22 stunning fairytale castles in Poland you have to see!

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Map of castles in Poland

Can you believe there are this many stunning castles in Poland? And these are just my favorites!

Most beautiful castles in Poland

Here’s a list of my personal favorite 22 palaces, ruins and castles in Poland.

1. Moszna Castle

Moszna Castle, located in southern Poland between Katowice and Wrocław, looks like something out of a fairytale. Its sheer size and elegance are genuinely captivating, so it comes as no surprise that it is considered the most magnificent castles in Poland.

Locals believe that initially, the structure was not, in fact, a castle but a monastery run by the Order of The Knights Templar. While there are countless stories and secrets around the history of Moszna Castle, it wasn’t until investigations were carried out that a bunch of ancient cellars was found below what is now the gardens. Which only reinforces the possibility of a Templar connection.

From the available records, we can see that the first family registered as owners of the grounds was the Skall family back in 1679. The history of the castle following the first known owners is long and detailed.

Of course, originally it was nowhere near as grand as what we see today but over the years, and the exchange in ownership the castle grew into the towering beauty that we see today.

Moszna Castle Hotel

Inside the castle turned hotel there are a staggering 365 rooms while the most striking feature outside has to be the 99 towers and spires. Moszna Castle covers an area of around 7,000 sq. meters and is bursting with character due to the many legends and mysteries that surround it.

Obviously, you don’t have to be a guest to visit the castle, but as glamorous as it looks, a hotel room here is actually very reasonably priced.

🏰 Want to stay in the stunning Moszna Castle? >> Check availability here

2. Książ Castle

Książ Castle, also known as the Pearl of Lower Silesia, lies within Książ Landscape Park, a protected area in western Poland close to the Czech border. It is my favorite castle in Poland and I bet you can see why!

For more than 400 years it belonged to one family – the Hochbergs, and was unfortunately destroyed during a fire and numerous wars. In 1941 the castle was seized by the Nazis who were planning on turning it into a residence for Hitler. Soon after the construction of a bunker 50 meters beneath the castle began, but the complex was never finished.

A couple of years ago the area drew worldwide attention when two explorers announced they had located a secret tunnel that supposedly was hiding a train loaded whit Nazi gold and treasures. Although no gold has been found yet, the stunning area which looks like something out of a fairytale is well worth a visit.

Today there are several hotels and restaurants on the property, with Hotel Książ being the largest and the closest to the castle. It’s the perfect location for a weekend getaway or a stop on your Polish road trip.

Książ Castle Viewpoint

The photo of me in front of Książ is shot from a viewpoint just up the road from the castle itself. You’ll find it by searching for Punkt Widokowy na Zamek Książ on Google Maps.

Książ Castle Tour from Wroclaw

Visit 4 highlights of the Lower Silesia Province – Książ Castle, the Church of Peace in Swidnica, Świdnica’s Market Square, and the Palm House – on a day trip from Wroclaw including hotel transfers.

3. Pieskowa Skała Castle

Pieskowa Skała Castle is a part of the Trail of the Eagle’s Nests, a chain of 25 medieval castles and ruins perched on hills and clifftops. It is the perfect half-day trip during a weekend in Krakow.

Since its humble beginnings as a defensive stronghold in the 14th century, the castle has been expanded and modernized with the changing trends by several different owners over the years. 

Today it stands as one of the most pristine examples of Renaissance residential architecture in the country. It is also by far the best-preserved castle on The Trail of the Eagle’s Nests.

Pieskowa Skała boasts a large courtyard, a clocktower, restaurant and a perfectly manicured garden. It also houses a collection of art and artifacts from the Royal Castle Museum in Kraków. The best view of Pieskowa Skała is from the valley below the castle, where you’ll also find a very interesting-looking rock called “Hercules’ Club”.

4. Ogrodzieniec Castle

Ogrodzieniec Castle, another stop on the trail of the Eagle’s Nest, is a stunning medieval fortress located in the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland region of southern Poland. The castle was built in the 14th century and served as a defensive stronghold for the powerful Włodkowie Sulimczycy family.

Over the centuries, the castle was expanded and renovated, with new towers and fortifications added to enhance its defensive capabilities.

You can explore the castle’s ruins, which include the remains of the main tower, the chapel, and the gatehouse. The castle’s strategic location on a hilltop provides stunning views of the surrounding countryside, making it a popular spot for photography and picnics.

The castle also hosts various cultural events throughout the year, such as medieval reenactments, concerts, and festivals, which attract visitors from all over the world.

🌟 As mentioned above, Ogrodzieniec Castle is included in this tour on the Trail of the Eagle’s Nests.

5. Bobolice Castle

Bobolice Castle is a magnificent 14th-century fortress in the Silesian Voivodeship region, about two hours from Krakow. The powerful Włodkowie Sulimczycy family built the castle as a defensive stronghold against invaders and it is today the most Disneyesque castle on the Trail of the Eagle’s Nests.

Over the centuries, the castle was expanded and renovated, with new towers and fortifications added. Unfortunately, the castle was destroyed during the Swedish invasion of Poland in the 17th century and was left in ruins for many years.

