Sigismund’s Column is one of the most popular meeting points in the capital. Apart from it, the Royal Castle is also located on the Castle Square. The former seat of Polish rulers, which currently serves mainly representative and museum functions.
Royal Castle
The Royal Castle is one of the most important monuments in Warsaw. Built in the 12th century, like other nearby buildings, it suffered heavily during the war. This castle was erected for the dukes of Masovia, but later it was also the seat of subsequent Polish kings, or even a German governor. Almost completely rebuilt, it was also placed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
Inside, you can visit the royal and parliamentary halls, including the one considered the most beautiful Throne Room. The Knight’s Hall and the Ballroom are also worth attention. In addition, inside you can see a museum exhibition on the destruction and reconstruction of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. It also houses the Painting and Sculpture Gallery, the Collection of Eastern Carpets, the Numismatic Cabinet, as well as Prince Józef’s apartment in the Pod Blachą Palace.
Villanova Palace
A real gem among the monuments of Warsaw is definitely the Museum of King Jan III’s Villanova (Wilanów) Palace. It is an attraction slightly distant from the city center that is worth visiting regardless of the season. The Palace in Wilanów was the summer residence of King Jan III Sobieski, built in the 17th century in the baroque style, with a surrounding garden. Interestingly, it did not suffer too much during the war, which is why it is a real treasure among the monuments of Warsaw.
Inside the palace in Wilanów, there is the Polish Portrait Gallery, showing monarchs and aristocracy as well as other people of merit for the country. You can also visit the bedroom of Jan III Sobieski and his wife Marysieńka, with their original furniture. A large garden surrounding the residence is also a big attraction. Decorated in various styles, it allows you to take a break while exploring.
Museum of the History of Polish Jews “Polin”
One of the most interesting places in Warsaw, and certainly commemorating the painful past, is the Museum of the History of Jews. It was created to show the history of two ethnic groups living side by side – Polish and Jewish. Thanks to interactive exhibitions, you can follow the fate of this community in our lands.
The building itself has an interesting and quite symbolic shape, and above all, it is located in the former ghetto, created here by the Germans.
Saxon Garden
The Saxon Garden in Warsaw is an interesting place to relax. Here, among lush greenery, you can hide from the scorching sun for a while. It was founded by King Augustus II the Strong and was the first public park in the capital. The attraction of this place is the fountain designed by Enrico Marconi, as well as the sundial and numerous sculptures by Georg Plersch.
Walking along the main park alley, you come to another interesting place in Warsaw, i.e. the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, somehow glued to this area.
Piłsudski Square and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Piłsudski Square is more widely known for various state ceremonies. It used to be the courtyard of the Saski Palace, which, however, was not rebuilt after the war. Its characteristic point is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, at which soldiers of the Polish army are on guard.
This monument was created to honor all the nameless soldiers who gave their lives for Poland. Every Sunday, at noon, it is worth coming here to see the ceremonial changing of the guard.
And that’s not all – there are so many more attractions to be found in Warsaw!
Warsaw Uprising Museum
One of the most interesting museum objects worth seeing in Warsaw is the Warsaw Uprising Museum. As the name suggests, inside you can see the history of this bloody rebellion. On an area of three thousand square meters, even a fragment of a street from the time of the Uprising has been recreated here. All the rooms and exhibits are arranged chronologically so as to bring this sad story to tourists as much as possible.
The biggest attraction of the Warsaw Uprising Museum is undoubtedly the replica of Liberator B-24J, as well as the observation tower.
Powązki
During a trip to Warsaw, it is also worth seeing the Powązki cemetery. It is the oldest and one of the most beautiful necropolises in the capital. Many VIPs are buried here on the Avenue of Merit. You can see here, among others, the graves of Chopin’s parents, the grave of Zdzisław Jeziorański (the famous “Courier from Warsaw”, journalist, writer, politician, social worker and patriot, after WW2 head of Polish section of Radio Free Europe and a security advisor to US presidents Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan), Czesław Wydrzycki (most famous 20th century Polish songwriter, though he has spent his whole childhoos and adolascence in Belarus, known as Czesław Niemien professionally) and Maria Dąbrowska (leftist journalist and writer).
Some of the tombstones are over 200 years old. During the walk, it is worth paying attention to the St. Honorata from 1915 and the Church of St. Charles Borromeo.
PGE National Stadium
One of the most interesting sports facilities in Warsaw that is worth seeing is definitely the PGE Narodowy Stadium, which was built on the occasion of the Euro 2012 Football Championship. The facility can be visited daily with a guide, where we can choose one of several routes.
During the trip, you can see, among others, the players’ changing room, VIP boxes, a media stand or the stadium itself. In addition, each of the routes also includes a vantage point from which you can see the panorama of the entire stadium.
Tourist map of Warsaw attractions
On the following tourist map of attractions in Warsaw you will find all the most important attractions, monuments and interesting places that are worth seeing and visiting in the capital of Poland:
Check also the website of the city of Warsaw.
What monuments, interesting places and attractions in Warsaw do you like the most? We are waiting for your opinions on the forum.