Malbork Castle is one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe, often referred to as the largest castle in the world. Built in several stages, starting in the 13th century, thoroughly restored after the Second World War, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The fortress, picturesquely situated on the river, consists of three castles. An exciting tour for all kinds of tourists, not just history enthusiasts, suitable for both adults and children.

The Castle in Malbork is an idea for a one-day trip in Poland, a weekend getaway, or a several-hour trip while visiting the city of Gdańsk, from where you can get to Malbork in just 50 minutes (our tips on visiting Gdańsk).

The Castle in Malbork is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List (more on UNESCO’s website). UNESCO recognizes that “it is the most complete and elaborate example of a Gothic brick-built castle complex in the characteristic and unique style of the Teutonic Order.

From the 19th century to the present day, Malbork Castle has been the subject of extensive restoration work, making an exceptional contribution to the development of research and conservation theory and practice in this part of the world.

Malbork Castle is an outstanding example of the castles built by the Teutonic Order, which evolved on the frontiers of medieval Western Europe. It is a unique, perfectly planned architectural creation, with no equivalent in Gothic architecture“.

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How to get to the Malbork Castle by train, by car, by plane

The Castle is located in the town of Malbork – in northern Poland, in the Pomeranian Province, picturesquely situated on the Nogat river. Malbork’s location on Google map.

How to get to Malbork by car

Approximate (depending on traffic) travel time by car to Malbork from: Warsaw 3 hrs 45 mins, Kraków 6 hrs 20 mins, Poznań 3 hrs 50 mins, Gdańsk 50 mins, Łódź 3 hrs 40 mins, Katowice 5 hrs, Lublin 5 hrs 30 mins.
It is not possible to park your car on the premises of the Castle. There are public and private car parks (payable) in the vicinity of the Castle. Location of car parks on the ‘Visit Malbork’ website. Map of Malbork with parking lots marked with the letter ‘P’.

How to get to Malbork by train

The railway station (dworzec kolejowy in Polish) is located just 1 km east of the Castle (location on Google map, train timetable).
It is worth paying attention to the historic railway station building. It is a neo-Gothic building (built in 1890) that was restored in 2012. Don’t miss the beautifully decorated wooden ceiling, numerous paintings, and architectural details.
Approximate travel time by trains to Malbork from: Warsaw 2 hrs 10 mins (direct), Kraków 4 hrs 40 mins (direct), Poznań 2 hrs 50 mins (1 change), Gdańsk 50 mins (direct), Łódź 4 hrs 15 mins (1 change), Katowice 4 hrs 50 mins (direct), Lublin 4 hrs 30 mins (1 change).

How to get to Malbork by plane

The closest airport to Malbork is the international airport in the city of Gdańsk.
Gdańsk’s international airport (Polish name: Port Lotniczy Gdańsk-Rębiechowo im. Lecha Wałęsy), location on Google map, website in English) is located 70 km from the Malbork Castle (about an hour by car). From Gdańsk, you can get to Malbork by train in 50 minutes. The main railway station in Gdańsk is called in Polish Gdańsk Główny (location on Google map, train timetable).
Our tips in English on visiting the city of Gdańsk.

Taxis and local buses in Malbork

Telephone numbers for several taxi companies in Malbork: Hallo Taxi Malbork +48 669 388 888, Taxi Malbork +48 792 275 744, Taxi Malbork Stowarzyszenie +48 55 272 33 20, PIETA EXpress +48 539 188 188. Some of them may offer, for example, transfers from the airport in Gdańsk.
Several bus lines are operating in the town of Malbork. The Malbork bus timetable is available on Google maps. Website of the municipal transport operator.

