Attractions in Warsaw: the Gardens of the Royal Castle in Warsaw

It doesn’t happen often that a new garden appears on the city map, especially right in its heart. But Warsaw is special in many ways. And that’s the case of the Gardens of the Royal Castle in Warsaw. Although the reconstruction of the Royal Castle was completed in 1984, it was only in 2015 that the Castle’s historical upper garden was open. May 2019 marks a significant milestone in the history of Polish capital – the lower garden of the Royal Castle was open to the public, finalizing the after-war reconstruction of Warsaw’s Old Town. The uniqueness of Warsaw has been recognized by UNESCO that placed the Historic Centre of Warsaw on its list of World Heritage Sites as “an outstanding example of a near-total reconstruction of a span of history covering the 13th to the 20th century (…) after more than 85% of Warsaw’s historic centre was destroyed by Nazi troops in August 1944“.

The Gardens of the Royal Castle during the coronavirus lockdown:

Re-opened from April 20, 2020
Longer opening hours from March 27, 2021: 10 am – 8 pm
Free entrance
During the winter and spring season, only The Lower Garden is available. The Upper Garden is expected to be opened in May.

And although the garden is not big, its significance lies elsewhere – as well as the Royal Castle, the garden is a symbol of the rebirth of Warsaw. It’s also a perfect addition for anyone visiting the Old Town – it’s free and you can take a break there (in calm and greenery). In the evenings (especially during the wintertime when it’s getting dark already after 4 pm), you can enjoy the charming illumination of the lower garden, consisting of more than a thousand lamps!

The Gardens of the Royal Castle in Warsaw, in Polish Ogrody Zamkowe:

Opening hours May 2 – September 30: 10 am – 8 pm (in July and August the Castle is open additionally until 9.30 pm)
Opening hours October 1 – April 30: 10 am – 6 pm
The Gardens are open on public holidays, during which the castle exhibition is closed
During the winter season, only The Lower Garden is available
Free entrance

How to get to the Gardens of the Royal Castle in Warsaw?

The Gardens are located at the back of the Castle. You can enter the lower garden from Wisłostrada Street / the Vistula Boulevard side. The upper garden is accessible directly through the Castle or you can enter it from Steinkeller Street or Grodzka Street

Photos source: City of Warsaw, Kids in the City

Click here to find out why the Royal Castle in Warsaw should be on your list of must-see sights in Europe.

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What to do in Warsaw: The Gardens of the Royal Castle

What to do in Warsaw: The Gardens of the Royal Castle

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