Wawel Hill
Now you can visit the Wawel hill completely free of charge. During the opening hours of the hill’s gates, you can enter the observation deck, view the Thief Tower and Sandomierz Tower from the outside. Also, both courtyards are available completely free of charge. It is also worth going down to the Vistula boulevards, where there is a sculpture of the Wawel Dragon breathing fire. In addition, if you are interested in the interior of the royal castle on certain days of the week you can visit some of the exhibitions for free. You need to pick up a free pass at the ticket office, the tour is done individually, without a guide.
The Playing Clock in Collegium Maius
A much-loved attraction for tourists. The courtyard of the museum is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The Playing Clock is started every two odd hours: at 9:00 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. In addition, you can visit the museum’s main exhibition free of charge (without a guide) on Wednesdays from 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. (last entry at 3:30 p.m.). Right next to the museum is the Professor’s Garden, available free of charge from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.
Dominican Museum
The newly opened museum in the cloisters of the Dominican monastery at 12 Stolarska Street is free. On the other hand, it is necessary to reserve a free entrance ticket for a certain hour. This can be done by email or through the museum’s website. The exhibition is open on Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., on Fridays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You need to reserve about 40 minutes to visit the exhibition on your own. You can arrange a guided tour of the museum.
St. Mary’s bugle call
Another attraction also completely free of charge. Don’t be fooled by various con artists into thinking that you have to chip in for the trumpeter. Moreover, the St. Mary’s bugle call is one of the most important and oldest symbols of Krakow. The bugler trumpets around the clock, every equal full hour, always to the four directions of the world. First he plays for the king, the second trumpeting is for the city authorities, the third time he turns towards the Floriańska Gate, and the fourth signal is directed towards the Small Market Square.
Krakow’s mounds
Mounds are monuments inextricably linked to Krakow. Of the four that exist, three can be visited free of charge. These are the Mound of Wanda in Mogiła, the Mound of Krak (Kraka) in Podgórze and the Mound of Pilsudski in Wolski Forest. On the other hand, you can see the Kosciuszko Mound along with the museum for free three times a year on February 4 (Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s birthday), March 24 – the day of Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s oath in the Krakow market square and at the same time the outbreak of the Kosciuszko Insurrection in 1794, and October 15, the day of Tadeusz Kosciuszko’s death. On the other days of the year, an entrance ticket is required.
National Museum
For lovers of the collections and collections of the National Museum in Krakow, I have good news. You will visit all permanent exhibitions on Tuesday, which is a free admission day. You can admire the collection of the Princes Czartoryski, visit the biographical museums, namely the Matejko House and the Mehoffer Museum. In addition, a new edition of the Wyspianski Museum opened on February 14, and on the first floor of the Cloth Hall you can admire the most valuable Polish paintings and sculptures.
Museum of Krakow
The Museum of Cracow also took care of its tourists and prepared free days in its branches. The downside is that it’s a different day for each branch, so it’s best to check the schedule on the website before visiting. For example, you will visit the Old Synagogue for free on Monday. On the other hand, on Tuesday you should go to the Market Square Underground or the Krzysztofory Palace. On the other hand, on Wednesday you will visit Rydlowka, the Hipolit Tenement House, the Eagle Pharmacy and the Podgórze Museum for free.
Summary
If you are planning a school trip in Cracow and you care about a certain museum, it is worth adjusting the program to the free days. In addition, when arranging your tour, you can ask your guide what he suggests instead of a paid attraction. The richness of Krakow’s sights makes it possible to prepare different variants of a given tour also for low-budget groups.