Hi! If you’re a student coming to Krakow on exchange or you study here longer and want to get to know Wawel and its new exhibitions quickly, interestingly and on a budget, you’re in the right place. Below you’ll find a route tailored for younger travelers: doable in one day, with practical tips on saving money and avoiding queues. Everything is written simply, the way I like to lead tours - no fluff, but with heart and useful tips.
We’ll start with the questions you often ask: How much time does Wawel take? Are there student discounts? Which new exhibitions are worth visiting? Answers are later in the article, and at the end there’s a ready-made route and a packing list.
If you only want a quick plan: morning at the Main Market Square, then Wawel (Between the Walls/Underground + Treasury or Royal Chambers), lunch nearby, afternoon in Kazimierz or by the Vistula. That loop works great if you have only one day.
In recent seasons Wawel has gained several attractions that are worth adding to a student sightseeing plan. The most talked-about novelty is the underground exhibition “Between the Walls” (Międzymurze) - a route showing layers of the hill’s fortifications from the 11th to the 19th century presented with modern multimedia. It’s a different Wawel - lower, fresh and with history told in a way that’s accessible to younger audiences.
Alongside the underground route, new displays in the castle buildings have been developed, including updates in the Armory and the Small Tower that showcase everyday life in the former Wawel town and military objects in a renewed narrative. At the same time Wawel is becoming a place that connects history with elements of contemporary art and cultural events - check local listings to see if there are extra shows or evening projections during your stay.
In recent years Wawel has attracted record visitor numbers, so the new attractions and organisational changes aim to spread the flow and give a better experience to visitors - good news if you prefer less crowded spaces.
If you plan to see the most important sites, allow time for: Between the Walls (the underground) - 30–60 min, Royal Chambers - about 1.5–2 hrs, Crown Treasury and Armory - 45–90 min depending on your interests.
Time: full day (can be shortened to half a day by choosing only one exhibition at Wawel). The route is designed so you won’t have to rush and so it’s interesting both for history lovers and for those who prefer contemporary forms of exhibition.
Plan:
- 09:00 - Main Market Square: a short walk, panorama of the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church - perfect for first photos.
- 10:00 - Wawel Hill: buy tickets in advance, start with Between the Walls (the underground) - a unique perspective on the hill’s fortifications and archaeology.
- 11:30 - Treasury or Royal Chambers (depending on interests) - if you prefer a shorter visit choose the Treasury; if you like interiors and stories about royal lives, go to the Royal Chambers.
- 13:00 - Lunch nearby (I recommend light bars and bistros around Kanonicza Street or in Kazimierz) - budget-friendly and quick.
- 14:30 - Walk along the Vistula or towards Kazimierz - explore artistic nooks, cafés and thrift shops.
- 16:00 - If time allows: return to Wawel for the viewpoint or the Small Tower, or attend an evening cultural event (check the local programme).
This route balances history, a bit of walking and relaxation, ideal for student groups and Erasmus participants.
Tickets and reservations - It’s worth buying tickets online in advance, especially for the underground and the Royal Chambers, because there are visitor limits in season. Students usually have discounts - remember to bring a valid student ID or the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).
Timing - The fewest people are right after opening in the morning and in the late afternoon. If you can, choose a morning visit to Wawel and leave the Kazimierz walk for the afternoon.
Clothing and shoes - The underground can be cooler and more humid than the surface - a light jacket and comfortable shoes are a great choice. Comfortable trousers and a backpack with water will be useful.
Accessibility - Not all routes are fully accessible for wheelchairs and people with limited mobility; many underground sections have stairs and uneven floors. If someone in your group has mobility needs, plan a route that includes accessible parts or contact site staff in advance.
Approximate prices - Depending on the exhibition, Wawel entrance fees usually range from around 20 to 40 PLN for a single exhibition. If you want to see several places, consider a combined ticket or pick one longer route instead of several short ones - that’s often more economical.
Free and cheaper days - In the past there have been free-admission days for royal residences in certain months, so check if similar initiatives happen during your stay. Even when there are no free days, many institutions offer student discounts.
1. A valid student ID or ISIC - for discounts. 2. Ticket bought online or a phone number for reservations - to avoid queues. 3. Comfortable shoes - lots of walking and stairs. 4. A light jacket - it’s cooler in the underground. 5. A small backpack with water and a snack. 6. A charged phone and an offline map of Krakow. 7. Cash and card - for stalls and small cafés. 8. A notebook or an app to save interesting facts (if you like history). 9. A mask and hand sanitiser - useful in crowded places. 10. A smile and time - sightseeing tastes best without rushing.
Short historical route (1–1.5 hours): Dragon’s Den - Between the Walls (the underground) - viewpoint at the Small Tower. Great if you want the hill’s atmosphere without a full-day commitment.
Relax by the Vistula (afternoon): walk the boulevards, a café on the riverbank, sunset with a view of Wawel - an ideal end to a busy day.
Culture and alternative: Kazimierz after Wawel - museums, galleries and small concerts. For students this is a popular route because it combines history with the vibe of a young, modern quarter.
Mini language trip: take friends from exchange and try guiding each other in English or another language - a fun exercise and a great way to bond.
Do students have discounts? - Yes, most exhibition tickets and the cathedral offer discounts for pupils and students. Always bring your ID.
How much time do I need for Wawel? - If you choose one main exhibition (e.g. Between the Walls) and a short walk on the hill, 1.5–2 hours is enough. Full visits to several exhibitions and the Royal Chambers take a whole day.
Is it worth getting an audio guide? - For independent visitors, an audio guide gives a lot of context and is cheaper than a live guide. For those who prefer live storytelling, a guided tour is a better choice - if you do choose a guide, pick local, organised options and avoid unregistered mass offers.
Are the underground sections safe for children? - Yes, the exhibitions are prepared for visitors, including families, but mind the stairs and lower passages - younger children may need supervision in some parts.
Krakow is a city best savoured slowly - even when you come on Erasmus and have limited budget and time. Wawel with its new exhibitions offers both classic experiences and a fresh look at history thanks to underground displays and new arrangements. My personal approach is to start early to feel the space without crowds, then sink into the café atmosphere of Kazimierz.
If you plan a group trip with exchange friends, make it interactive: share roles - someone takes photos, someone collects fun facts, someone counts the steps - and afterwards share impressions over coffee. Krakow is best discovered together.
Good luck and see you on the streets of Krakow - if you want, I can prepare a shorter half-day route or a special budget plan for a student group.
