Wawel Royal Castle
Wawel Royal Castle
4.5
Historic Sites • Historic Walking Areas • Castles
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Tuesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Wednesday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Thursday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Friday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Saturday
9:30 AM - 4:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
Serving as a royal residence and the site where the country's rulers governed Poland for five centuries (1038-1596), this castle is a symbol of the independent Polish state and today contains a priceless collection of 16th-century Flemish tapestries, considered to be one of the largest in the world.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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The area
Address
Neighbourhood: Stare Miasto
See what other travellers are saying
  • Jane2806
    Livingston, United Kingdom226 contributions
    Fairytale castle
    The castle is just how I imagine a fairytale castle should look like, so pretty. We walked around the castle on our first day, then visited again the next during our walking tour. I would recommend visiting with a guide as we saw and learnt much more about the castle on our second visit, rather than just using a guide book. The reason I haven’t given the castle a 5star review was that you need to buy individual tickets to enter different parts of the castle interiors, which mean queuing for tickets, then waiting for your allocated time slot. Not ideal if your time is limited. Even though we didn’t get to see any of the interiors, just taking a walk around the castle was worth the visit
    Visited July 2022
    Written 25 July 2022
  • pawel_hbg
    Sopot, Poland9,993 contributions
    Poland's national and cultural symbol
    Wawel is a limestone hill in the centre of Krakow upon the Vistula River with a complex of impressive historical monuments of unique historical, artistic values and is Poland's national and cultural symbol. It is huge castle with many things to visit inside. You can visit Royal Private Apartments for 25 PLN adult ticket, Crown Treasury and Armoury for also 25 PLN. Moreover Royal Gardens for 5 PLN, Sandomierska Tower for 5 PLN, Dragon's Den for 7 PLN. Furthermore separately for 12 PLN The Royal Sigismund Bell with Royal Crypts, Cathedral Museum and Wawel Cathedral. Complicated? Even more if you cannot buy tickets online, on the place you need to stand in 2 different queues. It is complete lack of organisation. All complex is a must in Krakow, it is amazing but it can make you tired because of that.
    Visited June 2020
    Travelled as a couple
    Written 16 June 2020
  • Lisonholmes
    3 contributions
    Must-see in Krakow
    The Wawel royal castle is a must-see if you are in Krakow. Not only it is a piece of art architecturally speaking. It is also a great witness of the time. Indeed, built between the 13th and 14th century, the castle has known many inhabitants through the centuries. When wondering around the castle one can learn the many legends regarding the building itself or its foundation. Hence the presence of the statue of a dragon spitting fire down Wawel hill. Nowadays one can visit the splendid rooms of the castle which has pretty much become an art museum. The castle overlooking the Vistula river, offers a great sunset at dusk.
    Visited December 2019
    Written 5 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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4.5
10,577 reviews
Excellent
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Very good
3,610
Average
1,201
Poor
251
Terrible
119

PiotrKal
24 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Family
In general it takes about 3 days to see all the exhibitions and it is quite expensive, there are some handy hacks. I have seen 6 exhibitions (5h trip) for as little as little as 5 euro altogether (children <7 are always free except for the Cathedral. To go to the hill itself and have a walk around is free. On Monday ~9 AM you can pick up free tickets (30m queue) for 3 exhibitions and cheap tickets for further 3. This is not even 30% of it but a good start. It is always worth it to buy Cathedral tickets, in the morning is better because there is no queue. Other exhibitions are breath- taking and you can buy tickets online but it will cost ya to see it all.
Written 13 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Matt N
Hunstanton, UK33 contributions
Apr. 2023 • Family
Loved it. Well worth the visit if you enjoy a bit of central European medieval architecture. We walked around independently with just a guide book, the views of the city were amazing, and there was plenty to look at and explore in wonder.
Written 7 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Helentonetti
6 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Friends
I highly recommend the 2 hour guided tour max 14
people. The tour guide was very knowledgeable and shared information broadly and widely. An interesting beautiful city with a stunning castle. Very memorable.
Written 3 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

eric_weber
Leipzig, Germany82 contributions
Aug. 2023 • Couples
A very impressive monument. I've seen a lot cities and castles etc , but this one is deeply impressive in size and style. very well renovated and maintained. strongly recommend
Written 2 August 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Richard M
Hampstead Norreys, UK793 contributions
Jul. 2023
The castle is in a stunning location and has a lot of places you can visit. We went into the State rooms and Private Royal Apprartments that were full of the artefacts and furniture. The rooms are gloriously decorated and a must see. We went to the gardens and up the tower as well. A lovely place with some incredible views over the city.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Peter T
Tamworth, UK363 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
We had a lovely 2-3 hour tour of the whole castle. Our guide was extremely knowledgable and we got the whole highlights as a result. If you wanted to self tour and see everything then the castle is a full day.
Written 30 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Jassi S
2 contributions
Jun. 2023 • Couples
Amazing views, beautiful castle with lots to see. Wasn't very busy and staff were friendly and spoke English
Written 29 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

veronicag1990
Elverum, Norway62 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
Really nice experience with audioguiding from GetYourGuide - and the possibility to walk and listen on our own.
Magnificent area, a lot of history. Nice with toilet included in the ticket.
Bought entrance to the royal private rooms, that was a disappointment, the same with the dragons den.
Written 24 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

edward w
ilkley17 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Couples
Difficult for wheel chair users tget to the castle complex as it is accessed via a steep hill nor does the ticket office have a level surface. Having pushed the wheel chair up the hill was told that there were no concessions for wheelchair users despite a notice daying that there were. Within the castle access is reasonably good with lifts to the state and private apartments. The art collection is poorly anotated and indeed many displays have no explanation at all and where it does exist is not readable from a wheelchair. The Generally, was left with the impression that disabled visitors are not really welcome with little attempt made to meet their needs
Written 23 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

KTP310
Reading, UK891 contributions
Jul. 2023 • Solo
As it was such a sunny day I didn’t buy tickets to go inside but just enjoyed wandering around the grounds and hearing the history from an audio guide (a separate tour of Krakow I had purchased). I particularly enjoyed the shady corner I found with deckchairs for a welcome rest!
Written 15 July 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow

Frequently Asked Questions about Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Royal Castle is open:
  • Sun - Sun 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
  • Tue - Sat 9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Buy tickets in advance on Tripadvisor. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel at least 24 hours before the start date of your tour for a full refund.

We recommend booking Wawel Royal Castle tours ahead of time to secure your spot. If you book with Tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. See all 165 Wawel Royal Castle tours on Tripadvisor