Kraków has a rhythm - from the morning hush of the Planty, through the midday bustle of the Main Market, to the golden light over the Vistula in the evening. Slow travel is a way of seeing that embraces contemplation, coffee breaks, conversations and time to notice details we miss when rushing from point to point. In a small group of 2-6 people it's easier to match the pace, dive into lesser-known nooks and stay longer where something is particularly interesting.
Small groups also bring practical advantages: you can make restaurant bookings faster, avoid long queues and adapt the route to participants' needs - for example the pace of older visitors, photo stops or extended time in a museum.
This guide shows how to combine the classics (Collegium Novum and its surroundings) with gentle routes, recommended cafés and practical tips so a day in Kraków stays memorable without leaving you exhausted.
Collegium Novum is the representative building of the Jagiellonian University, located at Gołębia 24. It was built in neo-Gothic style in the 1880s to designs by Feliks Księżarski and ceremonially opened at the end of the 19th century.
The red-brick façade, pointed-arch arcades and the coat of arms with Saint Stanislaus holding a shield with the Polish eagle make the building one of the most recognisable sights of the Old Town. Inside there are representative rooms including the Aula, which displays portraits of professors and a painting by Jan Matejko, while the first floor remembers the tragic events of 1939 - the arrests of professors during Sonderaktion Krakau, commemorated with a plaque and the story of clandestine teaching.
Today Collegium Novum houses university administration (the rectorate and deans' offices), but its interiors are sometimes open during events, lectures, exhibitions or special visits. For slow travel plan to allow time for this place: admire the façade, step briefly into the courtyard, listen to the stories and, if possible, visit the Aula during a lecture or ceremony.
Gołębia Street and its surroundings are a perfect place to start a calm walk: a short stroll through the Planty, a look at St. Anne's Church, a walk to Kanonicza Street with its atmospheric townhouses and hidden alleys, and a moment at Collegium Maius and the Jagiellonian University Museum if you feel like it.
History and architecture lovers should watch the details on the Collegium Novum façade - donors' coats of arms, neo-Gothic motifs and references to earlier university seats. For those who enjoy stories, recall the former student houses 'Filozofów' and 'Jerozolimska' that stood here before the new building was constructed.
A small group also has time to pop into a nearby café for a morning coffee and to plan the day - a simple recipe for sightseeing without haste.
Short morning route (2-3 hours): start at Collegium Novum and the Planty, stroll along Kanonicza Street, approach Wawel Hill from a quieter side and finish with a short walk along the Vistula boulevards. This is ideal for a first contact with the city when the streets are still relatively empty.
Afternoon route - Kazimierz and the boulevards (3-4 hours): a slow walk with pauses in chosen cafés, visits to the Old Synagogue or Remuh Cemetery if the group wishes, ending with dinner at one of Kazimierz's well-rated restaurants. Pace is adapted to the group: photo stops, historical stories and breaks to taste local food.
A full, deeper day (6-8 hours): morning in the Jagiellonian Botanical Garden, a slow walk through the Planty and Old Town with a stop at Collegium Novum, a longer lunch, afternoon at Manggha or a walk to Kopiec Krakusa, and an evening on the Vistula boulevards. For a small group this option is comfortable because it allows longer stops and changes of plan depending on the mood of participants.
Book days and times outside the busiest tourist peaks (prefer mornings or late afternoons). In summer the centre gets crowded from midday; slow travel works best earlier or later in the day.
Reservations for restaurants and some museums are often easier for small groups of 2-6 people than for larger tours, but it's still worth booking in advance - especially for dinner in popular places. The guide can help with bookings and planning breaks so no one is hungry or exhausted.
Dress in layers and wear comfortable shoes. Kraków's old streets have cobbles and uneven pavements; slow travel means a lot of walking, so good shoes and planned breaks are essential.
If someone in the group has limited mobility, make sure the route includes gentler alternatives. A small group gives flexibility - it's easy to stop on a bench, shorten a section or call a taxi for part of the route.
Morning coffee near Collegium Novum: choose cafés known for good coffee and comfortable seating - perfect for a calm start to the day. Many well-rated cafés and bakeries around the Old Town offer excellent coffee and pastries.
Lunch and dinner: Kraków has highly rated restaurants serving Polish and international cuisine - from places with traditional dishes to modern bistros. In Kazimierz it's wise to reserve a table in a popular venue that offers authentic flavours and a friendly atmosphere for intimate groups.
An evening with a view: end the day on the Vistula boulevards or at a restaurant with a terrace to sum up the walk and enjoy conversation. In a small group it's usually easier to get a window table or an outdoor spot, which makes the experience more pleasurable.
Architectural details of Collegium Novum - coats of arms, portraits and historical references - are often overlooked in a hurry. In slow travel it's worth pausing and telling a short story about each element.
Quiet courtyards and small gardens around the university are perfect for a break with thermoses or sandwiches - they let you feel the intimate character of the city even a few steps from the busiest sights.
Academic events, exhibitions and public lectures happen regularly - if you encounter one of these, the route can be adjusted to take advantage of the unique opportunity to see the interior of Collegium Novum or the Aula.
Trying to see 'everything' in one day. It's better to pick a few places and explore them more thoroughly - especially when you're in a small group. Quality of experience beats quantity of stops.
Skipping breaks and walking too fast. Plan 20-30 minute breaks every hour of walking - coffee, tea, a short story about the place or time for photos will prevent fatigue and keep a good pace.
Not checking interior availability. Not all rooms in historic buildings are open every day. If you want to see a lecture hall, an exhibition or the inside of the university, check dates in advance or arrange a visit with the guide.
Can you visit Collegium Novum from the inside every day? Interiors are open during events and lectures; to be sure it's best to check dates in advance or arrange a visit with a guide who knows current access options.
How much time does a small group need to calmly see the area around Collegium Novum? To slowly walk the immediate area, hear a short story about the building and have coffee, allow 1.5-2 hours. For an extended route including Wawel, the Planty and the boulevards, plan at least 4-6 hours.
Is the route suitable for seniors and families with children? Yes - simply adjust the pace and choose shorter stretches between breaks. Small groups make it easy to tailor the programme to participants' needs.
Before Collegium Novum stood university houses, including the famous 'Jerozolimska' - the name recalls historic endowments and university traditions.
The Aula of Collegium Novum is not only decorative - it has witnessed important events from academic ceremonies to dramatic moments during World War II. The commemoration of Sonderaktion Krakau reminds us how closely the university's history is tied to the city's fate.
Although called 'New' in its name, Collegium Novum was built to harmonise with the university's oldest buildings - hence many architectural references to Collegium Maius.
If you want to truly feel Kraków - give yourself time. Choose one of the suggested routes, leave room for improvisation and book pauses for coffee and conversation. A small group of 2-6 people is the best size for the city to reveal its hidden sides without pressure and queues.
If you would like help planning the route, making reservations and tailoring the programme to your needs, I can assist - the site zwiedzaniekrakowa.com has contact details for guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz). This warm, intimate guiding style is tailored to your group's size.
If you found the article useful - share it with friends or on social media, and if you are planning a visit to Kraków, write to me - I will help create the perfect route for your small group.
