Sight guide · Warsaw · Poland
Visiting Old Town Market Square
Warsaw's central square was almost completely destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt in the 1950s using old photographs, drawings and Bernardo Bellotto's 18th-century paintings.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Emptywords, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
Old Town Market Square is a landmark in Old Town and New Town, Warsaw. Allow 1 hour; it is free. Booking ahead is not usually needed.
Key facts
- Type
- Landmark
- Area
- Old Town and New Town
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Book ahead
- Not usually needed
- Good for
- free, history, architecture and after dark
- Best months
- April and September–October
About Old Town Market Square
Warsaw's central square was almost completely destroyed in 1944 and rebuilt in the 1950s using old photographs, drawings and Bernardo Bellotto's 18th-century paintings. Painted townhouses surround the statue of the Warsaw Mermaid, the city's symbol, and café terraces fill the square in summer.
Tip: Visit the Museum of Warsaw on the square first; its film and exhibits make the rebuilding much more meaningful.
Plan your visit
- Time needed: 1 hour.
- Cost: Free — no ticket needed for the main area.
- Book ahead: not usually needed; buy on arrival.
- Where: Old Town and New Town, rebuilt pastel townhouses, the Royal Castle and cobbled squares above the Vistula.
Best time to visit Old Town Market Square
To avoid the biggest crowds, aim for the quietest of the good months:
- April: 14°C (57°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- October: 13°C (55°F) highs, about 7 rainy days, moderate crowds.
- September: 19°C (66°F) highs, about 8 rainy days, moderate crowds.
When to visit Warsaw has the full month-by-month picture.
Fit it into your trip
Our 3-day Warsaw itinerary visits Old Town Market Square on day 1, together with Royal Castle, Castle Square and Sigismund's Column and Palace of Culture and Science.
- No. 1 of the 20 sights in our Warsaw things-to-do list.
- Day 1 of the 1-day plan.
- Day 1 of the 2-day plan.
- Listed in free things to do in Warsaw.
- One of the picks in historic sites in Warsaw.
- A family favourite in Warsaw with kids.
Near Old Town Market Square
Also in Old Town and New Town, so you can walk between them:
- Royal Castle — 2 hours, mid-priced
- Castle Square and Sigismund's Column — 20–30 minutes, free
- Museum of Warsaw — 1.5 hours, low cost
If you like Old Town Market Square
- Royal Route: Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat — Śródmieście, 1–2 hours
- POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews — Muranów, 3 hours
- Palace of Culture and Science — Śródmieście, 1 hour
- Wilanów Palace — Wilanów, 2–3 hours
Staying near Old Town Market Square
Stay in Old Town and New Town ($$$) to walk here: rebuilt pastel townhouses, the Royal Castle and cobbled squares above the Vistula. All areas to stay in Warsaw.
Questions travellers ask
+How long do you need at Old Town Market Square?
Plan 1 hour. With Royal Castle nearby, it fits a half-day in Old Town and New Town.
+Is Old Town Market Square free?
Yes, it is free to visit.
+When is the best time to visit Old Town Market Square?
April and September–October, the quietest of the good months. Visit the Museum of Warsaw on the square first; its film and exhibits make the rebuilding much more meaningful.
+Do I need to book Old Town Market Square in advance?
Usually not: you can decide on the day.
+Is Old Town Market Square good for kids?
Yes, it is one of our family picks in Warsaw. Warsaw is a good city for families, with one of Europe's best science centres, big parks full of squirrels and peacocks, a zoo, playgrounds along the river and summer fountain shows.