Best castles in Poland to add to your Polish travel bucket list

Visiting castles is like diving into Polish history – return to the past of kings, wars, alliances. They are the perfect background for photos and souvenirs from travels around Poland, but they can also be a living history lesson. Here fantasy novels get real, often taking us back to the Middle Ages. Sometimes they bring a thrill, sometimes they are romantic, sometimes they make you reflect, but for kids… it’s always great fun!

Malbork Castle: one of the biggest castles in the world

Malbork Castle is one of the most magnificent medieval fortresses in Europe, called by many the biggest castle in the world. Built in the 13th century, restored after the Second World War, it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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 can be visited all year round, but the most attractions are available in the spring and summer period, including The Siege of Malbork (one of the most famous medieval culture festivals in Europe), Midsummer Night Celebrations, nighttime castle tours, or family tours (details in our post: Summer events in Poland).

Photo source: The Siege of Malbork, Muzeum Zamkowe w Malborku

Ogrodzieniec Castle

This very photogenic castle (the majestic ruins are enhanced by the rocks used to build the walls of the castle) was built in the 14th – 15th centuries and is available for tours, including small exhibition rooms – torture room (!), armory, and history of the castle. “Across the street”, there is an amusement park (including a miniature park, toboggan run, experiments park, “the house of legends and terrors”, the amusement park’s website in Polish and English).

A variety of accommodation options is available in the area — from agritourism stays to luxury hotels, including, 300 m from the castle, a hotel with a swimming pool, set into the rocky and green surroundings (POZIOM 511 Design Hotel & SPA).

In August, a knightly tournament takes place there: International Knight Tournament (in 2026: August 22-23). The International Knight Tournament at Ogrodzieniec Castle is one of the largest historical reenactment events in Poland. Visitors can watch tournaments, artillery demonstrations, foot and mounted combat, as well as explore artisan stalls (details in our post: Summer events in Poland).

The castle also offers other events, such as a night with ghosts, guided night tours with torches, “ghost holidays” for children, and the Aeropiknik Baloniada event (an August event combining sky spectacles, aerial acrobatics, and hot air balloon shows).

Photo source: Zamek Ogrodzieniec

Moszna Castle

The Moszna Castle is located in southwest Poland. The history of the palace dates back to the 18th century, the present building is a combination of neo-gothic and neo-renaissance styles, from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. This fairy-tale palace is famous for its 99 towers and 365 rooms, and a large park with centuries-old trees and azaleas and rhododendrons (bloom around May). The palace offers different tours (including “an extreme tour” of underground corridors, previously unavailable chambers and a dark crypt), and hotel rooms (more in our post: Castle hotels in Poland).

In addition to sightseeing, accommodation, a restaurant, and a café, the castle also offers seasonal attractions, e.g., a night tour of the castle in the spooky atmosphere of “The Addams Family”, Christmas Fair, balls, School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for children.

Photo source: Zamek Moszna

Książ Castle

Książ Castle rises picturesquely on rocks among forests, in the heart of the Landscape Park. It’s a huge building – it is estimated that it is the third-largest castle in Poland after the Malbork castle and the Wawel castle in Kraków. The history of the castle dates back to the 13th century, it was rebuilt several times (the last time by the Nazis during the Second World War who bored tunnels 50 meters below the castle), which can be seen in its eclectic architecture. The castle offers hotel rooms and many tours, including a one-and-a-half km underground route and the castle by night tour (for kids and for adults).

In addition to sightseeing and accommodation, the castle also offers seasonal attractions, e.g., Summer Festival of Mysteries, Magical Halloween / Family Horror Night, The Baroque Ball, summer holidays attractions for children, or Winter Garden of Lights (more about this event in our post: Festivals of lights, illuminations, and Christmas displays across Poland).

Photo source: Zamek Książ

Czorsztyn Castle and Niedzica Castle – two castles on the shores of the same lake

Czorsztyn Castle (magnificent ruins of the castle from the fourteenth century) and Niedzica Castle (Zamek Dunajec) are both located on the shores Czorsztyńskie Lake (Jezioro Czorsztyńskie) in southern Poland. The lake is beautifully located between the Pieniny Mountains and Gorce Mountains; it’s an artificial water reservoir on the Dunajec River, created by building a water dam in Niedzica town. Both castles are open to tourists, and small cruise marinas have been built next to them so you can enjoy the views from lake cruises (a boat or a gondola). There is also a free guarded beach (Plaża Pieniny) and a bike trail around the lake.

Niedzica Castle:

Photo source: Zamek Niedzica

Czorsztyn Castle:

Gołuchów Castle, a branch of Poznań Museum

The history of the castle in Gołuchów, rising over the river in the forest area, is over 400 years old. It’s located in a quiet and green area – a nice weekend getaway spot if you appreciate nature and some history. The castle is run by the Poznań Museum and is available to tour. An undoubted advantage of the castle is its location – the enormous park-arboretum surrounding is available to visitors from dawn to dusk (it is one of the oldest and largest gardens established in the English style in the second half of the nineteenth century). The park includes demonstration animal farm (open daily from dawn to dusk, free entrance, the farm’s location on Google map, more in Polish). You will find there Polish bison (żubr), Polish ponies, fallow deers, and wild boars.

The Royal Castle in Warsaw

If you travel in Europe you’ve probably visited many landmarks and sights that go back a long way in history, have stunning architecture, and impress with their interior. If you look at the Royal Castle in Warsaw from this perspective, you will see yet another tourist attraction – not quite overwhelming with its size or the number of paintings in the collection or golden interiors. To fully appreciate, realize and seize the meaningfulness of the Warsaw Royal Castle, you need to see the archived images of the Castle – how it looked like before World War II, how it looked like in 1945, the renovation works in the 1970s and compare them to how the Castle looks like nowadays (click hear to see the photos and learn more in our post about the unique history of the Royal Castle in Warsaw).

The Royal Castle in Warsaw – once a residence of the kings, which history goes back to the 14th century – was totally destroyed during the Second World War. The decision to rebuild the Castle was taken in 1971. Volunteers played a huge role in the reconstruction as well as money collected among Poles, with an enormous contribution of Poles living abroad. It was in 1984 that the Castle’s interiors were open to the public. In the meantime, in 1980, the Historic Center of Warsaw (including the Royal Castle) was recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Site.

Photo sources: Zbigniew Panów, pzstudio; City of Warsaw

Medieval castle ruins in Czersk, 40 km from Warsaw

The medieval, Gothic castle in Czersk was built at the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. Although it has been heavily damaged over the centuries, its gothic towers and walls still attract those who love history. There is another reason why it is worth visiting Czersk – great views of the Vistula river valley, space, and relaxing silence. Especially during spring or summertime when it is green all around.

Czersk (40 km south of Warsaw), a charming village surrounded by orchards on the high Vistula embankment, was once the capital of Mazovia and the seat of the Mazovian dukes. It’s a nice idea for a day trip from Warsaw.

Every weekend from the beginning of May to the end of September, special events take place at the Castle – archaeological picnics (they present everyday life in various historical periods – presentation of old crafts, martial arts, cuisine).

Knight’s tournament and medieval picnics are organized several times a year at the Czersk Castle.

Photo source: Zamek Czersk, Kids in the City

Castle hotels in Poland

There is something magical about staying in a historic hotel. Hotels in Poland located in former castles or palaces provide a great combination of historical vibe and modern amenities. This is a fantastic idea for a weekend trip to Poland, and it is suitable for any season, regardless of the weather.

There are plenty of hotels in castles and palaces in Poland. In our post Castle hotels in Poland, we present some exciting options for exploring different parts of Poland. 

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