Wawel Cathedral is not only an impressive church — it is also the burial place of many Polish rulers and national heroes. Visiting it you will see chapels and tombs that tell the story of Poland like few places in Europe. It’s worth planning your visit so you have time to enter the chapels calmly and admire the details.
The aim of this article is to help you plan the perfect 3 days in Kraków: how to spread out your sightseeing, when and where to buy tickets for Wawel Cathedral, what to prepare for and which nearby places are worth visiting.
Day 1: Old Town and Wawel. Morning on the Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, a walk through the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and Grodzka Street; spend the afternoon on Wawel Hill and make your first visit to the Cathedral (you can enter the nave without a ticket, but chapels and crypts usually require a ticket).
Day 2: Interiors of the Royal Castle on Wawel (if you want to visit the rooms and exhibitions), then a riverside walk along the Vistula and an evening in the Kazimierz district — we recommend dinner at one of the top-rated restaurants.
Day 3: Museums and alternatives — Oskar Schindler’s Factory or Podgórze, or a themed trip (food trail, street art, Nowa Huta). Leave time for coffee and last-minute souvenir shopping.
Main ticket types: full-price ticket and concession ticket — typical prices are around 25 PLN (full) and 17 PLN (reduced). There’s also an option with an audio guide (more expensive, roughly around 39 PLN).
Buy tickets online if you want to avoid long queues — tickets purchased through official channels or trusted services give quick access without waiting at the ticket office. Check before buying whether the ticket covers specific parts of the Cathedral (e.g., royal tombs, Sigismund’s Bell, the Cathedral Museum).
Remember: reduced tickets normally require proof of entitlement (student ID, ISIC, large family card, disability document).
Opening hours of the Cathedral can be seasonal — they are generally longer in spring and summer and shorter in winter. Sundays sometimes open later (often in the afternoon).
The Cathedral and Wawel museums may be closed on certain holidays — especially remember November 1 and Christmas days. Check current hours at ticket sales pages or with the organizers before you go.
If you plan to visit both the Royal Castle interiors and the Cathedral on the same day — allow plenty of time, because some routes have a limited number of entries per day.
The Sigismund Chapel - a Renaissance jewel; stop to admire its façade and sculptures.
Royal tombs and crypts - the resting place of Polish kings, great poets and national heroes. These graves give the Cathedral its unique historical significance.
Sigismund’s Bell - an iconic element of Wawel; its sound marks major events. Note that access to the bell itself is controlled.
The Cathedral Museum - a collection of regalia, liturgical vestments and artistic details often overlooked on a quick visit.
The Cathedral is a place of worship — quiet and restrained behaviour is expected. Turn off or silence your phone and avoid loud conversations.
Dress: simple rules of respect — covered shoulders and backs may be required in some parts of the church. Avoid short beach-style clothing.
Photography: in many parts of the Cathedral photography is restricted or prohibited — often the only place where photos are tolerated is near Sigismund’s Bell. Respect posted bans.
Accessibility: some interiors and crypts may have limited access for people with mobility issues — ask in advance about alternatives or staff assistance.
Arriving without checking mass times — services can make parts of the Cathedral inaccessible. Check the schedule of Masses and ceremonies before your visit.
Confusing free entry to the nave with access to all chapels — many key places (tombs, the bell, the museum) require a separate ticket.
Buying tickets from unverified sellers — this especially applies to offers claiming to “skip the line.” Use official ticket points or trusted intermediaries.
Planning a too-tight schedule — Wawel deserves a relaxed pace; rushing takes away the pleasure and the chance to appreciate the details.
Restaurants and cafés: if you’re looking for well-known, highly rated places in the centre, consider Restauracja Wierzynek (historic, elegant Polish cuisine), Pod Aniołem (traditional dishes), Cafe Camelot or Charlotte for coffee and breakfast. In Kazimierz we recommend Starka for regional cuisine and a pleasant atmosphere.
Hotels: for convenience near the Old Town and close to Wawel consider well-reviewed hotels such as Hotel Stary (luxury), Bonerowski Palace (classic), or international options like the Sheraton near the Market. Choose a location close to the Old Town if you want to make the most of 3 days on foot.
Reservations: in summer and on weekends restaurants around the Market and in Kazimierz can be full — book a table for dinner in advance.
Wawel is not just the castle and the cathedral — under the hill there are historic cellars and stories of older structures preserved in documents and excavations.
One lesser-known fact is that many decorative details in the chapels and tombs were created by artists from various parts of Europe, which makes Wawel a great place to compare artistic styles.
The tradition of ringing Sigismund’s Bell goes back centuries and has accompanied major events in Polish history — its sound still evokes strong emotions.
Do I need a ticket to enter the Cathedral? - You can enter the nave without a ticket, but most chapels, the crypts and the Museum require a ticket.
Are there discounts? - Yes, concession tickets are available for pupils, students up to a certain age, seniors and people with disability certificates. Have proof of entitlement ready.
Can I climb to Sigismund’s Bell? - Access is possible but often limited and depends on how visits are organized; check at the ticket office before your visit.
How long does a Cathedral visit take? - A standard visit covering the main points takes about 60–90 minutes; if you want to see the Museum and crypts, plan more time.
When planning three days in Kraków, leave some spare time for unexpected discoveries — that’s one of the nicest parts of travel. Wawel Cathedral and Wawel are places worth returning to, and they are best enjoyed at a relaxed pace.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — it helps others plan their visit well. If you’d like a personalized visit with local stories and insights, consider touring with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Good luck planning and enjoy your stay in Kraków!
