A few steps between the Main Market Square and Wawel Hill are enough to travel through centuries: from medieval lectures at the Jagiellonian University to Renaissance royal chambers. Wawel is more than a castle and a cathedral — it is a limestone hill formed millions of years ago and a place of legends (the Dragon's Den — Smocza Jama!), while Collegium Maius is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University, where, among others, Nicolaus Copernicus studied. If you enjoy walking and soaking up the city's atmosphere, this two-point walking route can fill an entire day with attractions.
Before you go: put on comfortable shoes, take water, and plan your tickets. Many interiors (the Cathedral, the Castle routes) have separate entrances and separate tickets — check availability and reserve in advance when possible.
The distance between Collegium Maius and Wawel Hill is short enough that a walk along the historic Royal Route gives a complete feel of the city without needing public transport. The route goes through the Main Market Square and Grodzka Street — you pass key sights: the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), churches, historic townhouses and atmospheric corners with cafés. Walking also lets you flexibly adjust visiting time to the group's mood: if you want to sit longer in a museum, you can rearrange the plan without much hassle.
For history lovers it's a great combination: Collegium Maius shows academic life at a medieval university, while Wawel tells stories of power, art and religion — together they create a complete picture of old Krakow.
09:00 — Collegium Maius: start the day at the university museum (about 1–1.5 hours). See the courtyard with arcades, lecture halls, the collection of scientific instruments and stories about famous students. There are also guided tours at specific times, so check the schedule in advance.
10:30 — Walk to the Main Market Square: a short coffee break at one of the cozy cafés by the Square (about 30–45 min). This is a good moment for a quick look at the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and to admire St. Mary's Basilica from the outside.
11:30 — Grodzka Street and approach to Wawel (15–20 min walk): enjoy façades, chapels and historic townhouses along the way.
12:00 – 13:00 — Wawel Cathedral: enter the ticketed section (crypts, chapels, Cathedral Museum). Afterward, take a short walk on the hill and take photos of the Vistula view.
13:00 – 14:00 — Lunch: recommended places near Wawel include traditional Polish restaurants and venues with local atmosphere — a moment to rest and recharge.
14:00 – 16:30 — Royal Castle routes: choose one or two exhibitions (e.g. Representative Royal Chambers, the Treasury and Armoury). A full visit can take several hours, especially if there are temporary exhibitions.
16:30 – 17:30 — Walk around the hill, Dragon's Den and the Vistula riverside: a short visit to the cave at the foot of Wawel (part of it is open to visitors) and relaxation by the river boulevards.
17:30 – 19:00 — Afternoon/evening options: visit the museum in Collegium Novum, return to the Market Square, have dinner in Kazimierz or take an evening walk with views of the illuminated Wawel. Adjust the plan to opening hours and your interests.
Wawel and the Cathedral are separate institutions — each has its own routes and separate tickets. It’s most convenient to buy tickets online in advance, especially in high season. Some exhibitions are ticketed separately.
At the entrance to certain exhibitions there may be a deposit for large backpacks and restrictions regarding strollers. Check rules ahead of time to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Opening hours change seasonally — in winter the hill may close earlier. Collegium Maius also has set guided-tour times and days when unguided visits are limited or free — check the schedule before you go.
If you have limited time: set priorities (for example, the Cathedral and the Castle courtyard) and consider shorter routes rather than trying to “see everything.”
Comfortable footwear is essential: cobbled streets and uneven steps are common. Check the weather forecast — in summer bring a hat and sunscreen, in winter dress in layers.
Small backpacks are convenient, but large bags may need to be left in a cloakroom before entering exhibitions. Bring a bottle of water and some snacks for breaks between entrances, as lines at ticket offices and gates can grow.
Photography is usually allowed in outdoor spaces; in some interiors photography may be prohibited or restricted — respect museum rules.
Restauracja Pod Wawelem — traditional Polish cuisine near Wawel, a good spot for a hearty lunch after the morning visit.
Cafe Camelot — a cozy café near the Market Square, ideal for a morning coffee and dessert before continuing the walk.
Café Noworolski (in the Cloth Hall) or E. Wedel chocolaterie by the Market Square — a quick option for dessert or a warm drink in the city centre.
If you prefer modern flavours, the Kazimierz district offers many restaurants and bars with international cuisine — a great idea for an evening meal after a day of walking.
Trying to “see everything” in a few hours — result: fatigue and few remembered details. It’s better to visit qualitatively: choose 2–3 interiors and give them time.
Not booking tickets in advance — in high season queues can be long. Online booking saves time and nerves.
Not checking opening hours when planning — many sites have days with limited access or different winter hours.
Bringing an oversized backpack — deposits and baggage storage can lengthen the entry process.
Wawel is not just a palace: the hill is a fragment of limestone formed millions of years ago — geology meets legend here. The Dragon's Den (Smocza Jama) is a natural karst cave, part of which (about 81 m) is open to tourists.
Collegium Maius houses a rich collection of scientific instruments and is a university building from the 14th–15th centuries — one of the oldest of its kind in Europe. Nicolaus Copernicus studied in these historic interiors.
In the Collegium Maius courtyard there is a well and a clock that “speaks” at certain hours — a pleasant detail for those who enjoy small city traditions.
Can you visit both on foot in one day? Yes — many people combine Collegium Maius and Wawel in one intensive day if they reserve tickets and set priorities in advance. For full visits to exhibitions, however, allow 6–8 hours.
Do I need separate tickets for the Cathedral and the Castle? Yes — the Cathedral and the Castle have separate entrances and tickets. Some Castle exhibitions are also ticketed separately.
Are the sites accessible for people with limited mobility? Some venues have facilities, but historic interiors can be challenging for accessibility. Check specific information before your visit and ask about barrier-free access.
Can I bring children? Of course — many elements of the route (dragon legends, the Dragon's Den) will appeal to children, but long museum visits can be demanding for the youngest.
A walk that combines Collegium Maius and Wawel is one of the best ways to get to know Krakow — it brings together academic history, royal representation and urban atmosphere. A well-planned day lets you see interiors and feel the city’s rhythm during coffee and lunch breaks.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it helps others plan a great day in Krakow. If you prefer to explore with a private guide, you can book a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details of her offer are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Have a great trip and enjoy discovering Krakow!
