Hotels near Wawel Hill

Wawel Hill, crowned by the Royal Castle and the cathedral where Polish kings were crowned and buried, sits at the end of the Royal Route, a short walk south from the Main Square. In winter, the hill offers fine views over the Vistula river and the rooftops of the Old Town.

The castle's state rooms and the cathedral, with its Sigismund Bell, can be visited with tickets, while the courtyards and walls are free to walk around. Below the hill, the Wawel Dragon statue breathes fire every few minutes, which children love.

Walking down Grodzka Street from the Main Square to Wawel is especially pretty in December, with festive lights overhead.

Pro Tip: Walk the Royal Route from the Christmas market to Wawel in the late afternoon, then watch the sunset over the Vistula from the castle walls. Book castle tickets online, as entry is timed.