Fosa i Stoki Park at the Citadel

The Fosa i Stoki Park lets you see the grounds from a different angle than the museum halls. It is worth walking it slowly, paying attention to the gates, the shape of the terrain and the points of remembrance.

The Citadel today is more than museums. Over 30 hectares in the southern part of Zoliborz have become a new recreational space: a park with fountains, a children’s playground and a rest zone, with fresh greenery and convenient paths between the buildings. It is a good reason to treat the Citadel as a place for a relaxed family walk — even if you do not plan to enter all the museums.

Entry to the park grounds is free, and the open space is often accessible for longer hours than the museum exhibitions. That makes it a good option early in the morning or late afternoon, and even on Mondays when most museums are closed — a useful way to get a feel for the layout and scale of the Citadel even without going inside.

Public transport is the most convenient way to arrive, as the Citadel is close to a metro station. If you have a longer stay in mind, combine the park walk with a visit to one museum and leave the rest of the time for fresh air.

The playground, fountains and rest zone make the park a rewarding family outing. The paths are pushchair-friendly and the open space gives young children room to move between the points of interest.

On a fine day, the simplest plan is your own food and a break on the grass — bring water and a snack, since cafés and restaurants are mostly outside the gates. A picnic combines well with a walk along the ramparts and a short stop at the memorial sites.

Weekday mornings tend to be quieter than weekends and special events, making it a good time to explore at your own pace. Each season has its character: spring and summer bring greenery, autumn the colours of the leaves, and winter the stark scenery of the fortifications — especially appreciated by photographers.

Whatever the season, wear comfortable shoes and dress for changeable weather — the walk is entirely outdoors and the grounds are extensive.