Tourist Attractions in Warsaw

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Warsaw

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Warsaw

During its seven centuries of existence, Warsaw has experienced several conquests and destruction. The entire historic centre of the city was razed to the ground during the Second World War. For decades, restorers painstakingly studied documents, old engravings and photographs and literally rebuilt the Polish capital from the ruins brick by brick.

As a brilliant example of restoration, the historical centre with its squares, castles and churches was included in the UNESCO heritage list. Nowadays, a tourist strolling through the Market Square and contemplating the mighty royal castle would hardly guess that these sights are only a few decades old.

Top-20 Tourist Attractions in Warsaw

Warsaw Old Town

 0/5

The historical centre of the city. In the 13th century, the foundation stone of the future Polish capital was laid here. The Old Town has been bustling with life for centuries – merchants came to the fairs, travelling artists staged street performances, crowds of gawkers gathered to watch bonfires where witches and sorcerers were burnt. Almost nothing of the historic buildings has survived, only basements and cellars, but the Old Town does not lose its charm.

Museum of King Jan III's Palace at Wilanów

 4.7/5

23958 reviews

The palace is located 10 kilometres from the Polish capital. It was built in the 17th century for King Jan Sobieski and his wife Maria Casimira Luisa. At the queen’s request, the builders orientated themselves on the French architectural school (Baroque style prevails). At the beginning of the 19th century, one of the first art museums in Poland was opened on the territory. During the Nazi occupation, the museum’s collections were looted, but later they were returned to Poland.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The Royal Castle in Warsaw

 4.7/5

46087 reviews

An architectural and cultural monument in the centre of Warsaw, built in the 16th-17th centuries by Lithuanian Prince Sigismund. During the Great Northern War the castle was plundered by the Swedes and gradually became dilapidated. It is noteworthy that in 1829 the Russian Emperor Nicholas I was crowned here (at that time the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth was a part of the Russian Empire). The modern Royal Castle is a copy of the structure blown up by the Nazis during World War II.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

plac Zamkowy

 0/5

Warsaw’s central square, surrounded by the main sights. It is located within the Old Town. In the centre of the square there is a memorial column in honour of King Sigismund III Vasa. The Royal Route starts from the Castle Square and leads to the country residence of Jan III. In the Middle Ages, this place was the centre of city life, and all major events took place here.

Old Town Market Square

 4.7/5

37211 reviews

Another central square surrounded by houses with colourful stucco. Each building is unique, with different patterns and colours on each facade. The Market Square was the commercial pulse of Warsaw in the past centuries. It was always crowded, lively and cheerful. Taking a leisurely stroll around this place, you can feel the real atmosphere of the Middle Ages.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Warsaw Barbican

 4.7/5

9633 reviews

A powerful 16th century fortress in the system of fortifications of the Old Town, built according to the design of the Italian master D. Batista. The building had no defensive functions. At the base of the barbican tower there is a monument to Siren. According to the legend, in ancient times Sirena came out of the river and told people that a great city would soon appear on its banks. Nowadays, the fort is home to an exhibition gallery.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Warsaw Citadel

 4.7/5

425 reviews

A 19th century Russian fortress built by order of the imperial authorities after the November Uprising. It housed a prison for political prisoners and rebels. The fortress is associated with important historical milestones of the Polish national liberation movement. After the occupation of Poland in 1915, the citadel fell into the hands of the Germans. But they were expelled in 1918. The fortress was given to the newly formed Polish independent state.

Open time

Warsaw Uprising Monument

 4.8/5

4082 reviews

A monument commemorating the fallen Polish patriots during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. It was officially unveiled in 1989 on the very spot where the freedom fighters hid from the German occupiers. The composition depicts two groups of rebels who seem to rise from the ruins and courageously rush into battle. The monument is one of the most interesting and visited monuments in Warsaw.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

St John's Cathedral

 4.9/5

7 reviews

The Polish name of the church is St. Jan’s Church. It is the oldest Catholic church in the capital, built between the 12th and 14th centuries. Throughout the centuries, important events took place here: coronations, peace treaties, lavish funerals of monarchs. The church played the role of the spiritual centre of the Polish state. The modern church building is a new construction, as the historical building was demolished during the German occupation.

