The '''Old Town''' (Polish: ''Stare Miasto'' or ''Starowka'') is Warsaw's '''most distinguishable area''', which once was the city center. It is fully contained '''within the boundaries of ?rodmie?cie''', the most central district of Warsaw.

This itinerary takes you for a walk around the Old Town. It should be fully manageable to see all the sights '''within a day''', although more time may be needed if you plan to traverse all the exhibitions at a reasonable pace.

If you still have some time the same day, '''you can then visit the New Town''' (''Nowe Miasto''), which ?? contrary to what the name suggests ? is basically another old historical city area, just north of the City Walls. The '''Royal Road also begins here''', but you'll be better off leaving it for the next day.

Understand

The Old Town was '''obliterated in 85% during World War II'''. Most of the present-day buildings were carefully '''reconstructed in the 1950s'''. The castle was rebuilt even later for political reasons and has regained the adjective __royal__ only after the fall of communism.

Prepare

  • Get a '''free map of Warsaw''' with the transport routes from the Tourist Information at ''ul. Krakowskie Przedmie?cie 39'' (9AM-8PM; Oct-Apr: 9AM-6PM) or many other places.
  • There is a '''shortage of public toilets''' in the area. When in need, search for a bar or a restaurant as they are obliged by the law to have toilet facilities. Sometimes, they may be for customers only but it doesn't hurt to ask.
  • Get in

    This itinerary starts at the '''Castle Square''' (''pl. Zamkowy''). The transport information was up-to-date as of August 2006.

    '''By bus to ''pl. Zamkowy''.''' This is the nearest stop:

  • ?'''100''' and ?'''180''' ?? the tourist routes
  • ?'''175'''? ?? from the airport
  • ?'''116''',??'''122''',??'''160''',??'''174''',?'''192''', '''195''', '''503''',?'''518''' ?? other buses
  • '''607'''?? a night bus (all stops on request)
  • '''By bus or tram to ''Stare Miasto''.''' This stop is equally nearby but downstairs, at the tunnel level:

  • '''13''',?'''23''',??'''26''',?'''32'''?? trams
  • '''125''', ?'''160''', '''170''',?'''190''',?'''192'''?? buses
  • '''601'''?? another night bus (all stops on request)
  • '''100''' also stops here
  • Walk

    Around the Castle Square

  • '''Castle Square''' (''pl. Zamkowy'')
  • :* '''Sigismund's Column''' (''Kolumna Zygmunta''). To the memory of King Sigismund III Vasa who moved the capital to Warsaw from Krakow in 1596 (so he could meddle in Swedish affairs more easily).

    :* '''Royal Castle''' (''Zamek Krolewski'') ''pl. Zamkowy 4'' and '''Pa?ac pod Blach?''' [http://www.zamek-krolewski.art.pl/]

    :* '''Old Town Houses''' on the northern side of the '''Castle Square'''

  • '''East-West Route''' (''Trasa W-Z''). The tunnel beneath the Old Town built in the 1950s, now part of ''al. Solidarno?ci''. Also try the pastry called ''wuzetka'' (pronounced voo-ZET-kah).
  • '''Gothic Bridge''' (''ul. Podwale'')
  • Old Town Streets

  • '''Beer Street''' (''ul. Piwna''). One of the longest streets in the Old Town.
  • :* '''St Martin Church''' ''ul. Piwna''

  • '''St John Cathedral''' ''ul. ?wi?toja?ska''
  • :* '''Kanonia''' behind the Cathedral is a triangular square with a bell in the center

    :* '''St Mary the Favorable Church''' next to the Cathedral

    Around the Old Town Market

  • '''The Old Town Market'''
  • :* '''The Mermaid''', which is the emblem of Warsaw

  • '''Barbican''' and the '''City Walls'''
  • West of Old Town

  • '''Long Street''' (''ul. D?uga'')
  • :* '''Raczy?skich Palace''' (''Pa?ac Raczy?skich'') ''ul. D?uga 7''

    :* '''Virgin Mary Garrison Church''' (''Ko?cio? Garnizonowy NMP'') ''ul. D?uga 13/15''

    :* '''Radziwi??owej Palace''' (''Pa?ac Radziwi??owej'') ''ul. D?uga 26''

    :* '''Palace under the Four Winds''' (''Pa?ac pod Czterema Wiatrami'') ''ul. D?uga 38/40''

  • '''Honey Street''' (''ul. Miodowa''). The name comes from the honey pastries produced in Toru? (''ciasta miodowe'', nowadays called ''pierniki'').
  • :* '''Branickich Palace''' (''Pa?ac Branickich'') ''ul. Miodowa 6''

    :* '''Transfiguration of Jesus Capuchins Church''' (''Ko?cio? Kapucynow Przemienienia Pa?skiego'') ''ul. Miodowa 13''

    :* '''Paca Palace''' (''Pa?ac Paca'') ''ul. Miodowa 15''

    :* '''Monument to Jan Kili?ski''' (''Pomnik Jana Kili?skiego'')

    :* '''Basilians Church''' (''Ko?cio? Bazylianow'') ''ul. Miodowa 16''

    :* '''Borchow Palace''' (''Pa?ac Borchow'') ''ul Miodowa 17''

  • '''Krasi?skich Square''' (''pl. Krasi?skich'')
  • :* '''Krasi?skich Palace''' (''Pa?ac Krasi?skich'') ''pl. Krasi?skich 5''

  • '''Hospitallers Street''' (''ul. Bonifraterska'')
  • :* '''St John of God Hospitallers Church''' (''Ko?cio? Bonifratrow ?w. Jana Bo?ego'') ''ul. Bonifraterska 12''

    :* '''Monument to the Polish People Murdered in the East''' (''Pomnik Polakow Pomordowanych na Wschodzie'') ''ul. Muranowska'' (near ''ul. Bonifraterska''). "East" means "in the Soviet Union".

    Stay safe

    Warsaw is generally a safe city and the tourist areas are particularly well-patrolled. There are however '''pickpockets''' operating, so watch out, especially in the crowded places.

    Should something bad happen, call the '''police''' (''policja'') at '''997''' or '''112'''. They used to have a problem with interpreters but hopefully it has now been solved and there is even a '''tourist emergency freephone''' operating Jun-Sep 10AM-10PM at '''0 800 200 300''' (or '''''+48'' 608 599 999''' from a mobile phone) where you can communicate in English, German or Russian.

    Get out

    This itinerary ends near the '''Bank Square''' (''pl. Bankowy''). You can then proceed to the New Town or Contemporary Center if you wish.

    '''Transport options at ''pl. Bankowy'' are:'''

  • '''M'''?--?'''Ratusz'''?
  • ?'''15''',?'''18''',?'''35''', '''36''' ? trams; '''T'''? ?? tourist tram line (historic cars)
  • '''100''', '''107''', ?'''111''', '''119''',?'''127''', ?'''128''', '''171''', '''310''', '''409''', '''512'''?, '''515''', '''520''', '''522''', '''524''', '''E-2''', '''601''', '''606''' ?? buses