How to Visit Książ Castle, The Pink Castle in Poland (2026)!
⋆˙⟡♡︎ This post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure policy for details. Thanks for your support ⋆˙⟡♡︎
Poland is such an underrated country in Europe that is filled with whimsical destinations to discover, but Książ Castle tops them all.
It’s a candy floss pink castle tucked away in the rolling hills of the countryside that was once home to the Welsh-born Daisy, Princess of Pless.
You’ll feel like royalty wandering this estate, as it looks like it’s been plucked from the pages of a storybook.
But, there is a darker side to this tale, and you can uncover its mysteries by stepping into the eerie underground war tunnels from the nazi occupation.
Here is a complete guide on how to visit Książ Castle, aka the Pink Castle in Poland.
History of Książ Castle
Książ Castle is the third largest castle in Poland and known as the ‘Pearl of Lower Silesia’. It was an ancestral home of the Hochberg family in Prussia.
Its most famous resident was Mary Theresa Olivia Cornwallis-West, more affectionately known as Daisy, the Princess of Pless.
She married Hans Heinrich XV from one of the wealthiest families, and moved into the property in 1891.
To say Daisy was unimpressed by the Prussian architecture and gardens was an understatement. In her memoirs, she writes that she was revolted by them!
So, she worked tirelessly to transform the castle into a glittering jewel with in-vogue staterooms and English-inspired terrace gardens.
Daisy also left her mark by making Książ a family home; she had four children with the prince and felt as if she were in a dream.
Unfortunately, she would not have a Happily Ever After. Her perfect world would soon come crashing down with the outbreak of WWI.
Underground War Tunnels
During WWI, Daisy’s husband was the personal adjutant of Kaiser Wilhelm II.
Whereas the princess was a social reformer for peace and volunteered as a Red Cross nurse on the front lines of France, Serbia and Austria.
Newspapers accused Daisy of being a spy for the British, and her husband didn’t vouch for her.
She then filed for divorce after WWI (as she should). After, she was awarded the German Red Cross Decoration and wrote a series of memoirs.
Hans Henriech died in 1938, and Daisy moved back to Ksiaz Castle on the brink of WWII.
Her sons fought against Hitler, and she rebelled against the Red Army.
In 1941, the nazis occupied the castle. They ransacked the residence, and intensive work was carried out to make it Hitler’s headquarters.
At the same time, a series of tunnels were dug underground using concentration camp prisoners as labour. Many died in the process.
To this day, historians do not know the purpose of these tunnels, as records of their plans were destroyed.
Many theorise that Hitler would have used this tunnel as an escape route to freedom if he were ever on the run.
There are also several theories and even eyewitness accounts from prisoners of a ‘Nazi Gold Train’, but no one can verify this for sure.
After the Germans and (later) Russians left, the castle fell into ruin from disuse.
A forgotten princess
Daisy died in relative poverty in 1943 in Wałbrzych.
Her remains have been moved several times since her death and are now in an undisclosed location so she can rest in peace.
Today, Książ Castle has been reconstructed to its former glory and reflects how the Hochberg family lived once upon a time.
It certainly makes for an interesting day out in Poland, and history lovers will be in their element.
Although important to educate ourselves on atrocities under nazi rule, it’s also a shame that such an ugly part of history has erased much of Daisy’s legacy from the history books.
She’s a fascinating character to learn about, and I highly recommend taking a tour of the castle to discover more about the forgotten Princess of Pless.
Can you visit the Pink Castle in Poland?
Yes, you can! Książ Castle is open to tourists throughout the year, and you must add it to your itinerary for Poland.
It was one of my favourite places I visited in the entire country.
Not only can you tour inside this fairytale pink castle, but you can also explore their formal English gardens, wider grounds, eerie underground war tunnels and a tropical Palm House.
It makes a fabulous day trip, or you can even stay overnight!
How to visit Książ Castle from Wroclaw in Poland
Książ Castle is situated in the Lower Silesia region of Poland, and the closest city is Wrocław, which is approximately 75 kilometres away.
From Wroclaw, there are a couple of ways to arrive at Ksiaz;
- By Car: it’s easiest and most convenient to rent a car to visit the pink castle in Poland.
