Florianska Gate is a natural starting point of the Royal Route — a well-preserved city gate leading straight onto Florianska Street and onward to the Main Market Square. Starting here lets you hear stories about medieval fortifications, see the Barbican and step immediately into Krakow’s historic heart.
Three hours is enough to enjoyably and unhurriedly see the main sights of the Old Town and Wawel Hill — with short stops, a few stories, photos and a coffee along the way. This plan combines a tram ride into the city center with a walking route through the most interesting spots, saving time and energy.
Tip: come by tram to the center (stops near the Planty or the Main Railway Station are convenient) — getting off close to Florianska Gate means you can start the tour right away without searching for a meeting point.
The tram is a fast way to reach the city center without traffic jams or the hassle of parking. After getting off, most key attractions are close enough to walk between, so the rest of the route is on foot — this allows easy stops for curiosities, side streets and photos.
Using the tram also gives flexibility for arrival and return — after three hours you can go back to your accommodation or continue to Kazimierz or approach Wawel from a different direction; public transport offers many options. In practice this means more time for stories and less on logistics.
If you prefer minimal walking, arrange to arrive by tram directly at the meeting spot. If you want to feel the city, plan short walking sections between points.
Times and order can be adjusted to the time of day and the group’s pace. Below is a sample plan with approximate time for each point:
0–10 min: Meeting at Florianska Gate and short introduction — map overview, curiosities about the city walls and the Gate’s role in Krakow’s history.
10–25 min: The Barbican and Florianska Street — stories about the city’s defense, the Matejko House, Jama Michalika (from the outside), and first anecdotes about Florianska Street.
25–60 min: Main Market Square — Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica (overview of the Veit Stoss altar and the legend of the bugle call), the Town Hall Tower and everyday life on the square; time for photos and to get your bearings.
60–80 min: Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets — walk toward Wawel, stories about canons, the most beautiful townhouses and secrets of the street that leads to the castle.
80–120 min: Wawel Hill — castle courtyard, the cathedral (overview of the crypts and burial traditions), Dragon’s Den (from the outside) and a panoramic view of the Vistula River.
120–180 min: Final options — a short coffee or local snack break; for those interested a quick tram ride to Kazimierz or a return to the starting point.
Tram tickets: buy only through official channels — ticket machines at stops, kiosks or official city apps. A single short ticket is usually enough for a trip into the center and a short return; check fares and zones before travel.
Entry to interiors: not all attractions on the route are free — entry to the basilica, some Wawel exhibitions or museums may require tickets and can have queues. If you want to enter (for example the St. Mary’s tower or the Royal Chambers), tell the guide in advance so time or tickets can be reserved.
Meeting the guide: place and time are agreed individually — usually meeting at Florianska Gate or a tram stop near the Planty is most convenient. Contact and booking options for Małgorzata Kasprowicz are arranged via her booking details.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, a lightweight rain jacket (weather can change), a bottle of water and a camera/phone for photos. In summer use sunscreen; in winter bring a warm hat and gloves.
If you want to eat after the tour or take a short break, nearby classic places worth visiting around the Market Square and Wawel include Szara (on the Market Square) — refined cuisine in the center, Wierzynek — a historic restaurant with long tradition, and Pod Aniołami (Grodzka Street) — Polish flavors in a historic setting. For coffee: the atmospheric cafés around the Square or smaller, quieter cafés in side streets.
For quick street food, Nowy Square in Kazimierz is reachable in a 10–15 minute walk from Wawel — here you’ll find zapiekanki and cozy bars if you want a longer break after the tour. The guide can recommend places matched to your culinary preferences.
Note: in summer popular restaurants can be busy — it’s wise to reserve a table, especially for dinner.
The St. Mary’s bugle call breaks off abruptly to commemorate the trumpeter who was shot during an alarm — it’s one of Krakow’s most recognizable traditions.
Florianska Gate and the Barbican are among the best-preserved parts of a medieval defensive system in Central Europe — walking these walls you can imagine how a siege of the city looked centuries ago.
On Kanonicza Street there are tiny, often overlooked details: old bay windows, stone plaques and quiet courtyards that once served as residents’ little ‘comfort zones’ away from the market bustle. These are the places where the guide will tell lesser-known stories.
Trying to see “everything” in a short time — result: rushing and no enjoyment. Solution: prioritize 2–3 places you want to explore more deeply and treat the rest as an overview.
Buying tickets from unofficial sellers or clicking on suspicious online offers — solution: use official ticket offices or the attraction’s official website or app.
Ignoring opening hours and entry breaks (especially at the cathedral and Wawel) — solution: check opening times in advance or ask the guide to help plan visits.
Are 3 hours enough to get to know Krakow? For a quick, satisfying overview — yes. If you want to enter all interiors and museums, plan half a day or a full day.
Is the route difficult on foot? The route follows mostly flat Old Town streets with short climbs to Wawel — it requires moderate fitness and comfortable shoes.
Can the route start from Kazimierz or the railway stations? Yes — the route can be reversed or started from other points in the city; trams and public transport make reaching the starting point easy.
Krakow in three hours is an ideal option for short stays — full of atmosphere, history and a few memorable highlights. With a good plan, a tram ride and a licensed guide, this short tour can be both efficient and enjoyable.
If you liked this guide — share it on social media or send it to friends. If you want to explore Krakow with a local licensed guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz will happily tailor a tour to your expectations. Thank you for reading and see you in Krakow!
