Tickets to the Castle Square

The Square is accessible 24/7.

Being one of the key historic locations and a popular meeting point in the Old Town, the Square is usually fairly crowded, mostly with tourists. Go on weekday mornings outside of the tourist season if you wish to stroll without bumping into groups or street performers.

Warsaw’s Castle Square, or Plac Zamkowy, is surely one of the most recognisable places in town. This triangular cobbled square is located in front of the Royal Castle, in the pedestrian area of the historic old town, and was built in 1821. It features one of the most famous local landmarks — the Sigismund's Column, 72 feet high and inspired by the Italian column monuments, built in 1644 to commemorate the king who had moved the capital of Poland from Kraków to Warsaw. 

Surrounded by picturesque colourful buildings, with neat cafés and bars nearby, a view of the Vistula, street buskers and balloon vendors, the square is a perfect place for an introduction to Warsaw. Even if you’re not into history, here you can always enjoy a pint of cold beer on a terrace on a summer day or a mulled wine at the Christmas market that takes place nearby every year.

The Square has witnessed numerous historic events over the centuries:

• In 1861, Russian troops massacred over a hundred civilians here.
• In 1920, the Marshal's baton was officially handed to the first Marshal of Poland, Józef Piłsudski, in the square.
• Together with the palace, the statue, and most of the old town, the square was heavily damaged in WWII, and then it was restored.
• During martial law of 1981-83, some brutal riots took place here.
• In 1997, President Bill Clinton gave a speech here welcoming Poland to NATO membership.

The square can’t be missed, and is easily accessible by public transport, on foot and by bike. We recommend exploring the area on foot. Paid parking is available in the streets, but the city in general is quite congested, and the old town is car-free. Besides, Warsaw’s public transport is cheap, reliable, and ubiquitous. 

Buses 116, 128, 175, 178, 180, 22, 503, 518, and N44 stop at Pl. Zamkowy on Krakowskie Przedmieście nearby; buses 160, 190, N11, N21, N61, and N71, and trams 4, 6, 13, 20, 23, and 26 stop at Stare Miasto just down the stairs from the square.

The nearest underground stations are Ratusz Arsenał (about 15 min walk) or  Nowy Świat-Uniwersytet (about 16 min).

Castle Square is part of our walking tour of Warsaw Old Town that will introduce you to the place and to the downtown area in general, highlighting the historical perspective of the place. 

Access to the square is free.

• The Royal Castle
• Old Town Market Square
• Museum of Warsaw
• Warsaw Barbican
• Field Cathedral of the Polish Army
• Teatr Wielki - Polish National Opera
• Warsaw Uprising Monument
• Krasiński Garden