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.
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 Totupoints within the hill (ToTuPoint app on your phone required).
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.) acces
- guide dogs are permitted on the castle grounds
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 Totupoints within the hill (ToTuPoint app on your phone required).
Architectural accessibility
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.
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 Bernardyńska Str.
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.
Approach from Kanonicza Str.
Pedestrian traffic only; low steps in the Vasa Gate passage.
Behind the Gate, there is a staircase platform for the disabled to reach the viewing terrace and outdoor courtyard; it has a bell at the appropriate height.
Behind the Gate, there is a staircase platform for the disabled to reach the viewing terrace and outdoor courtyard; it has a bell at the appropriate height.
Approach from Kanonicza Street - view from Planty Park
Approach from Kanonicza Street - view of the Herbowa Gate and Kościuszko Monument
Approach from Kanonicza Street - passage through the Gate of the Vasa
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 (Kanonicza Str. approach) – please note that there are several low steps to climb in the Vasa Gate; there is a stepping platform nearby to enable access to the outer courtyard via a circular route
Visitors’ Center
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.
Baggage Checkrooms
Arcaded Courtyard checkroom (for visitors with valid tickets to the exhibitions) – enter through the Berrecci Gate; fully accessible.
It is inaccessible by wheelchair.
It is inaccessible by wheelchair.
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
Post Office
There is a Post Office located in the Thieves’ Tower, but accessibility is limited due to steps before the entrance. In front of the entrance, a bell at the right height for calling the postal service.
Building No. 5 (the Castle Management)
The building has a ramp for wheelchairs and walkers, an automatic door opener and an intercom at the appropriate height.
Inside, the lift has a contrasting panel, with buttons in accordance with the principles of universal design (relief lettering and Braille), with voice announcements in the lift.
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.
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.
- Castle I (2nd floor of the Castle) – has a ramp to the doo; accessible over the whole length of the tour (access by lift to the arcaded gallery, climbing steps on the tour using platforms); accessible to visitors in electric wheelchairs
- 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); accessible to visitors in electric wheelchairs
- 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 exhibition includes tiflographs (with audiodescription).
The Lost Wawel – accessible for wheelchair users (electric wheelchair also) along the entire length of the tour
Church of St. Gereon – not accessible for wheelchair users - 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.
The exhibition includes copies of exhibits and tiflographs (with audiodescription). You can download an audio guide for the blind/visually impaired (rental fee - PLN 14). - Wawel Recovered – not accessible for wheelchair users (numerous narrow and steep steps along the tour route)
- Between the Walls. Wawel Underground – accessibility for people in wheelchairs or balconies is only within the first sector, after reaching the end of the first sector there is a return via the same route (VR goggles are available in the second sector)
- terrace in front of the entrance: stair-free access to the terrace; on the terrace: contrasts, fields of attention and pathways for the blind and visually impaired; three tiffographs with views to the south, north and west for the blind and visually impaired (audiodescriptions for the tiffographs, descriptions in Braille)
- exhibition: due to sound and visual effects, we do not recommend it for young children and sensory-sensitive visitors; lift for disabled to the first sector; bell at the right height; evacuation chair that goes up and down the stairs by itself; hand grips and handles for people with hand impairment, contrasts on stairs and doors, attention boxes for blind and visually impaired people; tiflomaps for the first and second sector (and descriptions in Braille)
- Dragon's Den – not accessible for wheelchair users and for persons with mobility difficulties – descent via a steep winding staircase
- Sandomierska Tower – not accessible for wheelchair users and for persons with mobility difficulties – visiting the tower requires climbing 137 steps
- The Wawel Town and viewing terrace – Arcaded Gallery of the 2nd floor are accessible for wheelchair users along the entire length of the route; viewing terrace is not accessible for wheelchair users and for persons with mobility difficulties – access 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
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.
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.From September, quiet hours will be in effect at selected exhibitions on the following dates:
- 3, 24 September: Castle 1, Castle 2, Crown Treasury
- 1 October: Castle 1, Crown Treasury
- 29 October: Castle 1, Castle 2
- 5, 26 November: Castle 1, Castle 2, Crown Treasury
- 3 December: Castle 1, Castle 2, Crown Treasury
Castle 1 - Study in the Sigismund III Tower
Castle 2 - Study in the Jordanka Tower
Crown Treasury - room with the Coronation Sword called "Szczerbiec"
Peaceful visiting on other days too
We also encourage you to visit our exhibitions on less busy days. The hours of 3 pm–5 pm, from Tuesday to Friday, provide a particularly quiet atmosphere.
Noise-cancelling headphones are issued at the reception desks at the start of the route and collected at the end of the route.
Purchase tickets online
Tickets are made available one month in advance and are also available on the day of the tour; once online tickets are sold out, please visit the stationary ticket offices.
In the online sale please first tick the date ⇒ Wawel Royal Castle ⇒ museum visit ⇒ than at the selected exhibition choose 3 pm or later.
go to the online sale page
Other facilities
Discounts for visitors with disabilities
Visitors with disabilities and their caregivers are eligible for discounted tickets (with proper documents).
Rooms for mums with babies
Rooms suitable for mums with small babies, equipped with changing tables and feeding chairs, are located in the toilet complex behind the curtain wall in the arcade courtyard and on the tour of the Castle II exhibition.