Book Tours to Wawel Castle, Cathedral and Royal Hill
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Wawel Castle & Cathedral Guided Tour
- Venture out to the heart of Krakow to explore the rich history and heritage of Poland at its famous historic attractions, Wawel Royal Castle & Cathedral.
- Be guided by an expert tour guide who will explain intriguing facts and mysterious stories about this cherished castle-cum-musuem.
- Wander through the magnificent residence of Polish kings as you stumble past heavily adorned chambers, halls, and more.
- Gasp at the large collections of paintings, graphics, sculptures, fabrics, military items, porcelain, and furniture stored here.
- Visit the Royal Chambers and the State Rooms for a closer look into the lives of Polish royalty when it was once occupied.
- Finally, discover the stunning Wawel Cathedral, a great narrative of Polish history where all Polish monarchs are buried.
Inclusions
- Expert tour guide (English, French, German or Polish)
- Admission into the Wawel Cathedral
- Entry into the Wawel Royal Castle
- Access to the State Rooms
Exclusions
- Hotel transfers
This ticket has the following options you can choose from:
- English Tour
- French Tour
- German Tour
- Polish Tour
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Wawel Hill & Wawel Castle: Surroundings Tour with Audio Guide
- Explore Wawel Hill, the monarch’s residency from the 11th century, and the site where Polish royals were crowned and buried.
- At the Royal Castle, hear about the role of each building, and the stories behind them.
- Explore the Main Courtyard, the Arcaded Courtyard, as well as the Crown Treasury and Armory.
- Learn about the history of this picturesque UNESCO site with an audio guide.
Inclusions
- Instructor to help you with the audio equipment
- Audio-guided tour of Wawel Hill and Wawel Castle
Exclusions
- Live tour guide
- Entry ticket to Wawel Castle and other paid exhibitions inside
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Wawel Castle, Cathedral and Rynek Underground Museum: Guided Tour with Lunch
- Trace the footsteps of Polish royalty as you visit Wawel Castle with your expert guide.
- Wawel Castle was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site and represents nearly all European architectural styles of the medieval, renaissance, and baroque periods.
- Explore the castle complex on the banks of the Vistula River, in the company of a local guide.
- Learn about its fascinating history and gain entry into the enormous 900-year-old Wawel Cathedral, which traditionally has served as the coronation site of the Polish monarchs.
- Stroll through the market square and discover how Krakow developed through the Middle Ages.
- Enter the Rynek Underground Museum and see everything from old coins and clothing to automated puppet performances!
Inclusions
- Expert English, German or French-speaking guide
- A ticket to the State Rooms (Wawel Castle)
- A ticket to the Wawel Cathedral
- A ticket to the Rynek Underground Museum
- Lunch (without drinks)
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Guided Tour of Wawel Castle with Entrance Tickets
- Enjoy a guided tour of one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world, the Wawel Castle with an expert guide.
- Learn about the importance of this castle in Polish history, which was the administration and political center of the country for centuries.
- Admire the many European architectural styles from the medieval, renaissance, and baroque periods, along with a stunning Italian-styled courtyard.
- Explore the Royal Private Apartments, which were once graced by the presence of Polish Kings.
- See the largest collection of Ottoman tents in the European continent, at the Oriental Art section of the castle which now serves as a premier art museum.
- Please note: this tour is not wheelchair accessible.
Inclusions
- Skip-the-line access
- Professional licensed tour guide
- Entry Tickets
Exclusions
- Entrance to the cathedral
This ticket has the following options that you can choose from:
- Guided Tour of Wawel Castle Interiors only
- Guided Tour of Wawel Castle Undergrounds
- Guided Tour of Wawel Castle Highlights
- Entrance to the cathedral
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Combo: Skip The Line Schindler's Factory + Guided Tour of Wawel Castle Tickets
- Save big with this combo ticket to Schindler's Factory and Wawel Castle and discover the rich history of both sites with skip-the-line access.
- Visit Oskar Schindler's former enamel factory and learn about his feat of saving over 1,00 Jewish lives during WWII.
- Journey back to the days of WWII and see original artifacts from the time and hear stories of Kraków's residents.
- With an English-speaking guide, explore the royal private apartments, Italian-style yard, and legends of Polish Kings at Wawel Castle.
