I know I already wrote a little about Warsaw’s Stare Miasto (Old Town), but I wanted to focus in on all the nooks and crannies of this especially beautiful area of the city.
Plac Zamkowy (Castle Square)
This is the main entrance to the Old Town, which you approach walking down Krakowskie Przedmiescie. The main attraction here, as you might guess, is the Zamek Królewski (Royal Castle). Unfortunately, the building was completely and purposefully destroyed during the war, so what you see today is a thorough reconstruction. My favorite rooms are the super-Polish throne, and the marble room.
On Sundays, entrance to the royal interiors is free.
Stone Stairs
Napoleon allegedly walked down these picturesque stairs that you find not far from the Main Square.
Barbakan
These walls were once Warsaw’s defense and now surround the Old Town. You can find restaurants and gift shops hidden away in these walls and towers.
Ice cream
Ice cream (lody in Polish) is not just a dessert, it’s a way of life in Europe! You can’t go one hot summer day without at least one scoop. There’s a really well-known ice cream spot in Old Town, on Świętojańska street, that features many popular flavors like pistachio, blueberry and hazelnut.
Stone storefronts
Many of the apartments, galleries, jewelry boutiques and gift shops sit under beautiful stone entrances. Here are just a couple of the ones you’ll see as you stroll through Old Town:
The view from below
One of my favorite views of Stare Miasto is from below, along the Wisla (Vistula) River. Whether you’re driving by or walking along the river, you get a spectacular view of the charming old houses scattered across the hill, and a glance at the back of the Royal Castle.
My dad’s old photography gallery
Ok, this isn’t really a traditional tourist stop, but it’s my blog so I’m including it. This is where my dad managed a photo gallery when he lived in Warsaw before coming to Chicago. The building still houses photo galleries, so you might catch an exhibit if you stop by.
Little Insurgent Monument
This statue (Pomnik Małego Powstańca in Polish) commemorates all the children that fought in the Warsaw Uprising. As a kid, it was always one of my favorite monuments in the city. You can find the statue right outside the western Barbakan wall of Old Town.
Picturesque Alleys
In the end, Old Town is just filled with charming, picturesque alleys, corners and plazas. Walk around and find your favorites!
Multiple Destinations 