Yes, really - throughout November 2025 Wawel is taking part in the nationwide "Free November" campaign and is opening selected exhibitions free of charge. It’s a great opportunity, especially if you usually avoid the site because of the price.
The campaign is a joint initiative of the royal residences in Poland (including Wawel, Wilanów, Łazienki). In practice this means that for a limited time selected routes and exhibitions are free, but entry limits and reservation rules apply.
In this article I will explain step by step: what exactly is free, how to get a ticket, the opening hours and limits, and practical tricks that will make your visit easier.
As part of the campaign, the following are available free of charge: Representative Royal Chambers (Castle II, 2nd floor) including the collection of Turkish Tents, selected temporary exhibitions at the castle, underground archaeological routes (Lost Wawel, Lapidarium) and the new Międzymurze route. Some temporary exhibitions may be excluded from the audio guide.
Remember that not all parts of the hill are free - for example the Cathedral with the Royal Treasury, the Crown Treasury (usually paid), and the Dragon’s Den typically remain outside the campaign and require a separate ticket.
The exact list of routes and opening hours can change during the campaign (for example, a new presentation of the Armory opens on a specific date and may be free for the first few days). It’s therefore worth checking the latest announcements before you visit.
1) Plan the date: free exhibition tickets appear online seven days in advance. If you want to come on November 15, look for tickets from November 8 onwards.
2) Book online or collect at the ticket office: the best option is the official ticketing system - ticket batches appear exactly 7 days before the visit date. Alternatively you can collect free tickets at the ticket offices on the day of the visit, but queues can be long.
3) Ticket limits: one person can collect a maximum of 5 tickets at a time (applies to free tickets taken at the ticket office and online). This matters if you are coming with a larger group - remember the rule.
4) Groups and reservations: group visits require reservation. Group bookings and guided services are handled by the Reservations Office. If you plan a school museum lesson, separate sign-up rules apply.
5) Have a plan B: weekends and afternoons are the busiest. If there are no online tickets available, consider coming early to collect tickets at the ticket office or choose a weekday.
6) Keep your confirmation and arrive on time - entries happen at set times, and the last entry is closed 30-60 minutes before the route closes.
During Free November special hours apply: usually Tuesday to Sunday 9:00-17:00 (last entries earlier depending on the route), while on Mondays a limited set of exhibitions is often available for example 10:00-16:00. Wawel is usually closed on November 1.
When is it least crowded? The best times are early Tuesday-Thursday right after opening. Sundays can be particular - sometimes rules apply only to individual tourists (no group reservations), but in practice weekends are the busiest.
Last entry: each route has its own last entry (for example 16:10 for Castle II or 15:30 for some underground routes). Be sure not to be late for your entry time.
If you have only one free route to choose from, I recommend Międzymurze (the underground) and Lost Wawel - these places tell the story of the hill and often leave the strongest impression. The underground route usually takes 60-80 minutes.
The Representative Royal Chambers (Castle II) with the collection of Turkish Tents take about 45-60 minutes. If you are interested in temporary exhibitions (for example Abakanowicz), add extra time - some displays may require longer stops.
Don’t try to "do everything" in one day - plan for a maximum of 2-3 exhibitions; split them between morning and afternoon or prioritize one main route.
Mistake 1: Arriving without a ticket thinking "we’ll get in". Even during the free campaign you must have a ticket - either online or collected at the ticket office.
Mistake 2: Booking too many routes on the same day. Routes have fixed time slots and can overlap, which can make you lose time standing in line or waiting to enter.
Mistake 3: Expecting free guided services. A free audio guide may be available on selected routes, but guided tours are usually paid - if you want a museum guide provided by the institution, check the rules and prices in advance.
Mistake 4: Confusing Wawel Hill (which is always accessible) with individual exhibitions. Walking the hill is free, but entering specific rooms and underground routes requires a ticket.
Online tickets: use the official ticket system - it’s the most reliable way to reserve a free entry for a date that suits you.
Ticket offices: they operate during specific hours (usually morning to afternoon) and allow you to collect same-day tickets. However, queues on weekends can be long - arrive early.
Limits: due to conservation requirements daily limits apply; one person can collect tickets for up to 5 people.
Groups and school lessons: group reservations are mandatory. The castle has also prepared a pool of 300 free museum lessons for schools - registration is required. Check the exact phone numbers and email addresses for reservations before you go.
Audio guides: on selected routes an audio guide may be available free of charge, but often this excludes temporary exhibitions. If you need a specific language version, check in advance.
After an intensive visit, good nearby places to eat include Restauracja Wierzynek (classic Polish cuisine), Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa (large portions, lively atmosphere), and for a relaxed coffee try Cafe Camelot on the Old Town.
If you want to stay centrally and be close to Wawel, consider well-rated hotels such as Hotel Wentzl (Market Square) or Balthazar Design Hotel - central locations allow for an evening stroll around the Main Market Square after sightseeing.
When booking a table or accommodation in the tourist season, plan ahead - November weekends (especially during free events) can be very busy.
Few people know that part of Wawel’s underground routes present fragments of the archaeological foundations of the former hillfort - a treat for history lovers.
When it gets really cold some routes may have restricted access or shortened hours; November weather can be changeable, so bring a warmer layer.
If you come across a free "host" weekend (for example the last weekend of November dedicated to Wawel), expect extra educational attractions and larger crowds.
Can I enter without a reservation? - Sometimes yes (ticket office), but booking online is the best solution because free ticket batches sell out quickly.
Are all exhibitions free? - No. Selected exhibitions are free; some rooms and objects (for example the Cathedral, the Treasury) remain paid.
How much time should I allow? - Minimum 1.5-2 hours if you want to see one major route; plan 3-4 hours for two routes.
Do I need an ID? - Usually not for individual free exhibitions, but it’s good to have a document for group reservations or special provisions.
Free November is a great opportunity but requires a bit of planning: reserve your ticket online, come early, choose priorities and remember the limits. That way you’ll see the most interesting spots at Wawel without stress.
If you want to go further and learn more about the historical context of the exhibitions - consider booking a museum guide or buying a guided service on site (these services are paid according to the museum’s price list).
If you found this article helpful, share it on social media or send it to friends - let more people benefit from Free November!
We also invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