I recommend renting a car through RentalCars, where you can book with free cancellation. Click here to book.
- By Taxi: although expensive, you can arrange a private transfer to the castle if you’d prefer.
Or, you can do what I did and make use of the public transport to travel there.
Related Post: 30+ Magical Things to Do in Wroclaw, Poland
Can you visit Książ Castle by public transport?
Yes, it’s very easy to visit Książ Castle from Wroclaw by using public transport in Poland.
You can take a train from Wrocław Główny Station to either Świebodzice or Wałbrzych Station, and the journey time is just over an hour.
Once you get off at either of these stations, you can take a local bus or taxi the rest of the way.
Just make sure to check bus times for the way back so you’re not stranded.
I got a train to Świebodzice and then took one of the local taxis waiting outside the station as I had luggage with me. There is no Uber in these places.
You can book your train tickets on polishtrains.eu. The website is in English, and you pay online.
They will send you your ticket via email, and then all you have to do is show your e-ticket to the train conductor on your phone. It’s super simple.
Tours & Tickets
Things to do at Książ Castle
Once you arrive at the pink castle in Poland, you will be blown away as it honestly feels like stepping into the pages of a storybook.
I felt like a princess wandering around the elaborate grounds, as it all felt so grand.
There are a couple of main attractions that you can pay for at Książ Castle.
- Castle and Gardens tour
- Underground tunnels tour
- Hochberg Mausoleum
- Stallion Stud Stables
- Wałbrzych Palm House
You can buy a combination ‘All Day Ticket’ that allows you entry into all of these attractions, or you can visit attractions separately.
But, it’s good to know that you don’t have to pay for any attractions to enjoy a visit to Książ Castle.
I still think it’s worth visiting for the whimsical atmosphere, panoramic views and photo opportunities alone.
Here’s everything you can do on a day trip;
1. Take a fairytale photo
You’ll enter Książ Castle through a cobbled courtyard, and this is where you’ll get your first glimpse of this candy-pink castle!
It will honestly take your breath away. In my humble opinion, this vista is worth a visit alone.
As you meander towards the keep, you’ll find an endless number of photo opportunities to capture yourself with the castle.
There are a few coffee and ice cream shops around here to grab a snack, or you can perch on one of the benches around the lawn outside.
It’s such an enchanting place to take in the views!
2. Tour inside Książ Castle
If you only do one thing while you’re here, let a tour inside Książ Castle be it!
You can buy your tickets at the visitor centre or online, and you can either take a guided tour or a self-guided tour with an audio guide.
I like to explore museums at my own pace, so I did the latter and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Throughout your tour, you can learn more about Princess Daisy from her memoirs and see her mark on the castle.
I particularly enjoyed walking through her private salons, which were decorated in glorious shades of pastel pink and sage green.
You could almost imagine sitting on the settee and enjoying a cup of tea over some gossip!
Another poignant room I resonated with was the photography exhibition that displayed works from the castle’s head chef, Louis Hardouin.
Hardouin captured the transformation of the castle on film, and you can see many candid photos of his family, Princess Daisy and her children.
It was refreshing to see real-life moments of the family being themselves and smiling rather than stuffy, stylised oil portraits.
One of the most impressive rooms, however, is The Maximillian Hall. It’s a two-storey room that is one of the best preserved Baroque rooms in Silesia.
Designed to impress visitors and hold galas, there are mythological murals on the ceiling, huge glass windows and glittering chandeliers.
They still hold concerts, parties and even weddings here throughout the year. What a dream.
Before you leave the castle, don’t forget to make a wish on the ‘wishing wall’ or sample some beer from Tyskie Browary Książęce (Ksiaz Brewery).
Did you know? They hold Książ by Night tours at the castle! These are only held in Polish, but it must be so magical to see inside the castle at twilight.
3. Książ Castle Gardens
Once you’ve finished your tour inside Książ Castle, you’ll descend into its stunning garden terraces.
As I mentioned earlier, Daisy worked tirelessly with her gardeners to transform these grounds into a traditional English garden.
You can see that these efforts paid off as you meander by babbling fountains, knotted gardens and floral terraces with fairytale views of the pink castle above you.
