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Wawel Royal Castle

Travel back in time to medieval Poland at this former seat of royal power.

Wawel Royal Castle: Our most recommended tours and activities

Krakow: Wawel Castle & Cathedral Guided Tour

1. Krakow: Wawel Castle & Cathedral Guided Tour

Step into history with a guided tour of the former residence of Polish kings and a symbol of statehood, Wawel Castle. Discover the castle, which became a museum in 1930, and hosts a vast collection of paintings, graphics, sculptures, fabrics, goldsmiths, military items, porcelain, and furniture. See inside the chambers that display the famous tapestries of Zygmunt August and the magnificent renaissance Italian paintings from the Lanckoronski collection. Explore the Wawel collections of eastern art, one of the largest and most important collections of tents in Europe. Learn all about how the castle is also an important center for the conservation of art. Feel like you’re walking back through time as you discover the permanent exhibitions which decorated the way they would have been during the renaissance and baroque periods.

Krakow: Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour

2. Krakow: Wawel Hill Audioguide Tour

After collecting your audioguide at the local Tourist Information Centre, listen to the commentary as you walk along Kanonicza Street to the Wawel Hill. Wawel has been the monarch’s residency from the 11th century and is also the site where Polish royals were crowned and buried.  Once you've arrived at the Royal Castle, hear about the role of each building, and the stories behind them. You will learn about the history of Main Courtyard, the Arcaded Courtyard, as well as the Crown Treasury and Armory. End the tour at the famous Dragon’s Den.

Krakow: 60 Minutes River Cruise

3. Krakow: 60 Minutes River Cruise

Krakow is home to a suite of visual delights: from the majestic Wawel Castle to the historic Zwierzyniec and Kazimierz districts, there's plenty to see in this beautiful city. Vistula River cruises remain one of the best ways to discover all that Krakow has to offer. The river flows through the heart of Krakow, which happens to be home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Poland. You'll have the chance not only to see the city's primary attractions, but to fully immerse yourself in the spirit of Krakow thanks to the comfortable pace of the tour. The cruise begins at the foot of Wawel Castle. From there, the boat glides along the picturesque boulevards first in the direction of Zwierzyniec, passing by the Convent of the Norbertine Sisters, the house of the pope John Paul II, and then in direction of Podgórze and Kazimierz districts. Pass well-known sights like Church on the Rock, Mangha Museum, Bernatka Footbridge, and Cricoteka. The tour ends back at the Wawel Castle.

Krakow: Evening Cruise with an Optional Glass of Wine

4. Krakow: Evening Cruise with an Optional Glass of Wine

Sail on the Vistula River and enjoy an evening of sophistication in the royal city. Experience the breathtaking views by night, marvelous city lights, and the unique atmosphere that the river has to offer. Choose to include a glass of wine to enjoy during the cruise. The tour starts near the Wawel Castle, then continues upstream to the Convent of the Norbertine Sisters and the home of Pope Jean Paul II. Further on, the boat takes a route downriver, passing by the historical Wawel Castle and the Church on the Rock, then revealing the beauty of the Kazimierz and Podgórze districts with its distinctive bridges. The cruise finishes back at Kapitan Victor's mooring.

Krakow: Wawel Castle Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

5. Krakow: Wawel Castle Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

Wawel Castle was the residence of the royal family of Poland till 1795. It is a source of great Polish pride and stands as one of the most spectacular buildings on the top of Wawel Hill.  During your tour of the castle, you will get the chance to witness the grandeur of Poland’s past as you pass through the magnificent halls of the castle. Presently, the castle also houses a museum that includes beautiful artifacts preserved from the historic times when kings and queens ruled the country. During your tour, you may also visit the Royal private apartments adorned with exquisite tapestries, paintings, and chandeliers.  The castle serves as a premier art museum and also includes an Oriental Art section with the largest collection of Ottoman tents on the European continent. This 14th-century castle built by King Casimir II the Great was at the top of its opulence in the 16th century when King Sigismund the Old commissioned the castle to be expanded and built into what it looks like today. Once you are in the castle, you will be transported into the era of kings and queens as your guide shares information about the royals who once lived in the castle and the myths surrounding this beautiful place. You may also get to see the Wawel exhibition, which displays objects uncovered during archaeological excavations around the region. It also includes scale models of buildings and other architectural elements.  Wawel Castle is recognized as a Unesco World Heritage site and is known to have immense cultural and historical significance in Poland.

Krakow: 1-Hour Evening Vistula River Cruise

6. Krakow: 1-Hour Evening Vistula River Cruise

After registering your ticket at the kiosk, meet your crew whom you with travel with throughout your cruise down the Vistula River. The royal city of Krakow is full of interesting and entertaining places, many of which you pass throughout this experience. Sail past picturesque landscapes including Wawel Castle, the Dębnicki Bridge, the Monastery of the Norbertan Sisters, the junction where the Rudawa River flows into Vistula, the Dębniki district, and the John Paul II Family Home. You later encounter the Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology, various other bridges, the Cricoteka Museum, the Kazimierz district, and the Church on the Rock. This cruise is the perfect way to relax and take some rest, accompanied by the sound of the waves lapping up against the side of the boat. At the conclusion of your experience, your boat returns you to your tour starting location.

