Many people tend to dismiss Wawel Cathedral as just one of the many buildings in the castle complex, which would be a shame.

If churches don’t usually appeal to you, I’d make an exception here. Beneath the floor lie Polish kings and national heroes, the famous Sigismund Bell hangs overhead, and the individual chapels evoke nearly a thousand years of Polish history.

The cathedral operates separately from Wawel Royal Castle in terms of visitor access. A ticket to the castle is not valid here, and vice versa.

Find accommodation in the centre of Kraków

Allow about 60 minutes for the cathedral, the royal tombs and the climb up to Sigismund’s Bell.

Allow around 90 minutes for the Cathedral Museum. If you’re on a tight schedule, we’d recommend skipping the museum first, rather than the tombs.

What to see in the cathedral

The interior and chapels

From the outside, the cathedral looks predominantly Gothic, but inside it blends Gothic, Renaissance and striking Baroque styles. The centrepiece is the silver reliquary of Saint Stanislaus, one of Poland’s patron saints.

The most famous is Sigismund’s Chapel with its golden dome, which you’ll easily recognise from the courtyard.

It is one of the most valuable Renaissance buildings in Central Europe and also one of the most photogenic parts of the entire cathedral.

Royal tombs

For many visitors, the tombs are the highlight of the tour.

Sixteen Polish monarchs are buried in the cathedral.

You’ll also find the tomb of Saint Hedwig of Anjou and the final resting places of notable figures such as Tadeusz Kościuszko, Józef Piłsudski, General Władysław Sikorski, the poets Adam Mickiewicz and Juliusz Słowacki, and President Lech Kaczyński and his wife Maria.

You don’t need to know Polish history in detail. Even without that knowledge, the cool underground chambers and rows of royal sarcophagi have a very powerful atmosphere.

Sigismund’s Bell

The ticket also includes access to the tower housing Sigismund’s Bell, which rings only on the occasion of significant religious and state events.

Narrow wooden stairs lead to the top, and in places there is very little room.

The climb is therefore not suitable for travellers with reduced mobility. It’s not so much about the classic view of Kraków; the main attraction is the chance to see the enormous historic bell up close.

Cathedral and Archdiocesan Museum

The ticket also includes admission to the small Cathedral Museum and the Archdiocesan Museum at 19–21 Kanonicza Street, below Wawel.

The Cathedral Museum exhibits liturgical objects, royal regalia and artefacts associated with coronations. If such collections don’t particularly appeal to you, you needn’t feel guilty about skipping the museum. The cathedral, the tombs and the bell are more interesting.

The coronations of Polish kings

The first royal coronation took place in the cathedral in 1320, when Vladislav I Lokýtek ascended the throne here. Since then, almost all Polish kings have been crowned at Wawel, even after the royal court moved to Warsaw.

The last coronation at Wawel took place in 1734, when Augustus III and his wife, Maria Josepha of Habsburg, were crowned there.

As well as coronations, the cathedral also hosted royal weddings, christenings and funerals. Gradually, it therefore became not only the centre of the Polish Church, but also a kind of national pantheon.

Admission: do I need to book in advance?

A tourist ticket costs:

• 26 pln for adults
• 18 pln for children, students under 26 with an ISIC card and senior citizens over 65

The price includes admission to the cathedral, the royal tombs, Sigismund’s Bell, the Cathedral Museum and the Archdiocesan Museum. Guided tours of the Royal Castle are not included in the price.

You can also buy a ticket online via the official website. An online ticket is not tied to a specific time and is valid for 14 days from the date of purchase.

Online booking is not compulsory. There are no restrictions on entry, and you can always buy tickets on the spot without any problems.

Opening hours

From April to October:

• Monday to Saturday 9.00–17.00
• Sunday 12.30 pm–5.00 pm
• last ticket sales at 16:30

From November to March:

• Monday to Saturday 9.00 am–4.00 pm
• Sunday 12.30 pm–4.00 pm
• Last admission at 15:30

The Cathedral Museum is closed on Sundays and public holidays. The Archdiocesan Museum is closed on Mondays.

The cathedral is still an active church, so opening times may change due to services or significant events. Please therefore check the current times on the cathedral’s official website.

Photography is not permitted inside, with the exception of the area around the Sigismund Bell. Please also ensure your clothing covers your shoulders and back.

Architecture and history

The first cathedral was probably built shortly after the establishment of the Diocese of Kraków in the year 1000, but we do not know much about its appearance.

The subsequent Romanesque basilica, built at the turn of the 11th and 12th centuries and consecrated in 1142, is better documented. Parts of it that have survived include the crypt of Saint Leonard and the lower section of the south tower.

Following a fire in 1305, construction began on the present-day Gothic cathedral. The chancel was built between 1320 and 1346, with the nave and aisles following by 1364. Renaissance chapels were added later, and the interior underwent a significant transformation in the Baroque style. This is precisely why the cathedral does not appear to be a building from a single historical period.

You can find more detailed information in the cathedral’s history section on the official website.

How to get to the cathedral

It takes about 10 minutes to walk to the cathedral from the main square, Rynek Główny. The most pleasant route takes you along Grodzka and Kanonicza streets. From Kraków Główny main station, allow for a walk of approximately 20 minutes.

Public transport

The nearest stops are:

• Wawel, about a 5-minute walk uphill, tram lines 8, 13, 18 and 76
• Stradom, about a 5-minute walk, tram lines 8, 10, 13, 18, 22, 52 and 76

For information on tickets, apps and getting around the city, see the section on Transport in Kraków.

Accommodation near Wawel

The area between Wawel and the Main Square is ideal if you want to explore most of the sights on foot. However, expect higher prices than in more outlying neighbourhoods.

You’ll find a quieter atmosphere around Kanonicza Street, whilst heading towards Kazimierz will bring you closer to restaurants, bars and the nightlife.

Our article‘Accommodation in Kraków’ will help you choose a specific neighbourhood.

What to see around

Discover all the places to see in Krakow.