Warsaw

The Old Town Market Square is the oldest part of Warsaw, rebuilt after 1945 from rubble using old paintings and drawings. Wander between the pastel burgher houses, find the Mermaid (Syrenka) with her sword and shield in the middle and take a coffee break in one of the cafes. Several houses on the square hold the Museum of Warsaw. It is a 10-minute walk from the Royal Castle and about 20 minutes on foot from the Palace of Culture; buses 175 and 522 stop at Stare Miasto. Come early in the morning or in the evening for fewer crowds.

Free (open-air)

Castle Square is where most visits to the Old Town begin. The Sigismund's Column, put up in 1644, is one of the symbols of Warsaw and a popular meeting point. Stand in front of the red-brick Royal Castle for photos, then walk into Świętojańska street towards the Market Square. Buses 116, 175 and 522 stop at the square, and it is a 15-minute walk from the Palace of Culture via Krakowskie Przedmieście. Street musicians and horse carriages are usually here in summer.

Free (open-air)

St. John's is the oldest and one of the most important churches in Warsaw, rebuilt after wartime destruction in its Gothic brick form. The nave is free to enter outside services, while the crypts with tombs of Polish dukes, bishops and writers are visited separately. Allow about half an hour and dress modestly. It stands on Świętojańska street, just a minute from Castle Square, and is linked to the Royal Castle by a covered passage.

Free entry to the nave

The Barbican guarded the New Town gate and is one of the few fortifications in Warsaw that survived in a reconstructed form. You can walk freely along the outer walls and the moat, where artists often sell their paintings, and climb up parts of the walls for a view of the Old Town rooftops. It is a good link between the Old Town Market Square (5 minutes) and the New Town Market Square (5 minutes). Free, no tickets needed for the walk; the buildings behind the gate are sometimes used for events.

Free (open-air)

Despite its name, the New Town dates from the 15th century and has a more local, relaxed feel than the Old Town. The Market Square has a small playground feel in the middle, restaurants with terraces and the Church of the Holy Sacrament. It is reached along Freta street, the birthplace of Maria Skłodowska-Curie, in about 10 minutes from the Old Town Market Square. Nice for lunch or an ice cream break away from the crowds.

Free (open-air)

Krakowskie Przedmieście is the northern part of the Royal Route, which ran from the Royal Castle to the royal residences south of the city. Walk past St. Anne's Church, the Presidential Palace, the Hotel Bristol, the University of Warsaw gate and the Church of the Holy Cross, with statues of Mickiewicz and Copernicus along the way. The street is partly pedestrianised and full of cafes and book shops. Count 40-60 minutes at a leisurely pace from Castle Square to Nowy Świat, or take buses 116 and 175, which run along the route.

Free (open-air)

The heart of Fryderyk Chopin is kept in an urn in a pillar of the left nave, marked with an inscription. The church was rebuilt after the war and still serves as a living parish, so visits are quiet and brief. It is a 10-minute walk from the Palace of Culture and right on the Royal Route next to the University of Warsaw gate. Dress modestly and avoid visiting during services.

Free entry

Nowy Świat is the continuation of the Royal Route towards Plac Trzech Krzyży and the Łazienki area, rebuilt after the war in its 19th-century look. It is a pleasant place for a coffee, a walk or an ice cream, with many places to eat from traditional Polish to international. Look for the side streets for cheaper meals. It is a 10-minute walk from the Palace of Culture and 15 minutes from Castle Square; buses 116, 117 and 175 run along it.

Free (open-air)

Most of the ghetto wall was torn down, but short stretches survive in courtyards of apartment blocks, including at Złota 62 and Sienna 55, marked with plaques and a map of the former ghetto. The visit takes only a few minutes at each spot and works well on the way between the Palace of Culture and POLIN. Courtyards are private areas in residential buildings, so be respectful and quiet.

Free (open-air)

The 'Polish Versailles' was built for King John III Sobieski in the late 17th century and is one of Warsaw's best-preserved royal residences. Inside you walk through the royal apartments, the Chinese and hunting rooms and rich art collections; the ticket also covers the park. Plan the palace for the morning, then take a slow walk through the terraced gardens and along the lake. From the centre take bus 116 or 180 along Aleje Ujazdowskie, about 40 minutes. Thursdays are free but palace entry is limited, so come early or buy a ticket online on other days.

