Many visitors don’t realise that the Wawel Royal Castle makes a lot of materials available online — from interactive tours and digitised collections to a mobile app and short educational films. Spending an hour or two preparing before you travel will save time on site, help you avoid common queues and let you spot things you might otherwise miss when rushing. This article shows, step by step, how to combine maps, PDFs and videos so your visit is more satisfying and relaxed.
Official museum pages and digital catalogues offer free materials: virtual tours of rooms (for example painting collections), high-resolution reproductions in online catalogues with object descriptions, and the Multimedia Centre’s interactive models and educational games. There is also a free Wawel mobile app with two language options that can use beacons to show information about the object you are standing by. On official social channels and YouTube you’ll find short films, curator tours and series of “museum stories” that bring curiosities and historical context to life.
1. Define what you want to see — pick up to three main goals (for example the Crown Treasury and Armory, the Cathedral with the crypts, the Lanckoroński Collection).
2. Download a hill plan and a map of the area — if possible save the map offline on your phone or download a PDF of the Wawel Hill plan. That way you won’t waste time finding your bearings once you arrive.
3. Browse the digital collection catalogue — search for a few highlight objects from the exhibitions you plan to visit and note their names. If there’s a zoom option, look closely at the details to compare them consciously with the originals in person.
4. Watch 1–2 short videos or virtual tours of the rooms you intend to visit — videos give you a sense of scale, show the layout of displays and help estimate how much time you’ll need.
5. Combine the map with your visit plan — mark entrances and landmarks first (the vehicle gate, the Cathedral entrance, the Dragon’s Den), then choose the order so you don’t walk back and forth unnecessarily.
6. Prepare documents and tickets — buy tickets online where possible, save confirmation PDFs and take a screenshot of your booking number. This saves time at ticket desks and gives you an offline copy.
7. Print or save one paper version of the plan — a paper map is useful if your phone battery runs low.
Curator films and virtual tours won’t replace the emotion of visiting in person, but they are excellent preparation tools. Watch short clips to: understand the castle layout, learn which exhibits are unmissable and check views from terraces or arcades. The virtual Lanckoroński Collection lets you zoom into paintings, which helps you spot details before seeing the originals. If you travel with children, look for educational videos and online games that introduce younger visitors to the subject in a fun, short way.
Do you need to buy tickets in advance? It’s best to buy tickets for the most popular exhibitions in advance — especially during the tourist season. Some exhibitions and Cathedral entrances require separate tickets.
How long should you plan for your visit? For comfort, plan at least 2–4 hours for Wawel, longer if you want to take your time through the painting collections and the Cathedral crypts.
Is Wawel accessible for visitors with reduced mobility? Most accessibility information is available on the official site — check routes and any restrictions in advance, because some towers and arcades have stairs.
Is it worth downloading the Wawel mobile app? Yes — the app gives current opening hours and exhibition information, and with beacons it can automatically show content about the object you are near. Download it before arrival and check Bluetooth permissions.
What to bring? Powerbank, comfortable shoes, a light coat (the Cathedral and museum rooms can be cooler) and a paper map or saved PDF.
A short coffee break or lunch after visiting is a great idea. Around the Old Market and Wawel you’ll find well-established restaurants, cafés with local pastries and bars serving regional dishes. Choose places with good reviews to get an authentic atmosphere; small local restaurants often offer the most character. For accommodation, look for hotels or guesthouses near the Old Town or Kazimierz for the shortest walk to Wawel.
1. Not checking opening hours and closures — always check current opening times and possible technical breaks or events that may close parts of the hill.
2. No reservations for popular exhibitions — in summer and during holidays it’s better to book tickets ahead.
3. No route plan — without a plan you waste time running between points; use a map and plan a logical order of visits.
4. Ignoring online resources — many useful materials are free and help decide what to see in person.
5. Relying only on mobile coverage — save PDFs and maps offline and keep copies of tickets on your phone and on paper.
- Digital collections allow detailed close-ups of artworks, often revealing details missed during group visits.
- The Multimedia Centre provides models and educational games that are great when you travel with children or want a behind-the-scenes look.
- The Wawel app can use beacons (Bluetooth technology), so to get the most out of it have Bluetooth turned on and the app updated before you enter the site.
- A PDF map of the hill and area with entrances and landmarks marked.
- Reservation confirmations and tickets as PDFs or screenshots.
- A short list of 3–5 exhibits you want to see in person.
- The Wawel app with Bluetooth enabled and a charged phone.
If you’d like a personalised visit plan tailored to your time and interests, feel free to use the private guiding services of Malgorzata Kasprowicz — her contact and offer are available on the site. A personal guide is also a way to see hidden details, ask questions in real time and save time. If you found this article useful — share it with friends planning a trip to Krakow. Enjoy your visit to Wawel — prepare maps, download PDFs, watch a few videos and arrive with a plan!