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Tips on visiting the Castle in Malbork

Due to the limited number of visitors to the Castle, it is recommended to purchase tickets in advance (e.g., at the ticket machine next to the ticket offices or by skipping the line and buying your tickets online). Tickets are purchased for a specific day and time.
Free admission for children under 7. However, you have to ‘buy’ a ticket for this child (in the online sales system, such a free ticket for a child up to 7 years old is called a Control Ticket, in Polish: bilet kontrolny).
Reduced tickets are available for students. A ‘2+2 family ticket’ is also a cheaper option.
You can pay by card in ticket offices, ticket machines, and shops within the Castle area.
Usually, there are two tourist routes to select: The Castle Tour (in Polish: Trasa Historyczna) with a guide in Polish or an audioguide available in Polish, English, German, Ukrainian, Russian, Italian, Spanish, French, Lithuanian, Czech, and Hungarian and Walking Route (in Polish: Trasa Spacerowa) with a guide in Polish or an audioguide. To hire a guide in a language other than Polish, contact the Malbork Guide Association.
Depending on the season, there may be available tours for families and night tours of the Castle. Their availability will be visible when buying tickets online.
There are audioguides dedicated to children (available in Polish and English).
The Castle is massive – visiting the entire Castle takes about 3.5 hours with a guide and 2.5 hours with an audio guide.
Castle opening hours vary depending on the season.
The Castle is closed on certain public holidays (usually on January 1, Easter Sunday, November 1, December 25). Here on the Castle’s website, you will find detailed info about opening hours on public holidays.
Access to the Castle for visitors in wheelchairs, with mobility impairment, strollers. Please note that due to the Castle’s historical architecture and the limitations of preserving its original structure, some areas of the Castle may be inaccessible. Particularly, some stairs, passageways, and cobbled grounds. Strollers can be stored in the area located at the main entrance to the Castle (przechowalnia wózków in Polish).
Before or after visiting the Castle, it is worth crossing the bridge over the Nogat river – you will have a beautiful view of the Castle from across the river.
When visiting the Castle, do not miss the amber exhibition. The exhibition features natural amber of different sizes, forms, and colors (including organic inclusions of animals and plants), and antique amber objects. An interesting part of the exhibition is the contemporary artistic jewelry from the studios of Polish designers. More in English about the amber exhibition.
The website of the Castle Museum in Polish and English.

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Other attractions in Malbork

If you have time, it is worth visiting the Tourist Information Center (in Polish: Centrum Informacji Turystycznej) before embarking on your sightseeing activities. You will find free and paid maps, guides, folders, and souvenirs there. One is located in the city center (see the Google map location), and the other is situated on the Castle grounds, within the ticket office building.
Dinopark – a theme park in Malbork. Please note that the park is closed in the low season. The park’s attractions include life-size dinosaurs, Dragon Park, animatronic live dinosaur shows, a rope course, a nature trail, a mini-zoo, a playground, a fossil museum, and a 5D extreme cinema. Website.
Indoor playing area for children: Pozytywka – Facebook.
Jumpy Park – a rope course. The park includes five routes with a total length of 1150 m. Facebook.
An outdoor paid swimming area and guarded beach on the Nogat River. Open in the summer. Wileńska 1 Street. Website.
Tourist cruises on the Nogat river in the summer season. Website.
Pętla Żuławska – a sailing marina in Malbork. Website.
The Malbork Ceramics Studio offers workshops for adults and families (website, Facebook, Instagram).
Map of bicycle routes (available in Polish).
Map of the town of Malbork.
32-page tourist guide in English – Malbork town and Malbork region.

2 rope parks in the town of Malbork

Both rope parks are located right next to the Malbork Castle.

Location: Park Linowy Jumpy Park, Parkowa Street, 82-200 Malbork (location on Google map).
There are 5 routes of varying difficulty in the park (including the easiest route for small children up to 100 cm tall).
Website in Polish, Facebook.
Contact: +48603 691 272, jacek.jewartowski@wp.pl.

Photo source: Park Linowy Jumpy Park

Location: Park Linowy Malborkstones, Toruńska 61 Street, 82-200 Malbork (location on Google map).
Rope Park is located in the Dinopark amusement park – Dinosaur and Dragon Park.
There are 4 routes of varying difficulty in the park.
Website in Polish. Facebook.
Contact: +4855 307 07 00, kontakt@dinopark.malbork.pl.