Adults 70 PLN, reduced 35 PLN (April–October); 60 PLN / 30 PLN (November–March). Ages 0–7 free; free on Thursdays (limited palace places). Audio guide 14 PLN (official site, 2026)

The former Warsaw Vodka Factory has become a lively quarter of brick halls, a big courtyard, cafés and design shops. Wander the courtyard, look at the murals around Ząbkowska street and have a coffee. It pairs well with the nearby cathedral and the street itself. Take the metro to Dworzec Wileński and walk a few minutes.

Free

Ząbkowska is the main street of old Praga, lined with pre-war tenement houses, murals and small independent cafés and bars. A relaxed stroll gives a good feel for the district that survived the war largely intact. Walk it from the Koneser side toward the cathedral. It is best in the afternoon or early evening; metro Dworzec Wileński is the nearest stop.

Free

The twin-towered neo-Gothic cathedral is one of the best-known landmarks of Praga and is easy to combine with Ząbkowska street and the Koneser quarter. Most visitors admire the facade and the surrounding square; interior access depends on services. It is a short walk from metro Dworzec Wileński.

Free

The Royal Castle was destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt in the 1970s-80s, largely thanks to donations from Poles. The Royal Route takes you through the royal apartments, the Great Apartment, the Knights' Hall and the Canaletto Room with 18th-century views of Warsaw, and the audio guide is included in the ticket. The Palace under the Tin Roof next door has its own cheaper ticket. On Wednesdays the Palace under the Tin Roof and one special route in the castle are free, but several rooms (including the Senate Chamber and the Matejko Rooms) are closed that day and queues are long, so arrive before 10:00. The castle is closed on Mondays. It stands on Castle Square at the entrance to the Old Town, a short walk from the Stare Miasto bus stop.

Royal Route 60 PLN, reduced 45 PLN (audio guide included); Castle Route 95 / 75 PLN; Palace under the Tin Roof 30 / 20 PLN; children under 7 free, school ticket 1 PLN for ages 7-26 from the EU; Wednesdays free for the Palace under the Tin Roof and a special route (official site, 2026)

The museum occupies a row of burgher houses on the Old Town Market Square. The permanent exhibition tells how Warsaw changed over the centuries through objects connected to key events and people, and you can finish with the observation point. Thursday is a free day for the permanent exhibition. Plan 1.5 to 2 hours; the museum is small enough to see with children, and a family ticket exists. Closed on 1 and 11 November and over Christmas.

Both exhibitions: adults 35 PLN, reduced 25 PLN; core only 25 / 18 PLN; observation point 10 / 7 PLN; family (2 adults + 1-6 children) 70 PLN; Thursday free for the permanent exhibition (official site, 2026)

The museum, in the 17th-century Ostrogski Palace, presents the life and music of Fryderyk Chopin with original manuscripts, letters, portraits and the Pleyel piano he used in his last years. Each visitor gets a ticket-card to unlock the multimedia stations and listen to the music in headphones. The museum is closed for major renovation from 1 January 2026, with reopening expected in January 2027, so check the official site before planning it. After reopening, expect Tuesday–Sunday hours (11:00–18:00, closed Monday) and a timed online ticket. It is a 10-minute walk from Nowy Świat and close to the Vistula boulevards.

Before renovation: adults 35 PLN, reduced 25 PLN, family ticket 95 PLN; free on Wednesdays; prices may change after reopening (official site, 2026)

POLIN tells the story of Polish Jews from the Middle Ages to today in a striking glass building opposite the Monument to the Ghetto Heroes. The core exhibition has immersive galleries, from a reconstructed wooden synagogue ceiling to the Holocaust and post-war years. Plan at least 2.5-3 hours; the audio guide is included in the ticket. Thursday is a free day, but queues are long, so buy online. Closed on Tuesday; last entry to the core exhibition is 2 hours before closing. Tram 17, 33 or bus 180 to Muranów; metro M1 Ratusz Arsenał is a 15-minute walk.

Core exhibition + audio guide + temporary exhibition: adults 45 PLN, reduced 35 PLN, family (2 adults + up to 4 children) 95 PLN; Thursday free (official site, 2026)

The museum documents the 63 days of the Warsaw Uprising against the German occupation with thousands of exhibits, soundscapes, a replica of a bomber and a reconstructed sewer you can walk through. It is noisy, dense and moving, and it takes time to see properly. Tickets are 35 PLN (30 PLN reduced) and include the film 'City of Ruins'; admission is free on Thursdays (collect a free ticket at the box office, expect queues). The museum is closed on Tuesdays, open 8:00-18:00 on Monday and Wednesday-Friday and 10:00-18:00 at weekends. It is in Wola, reached by tram 22, 24 or 27 or the M2 metro (Rondo Daszyńskiego, then a 15-minute walk).

