The Hipolit tenement is one of those houses on the Main Market Square that tells a short but colorful story of everyday life among Kraków’s well-off burghers. Several rooms recreate interiors from the 17th to the 19th century — from a small study, through an impressive dining room, to a “collector’s room” full of clocks and trinkets. A visit offers a perfect contrast after strolling the open spaces of the square: inside you’ll feel the intimate atmosphere of old homes and see how private life looked for Kraków families in earlier times. It’s also a great place to start or finish a short route around the Old Town with friends.
The permanent exhibition shows arranged bourgeois interiors: studies, parlors, bedrooms and dining rooms furnished with pieces and details from different eras. Pay attention to the stucco décor and the collection of clocks, which impresses even those not particularly interested in mechanics. Temporary exhibitions are often held on the ground floor and in the cellars, so on another visit you may discover something new. The tenement is located right next to St. Mary’s Church, which makes it easy to continue your route around the Market Square and the winding streets of the Old Town after you leave.
Start by agreeing on pace and expectations: do you want a “tourist” pace (lots of photos, stops for coffee) or a more “in-depth” pace (more time in museums)? Set a meeting point and approximate time frame, especially if you plan to enter museums. Buying tickets in advance saves stress — particularly when your time is limited. Divide roles: one person keeps track of the time and tickets, another takes group photos, someone else manages the route in the app. This lets everyone focus on discovering rather than logistics.
Remember breaks for food and rest — Kraków’s cafés and bars are close to the Market and Kazimierz. Also plan a “plan B” for rain: museums, spacious cafés or short workshops make good alternatives.
The most important features of a useful group sightseeing app are: the ability to download maps for offline use, geolocation-activated audio guides, easy sharing of routes and points, ticket reservation options and gamification features (if you want a city-game style experience).
Audio and offline maps — apps that offer downloadable recordings and maps let you focus on the surroundings instead of the screen. This is especially handy when some people want to walk at their own pace while others prefer to listen to the story about a place.
Planning and sharing routes — look for apps that let you save a route and share it via a link or directly in the app; this helps synchronize the group and avoid getting lost.
Reservations and tickets — apps that sell museum and attraction tickets sometimes offer priority entry or e‑tickets, which is useful for groups to avoid queues.
Interactive city games — if you want the visit to be playful, look for city-game apps (for example, Actionbound or local solutions) that guide you to designated points with tasks and team rankings. This is a great option for friend groups and team-building.
Audio apps (iTour, VoiceMap and similar) work great when you want to listen to stories “live” without reading long texts. Put on headphones and move between points according to the map.
Apps with downloadable maps and routes (GPSmyCity, GuideXP or Kraków guide-type apps) are useful when you want to explore independently but need precise navigation and descriptions of sights. Download content before you go to use it offline.
Ticket and attraction platforms — use them to buy entry to popular places in advance; in a group you can purchase several entries ahead of time and share the information among participants.
City-game apps (Actionbound, local game organizers) turn sightseeing into a competition with tasks, photos and quizzes. It’s a fun way to learn about the city in a relaxed format — ideal for groups of friends.
Extra communication tools: use a shared chat (WhatsApp, Telegram) for quick coordination, sending screenshots from the map and sharing meeting points.
Before you leave: download maps and routes for offline use, get the necessary audio files and make sure everyone has location services enabled. Bring a powerbank — constant GPS use drains phones quickly.
On site: set checkpoints (for example a statue or café) where everyone meets every 30–60 minutes, especially if the group spreads out. The person responsible for navigation should have the route points saved in the app.
If you use an audio guide, bring headphones and be mindful of other visitors — lower the volume in museums and churches. When using city-game apps, pay attention to your surroundings and avoid blocking pedestrian traffic.
After touring, stop for coffee or a meal at one of the tried-and-true places near the Market and Kazimierz. Timeless recommendations include: Cafe Camelot (a cozy café with atmospheric interiors), Massolit Books & Cafe (for book lovers and good espresso), Restauracja Pod Aniołami (traditional cuisine in a historic setting) and Wierzynek (the historic Market Square restaurant for a more formal experience). If you prefer a quicker, casual meal — the Market and Kazimierz offer many small bistros and bars with local snacks. It’s always a good idea to check current reviews in a review app before you go.
In Old Town tenements you’ll often find details from different eras: portals combining Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque elements in one building are common. The Hipolit House preserved elements from the 14th century (cellars, portals) alongside stucco decorations and interiors that show changing tastes in interior design over the centuries.
City museums sometimes hide local “treats”: small, amusing exhibits, and even museum cats or other informal touches that make the visit more enjoyable for the whole group. These little details often stay in memory more than long descriptions.
Not downloading maps for offline use — central coverage is usually good, but on certain routes and during peak tourist times the internet can be unreliable. Download maps and routes before you leave.
An overly ambitious plan for one day — Kraków tempts you, but it’s better to plan fewer attractions and more breaks. Quality over racing through a “must-see” list.
No backup power source — a powerbank is a must for groups using several apps at once.
Undefined meeting points — without them the group easily scatters. Agree on clear meeting places and times at set intervals.
Do I need to reserve tickets to the Hipolit House in advance? — If you plan a specific date and time (especially with a larger group), it’s worth checking availability and considering a reservation. Weekends and cultural events can increase visitor numbers.
Will audio apps replace a live guide? — Apps give great flexibility and let you move at your own pace, but they cannot fully replace the interaction of a live guide who can answer questions and tailor the narrative to the group. If you value live discussion and spontaneous stories, consider booking a guide as an additional option.
How to get around Kraków? — The city center is best explored on foot. For longer distances use trams and buses; local timetables and public transport apps will help with planning connections.
What about accessibility for people with reduced mobility? — Increasingly many apps and institutions provide accessibility information. Always check the place description or the museum information in advance to see if there are elevators, ramps and adapted restrooms.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — helpful tips make travel easier for everyone. If you want to explore Kraków in a more intimate way with an itinerary tailored to your group, you are warmly invited to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details and further information are available on her website. Good luck with planning and enjoy exploring Kraków with your friends!
