Coming to Kraków is deeply connected with the city’s dragon – a dragon that was once feared but now protects the people. The dragon’s history begins at Wawel Castle in the Old Town of Kraków. We have been here several times and have a good insight into what is worth visiting and what you can skip. We hope that you will enjoy the castle just as much as we did!
The content was produced as part of a press trip with the Polish Tourism Organisation. Our thoughts and opinions are our own.

Introduction to Wawel Castle

Wawel Royal Castle (Zamek Królewski na Wawelu) is the former residence of Polish kings, sitting on Wawel Hill overlooking the Vistula River. It’s a major symbol of Polish statehood. The castle complex includes the castle itself, the royal apartments, various exhibition spaces, courtyards, the cathedral (which is a separate institution), gardens, towers, and more. It can become overwhelming when coming here for the first time, but we’ve got you covered.

There are a lot of exhibits to choose from, and Wawel is not just one museum — it’s a complex of multiple exhibitions, each offering different historical, artistic, and cultural experiences. Keep in mind that the suggestions are from our own experience. If you are traveling with children, you might want to add the Dragon’s Den to your visit.

Castle I – Royal Private Apartments

These more intimate rooms show how royalty lived behind the scenes — less ceremonial, more personal, and make a great visit. Here you can see period furniture and interiors from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Paintings, portraits, and decorative arts are combined with the porcelain cabinet that is filled with European and Chinese porcelain. They also offer temporary exhibitions that keep the theme of royal life or specific historical periods.

🎯 Why go: Great for visitors who enjoy interior design, daily life, and decorative arts. Not as visually grand as the State Rooms, but more personal and diverse.

Castle II – Representative royal chambers

These rooms were used for royal audiences, ceremonies, and important state functions. They are richly decorated with 16th-century Arras tapestries, ornate coffered ceilings, massive Renaissance fireplaces, and portrait galleries of Polish kings and nobles. Here, you can also find a spectacular collection of Ottoman tents.

🎯 Why go: These rooms give you the full grandeur of Renaissance royal court life. The tapestries alone are among Poland’s national treasures.

Crown treasury and armory

This is where the Polish Crown Jewels and other royal treasures were stored. Today, the exhibit showcases royal insignia and ceremonial swords, jewelry, and other things used in coronations. This is also the place for everyone who loves military history, craftsmanship, or monarchy, since there are a lot of military arms and armor here. Also, don’t miss the exotic and rare items, such as Turkish sables and Polish hussar armor.

🎯 Highlight: The Szczerbiec, the coronation sword of Polish kings — one of the few royal objects to survive the partitions and wars.

The Lost Wawel / Castle Underground

This exhibition reveals the archaeological foundations of Wawel Castle, such as remains of early Romanesque churches and medieval buildings. A collection of architectural fragments from destroyed buildings and a great model of how the hill and castle evolved. Another interesting thing is the ancient heating systems and wells that show medieval technology.

🎯 Why it matters: Gives a deep historical context — how Wawel grew from a fortified tribal settlement into the heart of a kingdom.

Wawel Cathedral

The spiritual heart of Poland, this Gothic cathedral is where almost every Polish monarch was crowned and many are buried. Here, you can see the tombs of several different kings and climb the bell tower to see the massive Sigismund bell. It weighs nearly 13 tons and is very impressive. The Sigismund Chapel is a Renaissance masterpiece in gold and marble that you don’t want to miss.

🎯 This is essential, even if you skip the rest of the complex, because it is really beautiful.

Royal Gardens (Open Spring – Autumn)

This is a hidden gem inside the castle grounds that a lot of visitors miss. The garden is restored to its former glory during the Renaissance. Here you can see geometric flower beds and terraces with views over the city. If it is a warm and sunny day, you have several places where you can sit and rest. This is a great place to visit during the different exhibitions of the castle.

🎯 Nice to visit if the weather is good — calm and beautiful. Also good for photos.

Sandomierska Tower & Senatorska tower

A preserved defensive tower from the 15th century, once part of Kraków’s outer defenses. To get to the top, you have to climb a spiral staircase. At the top, you’ll get a view of the Wawel Castle, the walls, and the river. This is also the place where you learn about the castle fortifications and sieges. The only downside of this place is that you can’t visit it if your mobility is limited – you find no elevators here.

🎯 Nice to visit if you love military history or want a viewpoint, but can be skipped if mobility is limited or you don’t have the time and have to choose the places you visit.

Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama)

This place has its entrance from the castle courtyard and exit by the riverside. This natural limestone cave under Wawel Hill is strongly tied to the famous dragon legend. This den is the supposed lair of the dragon that was slain by a clever shoemaker. It is a walk-through cave with lights and ends at the fire-breathing dragon statue near the river. It is a touristy and short walk that is appreciated by children.

🎯 Why go: Touristy and short, but fun — especially with kids or if you want something light after all the history.

The Fire-breathing dragon

Free for all to see and a great attraction. This is a statue that breathes fire every couple of minutes. This becomes a lot more visible during the evening when it gets dark outside. And, if you are lucky, there might be some fire-breathing performance made by some of the locals. A must-see while visiting the castle or on your way there.

🎯 Must see: This is a great statue that will be appreciated by all ages.

Make the most out of your visit to the Wawel Castle

Visiting the Wawel Castle often starts with some confusion. This is due to the different ticket options that seem to be never-ending. The options are endless, and it’s not easy to decide what tickets to get. However, we have been there several times and have quite a good notion about the area. We have made it easier for you to know what to visit depending on how much time you have to spend here. Feel free to use our plan below!

3-hour visit to Wawel Castle

This is a great option for visitors who want to see the major highlights of the castle.

🏰 09.00 – Arrive at Wawel Hill. Take pictures of the exterior, courtyard, and get the panoramic view over the Vistula River and just enjoy this spectacular place.

🏰 09.15 – 10.15 – Wawel Cathedral. Buy tickets on-site and not through the castle site. See the Royal Tombs, Sigismund’s Chapel, and the bell tower if you have the mobility to climb about 70 steps. The Cathedral is a must-see for everyone who is interested in Polish history.

🏰 10.30 – 11.30 – Crown Treasury and Armory. There is an entry time slot required here, so make sure to book online in advance. The highlights here are the Royal regalia, medieval and Renaissance weapons, and armor. This is also the place to see the national treasures. If you only see one paid exhibit – pick this one!

🏰 11.30 – 12.00 – Courtyard walk and Royal gardens. It is free to walk into the arcaded courtyard. If the gardens are opened, it makes the perfect ending to the Wawel Castle tour. Spend some time relaxing in the gardens and enjoy the views. There is also a café here if you want to grab some snacks or a coffee.

Full day Wawel Castle visit (6-7 hours)

🏰 09.00 – Arrive at Wawel Hill. Take pictures of the exterior, courtyard, and get the panoramic view over the Vistula River and just enjoy this spectacular place. If the gift shop is open early, make sure to have a look inside.

🏰 09.30 – 10.30 – Castle II Representative Royal Chambers. Visit the staterooms, the Ottoman tents, and admire some really lavish interiors. This place is more grand and ceremonial than Castle I.

🏰 10.45 – 11.45 – Castle I Private Royal Apartments. Here, you get to see smaller and more intimate rooms, portraits, a porcelain cabinet, and royal living areas. This is also the place where you can explore temporary exhibits that are often presented here.

🏰 12.00 – 13.00 – Lunch break. Choose an on-site café or one of the restaurants that are located just outside of the Wawel Hill. If you are craving some traditional Polish food, you can check out the restaurant ”Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa”. It is only five minutes away from the Castle grounds.

🏰 13.00 – 14.00 – Wawel Cathedral. Buy tickets on-site and not through the castle site. See the Royal Tombs, Sigismund’s Chapel, and the bell tower if you have the mobility to climb about 70 steps. The Cathedral is a must-see for everyone who is interested in Polish history.

🏰 14.00 – 15.00 – Crown Treasury and Armory. There is an entry time slot required here, so make sure to book online in advance. The highlights here are the Royal regalia, medieval and Renaissance weapons, and armor. This is also the place to see the national treasures. If you only see one paid exhibit – pick this one!

🏰 15.00 – 15.30 – Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama). This is a must if you are visiting with children. The cave itself might not be the interesting one. However, at the exit, you will see the fire-breathing dragon. Even if the cave is not a big one, take your time and let the children explore and play. You do pay for it!

🏰 15.30 – 16.00 – Sandomierska Tower. A nice place where you get a nice view of the city and the Vistula River. A great way to use the last of your energy is to climb the tower and enjoy the breeze from the top.

🏰 16.00 ➡️ Gift shop, café, and relaxing in the gardens. End your visit to the Wawel Castle by taking a walk on the riverside promenade and soaking in all of the expressions of the day.

More information about Wawel Castle

There are audioguides that you can rent, or you can join a guided tour if you prefer that.
Opening hours and ticket prices can be found on the Wawel Castle website.