This might be one of the most underrated parts of the Wawel Castle complex to visit. It’s tucked behind the renaissance style courtyard, so you may not even realize it’s there. But if you’ve got the time, a quick walk through isn’t a bad idea. And it will provide some wonderful photo opportunities if you are looking for a nice place to take photos of your trip.

The gardens are usually open from the end of April until the end of September. This years dates are the 23rd of April to the 29th September (2024)

It won’t take you more than a half hour or so to peruse the gardens, and there is often an exhibit of sculptures inside of them to enjoy as well.  But considering a normal ticket is only 8zł (that’s less than 2 Euro)- it makes it one of the cheapest things to do at Wawel castle.

For the 2024 season the sculpture exhibit in the gardens is titled “Contrasts” and you can learn more about the exhibit here.

While walking through the renaissance style gardens is enjoyable on its own- using your imagination to picture what life would have been like here through the centuries makes it even better.

It is in this very place that some kings kept pet lions, while others moved their bathtubs to the gardens to take summertime baths, grapes were grown here to turn into wine for all those elaborate castle parties, and this is also the area that Hans Frank (the top Nazi in charge in Krakow) famously destroyed the gardens and put in his very own tennis court and swimming pool.

A team of historians have worked for over 3 decades to restore the gardens back to what they would have looked like in the 1500’s. They were able to use archival information to get as close to reality as possible.

Like I said, it’s not the biggest exhibit at Wawel, but due to its low price, and the fact that not a lot of people visit it, going here is worth adding a few minutes on to your time at the castle compex. To see additional photos and learn more about Wawel’s Royal Gardens, their website is here.

As always IF YOU NEED TO REACH ME- just send over a WhatsApp to +1 667 256 2069 or email me at emilysguidetokrakow@gmail.com or click here.