Castles in Poland: index by region with maps
518 castles, ruins and fortified manors across Poland's 16 voivodeships, with location, map link, first-dated year and official website where one is listed.
Top-rated castles
How we rate (out of 10): heritage significance up to 4 points; published visitor information up to 3 (opening hours, ticket prices, English); open through the year 1; accessibility information 1; within about 100 km of a major city 1. Facts come from each castle's official site.
1. Royal Castle in Warsaw
Must see!Top 10Recommended
Expats Poland rating: 9/10 - Warsaw, Masovia
The rebuilt seat of Polish kings and the centre of Warsaw's UNESCO-listed Old Town. Published hours, prices and an English site make it the easiest castle to plan.
Hours: May-Sep 10:00-20:00, Oct-Apr 10:00-18:00
Tickets: 60 PLN regular, 45 PLN reduced, 1 PLN for EU students aged 8-26
2. Malbork Castle
Must see!Top 10RecommendedFamily favourite
Expats Poland rating: 9/10 - Malbork, Pomerania
The largest brick castle in the world and a UNESCO site, about an hour from Gdańsk. The tour is guided, with audio guides in English and 11 other languages.
Hours: Tue-Sun 09:00-16:00 until 25 Apr 2027 (summer 09:00-20:00); Monday free, grounds route only
Tickets: 80 PLN regular, 60 PLN reduced, family tickets, under 7 free
3. Wawel Castle
Must see!Top 10Recommended
Expats Poland rating: 8/10 - Kraków, Lesser Poland
Poland's royal hill in Kraków, with the cathedral, state rooms and treasury in one complex. The official site is in English and lists an external lift with staff help for visitors who need one.
Hours: See official site
4. Gniew Castle
Top 10RecommendedFamily favourite
Expats Poland rating: 7/10 - Gniew, Pomerania
A hilltop castle with knights' shows and a hands-on tour, an hour from Gdańsk. English guiding is available by booking.
Hours: Tue-Sun, guided tours 10:30-15:30
Tickets: 25 PLN regular, 18 PLN reduced, family 60-67 PLN
5. Pieskowa Skała
Top 10Recommended
Expats Poland rating: 7/10 - Sułoszowa, Lesser Poland
A Renaissance castle on a rock above the Prądnik valley, 25 km from Kraków. Visitors choose between several tour routes.
Hours: See official site
Tickets: 35-45 PLN regular by route
6. Książ Castle and park complex
Top 10Recommended
Expats Poland rating: 6/10 - Wałbrzych, Lower Silesia
Silesia's largest castle, set in a park with terraces above a river gorge near Wałbrzych, about 70 km from Wrocław.
Hours: 19-31 Oct 2026: 09:00-17:00
7. Ogrodzieniec Castle
Top 10Recommended
Expats Poland rating: 6/10 - Podzamcze, Silesia
The biggest castle ruins on the Eagles' Nests Trail, on a limestone hill in the Silesian uplands.
Hours: Mon-Fri 09:00-16:00, Sat-Sun 09:00-17:00
8. Chęciny Castle
Top 10Hidden gem
Expats Poland rating: 5/10 - Chęciny, Świętokrzyskie
A hilltop ruin over the town of Chęciny with views across the Świętokrzyskie hills, usually quieter than the big names.
Hours: Open daily all year, hours vary by month
Tickets: 23 PLN regular
All castles
By region
- Greater Poland
23 castles - Kuyavia-Pomerania
36 castles - Lesser Poland
39 castles - Lower Silesia
116 castles - Lublin
17 castles - Lubusz
24 castles - Masovia
20 castles - Opole
32 castles - Podkarpackie
21 castles - Podlaskie
9 castles - Pomerania
22 castles - Silesia
45 castles - Warmia-Masuria
33 castles - West Pomerania
28 castles - Łódź
19 castles - Świętokrzyskie
17 castles