In the 20th century, Bobolice Castle was restored and opened to the public as a museum and hotel. You can explore the castle’s ruins, including the main tower’s remains, the chapel, and the gatehouse.

🏰 Check price and availability here >> Castles Tour on The Eagle’s Nests Trail

6. Warsaw Royal Castle

By The Travelling Stomach

The Royal Castle, standing proud in the city center, is one of Warsaw’s most famous and iconic attractions. Sadly, the original palace was destroyed by the Germans during WWII, but its replacement was eventually reconstructed in the late 20th Century.

The castle is open to visitors every day, except Mondays and on Wednesdays it’s free entry! Whilst there, you can arrange for a personal guided tour at an additional fee, or pick up an audio guide for your visit, costing between 12-17 zł per person.

During your visit, take in the beautiful period furniture and art masterpieces that decorate the palace today. The highlight is the castle’s Great Apartment, with its magnificent Great Assembly Hall.

The huge fresco you will find on the ceiling, titled “The Disentanglement of Chaos”, is a mighty sight with kings and angels soaring above you and is one of the centerpieces of the room. Throughout you will be wowed by the palace’s designs and is definitely not one to miss during your visit to Poland’s capital!

Limited on time?

Avoid the hassle of putting together your own itinerary and enjoy this comprehensive tour that includes door-to-door transport. See Warsaw’s Old Town, the Old Market Square, and highlights along the Royal Route such as the Royal Castle!

🎫 Check price and availability here >> Warsaw Old Town with Royal Castle Tour

7. Niedzica Castle

Situated on a hill overlooking the mouth of the Dunajec River, is Niedzica Castle. It was initially built by a Hungarian man by the name of Kokos of Brezovica sometime between 1320 and 1326. Due to its location Niedzica Castle is also referred to as Dunajec Castle, so for the sake of clarity, both names refer to the same castle.

In 1963 the castle opened up as a museum which is how it remains today. The upper and middle sections of the castle remain as do the dungeons. Heading toward the museum you can see stored artifacts and bits of the original interior of the castle.

Another castle another legend and the one behind this one is heart-wrenching. It’s believed that an Inca princess was killed in the Niedzica Castle after which her ghost remained to roam the grounds trying to tell her son where the lost Inca treasure could be found.

In order to visit Niedzica Castle, unless you have a car, you would need to join a tour departing from Zakopane or Krakow like the one below.

8. Malbork Castle

9. Gołuchów Castle

Goluchow Castle, a captivating structure that sits pretty near the Trzemna River, was built in the late 16th century by a family known as the Leszcynskis. Several centuries later the castle was transformed by Izabela of the Czartoryskis into the French Renaissance style.

Izabela had the famous French architect Maurice August Ouradou work on the plans with the assistance of Zygmunt Gorgolewski from Poland. Their work was inspired by the renowned Loire Chateaux and Italian style. Even some of the sculptures that remain there now were brought in from France and Italy.

Open to the public since 1962, the building contains a wealth of exhibits both original and new. Goluchow Castle has many rooms to be explored including the gothic room, the ancient room, and the Polish room just to name a few.

The grounds surrounding Goluchow Castle is a beautifully landscaped park where you can sit down and take in the gorgeous sights. Goluchow Castle is open every day except for Mondays.

If you would like to spend the night, the grand Dom Pracy Twórczej Hotel, located only a short three-minute walk from the castle, is a great option.

10. Lublin Castle

By Backpack Adventures

Few people visit Lublin in the eastern part of Poland, even though it is a beautiful city with several things to do. One of them is Lublin Castle which is one of the oldest and best-preserved castles in Poland.

Lublin is an ancient city situated between Vilnius and Krakow. It has always attracted rich merchants and traders from the area and this wealth is reflected in the Lublin castle. The castle was built in the 14th century by King Casimir the Great. In its glory days, the castle was serving royal families and was at the center of life in Lublin.

Wars in the seventeenth century put an end to the castle’s good times and gave it a dark purpose. Under Russian rule, the castle became a prison and later the Nazis used it as a detention center for political prisoners and Jews.

After the Second World War, Poland decided to preserve its heritage and the castle was renovated. In 1957 it opened its doors to the public as the Lublin Museum. It sits on a hill and the courtyard is free to enter. From there, you get a beautiful view of Lublin.

Lublin highlights guided tour

During the two-hour tour, explore highlights such as the Market Square, the former Town Hall, the Krakowska Gate and the neo-Gothic Lublin castle. Enter St. John the Baptist Cathedral and discover its rich interior and stunning organs before finishing the tour at the Church the Holy Spirit with its spectacular altar.

11. Nowy Wisnicz Castle

Dating back to the 14th century, Nowy Wisnicz Castle was constructed in the classical four-sided, central courtyard form by the noble Kmitas family. Later on, the castle made its way to the Lubomirskis which made it home to the Lubomirski Princess.

This group was no set of average folk, they were in fact, one of the most powerful tribes in Europe, partly due to the fact that Stanislaw Lubomirski was the biggest landowner on the continent. At one point the family lost the castle but managed to gain ownership again once communism fell in 1991.

