Poland in general is very rich in castles and palaces. It is probably connected with constant change of Polish borders and the necessity of protection against outer invaders. Especially rich in such defences is southern part of the country. Cracow the former capital of Poland and the most popular destination in the country can boast one of the biggest castles in the country and also many interesting buildings of this type in the vicinity. In this article you will find out the top 5 castles and palaces in Cracow’s area prepared for us by ITS DMC Poland renowned Polish travel agent that has been working with international tourist groups since 2005.

5 top castles and palaces in Cracow and vicinity by ITS DMC Poland

1. Wawel Castle
2. Pieskowa Skała Castle
3. Niepołomice Palace
4. Nowy Wiśnicz Castle
5. Niedzica Castle

Wawel Castle

It is situated in the Old Town in Cracow at the border with Kazimierz district. It is the biggest castle in Lesser Poland district and one of the biggest in Poland. ITS DMC Poland says that it is a must-see point of all Cracow tours. Wawel Castle is located at Wawel Hill surrounded by the castle walls. At the hill, travellers sightsee not only the castle itself but also Wawel Cathedral with Diocese Museum, they meet fire blowing symbol of the city – Wawel Dragon in its den (cave that is also open for visitors), gardens, treasury and armoury. In the castle tourists can choose different routes of which royal apartments and Wawel chambers are the most popular. At Wawel Cathedral tourists also can find the most famous bell in the country – Sigismundus Bell that tolls only for the most important holidays and events of national importance.

Pieskowa Skała Castle

It is located in the very heart of Cracow-Częstochowa Jurassic Region and is a gateway to Ojcowski National Park. The castle itself is picturesquely located at the rock massif in Prądnik river valley close to famous rock formation of Hercules Club. Moreover, by the castle’s hill there are 5 picturesque ponds. The castle itself has been lately restored and displays National Museum of Cracow arts exhibition. The Gothic building was first erected in the first half of the 14th century and was one of the components of “the Eagle’s Nests” defensive complex. The castle was burned three times and finally, in the 80s of the 19th centuries the building gained some Neo-Gothic elements. ITS DMC Poland states that it is good to plan a whole day stay in the castle area and join the castle sightseeing with a visit in Łokietka Cave and taking one of the walking routes in Ojcowski National Park.

Niepołomice Palace

It is often called “little Wawel” as there are a lot of similarities in the architectonical style of both units. Beautifully restored, it is a real decoration of a small, medieval, charming town. For centuries, the castle in Niepołomice was a royal holiday residence known as the “second Wawel“. Here, kings and princes from the Piast dynasty, Jagiellonians and elected rulers of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth worked and played enjoying their time out of capital city. The castle now hosts a museum, hotel and a conference centre. The Niepołomice Museum is rich in hunting exhibits and collections of the National Museum. ITS DMC Poland states that it is good to see this place, especially on the way to Bochnia Salt Mine.

Nowy Wiśnicz Castle

It is the second biggest castle (just after Wawel) in Lesser Poland Region. It was erected in the second half of the 14th century and it is in the shape of regular square with 4 towers and a courtyard. The castle is a mixture of Baroque and Renaissance elements. Nowadays, it hosts a museum. Tourists can also see the underground sightseeing route and an exhibition of Medieval torture mechanisms. Sightseeing of the castle takes around 1 h and ITS DMC Poland says that it is a good stop on the way from Cracow to Bochnia Salt Mine.

Dunajec Castle in Niedzica

It was erected in the first half of the 14th century protecting the Hungarian border. The castle has been modified many times and after the WWII it had to be almost totally rebuilt. At the moment, the castle houses a museum and guest rooms. In addition to the castle sightseeing, visitors can also see the Carriage House and Granary. ITS DMC Poland says that it is good to take 1 day trip for Cracow to traditional Dunajec rafting cruise from Sromowce Wyżne, Niedzica Castle sightseeing and a visit in UNESCO World Heritage List Church of Michael the Archangel in Dębno.

All the above-mentioned castles and palaces are the proof of interesting and mesmerizing history of Poland. In majority they also display magnificent works of art from Cracow National Museum’s collections. It is really worth to include them in your sightseeing itinerary of Cracow and Lesser Poland region. If you need any help in organizing your group stay in Poland, we heartily recommend visiting ITS DMC Poland website and contacting this travel agent’s professional group coordinators that will be happy to assist you in organizing your trip to Poland.