I spent well over an hour in these gardens as I couldn’t get enough. It honestly felt like wandering around a scene from Beauty and the Beast.
After your adventures around the castle & gardens, I recommend heading over to the visitor centre to their beautiful gift shop.
They have some lovely Princess Daisy souvenirs you can buy to remember your visit.
I picked up a copy of her memoirs as I found her such a fascinating character.
4. Restauracja Biblioteka
If you’re looking for an incredible place to eat at Książ Castle, I recommend heading to Restauracja Biblioteka or the Library Restaurant.
Not only is their food delectable, but they also have tables with a picture-perfect view of the pink castle as you dine.
Even if you didn’t want to eat, they have a bar serving all sorts of wines, beers and cocktails throughout the day.
As a reading lover, I was in my element here as they had rooms filled with books!
You don’t need a ticket for the castle to dine here, but I do recommend making a reservation in advance as it’s a popular choice.
5. Underground War Tunnels
I wouldn’t leave Książ Castle without exploring the eerie underground war tunnels from the nazi occupation under ‘Project Riese’.
You must visit on a guided tour, and English tours only happen a couple of times a day. So, I would book onto one early so as not to miss out.
You descend 50 metres underground to explore 1.5 kilometres of tunnels, but also hear the tragic story of those who made them.
Most people hear about the mysteries of what the nazis were going to use these tunnels for, like a railroad for a ‘Nazi Gold Train’.
But many don’t know the chilling story of the 13,000 Jewish prisoners who were forcibly taken there and made to dig them out.
There are many animations and videos throughout the tour that paint a pretty vivid picture, and a memorial at the end for those who lost their lives.
It’s a horrible tale that is emotionally heavy to hear. But it’s so important to educate yourself on injustice so as not to repeat the same mistakes.
6. Książ Castle Viewpoint
After the tunnels, I recommend a stroll around the wider grounds. This is free of charge and it’s open 24 hours a day.
There are lots of lovely walks that you can take with stunning panoramic views of Lower Silesia.
My favourite viewpoint and one of the best photography locations for Książ Castle was Punkt Widokowy na Zamek Książ (I’ll link a pin below).
It only took around 15-20 minutes to walk here from the castle entrance, but it is a bit of a steep climb that will leave you breathless.
This viewing platform had one of the best panoramas of the castle in the distance and made an incredible place to take photos and videos!
The best time to visit is at sunset, so you can capture the castle with a dreamy pink sunset.
7. Stallion Stud Stables
One of the interesting attractions that you can visit as part of your All Day Ticket is the Stallion Stud Stables.
This outbuilding for horses was built by the Hochberg family in the 18th century.
Today, it’s a Stud Farm thats home to hundreds of Ksiaz Stallions and acts as a breeding ground.
As you wander around the gorgeous timber-framed stables, you can watch the staff at work and meet some of the stallions in their enclosures.
Unfortunately, I found out that I’m allergic to horses, so I didn’t spend too long here in the end.
My chest started getting tight, and I felt breathless and wheezy. It’s a shame as I love horses. But, they obviously don’t love me.
8. Hochberg Mausoleum
Another attraction included in your ticket is the Hochberg Mausoleum, located on the wider grounds.
Many people skip this attraction, but don’t be one of those people! Although a little eerie, it is an important part of Książ Castle’s history.
Princess Daisy was interred here after her death, but the tomb was desecrated during the nazi occupation.
The family moved the remains in this crypt to an undisclosed location so that the dead could rest in peace.
This means that the few tombs you see in this mausoleum are empty. But I still thought it was a beautiful building and well worth visiting.
There are some beautiful murals painted on the ceilings, and the underground section provided a respite from the summer heat.
9. Wałbrzych Palm House / Palmiarnia
The last attraction included in your ticket is the Wałbrzych Palm House, or Palmiarnia.
It was a wedding gift for Princess Daisy from her husband in 1913, as she was fond of flowers.
Today, there are over 250 flowers here from all over the world. Features include banana trees, coffee bushes and date palms.
There is even a volcanic garden with pieces excavated from Mount Etna in Italy and ponds with fish and turtles to admire.