Krakow: 2-Hour Segway Tour of the Old Town

7. Krakow: 2-Hour Segway Tour of the Old Town

Maximize your enjoyment of the idyllic city of Krakow, as you discover its beautiful architecture while experiencing the excitement of a Segway tour. Have memorable fun with family and friends while admiring the many charming sights the city has to offer, from the market squares of the Old Town to the Jewish Quarter. See the highlights at speed as you cruise along the Royal Route, and marvel at the Wawel Royal Castle. Enjoy the ride as you take a whirlwind tour of 4 churches. Visit the famous Wawel Dragon Cave, and the scenic Vistula embankment, and learn captivating stories about the Old Town. Gain fascinating insights into the history and culture of this city of UNESCO World Heritage sites from a knowledgeable guide.

Krakow: 3.5-Hour Cycling Tour

8. Krakow: 3.5-Hour Cycling Tour

Enjoy a tour of Krakow's historic sites from the seat o f a bike! With 25 stops, you'll have plenty of opportunities to capture what you see on camera. Stops include the World War II ghetto area, the Jewish Quarter, the city walls, Wawel Castle, Jagiellonia University and sites featured in the film, "Schindler's List." You will have a 30-minute break to catch your breath, get refreshments and make new friends. An English-speaking guide will lead the group, kept small for an optimal experience. And of course, all participants on the tour will be provided with a "safe cyclist" insurance package.

Warsaw: Full-day Tour to Krakow and Auschwitz by Train

9. Warsaw: Full-day Tour to Krakow and Auschwitz by Train

Following an early morning pickup from your accommodation in Warsaw, get transferred to the train station with a private vehicle. Your English-speaking driver will assist you with the check-in and wait until you are boarded for the train to Krakow. After a short train ride, you will be welcomed by a local English-speaking driver and start your tour via shared transportation to Auschwitz. Embark on a 3.5-hour guided group tour of Auschwitz and Birkenau. Start the tour with a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp where you'll learn about how its establishment by German Nazis on the outskirts of the town Oswiecim in 1940. After the war, the camp was turned into a museum displaying evidence of the genocide, which you will have the opportunity to browse. In the museum watch a film made after the liberation of the camp shown in various languages. After spending time in Auschwitz continue the tour to the Birkenau section of the concentration camp. Discover how, in 1941, the German Nazis established a new camp called Auschwitz II Birkenau. Between 1942-1945, approximately 1.5 million people lived and died here. Around 90% of them were Jews, others were Poles, Gypsies, Russians, and prisoners from 28 countries of Europe. In 1979, Auschwitz–Birkenau Concentration Camp was listed as a UNESCO World Culture and National Heritage Site. Depart Auschwitz-Birkenau for a 1.5-hour journey to Krakow. You will have three hours of free time to see the Main Market Square in Krakow, the biggest Medieval old town square in Europe. In the Old Town, visit Wawel Hill where the Cathedral and the Royal Castle are, the Town Hall Tower, St. Mary’s Basilica, Krakow Barbican, and Sukiennice, famously known as the Cloth Hall. Absorb the city's unique atmosphere with its thousands of bars and delightful regional restaurants, historic buildings, and horse-driven cabs. During the trip, there will be time to eat lunch in a restaurant. After your time in Krakow board the train at about 7.30 PM, get picked up at the platform and be transferred from the train station back to your hotel in Warsaw.

Krakow: Sightseeing Cruise on the Vistula River

10. Krakow: Sightseeing Cruise on the Vistula River

Explore Krakow from the Vistula River — the Queen of Polish Rivers — on a sightseeing cruise. Sail past landmarks such as Kościuszko Mound, Wawel Castle, Church on the Rock, and the Monastery of the Norbertan Sisters while hearing about the city's legends from your guide. The heated deck and comfortable leather sofas of the modern boat will make you feel at home even on cold days. On warmer days, you're invited to the observation deck to enjoy the beautiful views while spending time outdoors. Listen to the history of Krakow from the boat's modern overhead sound system in Polish and English. Take in all the major the sights of the city, such as Skałka Church, Royal Wawel Castle, the former House of Pope John Paul II, Norbertine Monastery, Kościuszko Mound, Cricoteka, and The 6 Bridges.

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What people are saying about Wawel Royal Castle

Overall rating

4.3 / 5

based on 2,580 reviews

myself and my husband went on the evening boat trip, we did have a problem finding where to get the boat but messaged them and nothing was any trouble..they sent pictures of where the boat was docked and phoned me to make sure I could find it...once on board the captain was very friendly and the information he gave during the trip was outstanding. would highly recommend this. 10 o of 10.

Buena atencion

We booked this activity when we had a couple of spare hours the first day we arrived in Krakow with the hope that we would be able to see lots of the city. This activity was perfect for that and using the segways just made it more fun! Our guide was knowledgeable and enthusiastic and we had a great time!

Christof was one of the best tour guides I've ever had. Knowledgeable, funny and really dedicated. Time and money well spent!

Very interesting tour and so much beautiful historic artefacts and buildings to see.

Lovely boat trip telling you about the history of Krakow.