No vacation in Poland is complete without visiting a castle or a palace, and Poland is the perfect place to cross this off your list.
Poland has an impressive array of castles and palaces located throughout the country. While many date to medieval times, a prosperous era for Poland, there are castles from other periods. Some are priceless monuments of the past preserved in their original state. In contrast, others were restored or reconstructed with meticulous care that they became works of art no less impressive than the original structures.
Whether preserved or restored, many of these timeless constructions are now home to museums like the Wawel Castle in Kraków and education centers like the Royal Castle in Warsaw. They serve as venues for cultural events or out-of-door sound and light shows like those in UNESCO-listed Malbork Castle. A quiet few palaces in cities and countryside function as luxury hotels, with restaurants offering authentic Polish fare, such as the Krasicki Hotel in Lidzbark Warmiński.
Getting to some of these castles and palaces can also be an adventure. One of Poland's best and most popular tourist trails, the Trail of Eagles' Nest, passes through a chain of 25 medieval castles and watchtowers between Kraków and Częstochowa. With a 117-mile-long bicycle trail, many of the castles on the Trail of Eagles' Nest are accessible by bike.
Visiting castles and palaces in Poland is a fascinating journey across centuries and a must-do for every adventure traveler.
Coincidentally, November is the perfect month to visit nine royal residences free of charge. This year marks the eleventh time the Minister of Culture and National Heritage invites guests to pay a visit to selected royal homes as part of the "Free November" cultural campaign. Royal residences have prepared complimentary tickets for permanent and temporary exhibitions and special events - meetings, lectures, conferences, workshops, and tours. Children, teenagers, and school groups are invited to take advantage of free museum lessons and online presentations.
For more information, please feel free to contact the participating venues.
The Royal Wawel Castle in Kraków
Museum of King Jan III’s Palace at Wilanów
The Saltworks Castle in Wieliczka