Open time

Holy Cross Church

 4.7/5

2831 reviews

A sixteenth-century church, which was also destroyed during the Second World War. In the middle of the 19th century there was a statue of Jesus carrying a cross in front of the church. The church is notable for the fact that in one of its walls there is an urn with the ashes of Frederic Chopin. In the XX century, the church was completely rebuilt, but work on the exterior and interior decoration continued into the XXI century.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Roman Catholic Church Of St Casimir

 4.6/5

49 reviews

The temple was founded by the ruler Jan III and his wife in the 17th century with their own funds. Inside is the tomb of the Polish princess – the daughter of Jan III. The church was built in the style of classicism and baroque with strict observance of geometric proportions according to the project of architect T. Gamerski. After the bombing only the 17th century garden survived. The church was rebuilt in the middle of the 20th century.

Open time

Kościół Akademicki św. Anny

 4.7/5

3952 reviews

The current cathedral, which was created thanks to the generous funding of Princess Anna Radziwill. Her ashes rest inside the church. Due to numerous reconstructions, the architectural composition does not follow a single style, a mixture of elements from different eras prevails. The bell tower of the church is used as a viewing platform. According to legend, if a young couple gets married in St. Anne’s Church, the marriage will be long and prosperous.

Open time

Museum of Fryderyk Chopin in Warsaw

 4.4/5

5006 reviews

Frederic Chopin was a famous Polish composer whose creative path was connected with Warsaw. The museum’s exposition consists of items belonging to the musician. In addition to letters, sheet music and personal belongings, you can see the grand piano at which the master created. In addition to the traditional exhibition, there is a multimedia exposition where you can learn about the details of Chopin’s biography.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Maria Skłodowska-Curie Museum

 4.4/5

1318 reviews

A museum dedicated to the research and life of the famous female physicist Marie Skłodowska-Curie. Thanks to her research, the table of chemical elements was enriched with two new elements – polonium and radium. The name “polonium” was given to the substance in honour of the scientist’s homeland – Poland. Maria was twice awarded the Nobel Prize. The museum was organised in 1967 through the efforts of her daughter Eva Curie.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Polish Army Museum

 4.6/5

7074 reviews

Museum dedicated to the Polish armed forces. The exposition covers the period from the emergence of the Polish state to the present day. The open-air exhibition features weapons from other countries: artillery pieces, tanks, fighter planes, armoured vehicles. Inside there are collections of medieval weapons, armour and banners. Napoleon Bonaparte’s triangle and saddle are kept in the museum.

Open time

Copernicus Science Centre

 4.6/5

50126 reviews

An interactive science museum where visitors are invited to perform their own experiments. It is one of the most advanced museums of its kind in Europe. The interior space is divided into several thematic zones that tell about entire layers of human knowledge. The first permanent exposition was opened in 2010, and in 1.5 years the museum was visited by about 2 million people.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Palace of Culture and Science

 4.6/5

66109 reviews

A high-rise building, almost an exact copy of Stalin’s high-rises in Moscow. It was built by Russian architect L. Rudnev at the request of Stalin, who wanted to make a gift to the Polish people. It houses offices, cinemas, a large conference hall, museums and exhibition galleries. The spire of the building dominates all the buildings in Warsaw and serves as a landmark for tourists who do not know the city.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM

Ujazdów Castle

 4.6/5

3406 reviews

The former residence of the Saxon Elector and King Augustus II, an exact replica of a 17th century building that was destroyed during World War II. In 1975, the castle was restored from the ground up, and in 1981 the Centre for Contemporary Art was opened on its grounds. Nowadays, Ujazdowski Castle has become a venue for numerous creative festivals, screenings of author’s films, art salons and photo exhibitions.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

Palace on the Isle

 4.8/5

17068 reviews

Another former residence of Elector Augustus II the Strong. This majestic and picturesque building was called the “palace by the water” because its base is set directly on the surface of the river. The palace complex consists of the main building, the bathing house, the White House with galleries and pavilions. Inside the main building there is an art gallery where more than 2 thousand canvases are exhibited.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 8:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Łazienki Królewskie

 4.8/5

80372 reviews

A picturesque, quiet park surrounding the Lazienkowski Palace. It was created as a nature reserve, but eventually became a public square. Since the beginning of the 19th century, all people were allowed to enter the territory. In the park there is a monument to F. Chopin – a copy of the monument of 1926, which was destroyed by the Nazis. The well-maintained park alleys and paths are pleasant to stroll along on a fine summer day.

Open time

Monday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Tuesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Wednesday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Thursday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Friday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM