Trip Planner:   Europe  /  Poland  /  Southern Poland  /  Lesser Poland Province  /  Krakow  /  Historic Sites  /  Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow

(6,000+ reviews on the web)
Castle Historic Site
Visit Wawel Royal Castle to see the home of Poland's kings for several centuries that now features one of the country's major art museums. Ransacked and vandalized numerous times, the castle was plagued with foreign invaders until the early decades of the 20th century. The art museum was established in 1930. Take the short walk from Krakow's Old Town, and you'll be rewarded with a vast collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, prints, tapestries, and sculptures. The museum is also a center for conservation of exotic works. Be sure to visit Europe's largest collection of Ottoman tents. To see everything in a single day, arrive as early as you can. Put Wawel Royal Castle into our Krakow itinerary planner to see other points of interest to visit during your vacation in Krakow.
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Plans in Krakow by other users

17 days in Poland BY A USER FROM CANADA April, culture, relaxing, historic sites, museums, popular PREFERENCES: April, culture, relaxing, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 9 days in Poland BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, culture, historic sites, fast-paced, popular PREFERENCES: August, culture, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Fast-paced 10 days in Poland BY A USER FROM GERMANY July, culture, historic sites, museums, popular PREFERENCES: July, culture, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 22 days in Europe BY A USER FROM POLAND August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites, fast-paced, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, historic sites ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Fast-paced 7 days in Poland BY A USER FROM FRANCE August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums, popular PREFERENCES: August, culture, outdoors, relaxing, beaches, historic sites, museums ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Krakow BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES July, popular PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Krakow BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES August, popular PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 26 days in Europe BY A USER FROM UNITED KINGDOM August, popular PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 9 days in Poland BY A USER FROM UNITED STATES June, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping, popular & hidden gems PREFERENCES: June, culture, outdoors, beaches, historic sites, museums, shopping ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular & hidden gems PACE: Medium 20 days in Europe BY A USER FROM CYPRUS December, popular PREFERENCES: December ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 3 days in Krakow BY A USER FROM LATVIA July, popular PREFERENCES: July ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium 30 days in Europe BY A USER FROM SRI LANKA August, popular PREFERENCES: August ATTRACTION STYLE: Popular PACE: Medium
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Reviews
TripAdvisor
  • The walking tour of the beautiful grounds offered great views over Krakow and some understanding of Poland's complex history- leaving me wanting to learn more! The gardens make for a peaceful stop dur...  more »
  • We were a three-generation family visiting Wawel Castle with children from 3 to 14. We all loved the big State Rooms with their beautiful tapestries. The highlight there for the grownups was the fabul...  more »
  • Definitely worth a visit! The Crown Treasury and Armoury are situated on the ground floor together with a number of state rooms. The remaining state rooms are on the first and second floors. The Bird'...  more »
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Google
  • Amazing price of architecture. I couldn't believe he colours of the tiles and walls considering it's age. Clean and well kept. Great amenities. A great view from the top. Must see if in Krakow!
  • Well worth the walk just to admire the fascinating architecture of the castle, there are also multiple exhibitions in different sections. Walking outside and among the castle buildings is free although tickets are required for exhibitions. You can buy tickets to view each one separately so if there's something that doesn't appeal, it can be skipped!
  • Nice place to visit. The castle is stunning, found the exhibit viewing system a bit difficult as all the things we wanted to see had sold out. If you go get in very early and buy your tickets to the different areas
  • The Real Polish Monarchy Castle. Beautiful and amazing. You can feel the power and dignity of Poland as it was in the past, before the capital was moved to Warsaw. Beside troubles with getting in (huge queues) some parts like Cathedral, it is worth the time. Really must see!
  • The most important place to visit while being in Kraków. Great views on town (as it's situated on a hill), plenty of historical facts to discover along with 2-3 hours or tours inside the castle, well equipped treasury (with arms mostly), and lovely chapel in baroque style. A must for the tourists.
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