Cracow on a budget- Free museums (Updated: January 2024)

How to visit Krakow and not spend a penny

Many travelers want to dive into the life and atmosphere of the place they are visiting. That's what it should be about, not going somewhere to take a pretty picture for Instagram but to go deep into the atmosphere and history of the place we came to. 

One way to do this is to go to a museum, for example. I even recently wrote about TOP 10 Museums in Cracow, if you haven't seen it go see it. Many of us often travel on a $budget$ so as not to spend too much on a city break. Museum tickets cost money: not much but the money can be spent on something else after all.... A lovely date in Krakow's Market Square? A beer with colleagues? I'm not suggesting anything, just saying!

One way to save is to buy yourself a Krakow City Pass which makes visiting museums very financially simple, or you can do it like the locals who know when what museum is free.... Interested?

See where, on what days you can enter for free or cheaper:

Monday

Oskar Schindler's Museum Factory- Every Monday from 10:00am to 2:00pm Free tickets are available at the ticket office at the entrance, but they are limited si it is worth coming early because the museum is very popular. Last entrance - 1,5h before closing.

Wawel Castle- Every Monday, from 9:30am to 1pm, entry to some exhibitions (including the armoury) is free. Find out which exhibitions are free to visit. The tickets must be collected at the ticket office on the day of the visit. You will also enter the Cathedral for free The last entrance to the expositions is at 12:00 p.m.

Town Hall Tower- Every Monday from 10:00-18:00, last entry 30min before closing. Closed in the winter.

Old Synagogue- Every Monday from 10:00am to 2:00pm Tickets available at the box office on the day of the tour.

Amber Museum

Tuesday

Archaeological Museum – Nowa Huta Branice- Every Tuesday admission to the permanent exhibition is free.

Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology- Every Tuesday admission free of charge. Ticket entitles to enter all exhibitions.

Main Market Square Underground- Every Tuesday 10:00am - 2:00pm but It is not possible to book admission on days of free admission. Tickets are available at the box office on the day of the tour. The number of tickets is limited.

Polish Aviation Museum- Every Tuesday 10:00am - 5:00pm is free.

The Main Building of the National Museum- Free admission on Tuesdays to the permanent exhibition from 10.00am to 6.00pm.

The Princes Czartoryski Museum (Lady with Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci)- Tuesdays are the days of free entry to permanent exhibitions at the museum. You can also visit museum online! Three tour routes are available:
The Czartoryski Halls
The Art of Rembrandt and the Lady with an Ermine
Medieval Art

also Museum of Photography in Krakow MuFo, Ethnographic Museum, Krzysztofory Palace - Krakow Museum...

Wednesday

Museum of the Podgórze - Krakow Museum

Muzeum UJ Collegium Maius- Wednesdays between 1:00m and 4:00pm (last entry at 3:30).

Museum and Centre of the Scout Movement - Krakow Museum

Underground Nowa Huta. Shelter under the Mechanical School Complex

Thursday

MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow- On Thursdays, admission to the MOCAK Collection exhibitions on level -1 is free, also discounted tickets for temporary exhibitions.

Dominican Museum

On the other days 

Wieliczka Saltworks Museum- Free admision at every Saturday

Home Army Museum- Free admision at every Sunday

Kościuszko Mound- 4th February, 24th March, 15th October 

Museum Night when almost all museums are free in 2024 is at May 18!

As you can see for yourself there are a lot of these museums, and that's still not all of them! Go through the list and pick something for yourself, I'm sure you'll find something perfect to see. Have a great visit travellers!