Warsaw old town is the most beautiful part of the city to visit. It’s always a hub of activity, with thousands of tourists visiting every day. During the Warsaw Uprising in 1944, most of the old town was completely destroyed by Nazi troops. This resulted in a complete reconstruction of Warsaw old town by its citizens following the conclusion of WWII. In fact, it’s been so meticulously rebuilt that it’s almost impossible to tell which buildings are the newer ones.
The old town was originally established in the 13th century and it expanded around the city’s castle, with construction of the famous city walls starting around the 14th century. If you’re only spending a day in Warsaw old town, it’s a good idea to join a guided tour so you don’t miss any of the important parts of it. Alternatively, a self-guided tour of Warsaw old town allows you to explore all of the streets at a leisurely pace.
Whether you’ve been to Warsaw before or not, spending a day in Warsaw old town is never a bad idea. The entire old town is pedestrianized and very walkable, so you should have no problems getting around. Before you arrive, make sure you visit Go2Warsaw where you can find lots of helpful information about things to do in Warsaw and events that are happening.
Things to do in Warsaw old town
Castle Square at sunrise
One of the best places to visit in Warsaw old town is Castle Square. In the centre of the square is a column that commemorates King Sigismund III. It was erected in the 17th century, making it the oldest landmark in the city. The square is located in front of the Royal Castle, so it gets incredibly busy during the day. The perfect time to get photos here is at sunrise when there are hardly any people walking around. The lighting on the old town buildings is magical too.
Royal Castle
The Royal Castle of Warsaw was rebuilt in the 1970s following the Nazi’s destruction of the old town in 1944. It’s now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is one of the most visited attractions in Warsaw. Every Wednesday the castle offers free entry for guests, so it’s also a great budget friendly thing to do in Warsaw.
The original castle dates back to 1350 and it was remodelled in the 17th century as a royal residence with the help of Italian architects. The highlight of the castle can be found upstairs, where the royal apartments are located. Visitors have the option of joining a guided tour of the castle or taking a self-guided tour with the help of a free audioguide. The Royal Castle is a fantastic attraction in Warsaw to visit and should be at the top of any itinerary.
Archcathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist
A short walk from the Royal Castle will bring you to the Archcathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist. This impressive Catholic church was built in the 14th century and is the oldest in the city. From the 17th century onwards, an elevated tunnel has connected the church to the Royal Castle as a result of an assassination attempt on King Sigismund III.
This is another building in Warsaw old town that saw serious damage towards the end of WWII. Both the interior and exterior of the church were restored in great detail, and today visitors can visit some of the tombs of important Polish figures who were laid to rest here.
The Wishing Bell
If you’re looking for unique things to do in Warsaw old town, make sure you stop by The Wishing Bell. You’ll find it behind Archcathedral Basilica of St John the Baptist, in a small square that’s often overlooked by tourists. The bell dates back to the 17th century and is tied to a local love story that ended in tragedy. It was put in the square for decoration and it’s said that any prayer said here will go directly to heaven. Tourists are also told to touch the bell and walk around it and any wish will be granted.
Mermaid of Warsaw
As you make your way around the city of Warsaw, you’ll probably come across a lot of mermaid statues and symbolism. The mermaid is the symbol of Warsaw and there are several legends surrounding how it came to be on the city’s coat of arms. The most well known statue of the mermaid is located in Old Town Market Place. It was erected in the 19th century and was originally made of bronze. The statue seen today is a zinc replica cast from the original.
Old Town Market Place
The main square in Warsaw old town is Old Town Market Place. As soon as you enter the square you’ll feel like you’ve been transported back in time. The square is surrounded by colourful historic buildings, lots of eateries, and it’s home to the Mermaid of Warsaw statue. Until the 18th century, Old Town Market Place was the very centre of the city and was the site of the town hall. If you’re interested in history, the Warsaw Historical Museum is located here as well.
Try some chocolate from E. Wedel
E. Wedel is the most well known chocolate brand in Poland and it has a history dating back to 1851. They managed to continue production during the first few years of WWII but their factory was later destroyed and needed to be rebuilt following the end of the war. E. Wedel then became nationalized by the communist government and the name was changed, but it was reprivatized in 1989.
The original E. Wedel chocolate shop isn’t located in the old town, but you’ll still be able to try some of the chocolates here. You’ll also find a cafe where you can sit back and relax for a bit before you continue your tour of Warsaw old town.
Warsaw Barbican
One of the most iconic landmarks of Warsaw old town is the Warsaw Barbican. The barbican is part of the old city walls and is one of the few remaining parts of the fortifications. It was built in 1540 and was designed by an Italian architect. It’s a beautiful structure to pass through, and there are plenty of places to take photos of it from too.
What many tourists miss out on though, is the Barbican Museum which is only open in the summer months. Inside this museum in Warsaw you can learn more about the barbican through archival photos both before and after WWII.
