Many people assume that “Wawel for free” means a single ticket covering all exhibitions and crypts — that’s not entirely true. In practice, the Wawel Royal Castle and related exhibitions occasionally make selected shows and routes available at no charge, usually during specific hours or as part of special campaigns (examples include “Free November” or selected Monday hours).
Free admission usually applies to particular exhibition routes and does not always cover everything: some permanent displays, cathedral crypts or the Dragon’s Den may still require paid tickets. Importantly — even when access is free, tickets (entry passes) are required and must be collected at the Wawel Promotion and Information Centre ticket office or obtained through special online campaigns, and daily limits apply, so it’s worth planning ahead and choosing your arrival time carefully.
Official guides employed by the institution run paid tours according to the Castle’s price list; free entry refers to individual visits based on a free pass, while guided services and audio guides are usually charged separately.
Check in advance for current campaigns and free-admission days on the Castle’s official site or municipal tourist information — the schedule and the list of free routes change with the season.
If a route is offered for free: on the day of your visit go to the ticket office at the Wawel Promotion and Information Centre and collect the entry passes. In many cases passes are only issued for the same day and there is a limit on the number of entries; one person can often collect tickets for several people (for example up to 5).
If you are planning a larger organized group — contact the Castle’s reservations office, because group entries are subject to separate booking rules. Don’t assume you can reserve free group tickets directly online — group reservations usually refer to paid tours and guided visits.
Morning: arrive early at Wawel — if selected routes are free in the morning (for example Monday morning hours), this is the best time to collect passes and see an exhibition before the crowds. After touring, stretch your legs with a walk around the hill, enjoy the courtyards and façades — entering the courtyard and strolling Wawel Hill are free.
Midday: walk toward the Main Market Square and Kazimierz. Many outdoor attractions are free — the Market Square, the Cloth Hall (entry to the trading area is free), the Barbican, the Planty and the synagogues of Kazimierz (exterior views). It’s a good time for lunch at one of the well-rated restaurants.
Afternoon: visit one of the free viewing mounds (Kościuszko Mound, Krakus Mound) for city panoramas. If you happen to be visiting on a free-admission day for a particular museum (check in advance), take advantage of it — weekdays often have quieter, free hours.
Evening: stroll the Vistula Boulevards or wander Kazimierz to soak up the city atmosphere for free. If you’d like, end the day with dinner at a well-reviewed place near the Market — choose spots recommended by guests and with solid reviews.
Wawel Hill and the Castle courtyards — walking and exterior photography are free.
Selected exhibitions of the Wawel Royal Castle which are offered free during campaigns or at designated hours (for example, certain chambers, underground exhibitions or thematic routes) — availability changes with season and campaigns.
Wawel Cathedral — walking around and viewing the cathedral from the outside is free; some interior spaces (crypts, the Cathedral Treasury) may be paid.
Viewing mounds and lookout points — Kościuszko Mound, Krakus Mound, Piłsudski Mound — excellent and free spots for city views.
Walking the Old Town, the Planty, Kazimierz and the Vistula Boulevards — all these areas can be explored without tickets and are full of atmosphere and photo opportunities.
If you want to taste Krakow cuisine close to the Market, consider the historic Restauracja Wierzynek — a legendary place with a rich atmosphere, ideal for a special meal. Remember this is a pricier option, but unique in terms of setting.
For coffee and dessert we recommend Café Camelot — a charming spot near the Old Town often praised for its atmosphere and quality pastries.
In Kazimierz many well-rated venues offer both great food and atmosphere: choose restaurants and cafés with the best current reviews — guest reviews help pick a place that matches your expectations.
Check the official hours and the list of free routes on the Wawel Royal Castle website the day before your trip — schedules and access rules can change due to season or conservation work.
Arrive before the ticket office opens if you want free passes — limited quotas mean free allocations go quickly.
If you find a free-admission day, remember limits still apply: one person can often collect tickets for several people (e.g., up to 5), but organized groups must book differently.
Bring comfortable shoes — Wawel and the Old Town have cobbled streets and slopes; the mounds are earthen paths, so footwear matters.
If you plan to see paid exhibitions (e.g., the Crown Treasury, the Dragon’s Den, cathedral crypts), buy tickets online or allow time to purchase them at the ticket office — don’t confuse free access to selected routes with entry to all attractions.
Arriving on a weekend and expecting empty streets — weekends are the busiest; if you want to avoid lines and crowds, consider visiting on a weekday.
Assuming “free” means “no ticket” — in most cases even free visits require picking up a free pass at the ticket office or registering in a special campaign.
Confusing a walk around Wawel with a full interior visit — courtyards and the hill are free, but many indoor exhibitions are paid or only free at specific times.
Not planning for lunch or a break — areas around the Market and Kazimierz have many venues, but in high season the best places fill up; reserve a table if you have a specific restaurant in mind.
Can I reserve free tickets online? In most cases free tickets for selected routes are collected at the ticket office on the day of the visit, although during special campaigns the museum may open additional booking channels — check the Castle’s official site for current details.
How many free tickets can I collect at once? Rules vary, but often one person can collect entry passes for several people (for example up to 5) — this applies to individual visits. Organized groups have separate reservation rules.
Is entering the Wawel courtyard free? Yes, strolling through the courtyards and around Wawel Hill is free and a great way to start your visit even if you don’t go inside exhibitions.
During promotional campaigns (for example “Free November”) exhibitions and routes that are usually paid can be opened free of charge — it’s a great chance to see more without spending, but you need to follow announcements and arrive early.
Wawel regularly cooperates with institutions and the city to organise free museum lessons for schools — thanks to this some educational activities and exhibitions are sometimes free on selected dates.
In many places around Krakow what looks like a minor historical fragment from the outside may hold an interesting story — a short walk off the main route often delivers more authentic experiences than intense but paid interior visits.
Remember conservation rules at Wawel and in museums: don’t touch exhibits, don’t use flash where it’s prohibited, and follow instructions from museum staff.
Free days can mean more visitors in exhibitions — be patient and respect other visitors’ personal space.
Keep the area tidy: littering or sitting in places not designed for it harms monuments and spoils the experience for others.
Check official announcements from the Wawel Royal Castle and city tourist information the day before your visit.
Arrive early to collect free passes or plan a weekday visit to avoid crowds.
Plan your route: Wawel in the morning, Market Square and lunch at midday, a mound or Kazimierz in the afternoon — this way you use free opportunities efficiently and see more in less time.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a pleasant and economical day in Krakow.
If you’d like to explore Krakow with a guide and get a personalized plan (including tips on how to use free days and which routes are worth seeing), I encourage you to contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available on the site. Thank you for reading and have an unforgettable day in Krakow!
