Warsaw Royal Route

The Warsaw Royal Route is a historic promenade of about four kilometres that links Castle Square in the Old Town with Łazienki Park, running through Krakowskie Przedmieście, Nowy Świat and Aleje Ujazdowskie in Warsaw's Śródmieście district in Poland's Masovian region. It was historically the road along which Polish kings travelled between their residences, and today it is one of the best ways to see central Warsaw on foot. The walk begins at the Sigismund Column on Castle Square and leads south past churches, palaces and university buildings. Landmarks include the Presidential Palace, the University of Warsaw campus, Holy Cross Church, which holds Chopin's heart, the Copernicus statue and many noble townhouses. Further along, Nowy Świat is a lively street of cafés, restaurants and shops, and Aleje Ujazdowskie leads toward embassies, parks and the green edge of Łazienki. Along the way, Chopin benches play excerpts of his music at the press of a button, which gives the walk a musical thread. The route can be walked in two to three hours at a relaxed pace with stops for coffee, or covered in less time by tram or bus, since trams 4, 10 and 18 and bus 116 and 175 run along the same streets. The route is open at all times, and entry is free. Morning is a good time to start, because shops and cafés open and the light falls on the facades of Krakowskie Przedmieście. Weekends and summer afternoons are busiest, particularly around Nowy Świat, while early mornings are calm. The best photo angles are the view back toward the Sigismund Column from the start, the University gate and the avenue toward Łazienki. Comfortable shoes are advised, since much of the route is paved with stone. Visitors can end at Łazienki Park for a rest among the lawns and peacocks.