8 must see parks in Warsaw

Warsaw is a beautiful place to live and visit, with a charming mix of green spaces, historic sites, and modernity. It was annihilated in 1944 and reduced to ruins to obliterate the centuries-old Polish statehood tradition. But thanks to the whole nation’s support and its people’s determination, much of the historic city was rebuilt and rose from the ashes of war.

The Old Town is an obligatory stop when visiting Poland’s capital, but the best parks in Warsaw are unmissable destinations to escape the crowds and remain active. The city has nearly 100 parks and abundant green areas that offer a delightful array of outdoor activities and entertainment, recreation, and sightseeing opportunities.

Optimize your visit by combining culture, art, history, and nature. Whether you’re a visitor or lucky enough to be a resident here, you’ll find no shortage of things to do and places to explore in the picturesque parks in Warsaw. To ensure nothing holds you back on your adventure, look for the nearest Bounce storage option in Warsaw so that you know where to put your extra baggage or belongings when planning your next outdoor trip.

Royal Lazienki Park

What was once a hunting ground is now one of the most culturally rich green spaces and famous parks in Warsaw. Royal Łazienki Park is a historic area dating back to the 17th century. It was developed by Stanisław August Poniatowski, the last king of Poland, to include a number of architectural gems, including an amphitheater, museums, and the Palace on the Isle.

Today, Łazienki Park is a vast historical complex of gardens in central Warsaw, with an area of seventy-six acres. It remains home to numerous old buildings, including former palaces, museums, free-standing sculptures, and more.

One of the notable architectural edifices at the park is the elegant semi-circular Myślewicki Palace. It was built between the 1770s and 80s, and originally developed as the primary residence of King Stanisław August. Later, it became used more for diplomatic functions, accommodating foreign ministers, and hosting state soirees. It’s located on the west of the Palace on the Isle.

We recommend you spend at least half a day at the park, especially if you plan to explore the summer houses, mansions, museums, and other remarkable features. Entry to Lazienki Park is free, but you may have to pay a minimal entrance fee to other park attractions. No matter what time of the year you visit, a stroll through the Royal Łazienki Park will be inspiring and thought-provoking.

Saxon Garden

Saxon Garden became accessible to the public in 1727, making it one of the world’s oldest public parks and the first public park in Warsaw. It was created in a French style design but later changed to follow the English style in the 19th century. It was originally part of the Saski Palace complex, but like many other buildings in Poland, the Saxon Palace didn’t survive World War II. It was one of the capital’s largest palaces, but all that survived was the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, dedicated to the soldiers who anonymously died while fighting for their homeland.

To this day, discussions are ongoing about whether and how the once prominent palace could be reconstructed. But don’t worry, as what you’ll find on the site isn’t a desolate area but a beautiful garden with a lake, seasonal flowers, fountains, various sculptures, and some 250-year-old trees.

The park can get pretty busy on summer weekends and spring. Stands selling ice cream and drinks and street musicians are also a common sight, besides the locals and visitors chilling and taking pictures. It’s a short distance from Warsaw Old Town, a bustling tourism hub surrounded by charming houses, 14-century fortification walls, and museums, making it an ideal spot for a relaxing break from sightseeing.

Ujazdowski Park

Another beautiful park in Warsaw is Ujazdowski Park, located in the historic city center. It may not be as grand as its neighboring Łazienki Park; still, it’s a wonderful place for a nature walk or a picnic near the picturesque pond.

In front of the park is the elegant Ujazdowski Castle, nestled on the Royal Route, and has been a famous spot for fairs, concerts, festivals, and open-air press conferences. Ujazdowski Park is well-designed with biking tracks and walking trails, allowing visitors to enjoy the fresh air, admire the scenery, and soak in the romantic atmosphere. There’s a play area for kids and benches to sit on or read a book.

Although near all the city happenings and thrills, Ujazdowski Park provides a serene escape from the rush and noise of the main thoroughfare. It boasts a view to impress, featuring a high stone terrace that overlooks the fountain-filled canal. There’s also a stone bridge filled with character and a set of weighing scales in use since 1912. A visit to the park is free, so you have no excuse not to stop by. It’s perfect for groups, couples, and families with children.

Skaryszewski Park

Named after the former Polish Prime Minister Ignacy Jan Paderewski, Skaryszewski Park is one of the largest parks in Warsaw, covering 58 hectares. It is located in the Praga district, designed as an urban for leisure and recreation. Artificial lakes match the greenery around, creating a calming green space where visitors can forget their worries and break from the monotony of daily life.

Sit on one of the benches and relish the view of the lush greenery around you. In addition to the tranquil artificial lake, the park features water ponds of different sizes, which are great locations for quiet relief. If you want to exercise, explore the trails on foot or rent a bike to tour the grounds. You can also rent a boat and paddle on the calm water in the summer. For plant lovers, there are several flower beds, a rose garden, and 280 species of trees and shrubs around the park, while art enthusiasts will be delighted by the park’s exquisite sculptures.

