Royal Castle in Warsaw

The Royal Castle in Warsaw (Polish: Zamek Królewski, roughly "ZAH-mek kroo-LEV-skee") is the former seat of Poland's kings and parliament, standing on Castle Square at the entrance to the Old Town. Europe's first modern written constitution, the Constitution of May 3, 1791, was adopted here. After German forces blew the castle up in 1944, it was rebuilt almost from scratch, largely with donations from Poles at home and abroad. Today it's one of Poland's leading museums and the best place to start exploring Warsaw; together with the Old Town it's a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

A quick history

The castle began as a stronghold of the Dukes of Masovia on the Vistula escarpment around 1300. After Masovia was incorporated into the Kingdom of Poland in 1526, the castle hosted sessions of parliament, and in 1611 King Sigismund III Vasa moved his whole court here, effectively making Warsaw the capital. The five-sided layout with its clock tower dates from that time.

In the 18th century, King Stanisław August Poniatowski created the castle's finest Neoclassical interiors. On May 3, 1791, parliament adopted the constitution here. In the 19th century the castle served the Russian administration, and between the world wars it was the residence of Poland's president.

In September 1939 the castle burned and was looted, and in 1944 the Germans blew it up. A citizens' committee rebuilt it in 1971–1984, funded mainly by public donations. In 1980, the castle and the Old Town were added to the UNESCO list as an example of near-total reconstruction of a historic center.

What to see

• The Royal Apartments of Stanisław August, including the Ballroom, Throne Room, Marble Room and the Canaletto Room, hung with views of Warsaw by Bernardo Bellotto. These paintings guided the city's postwar reconstruction.
• The Parliament chambers, including the Senate Chamber where the 1791 constitution was passed.
• The Lanckoroński Gallery with two paintings by Rembrandt: "Girl in a Picture Frame" and "Scholar at His Writing Table."
• Copper-Roof Palace (Pałac pod Blachą), former home of Prince Józef Poniatowski, open Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
• Kubicki Arcades and the rebuilt Castle Gardens on the river side.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, according to the castle's website:

• Hours: castle routes and Kubicki Arcades Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–17:00, last entry 16:00; closed Mondays. Copper-Roof Palace: Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday 10:00–17:00. Gardens (October–April): 10:00–18:00. Closed on holidays including November 1 and December 24, 25 and 31.
• Routes and prices: Royal Route (about 60 min) or Museum Route (about 90 min) 60 PLN (Polish złoty), reduced 45 PLN; Castle Route (about 150 min) 95/75 PLN; Palace Route 30/20 PLN; Gold Ticket for all permanent exhibitions 110/90 PLN.
• 1 PLN tickets: EU, Swiss and EFTA citizens aged 8–26 (7–26 for the Gold Ticket) pay just 1 PLN with proof of age; children under 7 enter free.
• Free Wednesdays: Copper-Roof Palace and part of the castle (the Royal Apartments and Lanckoroński Gallery) are free, with a limited number of passes issued at the ticket office on the day. Some rooms are closed on Wednesdays.
• Audio guide: 10 PLN, available in English, German, French, Italian, Spanish and other languages, plus a family version for kids aged 6–11.

Buy tickets at the castle or online at bilety.zamek-krolewski.pl. If you're short on time, pick the Royal Route; art lovers should add the Museum Route for the Rembrandts. Wednesdays get busy, so Tuesday or Thursday mornings are calmer. Visitors with a certified disability get a free ticket, issued only at the ticket office.

How to get there

The castle is at Plac Zamkowy 4, at the start of the Royal Route. Buses stop at Plac Zamkowy, and trams at Stare Miasto on Solidarności Avenue; it's about a 15-minute walk from Nowy Świat Street. From Warsaw Chopin Airport, allow around 30–40 minutes by taxi or train plus bus. Driving into the Old Town isn't practical.

Is it worth visiting?

Absolutely. Even if you only have one day in Warsaw, the Royal Route gives you the essentials in an hour. Afterwards, walk past Sigismund's Column to the Old Town Market Square, or head down Krakowskie Przedmieście toward the university.

Tickets, opening hours and getting there 2026

• Accessible parking: spaces for disabled drivers are on ul. Podwale; there are none directly at the castle entrances (as of October 2026).
• Warsaw paid parking zone: fees apply Mon–Fri 8 am–8 pm – PLN 4.50 for the first hour, PLN 5.40 for the second, PLN 6.40 for the third and PLN 4.50 for each further hour; parking is free at weekends, on public holidays and on May 2, December 24 and December 31. Parking meters give no change.
• Castle gardens: closed to visitors on October 21, 2026, and may close temporarily in bad weather.