I particularly loved their botanical café, which was an emerald oasis. It’s the perfect place to grab a coffee, cake or ice cream after your tour.
You explore this greenhouse self-guided, so you can go at your own pace. There are even shops at the end where you can buy seeds and plants.
After you tour the greenhouse, there is a parkland you can wander around until you’re ready to leave.
How to visit Książ Palm House
It’s good to note that Palmiarnia is not located on the castle grounds and is just over 2 kilometres away from there.
You can walk there in around 30 minutes, but you’ll be walking on the main road with cars, which isn’t the best.
There is a bus number 12 or 9 you can take from Ksiaz Castle, which would save you some time.
In the summer months, they also run a vintage car shuttle where you can arrive at the Palm House in style for a small fee!
This is what I did, and I loved it. Journeys run every 20-30 minutes. These don’t have a fixed schedule, and the car goes when filled up.
From the Palm House, it’s easy enough to ride a bus to Świebodzice or Wałbrzych Station for a train back to Wroclaw.
But, if you have the time and budget, I recommend staying the night!
10. Spend the night in Książ Castle
Did you know that you can spend the night in Książ Castle? It’s a way to make your fairytale dreams come true.
At this point, you’re probably thinking that it’s going to be expensive, but I’m pleased to say that spending the night here is very affordable.
Now, it’s good to mention you won’t be staying in the castle itself, but on the courtyard grounds directly in front of it.
It’s still a magical experience, and many of the rooms have stunning views of the pink castle beyond.
There are a few hotel options in the castle courtyard, but I recommend staying at Hotel Książ, which is owned by the castle itself.
I stayed here on my Polish adventures and had a wonderful stay.
You can explore the castle after the day trippers have gone home and have the place to yourself!
In the morning, you can enjoy a wonderful buffet breakfast to fill up before a full day of exploring the sights.
Opening times & ticket prices
Książ Castle is open all year, but the opening times vary by season;
- April – September: 9 am – 6 pm every day of the week
- October – March: 10 am – 4 pm on weekdays and 10 am – 5 pm on weekends.
The last entry is usually around 1 hour before the attractions close, but it’s best to double-check before you visit.
You can buy a ticket online to visit the attractions or buy tickets when you get here on the day from their visitor centre.
Don’t forget to book your time slot for the underground tunnels, as places tend to fill up quickly.
Ticket prices vary by what attractions you want to visit, but an ‘All Day Ticket’ is 94 PLN for an adult (approx. £20).
If you just want to see the castle, gardens, and Palm House, it costs 64 PLN (approx. £13).
Is Książ Castle worth visiting?
Yes, Książ Castle is well worth visiting. It’s truly a fairytale destination that you must add to your bucket list.
It’s a very easy day trip from Wroclaw and makes an enchanting excursion.
Not only will you feel like royalty taking in the whimsical views and staterooms, but you can learn a lot of history as well.
One of the best parts is being able to sleep at the castle overnight, which is something I’ll never forget.
Don’t skip a visit to the Pink Castle in Poland; you won’t regret it.
My top tips for visiting Poland’s Pink Castle
- To see all the attractions at Ksiaz Castle and the Palm House, you need at least a day. So, leave a whole day spare in your Poland itinerary.
- Buy tickets online to save time. Buying on the day could mean you have to queue.
- Wear sensible shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking in the castle, park and the underground tunnels.
- Don’t miss out on the Palm House. It is a little further out than the castle, but well worth visiting.
- It can get busy at the castle. I recommend spending the night to avoid the day trippers and have the place to yourself.
Recommended Travel Resources
–
Read more of my Poland travel guides
How to visit the Witches Bridge in Wroclaw
Why you must visit the magical Aula Leopoldina
How to find the Wawel Dragon in Krakow
How to visit The Witcher Castle in Poland
Wolf Pit Tavern – visit a Witcher restaurant in Krakow
How to visit Novigrad from The Witcher in Poland
A guide to Mariacka Street in Gdansk
How to visit Malbork Castle in Poland
The most Instagrammable places in Warsaw
St Anne’s Church Tower in Warsaw
Afternoon Tea at Hotel Bristol
Discover Poland
Save the Pink Castle of Poland for later!
