A route that combines an electric melex tour of the historic Old Town with a short guided walk and a visit to the Market Square Underground Museum is a great way to see the highlights and feel the city’s atmosphere in about 3 hours. The melex lets you move efficiently between top sights without tiring walks, while the Underground reveals a thousand years of Kraków’s history literally beneath our feet.
This option is ideal for visitors with limited time, families with children, seniors or anyone who wants a comfortable visit without sacrificing the quality of a guide’s storytelling. Combined with commentary from a licensed guide the tour becomes clear, vivid and logistically easy to manage.
0:00-0:10 - brief welcome and quick introduction: route overview, safety rules, and practical tips on what to bring.
0:10-1:10 - melex ride around the Old Town: the Barbican, St. Florian’s Gate, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica, a drive around the Market Square and a panorama view of Wawel. During the ride the guide shares key anecdotes and points out places you may want to explore on your own later.
1:10-1:30 - short stop for photos and to stretch legs (you can grab a coffee at a nearby café).
1:30-3:00 - entrance to the Market Square Underground Museum and tour of the exhibition: archaeological finds, sections of medieval street paving, reconstructions of market stalls and stories about everyday life of Kraków’s former residents.
Guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) conducts the tour with a license for the Market Square Underground, ensuring the narrative blends reliable facts with local legends and curiosities.
The exhibition beneath the Cloth Hall reveals remains of medieval streets, traces of stalls and workshops, and fragments of the old water system. Original artifacts are paired with multimedia displays - maps, projections and reconstructions that help understand how everyday life looked centuries ago.
Particularly interesting are well-preserved sections of 14th-century paving, remains of so-called “rich stalls” and discoveries from the pre-location necropolis that shed light on old religious practices and burial customs. The exhibition often surprises with small, amusing interactive details that appeal to visitors of all ages.
Booking: it’s best to reserve the Market Square Underground visit and the melex ride in advance, especially during the high season and on weekends. Some sites limit group size - book ahead to avoid disappointment.
Duration: the full program is planned for about 3 hours - the guide will adapt the pace to the group. The Underground visit usually takes around 1-1.5 hours.
Weather and clothing: the melex is an open (covered) vehicle, so bring warmer clothing on cool days; in summer wear sunscreen and sunglasses. It’s cooler underground - comfortable shoes and a light extra layer are recommended.
Tickets and discounts: museum and attraction prices change; reduced tickets are often available for pupils, students and seniors. If you plan to use discounts, bring the appropriate ID.
Cafés and small bistros around the Market Square are perfect for a short break. Popular and well-loved spots include - Cafe Camelot (artistic atmosphere, close to the Market), - Tea Time (near the Cloth Hall, known for good cakes), - Charlotte (fresh bakery products and a French-style atmosphere).
If you prefer something more traditionally Polish, consider a small place with pierogi or zapiekanki in Kazimierz after the official route ends. The guide can recommend locally tested venues tailored to your group’s preferences.
Beneath the Market Square archaeologists discovered remains of settlements and burials dating back to the 11th century - a reminder that the modern Square covers very distant layers of history.
Fragments of medieval transport systems and parts of the old municipal weighing system survive underground - a sign of how important trade was in Kraków’s development.
Many ordinary buildings you see above ground today (townhouses, stalls) often have unexpected earlier counterparts discovered beneath the Market Square’s pavement.
Not booking in advance - especially in season - can mean long waits or no availability in the Underground. - How to avoid: reserve a slot a few days ahead and contact the guide early for larger groups.
Wearing uncomfortable shoes - part of the route involves walking. - How to avoid: choose comfortable closed footwear; the Underground can be cool and sometimes damp.
Expecting the melex to be a purely 'fast' ride - melex tours are also a chance for storytelling and short stops. - How to avoid: agree with the guide in advance about photo stops and must-see locations.
Is the route suitable for children? - Yes. The melex and the Underground exhibition usually interest children, although the guide can adjust pace and commentary length to the ages of participants.
Is the route accessible for people with limited mobility? - The melex part is comfortable; access to the Underground may be limited due to stairs and underground conditions. Please contact the guide before booking to discuss needs and possible accommodations.
How many seats does a melex have? - Melex vehicles have a limited number of seats; groups can use multiple vehicles or plan a smaller route. It’s best to confirm details when booking.
If you only have 2 hours - focus on a melex tour of the Old Town with a shorter photo stop and time reserved for an external view of Wawel Castle’s terrace. If you can extend to 4 hours - add a coffee break and a short walk through Kazimierz after the official route.
The guide can also propose a private version with a more flexible plan - for example visiting the Schindler Factory instead of part of the melex route if the group prefers to explore on foot. Details can be arranged when booking.
If you want to explore Kraków comfortably, combine surface highlights with a deeper dive into history and be sure of an accurate narrative - consider the melex + Market Square Underground route with licensed guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz). I run licensed tours with many years of experience and take care of pacing, safety and a pleasant group atmosphere.
If you found this article useful - share it on social media or send it to friends. When you’re ready to book or have questions - the guide’s contact details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com - I look forward to your message and to touring together!
