Sight seeing in Warsaw:

The majority of tourist attractions are concentrated on the left bank of the Vistula River, where visitors will find the charming Old Town and the beautiful New Town. What ever type of Poland holiday you book with us, whether an opera break or last minute city package, Warsaw will be the perfect host. Book your travel with the Poland weekends away specialists - call today: 01926 330 223
 

The official Warsaw City Tour picks up from two designated Hotels and takes you on a four-hour tour of the city. The programme begins at St. Anne’s Church, which contains one of the largest and loveliest organs in Europe. The tour then carries on into the Old Town and Warsaw’s ‘New Old Town’. You are then driven through the city, past the parks, statues and embassies before visiting Chopin’s Statue and Park and the beautiful Wilanow Palace. The guides are good fun and extremely passionate / knowledgeable on all aspects of the tour. The tour is designed to show you all of the highlights of Warsaw and help you learn a lot about Warsaw’s past, present and future.

Price per person: £35.00pp
Duration: 4 hours
Transportation: Coach and walking

The New Town was founded in the beginning of the 15th century but was later reconstructed in the wake of WWII after the Nazis obliterated the area. Today, the district is picture perfect, a haven for tourists, as the majority of the area is fully pedestrianized and closed to traffic. Within the vicinity there are many neo-classical & baroque townhouses, churches, fine palaces, lively streets and up market restaurants to be enjoyed, making Warsaw’s New Town a must-see for Poland city break clients. The most famous streets in the New Town district are Dluga, Freta and Stara Street, all home to various interesting tourist must see attractions.

Freta is a busy street, buzzing with foreigners, with many quality restaurants and some great pubs to relax in. On this street you’ll find the birth place of Marie Curie, who received 2 Nobel prizes for chemistry and physics (Marie Curie discovered radium and polonium, which changed the course of modern history for ever). Another historic road is Mostowa Street, considered to be one of the most picturesque streets in the capital, with its beautiful buildings and breathtaking views of the Vistula River. At the end of Mostowa Street is the Holy Spirit church one of the nicer baroque churches and a place of interest for the city’s guests. Other churches worth seeing are St Francis, St Jacek's and of course the Church of the Visitation of the Virgin Mary, the oldest church in the New Town. Other delightful examples of Baroque architecture are the Church of the Sisters of the Blessed Sacrament situated in the New Town Square and Krasinski Palace, one of the most beautiful Baroque palaces in the whole country, which now houses the National Library.

The street, which leads from New Town to Old Town, is filled with artists selling their wares and entertaining street musicians. There are many street vendors selling carved wooden statues and traditional gifts. At the end of the busy street of vendors you’ll see the reconstructed defensive walls of the Old Town and a gateway that looks like a tower, which connects the Old Town to New Town. This is the Barbican, an impressive semi-circular Gothic structure with a Renaissance roof. It was originally built in 1548 according to the design of Jan Baptysta and later reconstructed after WWII. Today, it’s the most picturesque part of the Old defensive wall and hidden deep within it, is the torture Museum, where Warsaw city breaks guests can hear the horrors of how information was extracted out of prisoners, using medieval torture techniques. Still today, the Barbican stands proudly and is a favourite part of the cityscape. The mighty Barbican is an attractive sight to behold and must be seen as apart of your weekend holiday in Warsaw.

The Stare Miasto or Old Town is the main attraction. An historical area where one can stroll along cobblestone streets, relax in open aired cafés and soak up the unique & inspiring surroundings. There are many charming buildings & monuments, interesting museums and some of the most beautiful squares in Europe, all in a localized area that can easily be discovered on foot. What’s fascinating about Warsaw’s Old Town, is in fact, that it is not that old at all, as the Old Town was completely destroyed during WWII and later was painstakingly rebuilt, literally brick by brick, to look like the original. Without a city guide to tell you these things, one would never guess that the Old Town is a complete reconstruction. The Stare Miasto will be the highlight to your city break stay in Poland and will be a memory you’ll cherish forever.

At the heart of the Old Town is the old market square, Rynek Starego Miasta. The four sides of this vast 295ft by 240 ft square are surrounded by multi coloured three storey buildings, which were once the mansions of rich merchants. These houses are remarkably beautiful and give the Rynek Starego Miasta it’s unique character. The square is always a hub of activity, with lively open air restaurants, horse carriage rides, street performers and is also home to the Historical Museum. The old market square can’t be missed on your short break in Warsaw, make this a priority must-see landmark during your Poland holidays. The Historical Museum, spans the history of the city from its original foundations to the present day and has a plethora of interesting; paintings, documents and exhibitions presented in over 50 rooms. Also on the square is the Museum of Literature dedicated to Adam Mickiewicz, the famous Polish poet, another rewarding experience to be had. Another major tourist focal point is the Mermaid Monument, the symbol of the capital and is located in the middle of the square. The figure is a zinc cast of the sculpture by Konstanty Hegel, made in 1855. The Mermaid has been the symbol of Warsaw since the 15th Century and has appeared on the coat of arms in its present form since 1939. Now, on hot summer days, children paddle in the shallow pool that surrounds it.

