The Tailor-Made Guide to Things to Do in Warsaw: Old Town
- Barry Pickard
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. Regardless of this, please be advised that all opinions expressed in this blog post are genuine and authentically my own.
Author: Barry Pickard
Hi, I'm Barry, the owner of Tailor-Made Itineraries and I have been designing bespoke self-guided tours for adventurous and curious travellers since 2015. I am a history graduate with a passion for travel.
I created this blog to show, through my own adventures, how you can have an incredible travel experience as an independent traveller, giving you the information to navigate the world with confidence.
Contents
What are the best things to see in Warsaw Old Town? Here's what surprised me: every single colourful building I admired was built after 1945. Standing in the Market Square, surrounded by pastel-coloured facades with their ornate details and painted exteriors, I could smell fresh coffee drifting from the cafes while street musicians played near the Warsaw Mermaid statue. The cobblestones beneath my feet clicked with each step, and tourists chatted in a dozen languages around outdoor tables under white umbrellas. It all looked medieval, Renaissance, Baroque—centuries old. But here's the thing: during World War II, this entire area was reduced to rubble. What I was looking at was one of history's most remarkable reconstruction projects, painstakingly rebuilt brick by brick from old paintings, photographs, and architectural drawings. Walking through Warsaw Old Town isn't just about seeing beautiful architecture; it's about witnessing a city's refusal to let its identity be erased.
I'm Barry, a history graduate who's been designing self-guided tours since 2015, and I've visited Warsaw multiple times. Old Town is always my starting point—it's compact enough to explore in a few hours but packed with enough history, architecture, and atmosphere to keep you engaged all day. This guide shares exactly what to see in Warsaw's UNESCO-listed Old Town, from the Royal Castle where Europe's first constitution was signed to the heartbreaking Little Insurgent memorial that honours children who fought in the 1944 uprising. If you're an independent traveller looking to understand Warsaw beyond the tourist-brochure clichés, you've found the right article. Everything here comes from my own experience walking these reconstructed streets and discovering how a city rebuilt itself from nothing.
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of the attractions of Old Town Warsaw appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the best things to do in Warsaw, or indeed, a general tour of Poland.
Things to Do in Warsaw's Old Town
Old Town Market Square (Rynek Starego Miasta)
The heart of Warsaw Old Town is its Market Square. It’s surrounded by buildings meticulously reconstructed after WWII to match their 17th and 18th-century style. At the center, the Warsaw Mermaid sculpture stands proudly, shield and sword in hand. It’s a symbol of the city and a constant presence since the 1800s. Today, the square bustles with cafes, shops, and restaurants. If you’re looking for things to see in Warsaw, this is the perfect place to stop, sit, and people-watch.
St. John’s Cathedral (Katedra św. Jana)
St. John’s Cathedral is the oldest church in Warsaw, dating back to the 14th century. Its history tells a story of resilience. Destroyed during WWII, it was rebuilt after the war to reflect its medieval appearance. Once a coronation site for the Dukes of Masovia, this cathedral also holds deep historical significance. For instance, King Stanisław August Poniatowski repeated the Oath of the Constitution of May 3, 1791, here. The somber Gothic architecture gives you a sense of the weight of its past.
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Castle Square (Plac Zamkowy)
Just a short walk from the Market Square is Castle Square, the entrance to Old Town. It’s home to the Royal Castle and Sigismund’s Column, two landmarks you can’t miss. The square connects to the historic Royal Route, a stretch of streets lined with palaces and important buildings. It’s also a great starting point for exploring other attractions in Warsaw.
Royal Castle
The Royal Castle is impossible to overlook and is a must see in Warsaw. It was once the seat of Polish kings and later a key site for the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. The Constitution of May 3, 1791—Europe’s first—was signed here. Like much of Old Town Warsaw, the castle was destroyed during WWII but was faithfully reconstructed. Inside, you’ll find rooms restored to their former grandeur, filled with art and history. Even if you don’t go inside, the castle’s red facade is worth admiring.
Sigismund’s Column
Sigismund’s Column stands tall in Castle Square. Erected in 1644, it honors King Sigismund III Vasa, the monarch who moved Poland’s capital from Kraków to Warsaw. During the Warsaw Uprising of 1944, the column was destroyed, but pieces of the original still lie nearby. The rebuilt version remains a striking centerpiece to the square and a marker of the city’s resilience.