- Choose from the available ticket options to tour different parts of the Wawel Castle.
Inclusions
Schindler's Factory
- Skip-the-line entry into Oskar Schindler's Factory
Wawel Castle
- Skip-the-line access
- English-speaking guide
Exclusions
Schindler's Factory
- Guided tour
Wawel Castle
- Entrance to the cathedral
Schindler's Factory
- Tip: If you're looking to avoid the crowds, the best time to visit Schindler's Factory is in the shoulder season between April and May, or September to November. You won't have to fight your way through throngs of tourists.
- Facilities: Wheelchair Accessibility, Pram/Stroller Accessibility.
- The experience is restricted for guests aged 13 and under.
- Note that the following are not allowed during this experience: large bags, tripod, filming, flash photography, smoking
Wawel Royal Castle
- Tip: The Wawel castle is quite extensive, with a rich history and many exhibits. Take your time exploring every section and be sure to ask your guide a lot of questions!
- The tour usually starts at 10am, but sometimes there are small changes due to the availability of the guide.
- The experience is not accessible for wheelchair users.
- Note that the following are not allowed during this experience: tripod, flash photography.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Small-Group Guided Tour of Wawel Castle & Cathedral with a Glass of Wine
- On this half-day Wawel Hill tour, explore the history of the UNESCO-listed Wawel Castle and Cathedral alongside a professional English-speaking guide.
- See centuries' worth of artwork inside the 14th-century Wawel Castle as you witness one of its many permanent exhibitions like the ornate State Rooms.
- Witness the famous tapestries of Zygmunt August and wonderful Italian Renaissance paintings from the Lanckoroński in the Royal Chamber.
- Visit the beautifully gothic Wawel Cathedral and learn about all the coronations and royal funerals that took place in the church.
- End your tour with wine-tasting sessions in a 15th-century cellar along with Polish tapas. Sip a glass of wine as you’re treated to picturesque rooftop views.
Inclusions
- Half-day guided tour of Wawel Castle & Cathedral
- Professional English-speaking guide
- Entry to 1 permanent exhibition in Wawel Castle
- Entry to Wawel Cathedral
- 3 different kinds of wine tasting
- Polish tapas
- 3 restaurant visits
Exclusions
- Additional food & drinks
- Tip: While in the Wawel Cathedral, make sure you get a good look into each prayer room. Each was built for a King and differs in style and architecture.
- It’s recommended to wear appropriate clothing while entering the places of worship.
- Wearing shorts or sleeveless tops may risk your entry into the attraction. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women.
- The experience is restricted for guests aged 17 and under.
- Wine tasting is offered only to guests 18 and over.
- You can cancel these tickets up to 48 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Wawel Royal Hill Guided Tour
- One of Poland’s most important hills, the Wawel Royal Hill, awaits your visit
- Follow around an expert English-speaking tour guide through the tucks and turns of the hill for a fun tour through Polish history
- Learn the events that led to the Wawel Castle’s biggest fire, and how the castle changed hands last-minute
- Delve in the history of Poland discovered on Kanonicza street, as you walk past some iconic landmarks
- Wander past Krakow’s most expensive hotel, Jan Dlugosz’s house, the monument dedicated to Tadeusz Kościuszko, and the grand Wawel Cathedral
- Visit the burial grounds for President Lech Kaczynski and his spouse, past the Bernardyńska Gate, and towards the cave of the Wawel Dragon
Inclusions
- Expert English-speaking tour guide
- Guided tour through Wawel Royal hill
Exclusions
- Admission into Dragon's Den, Wawel Royal Cathedral & Wawel Royal Chambers
- Access to Wawel Royal Castle
- Hotel transfers
- You can cancel these tickets up to 24 hours before the experience begins and get a full refund.