From the Old Town Market Square, take Swietojanska Street which leads to one of the most beautiful squares in Central Europe called Castle Square, Plac Zamkowy. On the right side of the square stands the Royal Castle (although it’s more of a palace than a castle) and in the centre of the square, on a tall pillar is the statue of King Sigmund III, who moved the capital from Krakow to here. It’s one of the oldest monuments in Poland, erected between 1643-1644 and alongside the mermaid statue is one of the most popular holiday sights to have photo with. The column is 20 metres high and the statue is nearly 3 metres, making it a dominating feature and great photo opportunity for the Warsaw weekend break scrap book. Castle Square is truly a fabulous site that must be seen by every guest coming to the capital for the first time. It’s a great place to start your sightseeing explorations, to feel the enchantment of this beautiful old town and to witness its unique architecture.

The main landmark of castle square is the Royal Castle, founded in the early 15th century. It became the royal residence when King Sigmund III, moved the Polish capital from Krakow to Warsaw in 1569. The castle then remained the seat of the monarchy and the Sejm (Polish parliament) for almost 250 years. In 1918, the castle became the official residence of the Polish president but was completely destroyed by the Nazis during WWII. The building that stands today is thus a remarkable reconstruction, funded exclusively from contributions of individual Poles. Today, the Royal Castle represents the city’s resurrection from the ashes of near total destruction and is a great symbol of pride amongst the Polish people. On your short break adventures, you won’t be able to miss this major tourist landmark and why would you! Inside the Royal Castle you’ll find a museum with an impressive art collection and it hosts music concerts and theatre productions that revive the culture of Poland of the 18 & 19th centuries. Talk to our dedicated team about tickets, classical concerts, opera breaks in Warsaw.

A fun way to look around the city is to take the blue electric train, which takes you to many of the famous sites of the Old and New Town in style. The trip starts in Castle Square where the train leaves approximately every half an hour. The trip lasts for 30 minutes and it only runs in the summer months. Alternatively opt for one of the horse carriages that wait outside the gates of the Royal Castle. Prices tend to start at around 50zł for a 20 minute ride, though feel free to bargain. Taking a horse carriage ride along the streets of Warsaw is a unique way to perfect that romantic break. Travel in luxury. Book a Poland short break with Vamos Travel.

Other popular streets to take note of are: Swietojanska Street (St John's) and Kamienne Schodki (Stone Steps). Swietojanska Street is overshadowed by the oldest & most famous religious building, St John's Cathedral, built in the 14th century. The cathedral was used in 1764, for the coronation of the last Polish king (Stanislaw II) and for the swearing in of the Sejm - Polish Parliament. Inside St John’s Cathedral there are many treasures, works of art and priceless organs. It’s an important religious & tourist landmark in Poland and for discerning travelers that have a keen interest in historical buildings, the St John's Cathedral is a place to be see. Kamienne Schodki is not really a street but a long stretch of stairs but is very beautiful nether-the-less. It leads from The Old Market Square to Brzozowa Street and further to Bugaj Street. Both these busy streets are always crowded with street merchants, clowns, showmen of all sorts and of course, happy tourists.

Warsaw’s Old Town is truly a beautiful scene and quite an inspirational place, to think that despite all the odds, the ancient town rose again from the devastation of the Nazis. Today, the Old Town is an asset of World Culture listed in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1980 and is the capitals prime city break attraction, throughout the year. Day or night the old town welcomes visitors to explore its cobbled paths, defensive walls, romantic alleys and green summer gardens. The Old Town really is an un-missable place to visit whilst on holidays in Warsaw, providing spectacular scenery and an unforgettable atmosphere for its city break guests.

When you think of grand promenades, many names spring to mind like the Champs Elysees in Paris, Tokyo’s Ginza or the Stroget in Copenhagen. Warsaw too has a world famous thoroughfare called the Royal Way, which stretches for 4km bisecting the city from North to south. This grand avenue runs from the foot of the Royal castle (Plac Zamkowy) to the Krakowskie Przedmiescie, which runs parallel with the Vistula River. Krakowskie Przedmiescie is one of the city’s most elegant and lively streets and you are sure to find something of interest as you wander down on your East Europe break. There are exquisite 17th and 18th century residences and burgher houses, famous churches, palaces and monuments galore, as well as many places for shopping, eating and drinking. We advise our Poland weekend breaks clients to follow the route of the Royal way and discover the many delights of the capital –many off the beaten track.

