Wawel Hill and the Royal Route are the heart of historic Krakow — the route once taken by kings. Today you can walk it in about 2 hours at a leisurely pace (without entering attractions) or plan a whole day if you want to visit the cathedral, royal chambers and a few museums. Below you’ll find practical, collected information about opening hours, visit planning and tips on how to make the most of your day.
If you plan to go inside buildings (the Cathedral, royal chambers, museums), book tickets in advance and check each exhibition’s hours — many places change times by season or for temporary exhibitions.
This guide was created to help you plan your visit — read on for practical tips.
Wawel is not a single building but a complex of monuments: Wawel Cathedral, the castle exhibitions (Representative Royal Chambers, Private Apartments, the Treasury and Armoury), the Underground, the Dragon’s Den and the Royal Gardens. Each component has its own hours, which change seasonally.
Typical and commonly used time rules: - Wawel Hill (the area around the castle) is accessible for walking from early morning until evening, with opening times changing by season. - Wawel Cathedral: in the spring–summer season (usually April–September) visiting hours for tourists are generally around 9:00–17:00; off-season (October–March) hours are often shorter, e.g., 9:00–16:00; on Sundays and public holidays opening can be later because of liturgies. - Castle exhibitions and museums: most exhibits typically welcome visitors from about 9:00 to 17:00, though some exhibitions are closed or have reduced hours on Mondays. Last admissions are usually 40–60 minutes before closing for a given exhibition.
Closures and disruptions: the Cathedral and some exhibitions may be closed on certain days or during ceremonies (for example November 1, December 24–25 and other national or church holidays). Always check before your visit whether a specific exhibition is temporarily unavailable or a ceremony is taking place (access may then be limited).
The Royal Route (via regia) is the historic path linking St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican with Wawel Hill, passing through the most famous points of the Old Town: Barbican – Florian Gate – Floriańska Street – Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica) – Grodzka Street – Kanonicza Street – Wawel.
Approximate times: - Walking the route from the outside (no entrances): about 1.5–2 hours at a moderate pace with short photo stops. - Full sightseeing with visits to the Cathedral and St. Mary’s Basilica plus a choice of museums: 3–5 hours or a full day if you want to explore the Market Underground, the castle chambers and have a relaxed lunch.
There are many places along the route with individual opening hours, so when planning entries choose a maximum of 2–3 indoor attractions at a time to avoid disappointment.
St. Mary’s Basilica – visiting: usually available in the afternoon; typical times: Monday–Saturday around 11:30–18:00, Sundays and holidays from noon or later (the Veit Stoss altarpiece is shown at specific hours) — arrive at a set time if you want to see the altarpiece open.
Wawel Cathedral – notes: the cathedral has dedicated visiting hours separate from mass and ceremonies; visits to the cathedral and the Cathedral Museum follow set time slots that are seasonally adjusted. The crypts and the Sigismund Bell may be available only in a limited way.
Wawel – exhibitions and the Underground: castle exhibitions are usually open in morning and afternoon slots (standard opening with last admission about 40–60 minutes before closing). The Dragon’s Den and some smaller attractions may have different, specific hours.
Barbican, Florian Gate and city walls: outdoor elements are open for walks almost all day, while access to towers, walls or small exhibitions near them follows their own hours.
1) Decide whether you want just a walk (2 hours) or to visit interiors (3–5 hours). - If you only have a few hours, choose the Cathedral or St. Mary’s Basilica plus a short walk around the Market and Wawel. - If you want the Castle Museum and chambers, allow at least 2–3 hours for that.
2) Buy tickets in advance. - For popular attractions (royal chambers, Market Underground, sometimes the Cathedral during busy periods) it’s worth purchasing tickets online or reserving a time. This helps you skip some queues and guarantees entry at your chosen time.
3) Start early or late afternoon. - The least crowded times are at opening and after about 16:00–17:00 (many tourists arrive around noon). If you want photos without crowds, plan to visit before 10:00.
4) Wear comfortable shoes and plan breaks. - The Royal Route is cobbled with a few steep stretches (for example the climb to Wawel). Plan a coffee or lunch break — near the Market and Wawel there are many places from quick bars to restaurants serving traditional cuisine.
If you need a rest or something warm: - On the Market: Restaurant Wierzynek (historic, pricier option), Szara Gęś and other Market-side restaurants — good for a sit-down lunch after sightseeing. - Near Kanonicza and Grodzka: cafes such as Cafe Camelot (cozy atmosphere) and several small cafés on Grodzka Street. - By Wawel: Restauracja Pod Wawelem — classic Polish dishes, generous portions, comfortable after a long walk.
If you’d like something different or local, take a short walk to Kazimierz across the Vistula — there you’ll find cafés and bars offering Jewish cuisine and modern bistros.
Note: in the high season (May–September) Market restaurants are busiest — a table reservation can help.
Accessibility: some monuments have architectural barriers (stairs, narrow passages). If you need mobility access, check specific places in advance — some exhibitions provide facilities, but not all.
Reduced-price and free tickets: many museums and the cathedral offer discounts for students, seniors and children, and free admission on certain days. Check discount rules before buying.
Safety: watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas (the Market, Floriańska, around Wawel). Keep valuables close and avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
Weather: in autumn and winter some outdoor parts of the route can be wet or slippery — wear comfortable, weather-appropriate shoes and outerwear.
Can I enter Wawel without a ticket? - You can enter the hill area for free, but most exhibitions and some parts of the cathedral require a ticket.
How long does a visit to the Cathedral and the Royal Chambers take? - A short cathedral visit takes 30–60 minutes, while the royal chambers and the treasury require at least 1–2 hours depending on how thoroughly you want to explore.
Can I see the Sigismund Bell? - The Sigismund Bell is part of the cathedral and access may be limited due to conservation or ceremonies. Check availability before your visit.
Where to park? - Parking in the center is limited and paid; a better option is to arrive by tram or bus and walk through the Old Town. If you drive, use parking facilities on the city’s edges and walk in.
Short trip (approx. 2 hours): Walk the Royal Route from Florian Gate through the Market to Wawel, take exterior photos and stop briefly for coffee.
Standard day (approx. 4 hours): Visit St. Mary’s Basilica (when the altarpiece is shown), stroll around the Cloth Hall, optionally visit the Market Underground, walk Grodzka and enter Wawel Cathedral.
Full day: Visit the Representative Royal Chambers, the Treasury and Armoury, the Market Underground, then relax with lunch at a Market or Wawel-area restaurant.
- Always check the specific exhibition’s hours the day before your visit — times may change seasonally or because of events. - Buy tickets online for the most popular attractions to avoid queues. - For quiet visits and crowd-free photos, choose early morning. - Plan realistically: the Royal Route packs many monuments into a short distance — it’s better to pick a few interiors to visit than try to see everything at once.
Wishing you a great visit! If you’d like, I can help build a detailed step-by-step plan tailored to your available time (2h, 4h or a full day).
Guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz — practical guided visits to Wawel and the Royal Route are also available through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
