Warsaw’s churches are more than sacred spaces. They’re markers of resilience, carrying the city’s history through centuries of upheaval, war, and renewal. Many were destroyed during World War II, then carefully rebuilt to look much as they once did.

Exploring them on foot offers a slower, more meaningful way to understand the city. Here’s a walking route through some of Warsaw’s most significant churches, all within reach of the Old Town and Royal Route.

1. All Saints’ Church (Kościół Wszystkich Świętych)

📍 Plac Grzybowski 3/5

Built in the 19th century, All Saints’ Church is one of the largest in Warsaw. During World War II, it stood within the Warsaw Ghetto walls and became a place of aid for Jews suffering under Nazi occupation. Today, it’s both a parish church and a memorial to those years of tragedy and courage.

Slow travel moment: Step inside and notice the memorial plaques. Sit quietly in one of the pews—it’s a place heavy with memory, but also with endurance.

2. St. John’s Archcathedral (Archikatedra św. Jana)

📍 Old Town, ul. Świętojańska 8

Start in the Old Town, where Warsaw’s spiritual and political heart has always been. St. John’s Archcathedral dates back to the 14th century and was the site of royal coronations and burials. Destroyed in 1944, it was rebuilt in a Gothic style true to its original form.

Slow travel moment: Step inside and linger by the memorials. They tell stories of Warsaw’s leaders, resistance, and survival.

3. Church of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Kościół Najświętszej Marii Panny)

📍 ul. Przyrynek 2, Old Town

Just a short walk from St. John’s, this church is one of the oldest parish churches in Warsaw, dating back to the early 15th century. It was heavily damaged during WWII and rebuilt after. Its simple Gothic style makes it stand out from the more ornate churches nearby.

Slow travel moment: Step into the courtyard and take in the modest brick design. It feels quieter than the bigger churches—a reminder of how faith often takes root in humble spaces.

4. St. Anne’s Church (Kościół św. Anny)

📍 Castle Square, Krakowskie Przedmieście 68

From the church of the Blessed Mary, walk five minutes to Castle Square. St. Anne’s has one of the city’s most ornate Baroque interiors, but it’s the bell tower that makes this church famous. From the top, you’ll see sweeping views of the Old Town, the Vistula River, and even the modern skyline.

Slow travel moment: Climb the tower late in the day for golden light and quiet reflection.

5. Church of the Holy Cross (Kościół Świętego Krzyża)

📍 Krakowskie Przedmieście 3

Continue south along the Royal Route for about 15 minutes. Here you’ll find the Church of the Holy Cross, known worldwide for holding the heart of Frédéric Chopin, encased inside one of the church’s pillars. It’s also a place deeply connected to Poland’s literary and cultural figures.

Slow travel moment: Sit quietly inside and notice the mix of visitors—locals praying, tourists pausing, musicians paying tribute.

6. St. Alexander’s Church (Kościół św. Aleksandra)

📍 Three Crosses Square (Plac Trzech Krzyży)

From Holy Cross, keep walking down Krakowskie Przedmieście and Nowy Świat, about 20–25 minutes on foot. At the southern end of the Royal Route, you’ll reach St. Alexander’s, a neoclassical church modeled after the Pantheon in Rome. It was badly damaged in the war and later rebuilt in simpler form, but it still anchors the square.

A Day Well Walked

This walking route takes you through some of Warsaw’s most meaningful churches while tracing much of the city’s historic Royal Route. Along the way, you’ll pass plazas, cafés, and quiet streets where you can stop and take breaks.

A Walking Route Through Warsaw’s Churches