Floriańska Street is one of Kraków’s most recognizable arteries: it runs from the Florian Gate straight to the Main Market Square, and its historic tenement facades and street lamps create a very photogenic backdrop. At sunset the light softly wraps the façades, the air feels full of the city’s history, and the lively Market is just around the corner - a great mix of architecture and atmosphere that photographers and large groups alike appreciate when making a mood-filled group photo. At the same time, bear in mind this is a central, often busy area - this guide helps you plan a successful session for 30–60 people without chaos and stress.
Floriańska has several “micro-places” that work particularly well during the golden hour: the approach from the Florian Gate, spots with views toward the Market, and side passages leading to the Planty and the Barbican - each of these points will give a different effect in photos, so it’s worth planning a few frames along the route. Later sections describe concrete spots and suggested session flows for a large group.
The Florian Gate and the Barbican are historic parts of the city’s northern defenses; Floriańska links that gate to the Main Market Square, and the Planty form a park ring around the Old Town. Because of this the area offers a variety of scenery within a few hundred meters: from monumental gates and walls, through picturesque tenement façades, to the green alleys of the Planty and views of the Cloth Hall. That variety is an asset for a group - you can change backgrounds without long walks.
In practice this also means varying levels of foot traffic: the stretch by the Market is usually the busiest, while it’s calmer closer to the Florian Gate and in side alleys or in the Planty. The choice of spot depends on the look you want - the iconic Market gives a classic shot, while side nooks and the Planty offer a more intimate and orderly background.
Gates and entrances - the area around the Florian Gate and the Barbican: great for group photos with a historic accent; the wide gate portal provides natural framing and allows several rows of people without blocking movement at the most sensitive points.
Middle section of Floriańska - tenement façades and street lamps: here light and texture play together, an ideal setting for portrait-style group photos against architecture. Use the symmetry of the cobbles and the tall buildings on both sides of the street.
Entrance to the Market - Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica in the background: if you want the classic “heart of the city” shot, place the group at the edge of the Market or slightly stepping down toward Floriańska; remember this is where most passersby are, so plan quick takes.
Planty and side alleys - a quieter, greener background: a short walk to the Planty park gives calmer, green backdrops at sunset. This is good for smaller subgroups or when you want a series of photos in different moods.
Riverside boulevards and the Bernatka Footbridge - Wawel panorama at sunset: if you want river and castle in the frame, plan a short transfer or walk to the Vistula boulevards; this is an excellent option for a group photo with a city panorama and warm reflections on the water.
Alternatives away from the crowds - Krakus Mound and Zakrzówek: for very large groups that need space and don’t mind a short ride, the city mounds and Zakrzówek offer spectacular views and plenty of room to arrange 30–60 people with the sunset behind them.
Set a clear plan and assign roles: group leader, time coordinator, a person responsible for safety and someone to do the final headcount. With this many people a schedule and clear communication save time and nerves.
Arrive early - at least 30–45 minutes before sunset: the golden hour is short; allow time for quick test setups, instructions for participants and any position corrections. Arranging a large group takes more time than you might expect.
Divide into subgroups and rotate: instead of arranging all 60 people several times, consider splitting into 2–3 subgroups (for example 20–30 people) that pose sequentially at different backgrounds. That way everyone gets several different frames and movement is smoother.
Mind safety and pedestrian flow: don’t block narrow sidewalks or passageways; placing part of the group in a gate or on an adjacent square creates nice frames without disrupting public transit. At peak times choose spots nearer the Florian Gate or the Planty, which are less crowded than the Market itself.
If you plan commercial photos or drone use, check rules and possible permits: the city center has restrictions, and for larger events it’s worth getting permission from the site owner or local authorities. For a casual souvenir session sensible planning and not obstructing foot traffic is usually enough.
The golden hour is key - position the photographer so the sun is slightly to the side or behind the group; even, soft light reduces harsh shadows and flatters faces. Use a wide-angle lens, but not too wide to avoid distorting people at the edges of the frame.