Adults 35 PLN, reduced 30 PLN; free on Thursdays (official site, 2026)

The National Museum holds the biggest collection of art in Poland: ancient art, the Faras Gallery with early Christian frescoes from Nubia, medieval art, European painting and Polish painting by Matejko, Malczewski and Wyspiański. Admission to the permanent galleries is free on Tuesday and for children under 7 at all times; on Friday from 5 to 8 pm tickets are half price. The museum is closed on Monday. It stands on Aleje Jerozolimskie next to the Vistula-side Powiśle station, a 15-minute walk from the Palace of Culture.

Permanent galleries: adults 30 PLN, reduced 15 PLN; Tuesday free; children under 7 free; Friday 17:00-20:00 half price (official site, 2026)

The Museum of Modern Art sits opposite the Palace of Culture in a white, bright building designed by Thomas Phifer, opened in 2024. Exhibitions show Polish and international contemporary art, and Gallery A on the ground floor is free. After 18:00 tickets are cheaper. The museum is closed on Monday, and on 15 October, 1 and 11 November, and 24-25 December 2026. Children under 13 may visit only with an adult. Reach it on foot from Warszawa Centralna in 5 minutes.

Adults 40 PLN, reduced 30 PLN, family 80 PLN; after 18:00 adults 25 PLN; Gallery A free (official site, 2026)

Poland's first neon museum preserves post-war signs and shows how glowing advertising shaped the city. It is on the 4th floor of the Palace of Culture and Science, with the main entrance from ul. Marszałkowska and side lifts from Level -1. The colourful, dark rooms are great for photos and short enough for a flexible day. Combine it with a ride up the palace terrace; the Centrum and Świętokrzyska metro stations are a few minutes away.

Adults 25 PLN, reduced 18 PLN, children under 6 free (official site, 2026)

The museum tells the story of Polish vodka with an audio-guided tour in Polish and English, followed by optional tasting sets. It is at Wierzbowa 11 by Theatre Square (entrance from Canaletto street), a short walk from the Old Town. Opening hours start in the afternoon and it is closed on Mondays. Groups need to book at least four days ahead; the Ratusz Arsenał metro station is close.

Tour without tasting 30 PLN with audio guide; tasting sets 35–199 PLN (official site, 2026)

The palace stands on an island in the middle of Łazienki Park and holds the king's apartments, the ballroom, the picture gallery and the Solomon Room. Tickets are 50 PLN (25 PLN reduced), and the Old Orangery is included in the same ticket. Entry is free on Fridays for individual visitors, but expect a queue. The last entry is 30 minutes before closing and the palace is closed on Mondays. From the centre take bus 116 or 180 along Aleje Ujazdowskie, then walk through the park for about ten minutes.

Adults 50 PLN, reduced 25 PLN, ages 7+ and students up to 26 pay 1 PLN; free on Fridays for individual visitors (official site, 2026)

The museum tells the story of Praga, the old district across the Vistula, through everyday objects, courtyard scenes and old photographs. Tickets are 15 PLN (10 PLN reduced) and Thursday is free. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-18:00. It makes a good stop on a walk around Praga together with the Koneser complex and Ząbkowska street; the Dworzec Wileński metro station is a few minutes away.

Adults 15 PLN, reduced 10 PLN; free on Thursdays (official site, 2026)

The museum is in the New Town, in the house on Freta street where the double Nobel laureate was born in 1867. It shows her family history, personal belongings and a few pieces of laboratory equipment. A ticket is 17 PLN (10 PLN reduced) and Tuesday is free, though also the busiest day. Opening hours are Tuesday to Friday 12:00-18:00 and weekends 11:00-18:00, closed Monday, with the last admission at 17:30. It is five minutes on foot from the Old Town Market Square.

Adults 17 PLN, reduced 10 PLN; free on Tuesdays (official site, 2026)

Zachęta has shown modern and contemporary Polish and international art in this 19th-century building since 1900. The programme changes through temporary exhibitions. Tickets are 30 PLN (20 PLN reduced), children under 7 are free and Thursday is free for everyone. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 12:00-20:00, with the last entry at 19:30. It is a short walk from the Saxon Garden, and the Świętokrzyska metro station is nearby.

Adults 30 PLN, reduced 20 PLN, students under 26 5 PLN; free on Thursdays (official site, 2026)

The museum shows the famous Polish poster school in rotating displays that change about every three months. It reopened on 13 March 2026 after a renovation of around five years. Tickets are 22 PLN (16 PLN reduced), under 26s pay 1 PLN, a family ticket is 38 PLN and Wednesday is free. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-18:00 and fits well into a Wilanów day, a few minutes from the palace.

