Wawel is a must on any Krakow itinerary — a royal residence, a cathedral with great tombs and layers of history, and increasingly also a place of modern exhibitions that can surprise both art lovers and people who are visiting because they felt they should.
In recent years Wawel has added new displays, including permanent underground routes and contemporary‑style exhibitions that enrich the offer and give extra options for planning an engaging programme for bigger groups.
The biggest novelty of recent seasons is the underground route known as “Międzymurze” – opened to the public in spring 2025. It is an exhibition that runs through fragments of former defensive walls and underground passages of the Wawel hill; set up as an archaeological‑architectural reserve using sound and light effects to create an immersive experience.
Międzymurze reveals layers of Wawel's history from prehistoric times, through the Middle Ages, up to modern periods. The route was prepared with attention to archaeological finds and includes narratives that explain the defensive functions of the hill.
Alongside the underground route, Wawel presents exhibitions of various profiles – from historical panoramas to displays that combine historic interiors with modern presentation techniques. This variety makes it possible to build a programme that will interest both more demanding visitors and those looking for lighter, accessible stories.
Advance booking: with such a large number of people it’s worth booking well in advance — this applies to entry times, tickets for special exhibitions and collecting any audio guides. Popular slots and weekends fill up quickly.
Splitting into smaller subgroups: many exhibition spaces have limited capacity. The safest solution is to divide the whole group into rotating teams (e.g. 20–30 people each) and plan short changes every 30–45 minutes. This way nobody is packed into small rooms and the visit stays comfortable.
Visiting order and timing: plan first the routes that are most restricted in terms of visitor numbers (for example the underground areas, small temporary exhibition rooms), then move larger groups to open courtyards, the viewing terrace or spaces that can hold more people at once.
Audio guides and materials: check availability of audio guides and how many sets there are — they are often lent on site, but for a big group it’s better to find out in advance how many sets are available and whether more can be provided.
Accessibility and special routes: remember that not all parts of Wawel are fully adapted for wheelchairs or people with reduced mobility. If you have participants with special needs, include this in your plan and notify requirements when booking.
Example for a group of 60 (quick visit 2–3 h) - Divide the group into 3 teams of 20 people. - Team A: underground/Międzymurze; Team B: Private Apartments or representative rooms; Team C: courtyards, viewing terrace and a short outdoor introduction. - After 45–60 minutes rotate: A→B, B→C, C→A. - Finish with a meeting in the arcaded courtyard or a nearby square for a summary and a coffee/lunch break.
Example for a group of 100 (full‑day programme) - Divide the group into 4–5 teams of 20–25 people. - Plan for two coordinators/hosts who supervise movements and keep the schedule. - Book tickets in advance for the most important, limited attractions and allow longer breaks between rotations to avoid crowding at entrances. - Consider a hybrid programme: part of the group tours Wawel inside, part takes a walk around the area (the Cathedral, Planty, viewpoints on the river boulevards), then swap in the afternoon.
Logistics tip: always have a plan B (for example move part of the programme outdoors, or keep groups split for longer) — weather and spatial limitations can surprise you.
Plan elements that can take place outdoors: Wawel courtyards, terraces and the views over the Vistula are great for short talks and group photos.
If you want a joint presentation for the whole group — consider meeting in an open space with a microphone (weather permitting) or renting a nearby room where a guide/coordinator can give a closing lecture.
Beyond Wawel: if needed, make a hybrid plan including visits to other places in Krakow that are easier to accommodate large groups — for example larger museums with lecture halls, cultural centres or exhibition venues where groups can enter in batches and then meet in one room.
1) Book dates in advance and confirm the number of participants. - 2) Plan the division into subgroups and the rotation schedule. - 3) Check availability of audio guides and technical options (microphone, group audio sets). - 4) Agree on an outdoor meeting point (rallying point) and allow buffer time for delays. - 5) Inform participants about comfortable footwear, possible stairs and toilet breaks. - 6) Prepare a communication plan for group leaders (phone, group app).
A small thing that helps a lot: appoint a few helper‑volunteers in each subgroup (coordinators) who will count participants on entry/exit and watch the rotation times.
Be flexible: even the best plan may need minor adjustments on site. A short chat with venue staff at the entrance often clears up many doubts.
Focus on the quality of the experience, not on ticking off every point: it’s better to experience a few selected rooms calmly than to rush through many exhibits without time to reflect.
If possible — reserve time after the visit for a joint debrief (coffee, snack, a short story). Those “after” moments are often what participants remember most.
If you wish, I can prepare a more detailed rotation plan and a sample timetable for a specific group size and preferred visit length — tell me the dates and an approximate number of participants and I’ll help fine‑tune the plan.
