Did you know that Wawel takes part every year in the nationwide “Free November” campaign, during which selected exhibitions are available free of charge for a set period? It’s a great chance to see representative chambers, the underground route and new temporary exhibitions without spending money — provided you know how to prepare. In this guide I explain exactly what the offer covers in 2025, how to get free tickets and which tourist traps to avoid. If you plan to visit in November, read carefully — you’ll save time and nerves.
If you want a quick tip: choose a weekday (preferably a Monday during the campaign), reserve tickets online in advance and remember that not all areas of the Wawel Hill are included in the free-access program. If you’d like to tour with a guide, information about paid guiding services and reservation options is available on the Royal Castle at Wawel site.
In 2025 the “Free November in Royal Residences” campaign includes the Royal Castle on Wawel Hill. In practice this means that during the campaign days (from November 2 to November 30, 2025) selected routes and exhibitions will be available free of charge to visitors.
Mondays during the campaign are special: free entries are offered from 10:00 to 16:00. The Monday list typically includes: Castle I (first-floor chambers, porcelain cabinet) — note that the last admission may be slightly earlier; the “Wawel Reclaimed” exhibition and the multimedia Interwall (Międzymurze). The Wawel undergrounds are often provided with a free audio guide during the campaign.
From Tuesday to Sunday free-access hours usually differ (commonly 09:00–17:00) and include, among others, Castle II (representative chambers, the collection of Turkish tents) and parts of temporary exhibitions. Remember that some popular elements — such as the Cathedral, the Crown Treasury and Armoury, or the Dragon’s Den — in most cases remain paid and are not part of the promotion. November 1 the Castle is usually closed, and November 11 can have organizational exceptions, so check the current calendar before you arrive.
Free tickets as part of the campaign are issued for specific time slots and usually must be collected — you cannot just show up without a ticket even on a free day. There are two routes: online reservation and collecting tickets at the ticket office on the day of the visit.
Online reservation: the pool of tickets for free routes is released in advance (most often seven days before the visit date). The most popular slots (weekends, afternoons) sell out very fast, so it’s worth entering the booking system as soon as the batch is released. One person can collect tickets for up to 5 people — plan ahead if you’re going in a larger group.
Collecting at the ticket office: on the day of the visit some free tickets are sometimes available at Wawel’s ticket offices. Ticket offices operate according to set hours (check the current schedule), but the number of tickets available at the desk is limited and on busy days they run out quickly. If you want to try your luck in person, arrive early in the morning.
Consider time limits: each exhibition has an approximate visiting time. Don’t try to tick off every route in one day — Wawel has many levels and the undergrounds require time and concentration. Plan for a maximum of two major routes or one major and one shorter route during an afternoon.
Arrive earlier than your booking time: even with a ticket, it’s worth being at least 10–15 minutes before your scheduled entry, especially during Free November when queues for security and the ticket office can be longer. Last admissions for individual routes are typically 30–60 minutes before closing — pay attention to notices about final entries.
Audio guides and paid guides: during the campaign some routes have free audio guides, but this does not apply to all temporary exhibitions. Guiding services offered by the Museum are paid according to the price list; booking a guide is sometimes possible in a limited way and usually requires prior contact with the reservations office.
Weather and the Dragon’s Den: the Dragon’s Den and other outdoor attractions can be opened or closed depending on weather conditions. If the Dragon’s Den is important to you, check before leaving whether that route is available.
Not all Wawel spaces are included in the free program. Most often still paid are: the Crown Treasury and Armoury, the Cathedral and Cathedral Museum, the Dragon’s Den (depending on conditions) and some special exhibitions after their free-access period ends. Check the list of routes included in the free offer before booking, because the selection may vary between campaign editions.
If you plan to enter the Cathedral to see the royal tombs, remember this is often a separate fee or a separate ticket. It may be worth buying a paid ticket for those parts if they are your priority, instead of counting on them being available through the promotion.
