• King Sigismund’s Column (Kolumna Zygmunta) - Sigismund’s Column is Warsaw’s oldest public monument, though it has been relocated from its original site. It was moved when Krakowskie Przedmieście Street’s axis was altered in the 19th century and again after World War II during the WZ route’s development. On September 2, 1944, German troops toppled the column. The statue and column were reconstructed by 1949. Earlier columns are displayed next to the King’s Castle walls (visible from the WZ route). The column is a significant city symbol, second only to the Mermaid, the most iconic symbol of Poland’s capital.
• Old Town - Old Town was established at a river location ideal for trade, on the main route between the Baltic and Black Seas. Wealthy merchants and craftsmen settled here, fostering rapid growth. Over centuries, wooden structures destroyed by fires were replaced with masonry houses, and earthen ramparts with stone walls. A town hall was built in 1429 (now gone), along with a parish church (now the Cathedral of St. John), defensive towers, and a barbican. In 1944, 90% of the Old Town was destroyed. Reconstruction took years, culminating in its inclusion on UNESCO’s World Heritage List.
• Warsaw Royal Castle Gardens - The Royal Castle became a royal residence in the 16th century when Masovia joined the Crown. It was destroyed multiple times (during the Deluge and Poland’s annexation) but was rebuilt until World War II, when it was bombed and nearly destroyed by fire. Some priceless artworks were saved and hidden, but others were looted, and in 1944, the castle was blown up in retaliation for the Warsaw Uprising. Reconstruction was decided in 1971, funded largely by community generosity. It opened to visitors in 1984 and was later added to the UNESCO World Heritage List as a successful, faithful reconstruction of a historic structure.
• Bazylika Archikatedralna w Warszawie p.w. Męczeństwa św. Jana Chrzciciela - St. John’s Cathedral is among Warsaw’s oldest churches. Every Sunday at 4 PM, from July to September, it hosts concerts as part of the International Organ Music Festival. The church has witnessed many historic events, including the Constitution of May 3 oath — Europe’s first of its kind. The crypt contains the tombs of many historical figures, with the Chapel-Mausoleum of the Primate of the Millennium being particularly noteworthy.
• Rynek Starego Miasta - The Old Town Marketplace is encircled by tenement buildings with exquisite restaurants, cafes, clubs, galleries, and museums. The central square now features a statue of the city’s symbol — the Warsaw Mermaid. The marketplace is divided into four sections, honoring Warsaw’s enlightenment activists: Kołłątaj, Dekert, Barss, and Zakrzewski.
• Warsaw Barbican (Barbakan Warszawski) - The Barbican, once a strategic part of the city’s defensive walls, now attracts painters and musicians who enhance visitors’ walks around the Old Town. Built in 1548, it was part of about 4,000 feet of defensive ramparts. From May to October, an exhibition inside the Barbican’s walls showcases historical photos of Warsaw and models of the defensive lines and towers (no longer existing). Comparing these with the Old Town’s current shape helps imagine the Barbican’s past appearance and what Warsaw’s heart might have been like without wartime destruction.
• Monument to the Warsaw Uprising Fighters - The Monument of the Warsaw Uprising depicts insurgents in battle. The Warsaw Uprising, ending in defeat and the loss of 200,000 Poles, was one of the most tragic and significant events in modern Polish and Warsaw history. Krasiński Palace (Palace of the Republic) was initially Jan Krasiński’s residence, the Prefect of Warsaw. It now hosts special collections for the National Library and is considered Warsaw’s most charming Baroque structure. Its many reliefs draw inspiration from antique works. The park behind the palace is perfect for a walk and relaxation, initially one of the first such sites open to all city residents, regardless of social status. The green building next to the palace and across the street is the newly-built Supreme Court seat.
• Ulica Miodowa - Miodowa Street is a lively, narrow street lined with historic, luxurious residences. Number 24 (on the left) once housed the Collegium Nobilium — the first school for the ruling elite’s youth. It now hosts the Academy of Theatre. Number 17 (on the left) is the Primate of Poland’s residence — the Palace of Warsaw’s Archbishops, built in the 18th century. Number 16 (on the right) is Warsaw’s only Eastern Catholic Church. Pac Palace, housing the Ministry of Health, is next to the Primate’s residence. Another notable building is the Church of the Capuchins. The right side of its altar holds Jan III Sobieski’s heart (its founder). Further along, you can view the Monument of Warsaw’s Heroes, commonly known as the Monument of Nike.
• Plac Teatralny - Theatre Square is bordered on the right by the Late Baroque Blank Palace. Behind it is Jabłonowski Palace, which served as the city hall before World War II. The building was destroyed during the war and rebuilt in the 1990s, with only the façade and clock tower remaining from the original design. Be sure to walk through the gate under the tower to see the 19th-century foundations. The Grand Theatre, a massive Classicist building facing Jabłonowski Palace, is home to the National Opera and National Theatre. Its opera stage is one of Europe’s largest. Attending a performance reveals enchanting interiors with cut glass chandeliers, a spacious foyer with columns, and impressive floor tiling. Theatre Square ends with the Petrykus Tenement House, built in 1821, housing various restaurants and clubs highly regarded by Warsaw residents.
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is a symbolic memorial honoring the millions of soldiers who gave their lives for Poland’s freedom. It contains the ashes of a Lvov defender and an urn with soil from World War I battlefields. Today, the tomb holds urns from every battlefield where Polish troops fell in the last century. An eternal flame burns next to the tomb, watched over by a military honor guard that changes daily at noon.
• Royal Route - The former Royal Route extends from Zamkowy Square to Trzech Krzyży Square. Notable sights along the Route include: St. Anne’s Church (and the view from its tower), the Polonia House (formerly the Museum of Industry and Trade, where Maria Skłodowska-Curie worked), the Radziwiłł Palace (current residence of the President of Poland), the Warsaw University campus with Kazimierzowski Palace, Czapski Palace (Academy of Fine Arts), and elegant stores and restaurants on Nowy Świat Street — an extension of Krakowskie Przedmieście Street.

• Expert local guide

• Gratuities

Embark on a journey through Warsaw, the capital and biggest city of Poland, led by an informed guide. This walking tour of the city’s heart introduces you to the fascinating Old Town and vibrant New Town, exposing you to Warsaw’s extensive history via a dedicated private tour.
Start the tour at the Sigismund’s Column which commemorates the monarch who declared Warsaw the capital. Delve into the ruin inflicted on the city during World War II and its subsequent rebuilding. Experience the attractions of the Old Town, including the significant Royal Castle, offering insight into the lives of former royals and Warsaw citizens.
From there, hop over to the Krasinski Palace, the Supreme Court, and the monument representing the Warsaw Uprising. Additional tour features include the Grand Theatre, the National Opera, and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The tour culminates with a brief trek through the Royal Route, after which you are free to explore the city independently.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.