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:
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).
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
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.
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.
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 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).
The Crown Treasury – accessible to wheelchair users along the entire length of the tour (entrance to the Treasury through the reception of The Armoury using the disabled lift, entrance to the Kunstkamera using the portable platform).
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
A possibility of borrowing a wheelchair is available at the Reception Desk of the Castle I and Crown Treasury 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, Castle II (2nd floor), and ground floor rooms of The Armoury.
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 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).
The Crown Treasury – accessible to wheelchair users along the entire length of the tour (entrance to the Treasury through the reception of The Armoury using the disabled lift, entrance to the Kunstkamera using the portable platform).
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
A possibility of borrowing a wheelchair is available at the Reception Desk of the Castle I and Crown Treasury 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, Castle II (2nd floor), and ground floor rooms of The Armoury.