Accessibility

Accessibility Contact

Mobility-impaired visitors are requested to contact the museum in advance of their planned visit. Certain arrangements can be made to accommodate visitor needs, but we must be advised ahead of time.

please call +48.12.422.51.55 ext. 219 to arrange for vehicle (taxi etc.) access
guide dogs are permitted on the castle grounds

Automated External Defibrillator

Wawel Hill is equipped with an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). In case of emergency, please alert a member of the Wawel Security staff (guards).

Accessibility: Wawel Hill, individual buildings and exhibitions

Wawel Royal Castle is located in the center of Cracow, on Wawel Hill (228 meters above sea level), in the Old Town district [about a 10-minute walk away from the Main Market Square and a 20-minute walk from the central Train Station].

There are two approaches to the Castle’s entrance gates, both approaches are steep, wheelchair users will probably require assistance.
On Wawel Hill – roadways and paths – no architectural barriers.

Approach from ul. Bernardyńska

From the intersection of Bernardyńska, Stradom, and Grodzka streets: approach for both pedestrian and vehicle (by permission) traffic; cobbled roadway, sidewalks on either side of the road.

steep drive up the hill, cars parked along the road on the left

Approach from Bernardyńska Street

A street in the city with cars parked on both sides.

Descent to the Bernardyńska Street

Approach from ul. Kanonicza

Pedestrian traffic only; low steps in the Vasa Gate passage.

The castle is situated on a hill, surrounded by green trees and grass.

Approach from Kanonicza Street - view from Planty Park

Approach from Kanonicza Street - view of the Herbowa Gate and Kościuszko Monument

People pass through a tall, narrow gate with several steep steps

Approach from Kanonicza Street - passage through the Gate of the Vasa

Discounts for visitors with disabilities

Visitors with disabilities and their caregivers are eligible for discounted tickets (with proper documents).

Ticket windows

the main ticket window is located in the Visitors Center
the building is equipped with a wheelchair ramp (on the exterior courtyard side); no mobility barriers inside
the seasonal ticket window (open April–October), located at the Herbowa Gate (ul. Kanonicza approach) – please note that there are several low steps to climb in the Vasa Gate

Visitor Services

The Visitors’ Center houses visitors’ services such as the Information Desk, Ticket Windows, Reservation and Guide Service Office, as well as toilet facilities, dining, and shopping. The Visitors’ Center also offers free Wi-Fi.
There is a Post Office located in the Thieves’ Tower, but accessibility is limited due to steps before the entrance.

Baggage Checkrooms

Arcaded Courtyard checkroom (for visitors with valid tickets to the exhibitions) – enter through the Berrecci Gate; fully accessible

Toilet Facilities

Visitors’ Center – fully accessible, wheelchair ramp to building
Exterior Courtyard (next to the Lost Wawel exhibition entrance) – wheelchair ramp
Arcaded Courtyard (enter through passageway in south wing) – wheelchair ramp; please note: approach is steep, cobblestones, can be slippery

Quiet hours

For visitors who wish to visit in a quieter atmosphere, we welcome quiet hours. It's an initiative designed for people who are sensitive to to sensory stimuli, such as people on the autism spectrum, those with sensory processing disorders or seniors.

During quiet hours:

we ask people to mute their cell phones and avoid loud conversations,
turn off or limit multimedia, music and other audiovisual elements,
group tours and guided tours will not be possible.

When are the Quiet Hours taking place?

Quiet Hours are scheduled for 3:00-5:00 pm on the first and last Wednesday of each month.

PLEASE NOTE: we are suspending quiet hours during July and August.
September dates will be announced soon.

Exhibitions in the Castle

A modern external lift is available in the castle. Its use by persons with disabilities is possible only in the presence of a member of staff. In order to shorten the waiting time for access to the lift, please request this from the Reservation Office, Tourist Information or ticket office.

Castle I (2nd floor of the Castle) – accessible over the whole length of the tour (access by lift to the arcaded gallery, climbing steps on the tour using platforms).
Castle II (3rd floor of the castle) – accessible over the whole length of the tour (access by lift to the arcaded gallery, climbing single steps on the tour using platforms).

Castle Underground:
Wawel Underground: The Lapidarium – accessible for wheelchair users using the lift for the disabled (without the well vestibule); the lift allows only a person in a wheelchair to descend, a standing person cannot descend;
The platform can carry a wheelchair, which together with the person sitting on it does not exceed the dimensions of 70 x 77cm and 110 in height (low vault)

The Lost Wawel – accessible for wheelchair users along the entire length of the tour.
Church of St. Gereon – not accessible for wheelchair users

The Armoury – partially accessible for wheelchair users (ground floor)
Please note: the platform can carry a wheelchair, which together with the person sitting on it does not exceed the dimensions of: 78 x 82 cm

The Crown Treasury – the exhibition is not fully accessible for people using wheelchairs – there is no lift available to facilitate entry to the exhibition (from 14.10.2024 until further notice). The difficulties are caused by the preparation of a new arrangement of "The Armoury" exhibition.

Recovered Wawel – not accessible for wheelchair users (numerous narrow and steep steps along the tour route).
Dragon's Den – not accessible for wheelchair users – descent via a steep winding staircase.
Sandomierska Tower – not accessible for wheelchair users – visiting the tower requires climbing 137 steps.
Arcaded Gallery and viewing terrace – Arcaded Gallery of the 3rd floor are accessible for wheelchair users along the entire length of the route; viewing terrace is not accessible for wheelchair users, access to the terrace requires climbing 100 steps
Royal Gardens – partially accessible for wheelchair users; passage/walkway under the curtain wall is on uneven pavement and at a steep angle; upper terrace requires climbing high stairs

Possibility of borrowing a wheelchair
Visitors with mobility impairments can rent a wheelchair free of charge for the duration of the tour. We have three wheelchairs available. Please contact the Information Desk to make sure the wheelchair is available at any given time. The cart can be picked up in Tourist Information and at the entrance to the Lapidarium or the Crown Treasury or, by prior arrangement, at another exhibition of your choice.

The following exhibitions are accessible to visitors in electric wheelchairs: The Lost Wawel, Castle II (2nd floor.)