This route starts at Plac Wilsona, which has a metro station on Line M1. The square is named after Woodrow Wilson, former president of the United States, whose support for Polish independence after the First World War helped Poland regain statehood in 1918.
Plac Wilsona is a spacious square with many cafés, shops, and restaurants — a good place to eat or drink before starting the walk. It serves as the centre of the Żoliborz district, the smallest district in Warsaw by area.
Żoliborz is characterised by villas, interwar apartment buildings, and later communist-era housing blocks. The area suffered relatively little damage during the Second World War, allowing visitors to see architecture from several historical periods. During the interwar years, many Polish military officers lived here, closely linking the district to the armed forces.
From Plac Wilsona, walk directly into Park Żeromskiego, located right next to the square.
Park Żeromskiego is a green space developed around former military fortifications. Grassy hills rise above the remains of defensive structures, surrounded by trees and walking paths. The park is a popular spot for local residents, especially families. It features a large playground, seasonal ice cream stands, and plenty of space to sit or walk.
It is a good place to experience a high-quality public park used daily by Warsaw residents — a calm and peaceful atmosphere that contrasts with what comes later in the route.
Exit the park on the opposite side and continue through narrow residential streets lined with villas. This walk leads toward the walls of the Warsaw Citadel.
The Warsaw Citadel is a large fortress complex built in the 19th century during the Tsarist period, when Poland was under Russian rule. Constructed after the failed November Uprising of 1831 as a tool of repression rather than defence, it was used for decades to imprison and execute Polish patriots. For much of its history the Citadel functioned as a closed military zone. In recent years, large parts of the complex have been opened to the public.
During the communist period, the Citadel remained an important military centre, housing Soviet and Polish command units connected to the Warsaw Pact — the Eastern Bloc military alliance often described as the Soviet counterpart to NATO.
Located within the Citadel, the Katyń Museum commemorates the massacre of approximately 22,000 Polish military officers, intellectuals, and public officials executed by Soviet forces in 1940. It is one of the most moving and historically significant museums in Warsaw, and essential visiting for understanding Polish-Russian history.
Recently opened within the Citadel complex, this museum covers the full sweep of Polish history. While the permanent exhibition is still being completed, visitors can access the viewing terrace, which offers a wide and unobstructed panorama of the Warsaw skyline — one of the best views in the city.
Relocated from its former site near the National Museum, the Polish Army Museum presents weapons, armour, and military equipment from Poland's beginnings in 966 through the twentieth century. Outside, visitors can see tanks, howitzers, self-propelled artillery, and military vehicles up close. A unique and impressive outdoor display.
The Citadel grounds are open for walking and exploration. Visitors may occasionally encounter military ceremonies or parades. After exploring, walk to Metro Dworzec Gdański where the route ends.