The heart of Warsaw often resembles a quaint provincial town, which is fitting as for around three hundred years that is exactly what it was - a fortified town of modest stature. Warsaw was founded by the Dukes of this region of Poland, Mazovia, in the late 12th century. Their castle, which was transformed into the royal seat in 1569, was the most important edifice and it remains the focus of the area to this day.

Fragments of the old city walls still survive, and within the Old Town there are many landmarks to explore, including the historic cathedral of St. Paul's

The Old Town is by far the most attractive area of Warsaw. It stretches between Wybrzeze Gdanskie Street, Grodzka, Mostowa and Powale Street. All major attractions are in the vicinity of Rynek Starego Miasta - Market Square.

Warsaw Old Town impresses tourists with its quaint, cobbled streets and unique old architecture. The heart of the area is the Old Town Market Square with its unique traditional Polish restaurants, cafes and shops. When the weather is warm the square becomes filled with cafe tables, various traders and street artists.

Surrounding streets feature old architecture such as City Walls, The Barbican and St. John's Cathedral. Old Town is ideal for walks and picnics - the whole area is mostly closed to traffic and provides spectacular scenery and unforgettable atmosphere.