Warsaw Ghetto boundary markers
The Warsaw Ghetto was the largest ghetto created by the Nazis. During the Warsaw Uprising, much of the ghetto was completely destroyed but a few buildings and streets remain. There are now multiple ghetto boundary markers outlining where the ghetto walls once stood, often with information plaques on the walls or boundary lines on the ground.
Although the Warsaw Ghetto didn’t reach the old town, some of the markers are located just a short walk from its boundaries, so they’re certainly worth making a quick detour to look at.
Get lost in the streets of the old town
Once you’ve seen all of the unique attractions in Warsaw old town, take some time to explore the streets as well. They’re especially peaceful near sunrise, when there aren’t too many people walking around yet. Along the streets you’ll find plenty of places to eat, quaint cafes, and interesting shops besides the standard tourist shops in Warsaw.
For the best view of Warsaw old town, make your way up the bell tower of St Anne’s Church. This is where you can get a bird’s eye view of Castle Square, the Royal Castle, and the rest of the historic centre of Warsaw. The ticket office only accepts cash though, so make sure you have some on hand.
Coffee spots in Warsaw old town
Kawiarnia Patio
If you’re on the hunt for coffee spots in Warsaw old town, Kawiarnia Patio is one of the most popular. It’s located on a side street near Old Town Market Place and offers both indoor and outdoor seating. I’d recommend sitting inside because the setting is beautiful. They have a good selection of coffees on the menu, as well as matcha lattes, and a variety of snacks and baked goods. The prices are also relatively cheap compared to other coffee shops in the area.
Where to eat in Warsaw old town
Zapiecek
Warsaw old town is unfortunately filled with overpriced tourist traps, so it can be difficult deciding where to eat there. We spent five days in Warsaw and only ate in the old town once, when we first arrived. You can’t visit Warsaw without eating pierogies, and many people choose to dine at Zapiecek which is a chain restaurant known for its pierogies and other Polish dishes. The prices are very budget friendly and you get a good sized portion of pierogies too. I’d recommend the boiled pierogies over the fried ones and ordering a side of onions and sour cream.
Where to stay near Warsaw old town
Teatro Hotel
One of the best boutique hotels in Warsaw is located along Nowy Swiat, a well known shopping street in the city that leads right to the heart of the old town. In the 20th century Nowy Swiat was also famous for its garden theatres that attracted residents and tourists to them.
Teatro Hotel is based inside a historic pre-war tenement house and it’s inspired by the history of Warsaw’s theatre scene. The luxurious modern design of the hotel blends in seamlessly with the raw brick walls and Poland’s largest collection of 19th and 20th century theatre posters.
There are 18 rooms at Teatro Hotel that have all been designed to bring complete comfort and luxury to guests. Each room is designed around a different theatre artist so you’re guaranteed a unique stay. We stayed in one of the deluxe double rooms with a king size bed, a beautiful fireplace, and an unbeatable view of Nowy Swiat below. This room is perfect for longer stays in Warsaw as it’s very spacious and cozy, so you have the perfect place to come back to after a long day of exploring the city.
In the morning guests can enjoy an incredible buffet breakfast which is served in the historic cellars. The breakfast features a good selection of continental food and fresh drinks, and there’s a menu on the table that you can order a hot breakfast dish from too. Having breakfast at Teatro Hotel is a great way to start the day and it’s very convenient.
If you’re planning to spend at least one day in Warsaw old town, you’ll want to be based nearby. Teatro Hotel is located less than a 20 minute walk from the old town. All you need to do is follow Nowy Swiat right down to the Royal Castle. The location really can’t be beat and you can easily access all of the other areas of Warsaw from the hotel as well. If you like boutique hotels with historic charm, you’ll love staying at Teatro Hotel.
>> See what rooms are available at Teatro Hotel <<
Planning your trip to Warsaw old town
Warsaw old town may be one of the smallest old towns in Europe, but it certainly doesn’t lack charm. This reconstructed old town is breathtaking, and you can see all of it in just one day. The old town is fully pedestrianized and flat, so it’s easily accessible for everyone. While you’re planning your trip to Warsaw old town, you’ll find a lot of helpful information about things to do and activities taking place through Go2Warsaw. After you’re done walking around the old town, you may have time to see some of the many unique museums in Warsaw or visit other interesting neighbourhoods in Warsaw too.
Do you have any questions about things to do in Warsaw old town? Or maybe you need some help planning your trip to the Polish capital? Please feel free to reach out via email or by filling out the contact form. You can also get in touch through Instagram where you can follow along with my travels and hopefully find more travel inspiration.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may earn a commission from the discount codes used or when a link/ad is clicked. All purchases made will come at no extra cost to you, and I only include products and services that I would personally recommend.
Pin this blog post for later!