Warsaw Royal Castle Gardens

The Gardens of the Royal Castle is one of the best destinations you can’t miss when visiting Warsaw. It covers an area of two hectares and is divided into two sections: the Lower Garden at the base of the castle hill on the Vistula River and the Upper Garden on the Kubicki Arcades’ roof. Although the Royal Castle’s reconstruction was completed in 1984, regaining its original appearance in the 17th century, it wasn’t until 2015 that the Upper Garden was open, and it took an additional three years for the Lower Garden’s restoration to be completed.

The Garden’s most important elements are the bosquets. These are shaped hedges from hornbeam originating from the pre-war era. About eighty trees survived the war, which formed the basis for the reconstruction of the garden complex. Reaching a height of 6.5 meters, the hedges are home to numerous protected bird species, including nightingales, blackbirds, lesser whitethroats, and icterine warblers.

The Royal Castle Gardens have always been essential parts of the Warsaw residence. The Lower Fountain serves as the garden’s heart, located on the Castle and the garden area’s longitudinal axis. It’s complemented by the smaller fountain on the Castle grounds.

Pole Mokotowskie Park

With a cozy picnic atmosphere, vast green spaces, serene water features, and spectacular skyline views, Pole Mokotowskie Park offers beautiful nature at your fingertips. Three central city districts share this park, located between Mokotów, Śródmieście, and Ochota.

Pole Mokotowskie is a haven for families and individuals seeking open spaces for outdoor recreation and entertainment. Children can enjoy hours of fun in the playground and run freely on the expansive meadow, while older visitors can participate in sports on the field. It also offers many attractions, including lakes, fountains, walking and biking paths, roller-skating routes, and more.

Several sandstone monuments are also found in the park, but the Happy Dog Statue remains a crowd favorite. If you’re feeling thirsty from all the walking and exploration, head to one of the popular pubs in the evening and order your favorite drinks.

However, the park isn’t always as lively and scenic as it is now. The site was used as a military parade ground before WWII and became one of the first airports in Europe in 1910, where Polis aviators began many aerial adventures.

Moczydło Water Park

If you’re in Warsaw in the summer, Moczydło Water Park offers a convenient escape from the summer heat. This newly renovated water park looks impressive, with a swimming pool complex, excellent water attractions, and playgrounds for all ages.

Reopened in 2019, Moczydło Water Park is the city’s largest outdoor pool complex, with a huge recreational pool and a water sports facility for those looking for more challenging activities. An artificial river, a wave machine, and several water slides offer hours of fun in the water. Beyond the pools are beach areas for volleyball and football. The paddling pool is perfect for children, with a depth of only 40 centimeters. If they need a break from getting soaked in the water, they can always play in the playground, with swings, stairs, and other games.

The Water Park is extremely popular in summer and especially busy on weekends, so it may be a good idea to skip the urge to come on Saturdays and Sundays. If you’re too busy to pack a lunch, don’t worry, as it has a catering area that serves refreshing drinks and food. It's located in the Wola district and can be reached by car or public transport with ease.

Warsaw University Library Garden

Who says the University of Warsaw Library is only for the bookish? It may not be the first place you’ll think of when looking for a green space in Warsaw, but hidden here are rooftop gardens often overlooked by tourists and even residents.

The UW Library gardens are a hidden gem, but once discovered, they will are a marvelous treat. The buildings and premises of the library are covered in flowers and greenery, creating stunning sights throughout your tour. When you reach the rooftop gardens, you’ll see different sectioned vegetation with different colors connected by bridges, pergolas, and paths. It’s, indeed, a true masterpiece of landscape architecture that perfectly blends with the building.

It's like a secret garden with hidden corners and planted pathways. It’s a photographer’s paradise and a peaceful sanctuary for anyone looking for a quiet atmosphere in the middle of the cityscape. You don’t need several hours to stay here, but take your time to soak in nature’s ethereal beauty from the top of the building.

The rooftop garden at the UW Library is also considered one of Europe’s most beautiful rooftop gardens, offering breathtaking views of the city skyline and the Vistula River. It’s even more captivating at sunset as you see the sun change color on the horizon. You can bring your partner and surround yourself with flowers and greenery in a wonderful rooftop setting. Keep in mind that the roof garden is only open from mid-spring to October, whereas the lower garden is open throughout the year.

Find the most beautiful parks in Warsaw

Finding the most scenic Warsaw parks isn’t hard to do, as there are tons of green spaces and botanical gardens in this Polish capital. It’s not only a thriving urban center but also a lovely wildlife sanctuary. Within the city center are patches of greenery, where you can hear the sounds of birds singing on tall trees, admire colorful flower beds, and spot walkways that will take you to other parks and city attractions.

Do you have more time for hiking, swimming, and sunbathing? Look at our guide on free things to do in Warsaw to give you more ideas on how to spend your days in the largest city in Poland.