Nowy Wisnicz Castle’s new life as a museum means that the family no longer lives here, but their legacy is detailed in the museum. One of the rooms in the castle has been completely restored so you can see firsthand how it would have looked back in the day.

If you’re staying in Kraków, Nowy Wisnicz is a perfect half-day trip as the castle is located only an hour’s bus ride away from the city center. The museum is open daily, except for Mondays, until 4:00 pm and there’s also a restaurant on site. 

12. Wilanow Palace

While technically not a castle, Wilanow Palace is just too gorgeous to be left out of this list. The very start of what would turn out to be a mesmerizing Palace began in April of 1677 when King John Sobieski III took ownership of the village. At first, the King built a simple typical Polish house intending to eventually transform it.

Over the years until 1696, the structure had been expanded and redeveloped into a recognizable noble house. Naturally, as time went by the ownership of Wilanow Palace transferred and eventually ended up in the hands of Stanislaw Kostka Potocki. It was during his ownership that in 1805 the Wilanow Palace opened its doors as a museum, one of the first in Poland.

The Royal apartments, event rooms, and socializing chambers, the King’s library, and the Chapel are found on the main floor. The exhibition and museum part of the Palace is located on the first floor where you can view the Gallery of the Polish Portrait among other invaluable pieces.

13. Czocha Castle

In the quaint village of Sucha in southwestern Poland, lies the defensive castle of Czocha. According to legends, it is one of the most haunted castles in Poland.

The castle, which sits on Gneiss Rock over Lake Leśnia, was first constructed in the 13th century. Wenceslaus I of Bohemia was the one who ordered the castle to be built, taking about a century to be completed.

Over the years the castle was passed on to noble families, princes, and Kings, before housing refugees. After WWII Czocha Castle was broken into multiple times by thieves and Red Army soldiers. All valuable items were taken, leaving the castle more or less bare.

Finally, Czocha Castle opened up as a hotel and conference center in 1996 and has actually been featured in several films including Beyond Sherwood Forest and Spellbinder.

Guided tours of Czocha Castle run every hour and take only 45-60 minutes. Those who aren’t staying at Czocha Castle as a guest can still enjoy the experience of the castle’s grounds, feast on traditional Polish cuisine, and grab a slice of cake and a coffee at the tea room.

🏰 Book your stay here >> Czocha Castle Hotel

14. Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Castle, located in the heart of my dear Krakow, gained its name from the limestone hill in the center of the city known as Wawel. Architects believe that this castle is the best example of pre-romanesque architecture.

As Wawel was the seat of Polish rulers, we can date the first one back to the 11th century around the time of the rule of Mieszko II and Boleslav the Brave.

Nowadays the Wawel Royal Castle is a museum with many exhibitions such as the Royal Private Apartments, State Rooms, Lost Wawel and the Exhibition of Oriental Art, and the Crown Treasury & Armoury. Everyone can enjoy the castle grounds for free. 

The opening hours vary depending on the time of year with March and October opening from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, and the summer months closing slightly later.

15. Krzyztopor Castle

Krzyztopor Castle, one of the most unique castles in Poland, is located in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, halfway between Krakow and Lublin. Construction of the castle began in 1621 by the powerful magnate, Krzysztof Ossoliński, and is known for its unusual design and complex symbolism.

The castle was built in the shape of a star, with four wings representing the four elements of earth, air, fire, and water. It also featured a complex system of hidden passages and secret rooms, which were used by Ossoliński to hide his treasures and escape from enemies.

Unfortunately, Krzyztopor Castle was destroyed during the Swedish invasion of Poland in 1655 and has been in ruins ever since.

16. Rogalin Palace

Rogalin Palace is a stunning 18th-century palace located 35 minutes south of Poznan. The palace was built by the Raczynski family and served as their residence for many centuries.

Over the years, the palace was expanded and renovated, with new wings and gardens added to enhance its beauty and grandeur. Today, Rogalin Palace is one of the most beautiful palaces in Poland and is known for its stunning architecture, beautiful gardens, and rich history.

You can explore the palace’s many rooms and chambers, which are filled with antique furniture, paintings, and sculptures. The palace’s beautiful gardens are also a popular attraction, featuring a variety of trees, flowers, and fountains. The palace is also home to the Raczynski Library, which contains a vast collection of books, manuscripts, and documents related to Polish history and culture.

In addition to its cultural and historical significance, Rogalin Palace is also known for its role in the preservation of the Polish oak tree. The palace’s surrounding forest is home to many oak trees, some of which are over 800 years old.

17. Kórnik Castle

Over the years, the castle was expanded and renovated, with new wings and towers added to enhance its beauty and grandeur. Today, Kórnik Castle currently houses a museum and the Kórnik Library.

In addition to its cultural and historical significance, Kornik Castle is also known for its ghostly legends and stories. Many visitors claim to have seen the ghost of a young girl who died in the castle’s chapel, adding to the castle’s allure and mystery.

As mentioned above, you can visit Kornik Castle and Rogalin Palace on this half-day tour from Poznan.