Wawel Castle, Cathedral and Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour with Lunch
- Set out to explore the rich history and heritage of Poland in the heart of Krakow at it’s must-visit historic landmarks
- An expert English-speaking tour guide will walk alongside you, filling you in on lesser-known facts and chilling tales about the attractions on your itinerary
- Start off on Wawel Hill, where the magnificent residence of Polish kings will take your breath away
- Walk in and out of the Wawel Royal Castle, wandering through the heavily adorned chambers, halls, and State Rooms, filled with secrets and myths of the castle
- Explore the Wawel Cathedral, a great narrative of Polish history where all Polish monarchs are buried
- Tuck into some delectable flavors with a traditional Polish lunch (soup and main course)
- Continue onto the small town of Wieliczka, where you’ll see one of Europe’s largest ancient salt mines
- Over 340 meters deep, 245 kilometers long, and 700 years old, this salt mine is steeped in history
- Visit the underground St. Kinga's Church while here, the patroness of miners, which is decorated with chandeliers, carvings, and sculptures of saints carved out of salt
Inclusions
- Expert English-speaking tour guide
- Admission into the Wawel Cathedral
- Entry into the Wawel Royal Castle
- Access to the State Rooms
- Entrance ticket to the Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Lunch
- Transportation from Krakow to Wieliczka and back
Exclusions
- Hotel transfers
- A dress code is required to enter places of worship and selected museums. No shorts or sleeveless tops allowed. Knees and shoulders must be covered for both men and women. You may risk refused entry if you fail to comply with these dress requirements
- On transportation from Krakow to Wieliczka, infants must sit on laps of parents/guardians.
- Guests with heart conditions or other serious medical conditions must not participate in this tour.
- This tour is not wheelchair accessible.
- There is a fair amount of walking involved on this tour so please wear comfortable footwear.
- These tickets can't be cancelled or rescheduled.
Krakow, the ancient capital city of Poland, has played an integral role in structuring Poland’s history. Wawel Royal Castle, which served as Poland's political and cultural center throughout the 16th century, is a powerful emblem of national identity. It is currently a museum with five different sections.
Why Visit Wawel Castle
- Wawel, built on top of the same-named hill directly south of the Old Town, is by far Poland's most notable collection of buildings.
- Wawel presents a particularly Polish version of the British Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey wrapped into one.
- It is a symbol of national pride, hope, self-rule, and, not least, strong patriotism.
- The architecture of the Wawel Castle is also a significant contributor to the city’s chronicles.
- You will have the opportunity to wander through halls and quarters that were once home to Polish royalty.
- Learn about the storied tradition of this UNESCO heritage site.
- Meet the beautiful Wawel Dragon, one of Poland's most iconic dragons.
Your Wawel Castle Tickets Explained
Wawel Castle + Wawel Hill
Duration: 1 hour 30 mins
- This Wawel Castle ticket lets you explore the treasures of the Wawel Castle in detail with the help of an audio guide.
- Get to know the history and the anecdotes behind every part of this magnificent castle.
- Enjoy access to State Rooms, ‘The Lost Wawel’ exhibition, the oriental art exhibition, the Royal Gardens, and Dragon’s Den.
- In addition, the holders of this ticket will be able to explore Wawel Hill.
- Enjoy views of Cracow and the Tatra Mountains before ending your tour.
Wawel Royal Hill Tour
Duration: 1 hour 30 mins
- Explore the Wawel Royal Hill from where the Polish monarchs reigned over Poland on this walking tour.
- An expert English-speaking guide will fill you in with all their secrets of Polish royalty as you make your way across the hill.
- View important landmarks across the hill such as Polish historian Jan Dlugosz’s house, the Wawel Cathedral, the Crypt of the Silver Bells, the burial grounds for President Lech Kaczynski and his spouse.
- Enjoy panoramic views of Krakow from the Austrian Hospital.
- Go downhill through the Bernardyńska Gate, and stop by the cave of the Wawel Dragon.
Wawel Castle & Cathedral
Duration: 2 hours
- With this Wawel Castle ticket, you can embark on a thrilling and enlightening journey through Polish antiquity in the heart of Krakow.
- An expert local guide will accompany you.
- The Royal Chambers and State Rooms can be explored with these Wawel Castle tickets.
- Explore the Wawel Cathedral, the Westminster Abbey of Poland, where all monarchs are buried.
Discounted Tickets: Children aged 6 years and below can go free. Children aged 7-17 and students between 18-26 years enjoy reduced ticket pricing (carry a valid photo ID).
Wawel Castle, Cathedral, and Wieliczka Salt Mine
Duration: 7 hrs 30 mins
- With these Wawel Castle tickets, you will be able to walk beside an expert local guide who will tell you all about Krakow's history, legends, and anecdotes.
