For centuries the Wawel Hill, with its towering castle and cathedral, was the seat of political and ecclesiastical power in Poland. Over the course of nearly one thousand years, the architectural and garden landscape of the hill changed; buildings were erected, remodeled, knocked down and replaced. Today, the castle and cathedral constitute a harmonious monument complex, for the most part restored to its Renaissance grandeur. The reopened gardens complete the picture.
The guided walking tour gives visitors an opportunity to learn about the magnificent architecture and to explore secluded areas, such as the sunlit royal gardens on the eastern side of the hill. The tour begins in the "Lost Wawel" exhibition next to a model of the Wawel as it looked in the 18th century, continues to the Arcaded Courtyard of the castle, and then to the gardens. From the lower terrace of the royal gardens the tour continues around the perimeter of the castle: up the narrow stone steps next to the Hen’s Foot Tower, past the tower built by King Sigimund III Vasa, onto the ramparts and along the north elevation of the castle. From this spot visitors can take in the magnificent panorama of Cracow’s old town. The tour then leads back to the Arcaded Courtyard through the so-called Tatar Passage and on to the Báthory Courtyard. The tour ends with a visit to the Sandomierska Tower, which offers great views of Krakow and the surrounding countryside. Please save your tour ticket.
25-31 July 2016 closed
Wawel Architecture and Gardens
May – September
Mon-Sun 11.00am-3.00pm (timed tours with guide in Polish or English), weather permitting
Group size: max. 30
Tickets PLN 18/10 (children under 7 years of age admitted free)
No free admission day.
Tickets may be purchased at the Castle Ticket Offices or by reservation through the Reservation Office: +48 12 422 16 97; e-mail: bot@wawel.org.pl
Sandomierska Tower
25 April - 3 September
April, September 10am-5pm
May, June 10am-6pm
July, August 10am-7pm
October - only fine weather weekends 10am-5m
tickets 4 PLN, are issued at the ticket offices and at the entrance
Visitors tour the Sandomierska Tower individually (without guide). Tour ticket must be presented for admission to tower.
Due to the nature of the tour and gardens, it may be difficult for people with movement disabilities (steps between the terraces).Touring the tower requires climbing 137 steps. Children under age 12 must be accompanied by an adult.
