The Royal Route — the classic path from the Old Town to Wawel — gives an excellent overview of Kraków in a short time: a walk outdoors can be done in about 2–2.5 hours, while if you decide to enter interiors (St. Mary’s Basilica, the Wawel State Rooms, the market cellars), plan for 4–6 hours or a full day. It’s a great base for building an inexpensive but rewarding city trip.
If you want to save money, focus on walking the historic streets, the Planty and the Vistula boulevards, choose cheaper street snacks and small cafés away from the most touristy spots — Kraków offers plenty of pleasant breaks without big bills.
Below you’ll find a simple route, ideas for inexpensive coffee and sweet stops, and practical tips to make sightseeing easier and keep costs under control.
Start: Matejko Square (Plac Matejki). This is a convenient starting point on the southern edge of the city centre — from here it’s easy to join the Royal Route and begin the story of Kraków. - Next: the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate (Brama Floriańska); Floriańska Street leads straight to the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny). - At the Market Square: stop by the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), admire St. Mary’s Basilica from the outside and soak up the atmosphere. A short break here is a classic.
Gently: Grodzka and Kanonicza streets will take you to Wawel Hill — stroll the castle courtyard, see the Wawel Dragon and view the cathedral’s exterior façades.
Time: a walk without entering interiors takes about 2–2.5 hours. If you plan to go inside (for example St. Mary’s Basilica, the Wawel rooms or the market cellars), add a few hours and check opening times and ticket availability in advance.
Extension: in the afternoon or on a second day, head to Kazimierz — its synagogues, atmospheric lanes and Plac Nowy with small snacks — and optionally Podgórze (Zabłocie, Oskar Schindler Factory) for a different perspective on the city.
1) Walk and enjoy the sights from outside — most of Kraków’s charm comes from its streets, squares and views, which are free. - 2) Choose smaller venues and cafés outside the strict centre — coffee and cake are often cheaper there, and the atmosphere can be just as pleasant. - 3) Instead of lunches in tourist restaurants, consider a milk bar (bar mleczny), a food truck or a small bistro — a good, cheap meal is often available for little money. - 4) If you plan museums or a Wawel visit, check in advance which exhibitions have free entry times or reduced tickets; booking online can also save time and stress. - 5) Buy a bottle of water and snacks at a market or shop before a long walk — small cost, big convenience.
Also: buy a public-transport ticket only if you plan to cover longer distances; the centre is very walkable and moving between most attractions doesn’t take long.
Season note: in high season (weekends, holidays, summer) queues for interiors and restaurants are longer — choosing early morning or late afternoon visits can help you avoid crowds and save a little.
Kraków has a rich café scene: from historic coffee houses to modern specialty cafés. Below are ideas in three categories: budget, comfortable and atmospheric. - Budget: look for small spots with takeaway coffee and homemade cakes, or grab an obwarzanek from a street stall — cheap and local. - Comfortable (moderate budget): cafés such as Charlotte (French-style bakery), Massolit Books & Café (bookshop café) or Cafe Camelot offer good coffee and cakes in a pleasant atmosphere without excessive prices. - Atmospheric (you may pay more, but it’s an experience): historic cafés in the centre and cafés near the Cloth Hall or Market Square give a unique setting for a coffee and dessert.
Sweet must-tries: kremówka (especially the “papal” version — a Kraków classic) and seasonal local pastries. If you want a quick bite, look for small patisseries and bakeries — a fresh pastry and a cup of coffee perfectly complement sightseeing.
Tip: if you want to sit in the centre, choose cafés in side streets — the atmosphere is often nicer and prices lower than right on the Market Square. Kazimierz, Zabłocie and the Planty area are great places for a break away from the crowds.
08:30 - Start at Matejko Square. A short introduction to the route and a walk toward St. Florian’s Gate. - 09:00 - Stop on Floriańska Street: takeaway espresso or a quick pastry at a nearby café. - 10:00 - Walk the Main Market Square, photos by the Cloth Hall, admire St. Mary’s Basilica’s façade. Short break for a kremówka or an obwarzanek. - 12:30 - Light lunch at a milk bar or small bistro near Kazimierz; then stroll through Kazimierz and Plac Nowy. - 15:00 - Coffee and cake in a Kazimierz café or on the Planty — a moment of rest. - 16:30 - Walk to Wawel, explore the courtyards and enjoy the Vistula views. Evening: a light supper in a local pub or snacks from a food truck.
This plan can be shortened or stretched: if you have only a few hours, focus on the Market Square and Wawel; if you have a full day, add small museums or enter some interiors (buy tickets in advance).
Budget-wise: the coffee breaks and snacks listed can be done for little money if you choose venues outside the most touristy spots and opt for takeaway coffee or a simple pastry instead of a large dessert in a pricey café.
Is it worth booking museum and Wawel tickets? - Yes: if you want to enter popular interiors, booking online saves time and usually lets you plan your visit for specific hours. If you prefer to save, limit paid entries and focus on the sights from outside.
Where to find a cheap meal? - Milk bars, small bistros or food trucks around the Market and Kazimierz are good options. Shops and bakeries also offer cheap snacks like obwarzanek, sandwiches or pastries.
How to avoid crowds? - Early mornings and late afternoons are usually quieter. Weekends and high season bring the biggest crowds at the Market, so plan outside peak hours if you prefer less busy times.
Do I need comfortable shoes? - Definitely. The Old Town has a lot of cobblestones and walking — comfortable footwear will make the day much more pleasant.
Are there public toilets in Kraków? - Yes, but many are paid or located inside cafés and restaurants; it’s useful to carry small change or use a café toilet when you buy a drink.
What about safety and behaviour? - Kraków is generally safe, but as in any tourist city keep an eye on personal belongings in crowds and respect the rules of worship in sacred places (appropriate dress, quiet).
- To feel the true Kraków café vibe, look for places with books, vinyl or local crafts — these are often memorable stops. - Kremówka and obwarzanek are quick local treats worth trying even on a budget. - The Planty and the Vistula boulevards are ideal free spots to rest with a view after an intense walk. - Keep a small amount of cash for tiny purchases and toilets — not all places accept cards for very small amounts. - If you plan many paid attractions, consider spreading them across several days so you don’t overload your budget at once.
Enjoy your visit! Kraków is a city that invites returns — even a short, inexpensive walk with a few tasty breaks can leave wonderful memories. If you’d like, I can prepare a detailed step‑by‑step route for 3, 6 or 10 hours including specific cafés and spots for breaks.