- You can pay a visit to Wawel Cathedral, which houses the tombs of all emperors, and Wieliczka Salt Mine with these tickets.
- Enjoy traditional flavors with a Polish lunch.
- Head to Wieliczka, Europe's biggest ancient salt mines, where you will descend 340 meters underground to view St. Kinga's Church, chandeliers, carvings, and sculptures of saints carved out of salt.
Discounted tickets: Infants aged 4 years and below go free. Children between the ages of 5-17 and students aged 18-26 enjoy reduced ticket pricing (carry a valid photo ID).
Wawel Castle, Cathedral and Rynek Underground Museum
Duration: 5 hrs 30 mins
- With this ticket, you can explore three attractions: the Wawel Castle, Cathedral, and the Rynek Underground Museum.
- Have an expert local guide accompany you so that you can get a deeper understanding of Polish history as you walk along the Wawel Castle, once the residence of Polish kings.
- Stroll through the market square and enter the Rynek Underground Museum, an archeological museum where you can see old coins, clothing, and even the remains of an 11th-century cemetery.
- Enjoy an authentic Polish lunch.
Discounted Tickets: Infants below 6 years enjoy free entry. Children aged 7-17 and students aged 18-26 enjoy reduced ticket pricing (carry a valid photo ID).
Validity
The Wawel Castle Tickets are valid for the day and time selected at the time of booking.
Super Flexible Cancelation
Cancel up to 24 hours before the schedule for a full refund.
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Discounted Wawel Castle tickets
The members of the Association of Art Historians, the holders of the Polish Card, visitors who have been bestowed military honors by the Polish government, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, children up to the age of 7, school groups with up to 10 students, specially-abled individuals, journalists, and veterans are all allowed free or discounted entry to the Wawel Castle. Verification of all related documents is mandatory to avail of this discount.
What to do inside Wawel Castle
Permanent Exhibitions
The most important part of the permanent exhibition of the Wawel Castle is the State Rooms. It comprises four rooms on the ground floor and 14 rooms on the second floor of the castle. Colorful late-Baroque tile stoves replace the old Renaissance stoves that were damaged during Austrian rule in Cracow in the 19th century in these rooms. The Crown Treasury and Armory and the Turkish Tents are also greatly popular permanent Exhibitions at the Wawel Castle.
Seasonal Routes
Seasonal Routes of the Wawel Castle, available to explore if the weather permits, are known for their legends and myths. One of its greatest wonders is the Dragon's Den, a fabled cave on Wawel Hill's western slope. Guests can learn about the architectural beauty and discover hidden jewels such as the sun-drenched Royal Gardens on the guided tour. The Royal Gardens are a must-visit among the Seasonal Routes of the Wawel Castle.
Temporary Exhibitions
The temporary exhibitions of Wawel Castle bring numerous motifs related to the history of Poland for the guests to explore. The exhibition “Cranach at Wawel” features one of Poland's most valuable masterpieces, Lucas Cranach the Elder's Madonna Under the Firs from the Wroclaw Archdiocese Museum. The third exhibition will feature all of the tapestries from Sigismund II Augustus' collection that have been preserved in Poland.
Plan Your Visit to Wawel Castle
The Wawel Castle is open daily from 9:30 AM to 7 PM.
The Wawel Hills open up at 6 AM.
Duration: It may take you up to 4 hours to explore Wawel Castle depending on the exhibitions you visit.
Best Time to Visit: The best time to visit the Wawel Castle is during the mornings when the Royal Garden is at its best. If you want to avoid crowds, visit the Wawel Castle during the months of March, April, September, and October.
Address: Wawel 5, 31-001 Kraków, Poland.
By Tram: The nearest stops to Wawel Castle are Wawel and Stradom. It takes less than a 5-minute walk to get to the Wawel Castle from these stops.
By Bus: Jubilat is the nearest bus stop from Wawel Castle. You can reach the castle from this bus stop in under 10 minutes.
By Train: Get down at Kraków Główny station after taking a train from the Kraków Lotnisko-Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia line.
By Car: Take the A4 and DW780 to Wawel Castle. The nearest parking is available Plac na Groblach and close to the National Museum.
- You can find the Information Desk, Ticket Windows, Reservation, and Guide Service Office at The Visitors’ Center.
