Although today's Warsaw is a fairly young city, it has a lot of tourist attractions. The Warsaw Old Town quarter was carefully reconstructed after World War II. Among the most notable landmarks of the Old Town are the Royal Castle, King Sigismund's Column, Market Square, and the Barbican.

Similar to many other big European cities, Warsaw has it own so-called Royal Route further south, with many classicist palaces, the Presidential Palace and the Warsaw University campus. Also the popular Nowy Świat Street is worth mentioning.

Old Town

With its cobbled streets and colourful houses, the Old Town marks the focal point of Warsaw. At the centre of this UnESCO World Heritage site lies the town square, rynek Starego Miasta, which boasts a lively and charming atmosphere. The Old Town is also home to a number of beautiful churches and monuments, excellent coffee shops and restaurants.

Royal Castle

Formerly home to Poland's kings, the royal Castle, or Zamek Królewski, is an impressive landmark, situated only a short walk from the Old Town. Peek at the King's apartment or pay a visit to the galleries exhibiting paintings, coins, medals and carpets.

Powązki Cemetery

The cemetery is one of the oldest cemeteries in Europe full of sculptures, some of them by the most renowned Polish artists of the 19th and 20th centuries. Since it serves the religious communities of Warsaw, be it Catholics, Jews, Muslims or Protestants, it is often called a necropolis. Nearby is the Okopowa Street Jewish Cemetery, one of the largest Jewish cemeteries in Europe.

To the north of the city centre is the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto.

Contemporary architecture

Notable examples of contemporary architecture include the Palace of Culture and Science, a Soc-realist skyscraper located in the city center, the Stadion Dziesięciolecia which is the biggest open-air market in Europe.

The central part of the right-bank (east) Praga borough it is a place where very run-down houses stand right next to modern apartment buildings and shopping malls, and the Plac Konstytucji with its monumental Social realism architecture.

The very modern architecture in Warsaw is represented by:

• Metropolitan Office Building at Plac Piłsudskiego (Pilsudski Square) by Sir Norman Foster, rated the World's Best Business Centre in 2003;
• Warsaw University Library (BUW) by Marek Budzyński and Zbigniew Badowski with a garden on the roof and beautiful view on the Vistula river;
• Rondo 1 office building by SOM;
• Zlote Tarasy retail and business center.

Museums & galleries

Most museums are closed on Mondays and they often have free admission once a week.

Pawiak Prison Museum

An estimated 100,000 people died inside the walls of this prison during the Second World War, when it was used by nazi Germany to detain political enemies. Today its remains serve as a powerful symbol for the oppression and horrors that Varsovians had to endure. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Free entry.

Chopin Museum

The Muzeum Fryderyka Chopina provides visitors with a unique behind-the-scenes glimpse at the life and work of Poland's famous composer. it includes extremely valuable manuscripts, personal letters as well as Chopin's last piano.

Historical Museum of Warsaw

It contains an extensive collection of clippings, photographs and other exhibits covering every aspect of the city's history, from its foundation in the 13th century to the present day. Closed on Monday.

The National Museum

Boasts an excellent collection of paintings, both old and modern, as well as an impressive art library and a fine collection of old maps and prints. Free on Saturdays.

Centre for Contemporary Art

Describing itself as a "place for the creation and documentation of art in all its forms", this centre offers a variety of art exhibitions, presentations of visual theatre, concerts of contemporary music, experimental film screenings and more. Housed inside the Ujazdowski Castle. Closed on Monday.