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

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:
  • from ul. Kanonicza – pedestrian traffic only; low steps in the Vasa Gate passage
  • 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
Both approaches are steep, wheelchair users will probably require assistance

On Wawel Hill – roadways and paths – no architectural barriers

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

Approach from ul. Bernardyńska

Approach from ul. Kanonicza

Discounts for visitors with disabilities

Visitors with disabilities and their caregivers are eligible for discounted tickets (with proper documents). Citizens of the European Union, the Swiss Confederation, and EFTA member countries are eligible.

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

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.

State Rooms (2nd floor) – accessible along the entire length of the tour (access to the cloisters by lift, climbing individual steps on the tour using platforms).
The Armoury – partially accessible for wheelchair users (ground floor).
The Lost Wawel – accessible for wheelchair users along the entire length of the tour.

Possibility of borrowing a wheelchair
A possibility of borrowing a wheelchair is available at the Reception Desk of the State Rooms exhibition and at the Tourist Information (Visitors Centre) for visitors with motor disabilities.
The following exhibitions are accessible to visitors in electric wheelchairs: The Lost Wawel, State Rooms (2nd floor), and ground floor rooms of The Armoury.