Programs for youth and “Museum for a Zloty”: there are also separate reduced and promotional programs (e.g., for young people up to a certain age), where some museums offer symbolic tickets. If you are under 26 or traveling with young people, check the current concession rules before your visit.
Assuming that “free” means no limits — a ticket and reservation are often required. If you see “free admission” information, check whether online reservation or collecting a ticket at the office is required. Without a ticket you may not be allowed in.
Planning too many routes in one day. Wawel is more than a few rooms — moving between exhibitions and waiting in lines takes time. It’s better to plan a calm visit to two places than to rush around trying to see everything.
Not reading organizational notices — closure dates, exceptions (e.g., holidays) and last-admission times. Before travelling to Wawel, check the official opening hours and any program changes.
Representative chambers in Castle II — if they are available in the campaign, they are one of the most beautiful examples of royal residence interiors, full of textiles, tapestries and historical details.
Interwall (Międzymurze) and the Wawel undergrounds — a modern, multimedia route that doubles your knowledge about the hill’s history; it’s a great complement to the visit, especially when the weather is poor.
Wawel Reclaimed — an exhibition telling the castle’s story and its role in Poland’s history after regaining independence; it provides good context for understanding why the site is so important.
After an intense visit to Wawel it’s good to choose a trusted place for coffee or a meal. Around the Old Town and adjacent districts you’ll find both historic restaurants with long traditions and cozy cafes. Popular choices include traditional places near the Main Market Square for a more formal meal and smaller cafés on Kanonicza Street for a relaxed coffee — it’s a good idea to check local reviews and reserve a table for busy times.
Some options for different needs: for an elegant meal after sightseeing consider well-known historic restaurants at the Main Market; for a atmospheric café choose spots near the Market or along Kanonicza Street. Always consider booking a table for peak hours (afternoon and evening).
If you need a short rest, parks and small squares around Wawel are great for recharging. When the weather allows, a short walk along the Vistula riverbank offers a peaceful perspective on the hill.
Can I enter Wawel without a ticket on any day in November? No — free entries cover specific routes and days defined in the “Free November” program. In most cases even free routes require a free ticket for a specific time slot.
How many tickets can I take for friends? Usually one person can collect tickets for up to 5 people. For larger groups a group booking through the reservations office is required.
Is the audio guide free during Free November? On selected routes the audio guide may be provided free of charge, but this is not a rule for all exhibitions. Check information for the particular route.
What if free tickets are sold out? Try collecting tickets at the ticket office on the day of the visit or choose another weekday. Alternatively, consider visiting paid routes outside the campaign if those are your priority.
Free November is not only a chance for free entry — it’s also a period when institutions organize educational activities, workshops and family events, often available to schools and families. If you travel with children, check the offer from museum educators.
Surprising fact: during some editions of the campaign new or refreshed exhibitions are sometimes opened free to visitors during their first days on display. That’s why it’s worth following museum announcements in case a new exhibition premieres during the campaign.
If you want to avoid crowds, choose Monday morning or early afternoon (during the campaign Mondays are specially designated as days with free access to selected routes).
Wawel during the “Free November” campaign is a great opportunity to see key exhibitions and the undergrounds without spending money — provided you reserve tickets and plan your routes. The safest approach is to book online as soon as the ticket pool opens for your chosen day, and on the visit day have a schedule and some extra time.
If you’d like, I can help prepare a visiting plan tailored to your interests and pace — tell me which routes interest you (chambers, undergrounds, temporary exhibitions) and I’ll suggest the optimal choice and order.
A small reminder: organizational information (opening hours, list of free routes, reservation rules) can be updated — check the Royal Castle at Wawel’s official announcements before your visit.
If the article was helpful, share it with friends or on your social profiles — it will help other visitors better plan a trip to Wawel.
If you’d like to visit Wawel with a private guide, you’re welcome to use the services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and offerings are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. With a guide you’ll learn the stories, anecdotes and context that often slip by during self-guided visits.
Good luck with planning and enjoy your stay in Krakow — Wawel is worth seeing both for free and with tickets that personalize the experience.
