There is little evidence left of the total destruction that happened in Warsaw after WWII. With most of the city and its treasures having been rebuilt after the war, Warsaw now boasts many of its former attractions such as the Barbican, Wilanow Palace and the Royal Castle, while the city’s musuems provide great indoor activities for the cooler times of year.

Palace of Culture
Built as a gift from Stalin to the Poles in the 1950s while the rest of the city remained in a state of destruction, this is an architectural structure that you will either love or hate. The building offers fantastic views over the city, while the interior boasts three theatres, a swimming pool, a museum and a 3,000-seat congress hall. At 234 metres high, with 3,288 rooms, it is one of the city’s largest structures.

Barbican
Situated on the border between Old Town and New Town is the Barbican, a Gothic-style building with a Renaissance roof, dating to 1548. Designed by Italian architect Jan Baptysta, it was originally constructed as part of the city wall. What you see today is mostly a reconstruction that was completed on the late 1930s and is now a popular place for artists and buskers to entertain in the summer season.

Historical Museum of Warsaw
Situated in the Old Town Square, visitors to Warsaw should make this museum a priority on their itinerary in order to gain a reasonable insight into the city’s history. Boasting 60 rooms decorated with period interiors, displays here include maps, historical documents, paintings and photographs. Try to catch a showing of ‘Warsaw Will Not Forget’, a short film documenting the total destruction of the city in WWII and the long-term reconstruction.

Royal Castle
This is the most significant structure in the Old Town, as well as being the city’s oldest. What you see today is a reconstruction of the original fortification, which was all but destroyed by the Nazis in WWII. Baroque in appearance, the interior has Gothic elements and houses a historical and art museum, which displays tapestries, paintings and furniture.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 
An attraction that is on most visitors itineraries, the tomb is representative of all those who lost their lives during WWII. An eternal flame is kept alight day and night, while there is also a weekly ‘Changing of the Guard’ ceremony held here on Sundays. Located at Pilsudskiego Place, the building incorporates the only remaining pieces of the Saxon Palace, which was totally destroyed by Nazi forces.

Wilanow Palace
Blessed to have escaped WWII bombings, this structure is one of the city’s most beautiful pre-war architectural wonders. Housing a state museum, it is in fact the surrounding gardens and park that many visitors come here to appreciate. Highlights include the Orangery and the Chinese pavilion, while the Gallery of Polish Portraiture, housed inside the palace, is also well worth a look for its impressive 16th to the 19th century paintings. There is an admission charge.

Explore the city's museums and galleries. Among Warsaw’s most acclaimed museums are: the Museum of the Warsaw Archdiocese, housing a huge amount of gold and religious artefacts dating back to the 15^th century; Independence Museum, documenting Polish history since the 18^th century; and the Chopin Museum, tracing the works and life of this musical master.

Popular art galleries include: Foksal Gallery; Gallery of the Association of Polish Artistic Photographers; Kordegarda Gallery; Poster Museum; and Gallery 32.

Take time to visit the Historic Centre of Warsaw. This area encompasses many reconstructed buildings, based on the originals, after the Nazis razed 80 per cent of this area to the ground in the latter years of WWII. Having taken five years to be rebuilt, the structure attracts visitors who can now enjoy the city’s former market place, cobblestone streets, palaces, churches, restaurants and cafés, most of which can be seen on foot.