Very close to Plac Zamkowy and on the Krakowskie Przedmiescie, is St Anne's Church. Amazingly St Anne’s survived the destruction of WWII and has a magnificent high alter and the most stunning original Baroque interior. Among all the churches, St Anne is probably the church with the most beautiful interiors and definitely worth scheduling a visit on your city tours of Warsaw. Further along the Royal Way, the next historical building of significant interest is the Carmelite Church, which survived the last World War and stands near the Adam Mickiewicz monument. We find also two sumptuous palaces, facing each other on both sides of the road: Potocki Palace, seat of the Ministry of Arts and Culture and Radziwill Palace, a Neo-classic building seat of the Cabinet. In front of Radziwill Palace one can see the statue of Prince Jozef Poniatowski, nephew of the last king of Poland and Napoleon's marshal, who died in the battle of Leipzig in 1813. Also in the proximity and almost facing each other, are two of the oldest hotels in the capital, the Hotel Europejski (1877) and Hotel Bristol (1901). Book you’re a holiday to Warsaw and stay in these fine hotels. We offer 5 star luxury hotels, last minute deals and so much more.

By continuing a little further down the Krakowskie Przedmiescie, Poland short break explorers can discover at least three more major tourist hot spots: The Church of the Nuns of the Visitation which is considered by many people the most beautiful church in Warsaw, the Church of the Holy Cross, famous for being the resting place of Poland’s most famous composer, Frederic Chopin and thirdly the Staszic Palace. The place is home to the Polish Academy of Science and has a wonderful monument at its front, dedicated to Nicolas Copernicus (1473-1543), a pioneer of astronomy and created new radical concepts that challenged religious views. These impressive tourist attractions are important to sightseeing enthusiasts and we urge you to give yourself the appropriate amount of time to soak up all that is on offer.

Eventually the Krakowskie Przedmiescie leads onto the Nowy Swiat (‘New World’) another major part of the Royal Way that runs from the Old Town into the Lazienki area and then onto the King's Wilanow palace on the outskirts of the city. This historical street is a massive tourist hot spot, loved by our citybreak guest for the diversity of exclusive shops, trendy bars and 19th century architecture. In spring and summer the streets are filled with colourful umbrellas and tables from cafes and bistros. A holiday in Poland wouldn’t be complete without strolling along this road and stopping on the way to relax in a restaurant for a bite to eat. Along Nowy Swiat, where Pl. Trzech Krzyży begins, the area merges into Aleje Ujazdowskie, another 19th century street filled with the mansions, villas and elegant houses of the once rich and famous. Today it is the site of many embassies, governmental offices, the Polish Parliament and is a focal point for a Warsaw break. Running parallel to Ujazdowskie is the Royal Lazienki Park. Regardless of the season, walking the route of the Royal way is a must-do whilst on a vacation to Warsaw. On the Royal way one can discover the finest attractions from museums to posh boutiques. Tempted enough now to see this great city? Contact the Poland travel specialists and enquire about our weekend breaks deals in Warsaw, Krakow and Gdansk.

The Lazienki Park area provides a leafy retreat from the hustle of the city centre and has one of the most stunning parks in central Europe. Lazienki, which means 'the baths’ is a charming area to stroll around and has always been a fun thing to do for foreign guests and locals alike. The primary draw to this picturesque area is the lovely neo-classical Lazienki Palace, often called Palace on the Water, as it stands on an islet in the middle of a lake. At the centre of the Lazienki Park is an amphitheatre ‘Island Theatre’, where the seating area is separated from the stage by a small canal. It’s here where visitors can listen to live concerts by renowned pianists near the monument of Frederick Chopin (Chopin Festival is held here every summer). Enquire about Warsaw concert tickets and other cultural events you would like to coincide with your stay in Poland. Also in the park is the Belvedere Palace, once the seat of the President of Poland and the Ujazdowski Castle which was constructed in 15th century. In 1981 Ujazdowski Castle became the home for Contemporary Art, promoting various art forms; painting, sculpture, as well as theatre, music, performance art, and film. Visit this cultural institution, we recommend it as a thoroughly interesting holiday excursion.

Further along, the Royal way leads to the Royal residency of Wilanow, the 17th home of King Jan III Sobieski. The baroque-style Wilanow Palace was designed by many famous artists including Michelangelo. The palace is remarkable for its original architecture, a blend of the European art with the Old-Polish building tradition, with spectacular interior wall paintings and carvings that convey a great sense of royal grandeur and triumph. The Wilanow Palace is one of the most beautiful buildings in the capital and has been a major Poland holiday focal point since it turned into an open museum in 1962. Don’t miss this on your Warsaw breaks, its one of the main points of interest for all guests to enjoy. It’s well preserved 43 hectare park is the other major attraction to the palace, where people can roam and find many different types of garden designs, from Baroque, English, neo-classical and Chinese. The palace and its surrounding parks are without a doubt one of the finest places to visit and an afternoon here will be a memorable occasion on your weekend holidays here.