- A checkroom is provided at the Arcaded Courtyard where you may store your large pieces of luggage before entering.
- Enjoy free WiFi at the Visitor's Center.
- Dining and shopping facilities are available on the premises.
- There is a Post Office located in the Thieves’ Tower.
- There are toilets at the Visitor's Center (fully accessible). Exterior courtyard (has a wheelchair ramp), and the Arcaded Courtyard (approach is steep, but wheelchair ramp is provided).
- Wawel Castle is partially accessible.
- While equipped with an elevator, there are stairs at the entrance.
- Exhibitions on the first and second floors are not accessible on wheelchair.
- The Crown Treasury and Armoury exhibition and The Lost Wawel exhibitions is partially wheelchair accessible.
- The Wawel Recovered, the Dragon's Den and the Sandomierska Tower are not accessible to visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments.
- The Wawel Architecture and Gardens tour not accessible to visitors in wheelchairs or with mobility impairments.
- Visitors with mobility issues can borrow manually operated wheelchairs on a first-come, first-served basis.
To facilitate safety and social separation, the Trattoria Wawel and the Wawel Cafe will remain closed. For the time being, the café beside the White Wall will only serve beverages to go. The other places to eat near Wawel Castle are:
Fiorentina: The restaurant provides local dishes in a rooftop setting.
Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa: This family restaurant provides a grand setting for dining.
Trattoria La Campana: This Italian restaurant is known for its rustic decor and locally sourced ingredients.
Luxury: Kanonicza 22, Bachleda Luxury Hotel Kraków - MGallery, The Bonerowski Palace
Mid-range: Senacki Hotel, Hotel Maltański, Radisson Blu Hotel, Krakow
Budget: Angel House Aparthotel Wawel Castle, Hotel Royal, Spatz Aparthotel
- Rynek Główny: Explore historic townhouses and churches and experience lively street life at the main square of the Old Town of Kraków.
- St Mary’s Basilica: Visit this 13th-century Brick Gothic church that is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Krzysztofory Palace: Explore this baroque palace located on the main square of Kraków. Here, you will also find the Historical Museum of Kraków.
- Schindler's Factory: Learn all about Krakow during the World War II at Oskar Schindler's Factory.
- Wieliczka Salt Mine: Explore a labyrinth of passages, great halls lit by salt chandeliers, chapels devoted to Polish saints, and an underground lake here.
Visitor Tips
- Save some money on travel and explore Krakow by walking to the Wawel Castle from Krakow.
- If you don’t mind the crowd, visit the Wawel Castle on Monday when some of the exhibits are free to enter.
- Reach the Castle well before its opening time and explore the Wawel Hills as you wait for the castle to open.
- There are bicycle racks near the entrances of the Wawel Castle, so you can arrive at the destination by bicycle.
- All exhibition areas of the Wawel Castle require separate tickets, so purchase your tickets all at once to avoid wasting time later in the day.
- Wear comfortable shoes as there might be a lot of walking involved.
- Those with mobility-impairments should contact the museum prior to their visit so that arrangements can be made to accommodate visitor needs.
All Your Questions About Wawel Castle Tickets Answered
A. Wawel Castle tickets can be purchased online.
A. The best way to buy Wawel Castle tickets is to get them online. You can buy Wawel Castle tickets here.
A. Yes, you can buy Wawel Castel tickets that include an expert guide.
A. Yes, audioguides are available with Wawel Castle tickets.
A. Wawel Castle authorities have limited the number of visitors allowed within the castle. Masks and sanitizers are recommended within the castle premises. Restaurants within the Wawel Castle have been closed for dine-in.
A. Wawel Castle tickets can be canceled for a full refund up to 24 hours before the visit.
A. Your Wawel Castle tickets are valid for the day of the visit specified on the ticket.
Yes, discounts for the Wawel Castle tickets are applicable for members of the Association of Art Historians, the holders of the Polish Card, visitors who have been bestowed military honors by the Polish government, members of ICOM and ICOMOS, children up to the age of 7, school groups with up to 10 students, specially-abled individuals, journalists, and veterans. Children between the ages of 7 to 17 and students up to the age of 26 can also avail discounts on some combo tickets.
A. It may take up to 4 hours to explore all parts of Wawel Castle.
A. Wawel Castle is partially accessible to people with disabilities.