1. Old Town (Stare Miasto)
It was completely destroyed during the Second World War, and then reconstructed, mainly based on images of the 18th century by the Italian artist Canaletto. Since 1980 it has been included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The heart of the Old Town is the Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta) with numerous cafes and restaurants, which is guarded by the Warsaw Mermaid. In addition, it is worth seeing the Barbican – one of the few surviving sections of the city fortifications of the 16th century, and the Church of St. John the Baptist — the main Catholic church of the capital.
2. The Royal Tract (Trakt Królewski)
A historical path leading from the Old Town to the southern suburbs of Warsaw. It is royal not only because Polish kings traveled along it, but also because it includes “royal” architectural monuments. The route starts at the Castle Square, where the Royal Castle stands, goes south along the avenue Krakowskie Przedmieście, the streets Nowy Swiat, Aleje Ujazdowskie, Belwederska, Sobieskiego and ends in the area of Vilanów, where the former residence of Jan III Sobieski is located. In 1994, together with the historical center and the Vilanava Castle, it was declared a historical monument.
3. The Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski)
Work on its construction was completed in 1618. Until the 18th century, the king and his entourage lived here, then they were replaced by the Sejm, and in the 20th century the castle became the residence of the president.
During the occupation of Poland by Nazi troops, the building on Castle Square was completely destroyed. During the large-scale reconstruction, which could only begin in the 80s of the last century, it was possible to recreate not only the appearance of the residence of the Polish kings, but also its interior.
Now there is a museum here, where, in addition to restored halls, furniture, paintings, ceramics, silver and bronze products, you can see the Lankoronsky collection, which includes two works by Rembrandt.
Address: plac Zamkowy 4.
Opening hours: Monday to Thursday and Saturday from 10.00 to 18.00, Friday from 10.00 to 20.00, Sunday from 11.00 to 18.00. From September 1 to April 30 on Monday, the castle is closed.
Ticket price: without a guide — 30 PLN (about 7 EUR) for adults, 20 PLN (about 5 EUR) for children and students. Admission is free on Wednesdays.
4. Lazenkowski Palace (Pałac Łazienkowski)
The residence of the last Polish king Stanislaw Poniatowski, built in the style of early classicism on an artificial island in the Lazienki Park. The interiors decorated with paintings by Rembrandt and Rubens were destroyed during the war, the reconstruction was completed only in 1964.
The area of the park surrounding the palace is 76 hectares (approximately 120 football fields). More precisely, these are three parks created at different times in different styles: the royal park of the 18th century, the romantic park of the 19th century and the modernist park of the 20th century. From May 19 to September 29, free concerts are held at the Chopin monument, where the works of the outstanding composer are performed.
Address: Agrykoli 1.
Opening hours: the park is open daily from dawn to dusk, palaces, a greenhouse, a theater and a cornet school can be visited from Tuesday to Thursday, on Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00, on Friday — from 10.00 to 20.00. Monday is a day off.
Ticket price: entrance to the park is free, every Friday you can also visit all the buildings on its territory for free (without a guide). On other days, an adult ticket costs 10-25 PLN (2.5-6 EUR), a child and student ticket costs 5-18 PLN (1.2-4.2 EUR).
5. National Museum (Muzeum Narodowe w Warszawie)
The largest art museum of the Polish capital, founded more than 150 years ago. The collection includes works of art from ancient times to the 20th century: paintings, sculptures, engravings, drawings, coins, medals, books, photographs and icons. Temporary exhibitions are held.
Address: Aleje Jerozolimskie 3.
Opening hours: Tuesday-Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 18.00, Friday from 10.00 to 21.00. Monday is a day off.
Ticket price: permanent exhibition — 20 PLN (about 5 EUR) for adults, 12 PLN (about 3 EUR) for children over 7 years old and students; temporary and permanent exhibitions — 25 PLN (about 6 EUR) and 15 PLN (3.5 EUR), respectively. On Tuesdays, the permanent exhibition is free of charge.