Barbakan
The Barbakan is a remnant of Warsaw’s old defensive walls. Built in 1540, it once protected the city between Old and New Towns. After WWII, it was reconstructed in the 1950s to resemble its original form. Walking through the Barbakan gives you a feel for the city’s medieval past and offers views of the surrounding city walls.
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Field Cathedral of the Polish Army
The Field Cathedral of the Polish Army, located just outside Old Town, is one of Warsaw's most important churches. Built in the 17th century, it now serves as the main place of worship for the Polish military. Inside, you’ll find moving memorials dedicated to fallen soldiers, including victims of the Katyn massacre. It’s a quiet and solemn space that offers a deeper perspective on Poland’s history of sacrifice and resilience.
Mały Powstaniec (Little Insurgent) Memorial
The Mały Powstaniec, or Little Insurgent, is one of Warsaw’s most touching war memorials. Located near the Barbakan, it commemorates the children who fought and died during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944. The bronze statue depicts a young child wearing an oversized helmet and holding a gun, symbolizing the courage and tragedy of the young insurgents. It’s a small but powerful tribute that reminds visitors of the sacrifices made during the city’s darkest days.
Wandering the Streets
One of the best things to do in Warsaw Old Town is simply walking. The narrow streets are lined with colorful facades, each one distinct. No two buildings look alike. Stop and take in the details—the ornate doorways, window shutters, and painted exteriors. It’s hard to believe these streets were once rubble after WWII. Warsaw’s Old Town is proof of the city’s ability to rebuild and renew itself.
Conclusion
Warsaw Old Town proves that history isn't always about what's ancient—sometimes it's about what refuses to die. This reconstructed medieval quarter stands as a powerful testament to Polish resilience, determination, and cultural identity. From the moment you enter through the Barbakan fortress to when you leave Castle Square, you're walking through a place that shouldn't exist but does, rebuilt from wartime rubble with such precision that UNESCO designated it a World Heritage Site. The Royal Castle, St. John's Cathedral, the Market Square with its colourful facades, Sigismund's Column—each landmark tells two stories: the original history and the remarkable reconstruction. What makes exploring Old Town even more powerful is knowing that while it looks centuries old, it's actually younger than many of the grandparents visiting it. Between the architectural beauty, the moving war memorials like the Little Insurgent, and the vibrant cafe culture that brings it all to life today, Warsaw Old Town offers independent travellers a unique experience—a place where you can literally see a city's refusal to surrender its past.
Where to Stay
When visiting these sites in the Old Town, I stayed at the Ibis Warszawa Stare Miasto, which was just a ten minute walk to the Field Cathedral and handily positioned to walk to the other sites detailed in this post.
In keeping with being a vibrant European capital city, there are plenty of hotels to choose from, with many being within walking distance of this historic area. For a touch of luxury the Hotel Bristol, A Luxury Collection Hotel fits the bill, as does the splendid Hotel Bellotto. For more moderate or economy options consider the Leonardo Royal Hotel Warsaw, or the Hotel Mazowiecki WOW.
Related Blog Posts
If you are interested in finding out more about Poland, please view the Tailor-Made Itineraries posts below:
Drop a comment below and tell me—which Warsaw Old Town landmark moved you most, or are you planning your first visit to Poland's reconstructed capital?
Don’t forget that Tailor-Made Itineraries delights in creating bespoke self-guided tours. So, if visiting any of the attractions of Old Town Warsaw appeals to you, reach out to me by email. I would be more than happy to design a self-guided tour around your requirements incorporating the best things to do in Warsaw, or indeed, a general tour of Poland.
Tailor-Made Itineraries posts every two weeks, and you can subscribe to the latest blog and newsletter here. Until then, happy reading and safe travels.
Barry
Contact Me: tailoritineraries@gmail.com
Tailor-Made Itineraries creates one-of-a-kind bespoke self-guided travel itineraries for adventurous and curious travellers.
These self-guided tours deliver a personalised and exciting holiday experience that takes the effort out of trip planning.
Warsaw Old Town Map
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