Yes — the Night of Museums is a great opportunity to see collections in a special evening atmosphere. However, keep in mind that the event attracts crowds, many venues have historic interiors and steps, and some exhibitions may be difficult to visit without prior arrangements. The most important thing is to plan your route in advance and focus on places that explicitly declare accessibility for people with reduced mobility.
If you prefer a calmer pace, pick 2–3 venues checked for accessibility and plan breaks. Make sure someone from the venue knows you are coming — many museums offer assistance at the entrance, portable ramps, elevators or the option to prepare a barrier-free route after prior notification.
In short: the Night of Museums is accessible, but it requires a bit of planning — which pays off, because the evening can be truly special.
If you are coming to Krakow specifically for the Night of Museums, check the program in advance, book entries where possible, and contact museum staff to confirm the route suits you.
Remember that each institution is different — even within a single museum not all branches may be fully accessible.
National Museum in Krakow - several branches of the National Museum declare accessibility: some sites have elevators, accessible toilets and supporting materials (audio description, electronic versions). Check which specific branches are accessible in a given year and which exhibitions offer extra facilities.
Museum of Krakow - some branches of the Museum of Krakow have accessibility features; in places with a few steps, staff often allow the use of portable tracks or other solutions after you report the need. Pay attention to information about parking and drop-off access.
MOCAK - the Museum of Contemporary Art provides information about facilities such as accessible toilets and adapted entrances in parts of the building; if you plan a night visit, it’s best to confirm the exact level of accessibility for the date you plan to attend.
Museum of the Home Army - the institution runs projects to improve accessibility and has procedures for serving visitors with special needs; you can often contact an accessibility coordinator before your visit to arrange details.
Cultural centers and some city galleries - some venues participating in the Night of Museums include an accessibility description in their program, so favor places where access is clearly described.
Note: not all branches of a museum are fully accessible. Even within a single institution some exhibitions may require climbing stairs or restrict independent visiting. Always confirm with staff before you go.
1. Check the Night of Museums program and choose 2–3 places that state they are accessible. Focus on what you really want to see — in a crowd you may not have time for everything.
2. Call or email the museum in advance. Ask about the entrance with the gentlest slope, elevator availability, the use of portable ramps or tracks, and whether priority entry can be arranged.
3. Make sure the branch has wheelchair-accessible toilets and whether the museum provides a place to rest briefly.
4. If you use a Polish Sign Language interpreter, audio description or an induction loop — notify the museum ahead of time. Some institutions request this notice several days in advance so they can prepare.
5. Think about transport and parking: check the nearest drop-off point, parking options for vehicles with a parking card, and which stops are served by low-floor trams and buses.
Arrive early or choose a later entry time — crowds are often largest between 20:00 and 22:00. If you want a quieter visit, start your evening at less popular branches.
Tell staff about your needs — personnel will usually help with thresholds, arrange entry through side doors or provide portable technical solutions.
Avoid rushing — plan breaks for rest and a coffee. Some venues have cafés or seating near exhibition rooms.
Remember safety in crowds — if you are independent, keep your phone and documents handy; if you have an assistant or carer, agree on a meeting point in case you get separated.
If a guided tour or special show has limited places, reserve priority entry or ask about reserved spots for visitors with reduced mobility.
- Identification and any documents confirming parking entitlements or other benefits.
- A small help kit: tissues, water, a phone power bank, a basic first aid kit, small change. It’s also useful to have a note or phone list with museum contact numbers in case you need to reach staff quickly.
- If you use an electric wheelchair, check the battery and plan the route considering charging options or rest stops.
- It’s practical to carry a short note (e.g., on a card) about your needs that you can hand over at the entrance if you prefer not to explain details every time.
- If you need a Polish Sign Language interpreter or audio description, keep a reservation confirmation or an email from the museum.
Start with museum websites and their "accessibility" or "accessibility statement" pages — these usually describe facilities, access maps and how to request special assistance.
Contact the Visitor Services Office or an accessibility coordinator directly. Some institutions operate a specific procedure for visitors with special needs and you can arrange concrete help before your visit.
If your route includes several sites, ask staff for the most convenient entrances and possible drop-off points for short stops. Staff often know the easiest connections between branches.
If you want individual help planning a route in Krakow for the Night of Museums, write to me — I’ll gladly help prepare a plan tailored to your needs and pace.
Always keep the current museum contact number with you — in case of problems you can quickly coordinate assistance.
- Start 19:00: smaller, well-accessible branches — fewer people, easier to enjoy the displays.
- 20:30: a larger museum with a specific exhibition you want to see — reserve priority entry if available.
- 22:00: a short break for coffee and rest at a place with an accessible toilet and seating.
- 22:30–23:30: the second part of the route — a venue with a short guided segment or performance you notified staff about in advance.
This plan adds flexibility and helps avoid running between distant points in a crowd. Choose venues close to each other or well connected by low-floor transport.
If the event was too crowded or you encountered barriers, report it to the museum — many institutions collect feedback to improve accessibility in following years.
Keep tickets and reservation confirmations for a few days — they may be useful if you need to report an issue to the Night of Museums organizers or a particular venue.
If you need help after leaving (for example, finding a wheelchair-accessible taxi), ask venue staff — they often cooperate with transport companies or know where to find suitable vehicles quickly.
And most importantly: don’t give up. Most Krakow institutions are making real progress in accessibility and are happy to cooperate if you contact them in advance.
Have a lovely evening — and if you’d like, I can help prepare a night sightseeing plan tailored to your needs.
Q: Can I get priority or assisted entry during the Night of Museums? - A: Many museums can arrange priority entry or assistance if you notify them in advance. Always call or email ahead to agree details.
Q: Are there wheelchair-accessible taxis in Krakow? - A: Yes, there are companies offering wheelchair-accessible taxis and vans. If you need one after the event, ask museum staff for contact details or book in advance through local taxi services that advertise accessibility.
Q: What language support is available? - A: Some institutions offer audio description, simple-language tours and Polish Sign Language interpretation on request. Book these services ahead of time.
Q: Where can I charge an electric wheelchair? - A: Not all venues offer charging points. If you use an electric wheelchair, check with museums beforehand about charging availability or plan shorter legs between stops and rest breaks.
Q: Any tips for eating during the Night of Museums? - A: Many museum cafés are accessible, but some smaller branches lack full café services. Choose venues with on-site cafés or identify nearby accessible cafés in advance. If you need specific restaurant suggestions, I can help with a list of wheelchair-friendly places near the museums you plan to visit.
Extra tip: make a simple map of your evening with phone numbers and meeting points. Mark backup options like a nearby accessible tram stop or a clearly visible café to regroup if plans change.
