A Guide to the Wawel Castle Opening Hours
Today
Open 09:00–17:00
Last Admission
16:00
Wawel Royal Castle
The Wawel Castle exhibitions are open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Mondays and from 9am to 5pm between Tuesday and Sunday. The Castle is closed on 1 November 2024.
Apr 1 TO Oct 31 Timings Days (Apr 1 TO Oct 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Tuesday (Today) | 09:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Sunday | 12:30–17:00 | 16:00 |
Nov 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Nov 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Sunday | 12:30–16:00 | 15:00 |
Jan 1 TO Mar 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Mar 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Tuesday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Thursday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Friday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Saturday | 09:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Sunday | 12:30–16:00 | 15:00 |
- A few selected temporary exhibitions, such as ‘Long Live the King! Masterpieces from the Lanckoronski Collection’ and ‘Wawel Recovered,’ are open from 3 to 3:30 p.m. on Mondays.
- On 11 November, only the ‘Wawel Recovered’ and ‘Wawel Underground: The Lapidarium’ are open between 9am and 5pm.
Wawel Cathedral
Jan 1 TO Dec 31 Timings Days (Jan 1 TO Dec 31) | TIMINGS | Last Admission |
|---|---|---|
| Monday | 10:00–16:00 | 15:00 |
| Tuesday (Today) | 09:30–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Wednesday | 09:30–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Thursday | 09:30–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Friday | 09:30–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Saturday | 09:30–17:00 | 16:00 |
| Sunday | 09:30–17:00 | 16:00 |
Best time to visit the Wawel Royal Castle
Weekday vs Weekend
The Wawel Castle is one of Poland’s most important historic sites, drawing visitors from all over the globe. It is particularly busier on weekends, often resulting in longer lines for tickets and entry into popular exhibitions like the State Rooms, Royal Apartments, and the Crown Treasury. We recommend visiting on a weekday for a much quieter visit. Arrive early in the morning as the Castle opens from around 9am for comparatively empty grounds and fewer crowds in front of the exhibits.
Peak season vs low season
- July and August are the busiest months of the year. The Castle's opening hours are extended and summer views over the Vistula River and from Wawel Hill are stunning.
- The spring blossoms, during April and May make the castle grounds particularly scenic, with lighter crowds allowing you more time to enjoy the exhibitions. The crowds are also comparatively reduced during the fall months, between September and October.
- The Castle is coated in a heavy layer of snow during winter, especially around December and January, enhancing the site's historical ambiance. Some sections, however, may have reduced hours, such as the Dragon’s Den, which only opens from late spring through early fall.
