Book this Malbork Castle day trip
Private door-to-door tour with your own driver · fixed price · no payment upfront · we reply within 30 minutes.
Malbork from Gdańsk — the basics
The castle in Malbork lies just 60 km from the centre of Gdańsk — roughly 50–60 minutes by car via the A1 motorway and S7 expressway. By train from Gdańsk Główny station the journey takes about 40–55 minutes, but note: the railway station in Malbork is around 1.5 km from the castle (about a 15–20 minute walk).
The castle in Malbork is the largest brick fortress in the world (by surface area), inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1997. Built by the Teutonic Knights in the 13th and 14th centuries, it served for centuries as the seat of the Order's Grand Masters.
When to visit Malbork?
Best season: May–September
The castle is open year-round, but the best time to visit is between May and September. During these months the full sightseeing programme is running, the gardens are open, and in July the castle hosts one of the largest historical reenactments in Poland — the Siege of Malbork, when reenactment groups "lay siege" to the castle. It's a spectacle worth seeing at least once.
October–April
The castle stays open, but some routes may be closed and opening hours are shorter. On the upside, there are far fewer crowds — if you enjoy quiet sightseeing, the low season has its advantages. In winter the castle looks especially atmospheric.
What to see in Malbork — a sightseeing map
The castle complex is divided into three parts: the High Castle, the Middle Castle and the Outer Bailey. The audio-guide route takes 2.5–3 hours and leads through the key highlights.
High Castle
- St Mary's Church (the Castle Church) with its Gothic mosaic of the Madonna — destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in the 21st century
- The Dormitory and the Great Refectory — where the Grand Masters dined
- The Treasury and St Anne's Chapel — with the Grand Masters' crypt
- The Gdanisko Tower — the distinctive turret at the corner of the castle (with toilets for the knights!)
Middle Castle
- The Grand Hall — a stately chamber with palm-vaulted ceilings
- The Grand Masters' Chambers — restored apartments
- The Middle Castle courtyard with a view over the Nogat
- The Amber Museum — an impressive collection of amber pieces
Outer Bailey and gardens
- The former workshops and stables
- The arsenal and granaries
- The castle garden — a great spot for a picnic after sightseeing
- The drawbridge and St Mary's Gate
Ticket prices for Malbork Castle (2025)
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Standard (audio guide included) | 69.90 PLN |
| Reduced (pupils, students, seniors) | 49.90 PLN |
| Family (2 adults + children up to 16) | 169 PLN |
| Children under 7 | free |
Tickets can be bought on site (at the ticket office or self-service machine) or online from the Malbork Castle Museum. In peak season it's worth booking tickets in advance — especially for the siege event in July.
How to get to Malbork from Gdańsk?
Private transfer — the most convenient option
Private transport with ShuttleHero picks you up from your hotel or apartment in Gdańsk, Sopot or Gdynia and drops you off right at the castle gate. Drive time: approx. 50–60 minutes. After the visit, your driver takes you back. The price for a door-to-door day trip with ticket and audio guide included starts from 430 PLN per person (for a group of 2).
By your own car
The route from Gdańsk: the A1 motorway toward Bydgoszcz, then the exit for Malbork (Malbork Południe or Malbork Centrum). Parking at the castle is paid — about 10–15 PLN/day for cars. Sat-nav address: ul. Starościńska 1, Malbork.
By train (PKP)
From Gdańsk Główny, Intercity and regional trains run more than a dozen times a day. A ticket costs about 20–35 PLN one way. From the station to the castle it's a walk across the bridge or a short taxi ride (about 10 PLN).
By bus (PKS)
Buses run only occasionally and take 70–90 minutes. Not recommended when planning a full-day trip.
Day plan — a day trip to Malbork
| Time | What you do |
|---|---|
| 8:30 | Hotel pickup in Gdańsk/Sopot/Gdynia |
| 9:30–10:00 | Arrival in Malbork, collecting tickets |
| 10:00–13:00 | Touring the castle with the audio guide |
| 13:00–14:00 | Lunch at one of the restaurants by the castle |
| 14:00–15:00 | A stroll through town or the castle gardens |
| 15:00–16:00 | Return to the Tri-City |
Restaurants near the castle
By the castle and in the centre of Malbork you'll find more than a dozen restaurants. Recommended places:
- Restauracja Zamkowa — inside the castle complex, Polish cuisine, views of the walls
- Pizzeria Malbork — a quick option for families with children
- Gospoda Rycerska — an atmospheric interior, żurek served in a bread bowl and other traditional dishes
Practical tips
- Wear comfortable shoes — the surface inside the castle is cobbled and uneven
- On a hot day bring water with you — there is a drinks shop on the castle grounds, but it's pricey
- The castle is large — for children under 5 it can be tiring, so a stroller is worth bringing
- Photography: the best light on the castle is in the morning (from the Nogat river side) and in the evening
- In peak season (July–August) book tickets online a few days ahead