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Wawel Royal Castle

Old towns ·Kraków ·Closed
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#2Old towns in Poland#2Old towns in KrakówTravelers' Choice 2026
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About

Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow, Poland: the seat of the kings for centuries, now a residence museum on Wawel hill, with royal state rooms.

More photos 9

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Wawel Royal Castle — Wawel Castle's red brick walls above the Vistula River Daniel.zolopa · CC BY-SA 3.0 pl · edited
Wawel Royal Castle — Wawel Castle's red brick walls above the Vistula RiverWawel Royal Castle — Wawel Castle's towers and red walls across the riverWawel Royal Castle — Castle gardens and lawns below Wawel's brick towerWawel Royal Castle — Visitors passing through an arched stone entranceWawel Royal Castle — Wawel Castle's rooftops and towers above a crowdWawel Royal Castle — Carved stone Vasa Eagle displayed on the castle wallWawel Royal Castle — Historic courtyard ceremony beneath the castle's arcadesWawel Royal Castle — Small angel sculpture mounted above a castle doorwayWawel Royal Castle — Path beside Wawel Castle's stone walls and trees

Why go

  • The tapestries of Zygmunt Augusta, displayed in the castle's chambers
  • Permanent displays of the royal residence as it looked in the 16th and 17th centuries
  • Eastern art (Sztuka Wschodu), which includes the largest tent collection in Europe
  • Renaissance paintings from the Lanckoroński collection, on show in the chambers

Opening hours

Today09:30 – 16:00Show all
MondayClosed
Tuesday09:30 – 16:00
Wednesday09:30 – 16:00
Thursday09:30 – 16:00
Friday09:30 – 16:00
Saturday09:30 – 16:00
Sunday10:00 – 16:00

Don't miss

  • Dragon's Den and Sandomierska TowerTwo sections of the castle that can be toured separately.In the castle, on Wawel hill.
  • Lost WawelDecorative fragments from buildings that no longer exist.One of the castle's museums.
  • Stryszów manorPermanent display of 19th-century manor house interiors.Manor branch at Stryszów.
  • Royal gardens reserveAn archaeological reserve of St Gereon's church, on the royal gardens route.On the Wawel royal gardens route.
  • Royal Private ApartmentsPrivate rooms of the royal family, on show in the castle.In the castle.

Tips for your visit

  • There is no combined ticket for the whole castle. Buy separate tickets for the State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments and Crown Treasury.
  • An audioguide is recommended for the visit.
  • The castle's phone number is +48 12 422 51 55.

Best time to visit

  • In November some exhibits are free, but they sell out, so book well ahead.

Interesting facts4

1/4

  1. Its full Polish name, Zamek Królewski na Wawelu – Państwowe Zbiory Sztuki, ends with the words for state art collections.

    Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection - Wikipedia

  2. The residence is built around an Italian-style courtyard.

    Kraków/Old Town - Wikivoyage (see)

  3. The collections include silk sashes.

    Zamek Królewski na Wawelu - oficjalna strona - bilety, informacje, rezerwacje

  4. Exhibitions are also held at the castle in Pieskowa Skała.

    Zamek Królewski na Wawelu – Państwowe Zbiory Sztuki - Wikipedia

Shorts

History

When the centre of power moved to Warsaw, the castle suffered. Partition of the country, then a series of military occupations and wars, damaged it further. In the 19th century the army still used the castle, and turning it into a museum was proposed. A restoration office renovated most of the castle's buildings, and collections began during that conservation work. One aim today is preserving its historic fabric as a monument of the highest historical rank. Its current director is Andrzej Betlej, in post since 2020.

  1. Medieval–16th centuryThe earliest parts date from the medieval period. Most of the present building went up in Renaissance style, with baroque additions.
  2. 1882Jan Matejko gave his painting Prussian Homage (Hołd pruski) to the castle. The gift is seen as the start of the state art collection.
  3. 1905The army left the castle, and the buildings were then restored lavishly in the 20th century.
  4. After 1920Many looted artworks, including tapestries, were returned to the castle.
  5. 1930The castle became a national cultural institution and one of the country's most important museums.
Show all
  1. 1945The castle became an independent museum, and the institution was responsible for returning looted art.
  2. 1961The royal tapestries returned to the castle from abroad.
  3. 1994Karolina Lanckorońska gave the surviving part of the art collection of Karol Lanckoroński to the castle.

Sources: Wawel Royal Castle – State Art Collection - Wik… · Kraków/Old Town - Wikivoyage (see) · Zamek Królewski na Wawelu - oficjalna strona - … · Königsschloss auf dem Wawel – Staatliche Kunsts… · Zamek Królewski na Wawelu – Państwowe Zbiory Sz… · checked 18 Oct 2026

Where
Wawel 5, Krakow

Plan from here: A day out →

Questions and answers

What are the opening hours of Wawel Royal Castle in Krakow?

The castle is open Monday and Sunday from 10:00 to 16:00, and Tuesday to Saturday from 09:30 to 16:00.

Do I need to book ahead for Wawel Royal Castle?

Only for the free exhibits in November, which sell out: book well ahead.

Is Wawel Royal Castle free to enter?

Only some exhibits, and only in November, are free. They sell out, so book early.

Is an audioguide worth it at Wawel Royal Castle?

An audioguide is recommended for the visit.

Where is Wawel Royal Castle, and how do I reach it?

Wawel 5, Krakow, on Wawel hill. Phone +48 12 422 51 55.

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