Is Wawel open on May 1, 2 and 3? Does the Cathedral have different hours on holidays? Do I need to buy a ticket in advance? — these are the most frequent questions I get as a guide. Short answer: in the spring–summer season (April–October) most parts of Wawel and the Cathedral operate extended hours (typically around 9:00–17:00), but during holidays and the May long weekend specific times may change and some routes may run under special rules. It’s therefore worth planning your visit, checking hours before you leave, and bearing in mind that holiday days often bring more visitors and organisational changes.
In this article I collect practical tips: how to check hours for the May long weekend, what to visit first, how to buy tickets and how to avoid the biggest queues.
Note: exceptional situations (masses, ceremonies, conservation works) can affect access to some areas — it’s best to confirm before you go.
As a guide with practical experience I’ll advise how to plan your time wisely so a May long weekend day at Wawel is enjoyable and stress-free.
In the spring–summer season general visiting hours for Wawel and the Cathedral are usually longer than in winter — typically about 9:00–17:00. However on holidays and long weekends (like the May long weekend) sites often follow a holiday or Sunday schedule, which means: later opening for the Cathedral on Sundays and holidays (usually around 12:30) and possible changes to the times when specific castle routes are available.
May 1 and May 3 are sometimes run on a modified schedule — occasionally exhibitions and routes operate as on a Sunday or according to a special weekend timetable. In practice this means some interiors may have shorter admission windows, and popular attractions (for example the Underground, state rooms, Dragon’s Den) may have their own, different opening times.
Remember: admission to some routes is allowed only up to a certain time before closing (most commonly last entry is 30–60 minutes before official closing). Group entries and guided tours may have set times, and some elements (for example the bell tower) can be temporarily unavailable for technical or liturgical reasons.
For these reasons it’s safest to check current hours shortly before you go and to buy tickets in advance — especially on May long weekend days when visitor numbers rise.
Buy your ticket in advance - the May long weekend is a time of heavy tourist traffic. Tickets for the most popular routes sell out quickly, so online reservations give peace of mind and often save you from standing in long queues.
Come early or late afternoon - the quietest times are the first morning entries (opening) and the hours just before closing, if a given route allows. On a holiday day it’s worth planning to start before noon or after the busiest window (about 13:00–15:00).
Be aware of Sunday and holiday Cathedral hours - the Cathedral often opens later on Sundays and holidays (around 12:30). If you want to enter the interior to see the royal tombs or the bell, plan with that in mind.
Prepare for limited accessibility - not all routes are fully accessible for people with reduced mobility. Check in advance which parts are adapted and plan your route accordingly.
Bring documents for reduced tickets - if you’re entitled to a concession ticket (pupil, student, senior, etc.), have the relevant ID with you because eligibility is checked on entry.
9:00 - start: arrive at Wawel Hill (if available, take the first entries to the castle state rooms or the Underground). Morning is cooler and usually less crowded.
10:30 - Cathedral: tour the interior, tombs and chapels and — if open — the Cathedral Museum. Remember that on Sundays and holidays the Cathedral may open later, so adapt the plan.
12:00 - coffee or lunch break nearby: numerous cafés and small bistros around the Old Town offer a good rest before the second part of the day.
13:30 - Dragon’s Den and a walk along the Vistula: a lighter part of the programme, good for relaxing and photos.
15:00 - return to the hill, stroll the castle courtyards, visit the gift shop and perhaps a less crowded exhibition.
16:30 - final look around and return to the Old Town. If you didn’t see everything, leave the option to come back on a non-holiday day.
If you want to avoid the biggest crowds, consider visiting Wawel on one of the May long weekend days that are usually quieter (for example May 2 is often calmer than May 1 and May 3).
13:30 - walk around the Old Town and a light meal.
15:00 - enter Wawel, visit the courtyards and selected exhibitions; afternoon hours can feel more intimate except at the busiest attractions.
17:00 - final routes, photos with the Vistula panorama at sunset.
18:00 - finish your visit and enjoy an evening stroll nearby.
This option is good if you don’t want an early start and would like to combine Wawel with an afternoon café visit and a short walk along the river.
Tickets for popular routes are often available online in advance. Booking guarantees a specific entry time and often removes the need to queue at the ticket office.
Group entries and guided tours - some routes offer guided tours at fixed times. If you plan to join a group, check whether you need to reserve a place and how long the route lasts.
Rules about last admission - sales or admission frequently end 30–60 minutes before the official closing time. Arriving "just in time" can mean you’ll need to postpone your visit to another day.
Concession tickets and exemptions - eligibility for reduced tickets requires showing the appropriate document on the day of your visit. For larger groups concessions and rules may differ, so confirm in advance.
Choose unusual hours - the first morning entries and late afternoon slots are often calmer. On holiday days the earliest entries are frequently the best choice.
Allow extra time - even with an online ticket you can encounter short delays at the entrance due to security checks or ceremonial events.
Combine Wawel with less-obvious nearby attractions - instead of spending the whole day on the hill, plan a shorter, focused visit and use the rest of your time for the river boulevards, the Planty park or small central museums.
Small trick: if a particular route appears sold out for a time slot, ask the ticket office about last-minute cancellations or places freed shortly before the next tour. Sometimes it works.
- Check the opening hours for the specific route on the day of your visit.
- Buy or reserve your ticket online if possible.
- Bring ID for concessions (if applicable).
- Plan an alternative in case hours change (for example a walk along the Vistula or a café stop).
- Dress comfortably and wear comfortable shoes - the hill and stone steps can be tiring.
The May long weekend is a wonderful time for a walk around Krakow, and a visit to Wawel can be one of the highlights of the weekend. By planning ahead, checking hours and following a few practical tips, you’ll avoid stress and long queues.
If you’d like, I can help plan a route tailored to your interests — historical interiors, chapels, crypts or a shorter walk on the hill with stories and context. Just tell me how much time you have and what you most want to see.
Enjoy your visit and see you at Wawel (or nearby, with a view of the Vistula)!