Dominating the Skyline is one of the capitals principal landmarks, the Palace of culture and Science. It’s still the tallest building in Poland and can be practically seen from anywhere in the capital. On the 30th floor, there is well-known viewing platform, which is 114m above the ground, where tourist can enjoy amazing panoramic views, being able to see; the old town, various palaces, churches and parks, modern buildings, suburbs and even the forests on the Mazowsze plain. It’s a sight to behold, so make the effort to catch these awesome views and take some amazing photographs. Today, the Palace of culture and Science is a multi purpose building, home to various museums, a shopping centre, nightclubs, theatres and the massive Sala Kongresowa (Congress Hall) which is big enough to hold 3000 people. Although the palace is an icon of the city and popular tourist attractions in Warsaw, it still creates mixed feelings from the Polish locals, due to its Russian heritage and the fact that it was commissioned by Stalin.

During the Nazi occupation, a Jewish Ghetto (Getto Zydowskie) was constructed and some 400,000 Jewish people were forced to live there in the confines of an enclosed area (Muranow, in the north west of the city). From here hundreds of thousands of Jews were sent to the Treblinka concentration camp, where most were executed on mass in the gas chambers. Today, there are a number of landmarks of great importance to remind people of the suffering and hardship the Jewish community had experienced. The historic Jewish Cemetery on Okopowa Street has been in continuous use since late in the 18th century and contains an estimated 250,000 individual graves as well as mass graves of thousands of residents of the Ghetto. For an organised Jewish Heritage Tour, please add this to your enquiry form and contact Vamos Travel. Our guides are all English speaking and tours are available throughout the year in private and air conditioned cars / mini buses.

At present, the collection of the National Museum includes 780,000 items displayed in numerous temporary & permanent galleries. This is without a doubt Warsaws most important museum, which exhibits a complete range of subjects, from medieval & ancient Egyptian art to European furniture and Polish paintings. For travelers with a keen interest in history and Polish culture, then don’t miss the opportunity to visit the National Museum.

The Citadel is a 19th century fortification by the Vistula River and is another main Polish historical site to be visited on a weekend breaks to Warsaw. The fortress is a pentagon-shaped brick structure with high outer walls, enclosing an area of 36 hectares. Today the fortress is home to the fantastic Independence museum, which allows visitors to explore underground tunnels and prison cells. The citadel is one of the best-preserved objects of 19th century fortification and defensive architecture and is a fantastic Poland city break attraction that must be visited.

The Frederick Chopin Museum is situated within the Ostrogski castle built in the 17th century and contains thousands of original Chopin artifacts from; manuscripts, handwritten annotations to music scores, autographs and personal letters & mementos. Chopin is perhaps still Warsaw's most famous son and his memory & music is regularly celebrated with music concerts at the castle. Don’t miss the opportunity in seeing a classical concert. Book your performance tickets through Vamos Travel. We can obtain any seat category you require and we have a department that specialises in opera, Ballet and concert city break packages.

On a vast square, named after Marshal Pilsudski, is the Tomb of Unknown Soldier, a very important place indeed, dedicated to the sacrifices made by Polish men who fought for their freedom and independence. The Tomb was constructed in 1925 beneath the arcades of the 17th-century Saxon Palace. When the Nazis blew up the palace in 1944, amazingly, the only part of the building to survive was the fragment standing directly over the tomb. Today, two smartly uniformed soldiers guard it day and night, 365 days a year. After visiting this important tourism site, we suggest to our guests to take a walk through the Saxon Gardens, which are found at the back of the Tomb.

If you don’t want to travel as far as Auschwitz but would like to visit somewhere that will bring back stark memories of the war then you can visit Powazki Catholic Cemetery, the former Gestapo HQ and Pawaik Prison used extensively by the Nazi’s for holding and executing prisoners of war. If the Auschwitz tour is a priority trip for your stay in Poland, then we suggest taking a train from Warsaw to Krakow. From Krakow city centre, we organise daily tours to Auschwitz. Why not combine a city break holiday of both Warsaw and Krakow. The train journey is just under 3 hours and is a fantastic way to see Poland’s beautiful countryside. If you’re looking for the ultimate Holiday in Poland, then contact our travel team today.

The former Gestapo HQ was one of the most feared addresses in Poland, used as a brutal interrogation centre during the war. Today, there is a museum which re-lives the horror that went on in the building and although a shocking place to discover, it is well worth visiting here (Free entry). In the museum, you’ll discover; bullet marked scarred walls, torture methods, terrible stories of how prisoners were subjected to long drawn out torture and executions. It might be shocking but it’s a fascinating place to visit on your weekends away.