Polonia Wax Museum in Kraków

The Polonia Wax Museum at ul. Floriańska 32, on the route between the Main Market Square and St Florian's Gate, displays wax figures of politicians, clergy, athletes, actors and fictional characters. It has earned an unusual reputation: many visitors come not for realism but for the comical likenesses, and the media have dubbed it "the best worst museum in the world". It is an option for a rainy day and for tongue-in-cheek photos.

Who you will meet

The figures include Polish personalities – Pope John Paul II, basketball player Marcin Gortat and General Wojciech Jaruzelski – as well as global stars: Beyoncé, Mick Jagger, John Lennon, Marilyn Monroe, Will Smith, Bruce Willis and Mr Bean. Pop-culture heroes such as Spider-Man and SpongeBob are here too. The museum notes that it changes the display from time to time and moves figures between Kraków and its branch in Zakopane (ul. Krupówki 60), so the line-up may differ from the photos online.

Fame as the "worst" museum

The exhibition caused a stir from the first days after opening, and in late 2024 it made headlines again thanks to a post by a British tourist in a Facebook group for visitors to Kraków. The media described out-of-proportion bodies, heads too small or too large and odd facial expressions. Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May also visited while filming "The Grand Tour" – the figures of Donald Trump, Elvis Presley and Prince William and Kate clearly amused them.

Tripto tips

According to the official website, the museum is open Monday to Thursday 10:00–22:00 and Friday and Saturday 10:00–23:00; Sunday hours are not given, so it is worth checking by phone. The price list on the website, valid since July 2022: standard ticket PLN 59, reduced PLN 49, group (more than 9 people) PLN 33 per person; promotions are offered, especially at weekends. 30–45 minutes is enough for a visit. Reviewers are often critical of the value for money, so go expecting entertainment rather than a museum in the classic sense.