Adults 22 PLN, reduced 16 PLN, under 26 1 PLN, family 38 PLN; free on Wednesdays (official site, 2026)

The museum recreates everyday life in communist Poland with flats, a shop, a school classroom and a wide collection of objects, with headphones for the commentary. Tickets are 32 PLN (22 PLN reduced), 2+1 family 76 PLN and children under 4 are free; there is no free day. It is open daily 10:00-18:00, except Friday 12:00-20:00. The address is Piękna 28/34, a short walk from Plac Zbawiciela.

Adults 32 PLN, reduced 22 PLN, family 2+1 76 PLN; headphones 10 PLN (official site, 2026)

The centre occupies the reconstructed Ujazdów Castle at ul. Jazdów 2, a few minutes' walk from Łazienki Park. Exhibitions cost 30 PLN (20 PLN reduced) and are free on Thursdays. It is open Tuesday to Sunday 11:00-19:00, on Thursdays until 20:00, and closed on Mondays. The outdoor sculpture park is free at any time and works well for a short stop with children.

Adults 30 PLN, reduced 20 PLN; free on Thursdays; sculpture park free (official site, 2026)

Copernicus Science Centre is the best family stop in Warsaw: roughly 400 hands-on exhibits across themed galleries, workshops, a planetarium and a roof garden. Tickets are sold online for a chosen time slot and can run out on the day, so book ahead, especially at weekends. The planetarium is being refurbished until 11 October and reopens on 12 October. A few days are closed in 2026, among them 1 and 9 November, 7 and 21 December and 24-26 December. It is near the Vistula, a 10-minute walk from the Centrum Nauki Kopernik metro station.

Exhibitions: adults 48 PLN on weekdays, 50 PLN at weekends and holidays; reduced 34 / 36 PLN; Planetarium 2D show 34 PLN (24 reduced); exhibitions + planetarium 68 PLN; children under 2 free (official site, 2026)

The zoo sits in leafy grounds on the Praga side and keeps animals from every continent, with a playground and picnic areas that make it an easy half-day with children. It is open every day, including Sundays and public holidays, so it works well when museums are closed. Ticket offices stop selling one hour before closing and the last entry is also an hour before the gates close. Reach it by tram or bus from the Praga side, or take the metro to Dworzec Wileński and continue by bus or on foot.

Adults 45 PLN, reduced 35 PLN, family 35 PLN per person (April–September); adults 35 PLN, reduced 30 PLN, family 30 PLN per person (October–March). Ages 0–3 pay 1 PLN (official site, 2026)

The Palace of Culture and Science, a gift from the Soviet Union opened in 1955, is the tallest building in Poland's centre and a love-it-or-hate-it symbol of Warsaw. A lift takes you up to the 30th-floor viewing terrace (114 m) for a 360-degree view of the city. The terrace is open daily from 10:00 to 20:00 and costs 25 PLN (20 PLN reduced); it is closed on Holy Saturday and Easter Sunday. Go on a clear day, ideally before sunset. The palace stands right by the Warszawa Centralna station and the metro station Centrum, so it is the easiest sight to reach from the main station.

Viewing terrace: adults 25 PLN, reduced 20 PLN (official site, 2026)

The modern boulevards on the left bank of the Vistula are Warsaw's favourite place to relax on warm days: wooden terraces, cafes, a beach-style area, playgrounds and long walking and cycling paths. The Copernicus Science Centre is at one end, so it combines well with a visit there. From the Old Town it is a 15-minute walk downhill. In summer there are evening events; the winter months are quiet.

Free (open-air)

The Saxon Garden is an 18th-century baroque park, a calm green space between Krakowskie Przedmieście and Plac Piłsudskiego, with a fountain, pavilions and playgrounds. At the edge of the square stands the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the only surviving part of the Saxon Palace, with an eternal flame and an honour guard around the clock. The guard changes every full hour, day and night, all year; the bigger ceremonial change takes place at 12:00 on Sundays and public holidays. The tomb is a 5-minute walk from Krakowskie Przedmieście and 10 minutes from the Old Town. Metro M2 Świętokrzyska is nearby.

Free (open-air)

Behind the palace the grounds unfold into Italian-style terraces, a French parterre and a landscape park with a lake and shaded paths. You can buy a park-only ticket if you do not want to go into the palace, which is a relaxed option with young children. Allow time for the rose garden and the lakeside walk. The palace ticket already includes the park, and the 116 or 180 bus brings you here from Aleje Ujazdowskie.

