Warsaw is the capital and largest city of Poland. It is located on the Vistula River roughly 360 kilometers (224 mi) from the Baltic Sea and 300 kilometers (186 mi) from the Carpathian Mountains.

Although today's Warsaw is a fairly young city, it has many tourist attractions. Apart from the Warsaw Old Town quarter, carefully reconstructed after World War II, each borough has something to offer. Among the most notable landmarks of the Old Town are the Royal Castle, King Zygmunt's Column, Market Square, and the Barbican.

Further south is the so-called Royal Route, with many classicist palaces, the Presidential Palace and the Warsaw University campus. Also the popular Nowy Swiat Street is worth mentioning. Wilanów Palace, the former royal residence of King John III Sobieski, is notable for its baroque architecture and beautiful parks.

Warsaw is one of Poland's most popular travel destinations. With its rich history and striking sights, Warsaw has plenty of attractions to offer visitors. These are some of Warsaw's can't-miss sights.

Must-See Warsaw Sights

Lazienki Palace

Lukasz Kwapien © 2007Lazienki Park and Palace are both beautiful and relaxing sights to see. The palace, known as "The Palace on the Isle" is built on a lake and is accessible by foot bridges. Wander the park or enter the palace depending upon your mood and the weather. The park offers pathways and shady benches, while the palace allows visitors a glimpse into the life of its previous inhabitants.

Chopin Monument

Scubabartek © 2006Warsaw is the birthplace of the famous Polish composer, Chopin. The Chopin Monument, located in Lazienki Park, is often used as a meeting place for music lovers and a venue for concerts. The original version of this monument is no longer in existence; its reproduction was created after Nazis destroyed the 1926 monument.

Royal Castle

Luke Daniek © 2007When taking a tour of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, be mindful that this structure is a reproduction of the original, just like the Chopin Monument. And, like the composer's monument, the original Royal Castle was destroyed by Nazis during WWII. While the exterior has been recreated, the interior of the Royal Castle is surprisingly authentic. Furniture that was saved from destruction, or replacements from the same period, serve to illustrate the uses of the castle's rooms.

Castle Square

Dmytro Hurnytskiy © 2007The Royal Castle overlooks Castle Square in Warsaw. This grand square is used for speeches, gatherings, and entertainment. Warsaw also has other squares of note, like the Old Town Market Square and the New Town Market Square. Warsaw's squares are great places to have a snack or a drink and experience the city.

Zygmunt's Column

Luke Daniek © 2007Zymunt's Column, erected to commemorate a 17th century Polish king, is an original monument, though it did have to be repaired after the Nazi invasion. Zygmunt's Column is located in Castle Square and marks the beginning of Warsaw's Royal Route. Visitors can follow this route to see some of Warsaw's most historic and beautiful architecture.

Poland has been rapidly gaining notoriety as one of Eastern Europe's most popular destinations. It's capital city, Warsaw, is not to be missed on any tour of Poland. This historical city offers visitors romantic strolls through streets lined with striking architecture, museums full of the city's treasures, and palaces and parks in which to spend afternoons. Those seeking to research Jewish history will find their efforts well rewarded - either the Jewish cemetary or Jewish ghetto is a good place to start.