The Church of St. Anna in Wilanów is a charming Baroque church located just a short walk from the Wilanów Palace complex in Warsaw. Built between 1772 and 1775 on the orders of Prince August Czartoryski, the church was designed to serve as a parish for the local noble estate and as a place of worship for the surrounding community. Its elegant late Baroque architecture features a modest yet graceful façade, with decorative pilasters and a small bell tower. The interior of the church is adorned with stucco detailing, soft pastel tones, and beautiful altarpieces, including a notable depiction of St. Anne, the church’s patron saint. It also includes a rather unusual detail: a massive mammoth bone that was discovered on site during construction in the 18th Century.
Although more intimate than many of Warsaw’s grand churches, St. Anna’s holds an important place in the spiritual and cultural landscape of Wilanów. It has long been connected to the Wilanów Palace and its owners, including King John III Sobieski, whose legacy looms large in the area. The church continues to function as an active parish, offering services, weddings, and local events. For visitors to Wilanów Palace, it offers a peaceful and reflective counterpoint—a chance to step into a quiet piece of history nestled in one of Warsaw’s most elegant districts.
Poland’s capital since the 16th Century, Warsaw quickly became the country’s preeminent cultural and economic hub and remains so to this day. It is a city of contrasts, defined by its versatility and resilience. After being nearly levelled during World War II, especially following the pivotal Warsaw Uprising in 1944, Warsaw rebuilt itself from the ashes, brick by brick. Embarking on a private guided tour is a great way to decipher the many facets of the city’s identity, and our exhilarating full-day itinerary offers an in depth exploration of the incredible Old Town and the Royal Castle combined with a trip out to the Wilanow Palace, a 17th Century masterpiece known as “the Polish Versailles”.
On this full-day private tour, you will:
Spend a day discovering the full breadth of Warsaw’s complex and captivating story on this enriching private experience. Accompanied by an expert local guide, you’ll journey through the city’s remarkable past, from medieval stronghold to modern capital, exploring iconic landmarks, royal residences, and hidden gems along the way. Your day begins on the Royal Route, a historic thoroughfare linking Warsaw’s Royal Castle with the Wilanów Palace and one that will literally and metaphorically define your route around the city. Your guide will take you past some of the most important political and religious landmarks in the city, including the towering Sigismund’s Column, before making your way into the bustling Old Town.
Known as Stare Miasto in Polish, this is Warsaw’s historic heart and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you wander its colourful streets, your guide can tell you about the carnage inflicted upon this part of the city during WWII as well as the astonishing reconstruction efforts that followed, giving you a feel for the pride and perseverance that define the Polish spirit. You’ll walk through the red-brick walls of the medieval Warsaw Barbican and linger in the picture-perfect Market Square, where the Mermaid of Warsaw stands guard as the city’s mythical protector.
Nearby, the red-brick St. John’s Archcathedral reveals centuries of royal ceremonies, political intrigue, and incredible post-war craftsmanship. You’ll then make your way inside the most impressive replica of all: the Royal Castle. This opulent residence served as the home of the Polish Kings and Queens for centuries and is now a magnificent museum and emblem of rebirth. With pre-purchased tickets, your guide will lead you through the most intriguing corners of the castle, exploring the throne room, royal chambers, and Great Assembly Hall, while telling the extraordinary story of how it was meticulously reconstructed after its wartime obliteration.
After a break for lunch at a local restaurant (not included), you’ll transfer by taxi to the city’s verdant outskirts for the second half of your journey. The afternoon is devoted to Wilanów Palace, the “Polish Versailles,” and one of the country's great architectural treasures. Built for King Jan III Sobieski in the late 17th century, the palace is a glowing fusion of Italianate style and Polish heritage that, in stark contrast to the Old Town, survived the wartime bombardments of the city largely intact. You’ll begin with a stop at St. Anne's Church at Wilanów, an elegant chapel that has served the spiritual needs of Wilanów residents for generations. Then you will explore the palace's lavish interiors filled with antique furnishings, royal portraits, and baroque artistry, while your guide shares stories of what life was like for its aristocratic inhabitants across the centuries. Afterwards, you’ll step outside for a stroll through the gorgeous palace gardens, where each section reflects a different era and aesthetic, from French formal to English romantic. Your visit concludes here, where you are free to remain to further enjoy the greenery fit for a king, and your guide will be happy to assist you with further recommendations for restaurants or things to do for the rest of your time in Warsaw.
This full-day private tour offers more than just sightseeing, it’s a curated cultural experience, carefully paced and personally guided to illuminate the best of Warsaw’s royal past, its wartime scars, and its vibrant present.
Originally constructed as a summer residence for King Jan III Sobieski, one of Poland's most celebrated monarchs, the Wilanów Palace dates back to the 17th century and is one of Europe's most spectacular historic palaces. Often referred to as “the Polish Versailles”, it showcases a unique blend of Italian villa design, French elegance, and Polish traditional styles. It is also one of the few historic buildings in Warsaw that survived World War II almost completely intact, making it a stunning testament to a bygone era. Our private half-day Wilanów tour is a wonderful way to explore the palace, with your knowledgeable local guide sharing a wealth of insights and hidden details.
On your private half-day tour, you will:
Step into the splendour of Poland’s royal past with a private half-day tour of Wilanów Palace and its stunning gardens, led by a knowledgeable local guide. Beginning with convenient hotel pick-up, you'll get acquainted with your guide and travel by taxi to one of the city’s most captivating and elegant landmarks, often called the "Versailles of Warsaw" for its grandeur and ornate design. The sprawling grounds of Wilanów encircling the majestic palace are the perfect place to lose yourself in the grand history of Poland’s Baroque era, while also exploring some of the country’s best-preserved architectural heritage.
Once you arrive in Wilanów, you will visit the nearby Church of St. Anne, a charming 18th-century church with deep ties to the local community and Polish nobility. As you proceed towards the palace itself, your guide will help you trace its rich history, from its founding by King Jan III Sobieski in the 17th century to its current function as a museum and cultural treasure. With tickets included, you’ll dive straight into the palace’s remarkable interiors, where each room reveals a layer of the past. You’ll admire the glistening White Hall, the richly decorated Great Hall, and the stately Royal Apartments, each filled with period furniture, royal portraits, and carefully preserved artefacts that bring the world of the Polish nobility to life.
Throughout the tour, your guide will share stories of monarchs and noble families who once walked these halls, offering insight into Poland’s royal court and aristocratic traditions. In the Museum of King Jan III, you’ll find exhibits that showcase not only the opulence of the era but also the everyday life, values, and ambitions of a kingdom that once spanned from the Baltic to the Black Sea. You will also find out about the priceless art and artefacts that were stolen by the Nazis as well as the efforts to recover the pieces after the war.
Beyond the palace walls, you’ll have the opportunity to wander through the exquisitely landscaped Wilanów Gardens, a blend of Baroque formality and romantic English-style parkland. The gardens are adorned with sculptures, fountains, and ornamental trees, offering peaceful corners and panoramic views of the palace’s golden façade. It is here in this serene oasis that your tour will come to a close. You are free to remain to further immerse yourself in the garden's delightful details, and your guide will be happy to recommend other exciting additions to your Warsaw itinerary.
Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture enthusiast, or simply a curious traveller eager to go beyond the city centre, this intimate and immersive tour offers a deeper understanding of Warsaw’s regal heritage and the legacy of a kingdom that once stood at the heart of Europe.
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