Use levels and staggered rows: arrange people in two or three rows, on a small rise, steps or a slight slope so everyone is visible. Small platforms or portable risers help organize a large group.
Plan composition with breathing room: leave some space above heads and at the sides for cropping. For group shots consider several variants: a wide shot, a mid-frame and some portraits of smaller subgroups.
Supplementary lighting: in lower light bring a flash with a diffuser or LED panels; for groups this size reflectors to soften light can be useful. If shooting with phones, consider apps that allow manual exposure control.
Quick session (45–60 minutes): gather the group by the Florian Gate, take a wide shot of the whole group, move quickly to a section of Floriańska with lamps and take one portrait-style shot. Ideal when your schedule is tight and you want 2–3 strong photos.
Standard plan (2 hours): start at the Florian Gate for a group photo, walk to the Planty for a green backdrop, continue toward the Market for a shot with the Cloth Hall, finish on the Vistula boulevards near sunset with the castle in the background - three distinct atmospheres without long vehicle transfers.
Outbound plan (3+ hours, more spacious): instead of staying in the center, go to Krakus Mound or Zakrzówek - there you have space and panorama, perfect for a full-group shot with the sunset behind. Allow time for transport and brief on-site organization.
Blocking pedestrian flow and lacking a placement plan: solve this by preparing a “who stands where” plan before you leave and appointing people to manage lines. This makes shoots efficient and prevents inconveniencing passersby.
Arriving at the last minute: the golden hour goes fast and arranging 30–60 people takes time. Solution: come 30–45 minutes early for a rehearsal and test frames so the main session is quick and calm.
Neglecting acoustics and communication: on a busy street it’s hard to direct a large group; have loud but polite commands or a simple signaling system (for example short leader calls, numbered signs for subgroups). For extra comfort consider a microphone or megaphone if necessary.
After the session it’s nice to rest in well-rated spots - for coffee or cake near the Old Town try Massolit Bakery and Cafe Botanica, both known for quality and atmosphere. On Kazimierz check local cuisine venues, and if the group needs a bigger reception consider booking a restaurant with a spacious dining room - advance reservation is key for 30–60 people.
If you want to end the evening with a view, look for restaurants or bars with terraces near the Market or along the Vistula - many can host larger groups with good notice. Ask for recommendations and reserve places with strong reviews, especially in the tourist season.
Do we need a permit for group photos in the center? For non-commercial, souvenir photos you usually don’t need formal permission, but for large laid-out setups, use of sound equipment or commercial shoots it’s worth checking local guidelines and contacting site administration.
Can we fly a drone over the Old Town? Drones are often restricted in central areas; before planning a drone shoot always check current regulations and any required permissions - safety and aviation rules come first.
How to get from the main train station? The Old Town and Floriańska are an easy walk from the Main Station - typically a ten to twenty minute stroll, which helps coordinate large groups without extra transport. If you have participants with limited mobility, plan shorter routes and spots with easy access.
Use reflective wristbands or small numbered cards for subgroups: a simple trick that helps the photographer quickly organise and shoot a series of frames without chaos. Visual markers save time and speed up positioning.
Consider hiring two photographers: one for the wide group shot and another for details - this increases variety without lengthening the session. For very large groups an additional photographer is often a worthwhile investment.
Plan a short 'fun task' at the end of the session: a quick, creative action (hands up, a jump, holding a banner) yields spontaneous, joyful shots and relaxes people after formal photos.
If this guide was helpful, share it with friends or on social media - any group planning a visit to Kraków can benefit from these tips. If you’d like your session to run even more smoothly and stress-free, consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - details and offerings are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. With professional support, logistics, contacts with venues and optimal routes are prepared for you. Good luck and enjoy beautiful sunsets in Kraków!
Do you have questions about planning for a specific date, group size or photographic equipment? Write to me - I’ll be happy to help tailor the plan to your group’s needs.