Park and gardens: adults 15 PLN, reduced 5 PLN; ages 0–7 free; free on Thursdays (official site, 2026)

A 76-hectare royal park in the city centre with over 9,500 trees, a lake, pavilions, peacocks and red squirrels. The gardens are open daily from 6:00 to 21:00 and entry is free. Walking the main alleys takes you past the Palace on the Isle, the Old Orangery and the Chopin Monument. It is an easy morning or afternoon outing with children; buildings inside have their own tickets (free on Fridays for individual visitors), but strolling the park costs nothing. Bus 116 or 180 stops along Aleje Ujazdowskie, a few minutes from the entrance.

Free

Agrykola is a green escarpment at the edge of Łazienki Park, a calmer corner with paths and views toward the Vistula. Visitors come to walk, jog and use the outdoor fitness spots. It is best as a short extension to a Łazienki visit rather than a stop of its own. Bus 116 or 180 along Aleje Ujazdowskie gets you to the nearby entrance.

Free

The national park covers about 385 square kilometres of pine forest and dunes just outside the city, with around 360 km of walking trails and 200 km of cycling routes. It suits a nature day trip if you have a car or a bike. Choose one marked trail and pack water and snacks, as services inside the forest are limited.

Free

The library's roof garden is one of Europe's largest, with paths, pergolas, water features and viewpoints over the Vistula and the Old Town. It is free and needs no booking. The roof is open from 1 April to 31 October every day: 8:00-18:00 in April and October and 8:00-20:00 from May to September. Outside this season only the lower garden is open. Dogs and bicycles are not allowed. It is on Dobra street, about 500 m from the Centrum Nauki Kopernik metro station, so it combines easily with the Science Centre.

Free

The terrace sits at the top of the church's separate bell tower, about 100 steps up with no lift, and looks over Castle Square, the Old Town and the Vistula. A ticket is 10 PLN (7 PLN reduced), paid in cash. In May-October it is open on weekdays 10:00-21:00 and at weekends 11:00-22:00; from November to April 10:00-18:00 on weekdays and 11:00-18:00 at weekends. Access can be limited during church ceremonies. It is on Krakowskie Przedmieście, a few minutes from Castle Square.

Adults 10 PLN, reduced 7 PLN, cash only (2026)

The red-and-white stadium on the Vistula was built for Euro 2012 and hosts football and concerts. Tours take you through the stands, players' areas and VIP zones; a separate cheaper ticket only gives access to the viewpoint with a view over the city. Tour times and availability are set day by day and depend on events, so check the online calendar before you go. The Stadion Narodowy metro station (line M2) is right next to it.

Viewpoint: adults 25 PLN, reduced 20 PLN; tours 'Piłkarskie emocje' adults 40 PLN, reduced 30 PLN; 'Poczuj się jak VIP' and 'W centrum wydarzeń' adults 45 PLN, reduced 35 PLN (official site, 2026)

The bronze statue of Frédéric Chopin under a stylised willow is one of Warsaw's best-known landmarks inside Łazienki Park. In the warmer months free piano recitals are held next to the monument on Sundays, from about May to September. Arrive early for a spot on the lawn or the benches. The monument is a short stroll from the Aleje Ujazdowskie entrance.

Free

The Old Orangery, at the southern end of Łazienki Park, houses the Royal Theatre, which dates from the 1780s, and a gallery of sculpture. It is included in the Palace on the Isle ticket, so it works as a second stop on the same visit. In winter it is open Tuesday to Sunday 10:00-16:00 and closed on Mondays. Walk over from the palace in about five minutes; the park is free and open from 6:00 to 21:00.

Included in the Palace on the Isle ticket: adults 50 PLN, reduced 25 PLN (official site, 2026)

The fountains stand at the foot of the New Town, near the Vistula, and perform water, laser and music shows from May to September. Shows run on Fridays and Saturdays only: 21:30 in May-July, 21:00 in August and 20:30 in September. Watching is free; there are no shows outside the season. Take a jacket for the evening; it is a short walk down from the New Town Market Square, and a good option for a late evening with older children.

Free

The Fotoplastikon is one of the few surviving devices of this kind in Europe, where you sit and look through viewers at three-dimensional photos of old Warsaw and other places. The session is short. A ticket is 10 PLN (6 PLN reduced) and Thursday is free. It is open daily 10:00-18:00 except Tuesday. It is at Aleje Jerozolimskie 51, a few minutes from the Centralna station and the Palace of Culture.

Adults 10 PLN, reduced 6 PLN; free on Thursdays (official site, 2026)