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Wawel Hill Architecture

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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: Wawel Castle Guided Tour with Entry Tickets

3. 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: Wawel Castle Crown Treasury & Royal Armoury

4. Krakow: Wawel Castle Crown Treasury & Royal Armoury

Discover the rich heritage of Polish Kings and Queens on this guided tour of the Crown Treasury at Wawel Castle, in Krakow. Choose from a tour with or without a ticket to the Royal Armory. Save time with skip-the-line access to the Treasury.  Meet your licensed guide outside the castle and bypass line to visit the Crown Treasury. Uncover magnificent works of art, crown jewels, orbs, and more. Admire royal decorations of honor, including the mantle of the Knight of the Order of the Holy Spirit, and rare jewelry collections. Next, visit the Royal Armoury on a self-guided tour (if you have chosen that option). Explore its collection of richly decorated weapons, donated to Polish kings by medieval rulers from across Europe. See the original famous winged Polish Hussars’ armor and weapons. Take in the exquisite gun exhibits of rifles, arquebuses, patrinals, and pistols from medieval European factories. View the most valuable collection of barrels in the country bearing the coats of arms of Polish kings, hetmans, and noblemen.

Krakow: 2-Hour Walking Tour of the Old Town

5. Krakow: 2-Hour Walking Tour of the Old Town

See some of the most historically significant sites in Krakow on this guided tour of the Old Town. See Wawel Hill, with its Royal Castle and Cathedral, which are part of one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, one of the most important historical sites in the country, and one of the largest castles in Poland. Visit Old Town, Krakow, one of the most famous old districts in Poland, which was the center of Poland's political life for over 500 years. Experience Jagiellonian University district, home to the oldest University in Poland, Planty Park, one of the largest city parks in Poland, and the Main Market square, which dates back to the 13th century. Marvel at St. Mary’s Basilica and remnants of medieval fortifications of Krakow, while the guide tells stories and legends to teach the tour group about local customs and traditions.

Krakow: 2-Hour Segway Tour of the Old Town

6. 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: Wawel Royal Hill Guided Tour

7. Krakow: Wawel Royal Hill Guided Tour

Join a guided tour of the Wawel Royal Hill, one of the most important hills in Poland. This was where Polish kings and queens reigned over Poland. Your guide will tell you about the secrets of the royals and show you the most important places within Wawel Hill.  After meeting your guide, you will pass by the most expensive hotel in Cracow, which has hosted HRH Prince Charles and President Bush. You are then going to stop by the house of Jan Długosz, the legendary Polish historian, from where you will have a magnificent view over Wawel Hill. Then, start to go uphill, passing through the Arms Gate, and stopping by the monument to Tadeusz Kościuszko, one of the most important Polish heroes. Walk past the entrance to the Wawel Cathedral. Continue in the direction of the center of Wawel hill and the medieval courtyard, and head to the Austrian Hospital, from where you will be able to see a beautiful panorama of Krakow. You are then going to pass by Sandomierska Tower and go downhill through the Bernardyńska Gate, eventually leading to the cave of the Wawel Dragon. 

Krakow: Electric Car Tour and Optional Schindler’s Factory

8. Krakow: Electric Car Tour and Optional Schindler’s Factory

Discover the city of Krakow in a day on an eco-friendly electric buggy city tour. Learn about the city's colorful history from your local guide as you glide through the city's iconic neighborhoods and past its main landmarks. See Wawel Castle, the Jewish Quarters, and the former Jewish Ghetto all from the comfort of your e-buggy. Embark on an unforgettable journey in an eco-friendly electric buggy through the charming streets of Krakow. Visit the city's three most historical districts with ease and comfort. First, make your way to the Old Town to see the enchanting Wawel Royal Castle towering over the city and the Vistula River, the Barbican with its fortified turrets and walls, impressive churches, and a number of other historical buildings. Next, head to the city's historic Jewish quarter with its breathtaking array of Christian churches, Jewish synagogues, and the historical buildings of the former city of Kazimierz. Marvel at the trendy shops, bars, and galleries that now line these streets. Finally, ride to the former Jewish ghetto walls and Getto Heroes Square before ending your tour at Schindler's Factory Museum. Here, if the museum is open and tickets available to buy, you can visit the museum at your own pace, unguided. After an hour in the museum, be picked up and brought back to the original starting point of the tour. Alternatively, if you don't visit the museum, be dropped off immediately after the tour ends at the original starting point of the tour.

Kraków: Evening or Night River Cruise

9. Kraków: Evening or Night River Cruise

Feast your eyes on the visual delights of Krakow, from the majestic Wawel Castle to the historic Zwierzyniec and Kazimierz districts. Hop onto a Vistula River cruise, one of the best ways to discover all that Krakow has to offer. Begin the cruise at the foot of Wawel Castle then glide along the picturesque boulevards first in the direction of Podgórze and Kazimierz districts. Pass by well-known sights like Church on the Rock, Mangha Museum, Bernatka Footbridge, Cricoteka, picturesque bridges, towards Dabie district. Journey along the river that flows through the heart of Krakow, which happens to be home to some of the most iconic landmarks in Poland. Have the chance to see the city's primary attractions and immerse yourself in the spirit of Krakow thanks to the comfortable pace of the tour.

Krakow: Wawel Castle & Cathedral Guided Tour

10. Krakow: Wawel Castle & Cathedral Guided Tour

See all that magnificent things with an expert local guide. Explore the residence of Polish kings at the Royal Wawel Castle, becoming one of the most important museums in Poland since 1930. See a vast collection of paintings, graphics, sculptures, fabrics, goldsmiths, military items, porcelain, and furniture, recreating the appearance of the rooms from the Renaissance and Baroque periods. Visit the Royal chambers that display the famous tapestries of Zygmunt August and magnificent Renaissance Italian paintings from the Lanckoronski collection. See also the Wawel collections of Eastern art contain the most important, and largest collection of tents in Europe. Get entrance to the Wawel Cathedral and admire the Gothic structure that was once a sanctuary where Polish monarchs were crowned.

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What people are saying about Wawel Hill

Overall rating

4.5 / 5

based on 1,596 reviews

Our guide was wonderful and knowledgeable, she explained the history of the castle and cathedral in a way that kept your interest. We learnt so much, yes the castle doesn’t have as many artifacts as you would expect but she did a great job explaining why and the history behind what was missing and what existed. I wish I remembered her name but I strongly recommend this tour !

We were worried that in the freezing temperatures that the car would be cold but it was surprisingly warm. We had headsets that explained the history of key buildings (castle and churches) but the best part of the tour was the historical tour of the Jewish Quarter and scenes of the ghetto during the Second World War. We visited Schindler's factory too which was excellent.

Great driver, the audio is also first class and as a bonus apart from seeing the churches etc it gives you the opportunities to spot places for reference on other days.

The guide was very prepared and explained the structures visited impeccably. The palace and the cathedral are two must-see sights when visiting Krakow.

A good half day tour (it’s actually about hour and a half but you can stroll around after gbr official tour has fimished.