St. Florian's Gate is more than a pretty postcard — it’s a surviving fragment of the 14th-century medieval city walls and was once part of the Royal Route leading straight to Wawel.
If you start your day here and walk at a relaxed pace with breaks for interior visits, you can comfortably spend a full day discovering Kraków’s main corners — from the Barbican through Kazimierz and even Podgórze.
St. Florian's Gate and the nearby Barbican are great orientation points — they are easy to reach from the Main Railway Station and from here you can head both into the Old Town and to the Planty park.
Starting at the Gate immediately places a piece of the old city walls before your eyes, and from there you naturally follow Floriańska Street straight to the Market Square — a classic, logical and very picturesque route.
Start: Matejko Square / Barbican — a short story about the fortifications and pass through St. Florian's Gate.
Floriańska Street — walk along the representative street with historic townhouses, the Jan Matejko House and historic cafés such as Jama Michalika.
Main Market Square — Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica (listen for the hejnał!), the Town Hall Tower and time for a coffee break. If you want to visit the basilica interior or the Market Square Underground, plan and buy tickets in advance.
Grodzka Street and Kanonicza — the road to Wawel, passing historic churches and quiet alleys. Kanonicza is a perfect place to catch a peaceful moment.
Wawel — the castle courtyard, the Cathedral, the crypts and the Wawel Dragon outside. Depending on time and tickets you can visit the Royal Chambers.
Afternoon: Kazimierz — stroll through the former Jewish quarter: synagogues, Plac Nowy with its famous food stalls and atmospheric cafés. Optional: head to Podgórze and the Schindler’s Factory Museum for 20th‑century history if you want to dig deeper.
Outdoor-only version (no museum or chamber entries): 2–2.5 hours — if you walk briskly and skip interiors.
Full-day version (entries, food breaks, photo pace): 4–8 hours — a comfortable day with a few visits to attractions and relaxed time in Kazimierz.
If you plan to visit the Wawel interiors, the Market Square Underground and the Schindler’s Factory Museum, allow extra time or split the program over two days.
For quick and local snacks choose Plac Nowy (stalls with zapiekanki and street food) — perfect for a short stop in Kazimierz.
For an atmospheric café on Floriańska, visit Jama Michalika — a historic café with an Art Nouveau interior and a long local tradition.
For lunch near the Market Square consider Wierzynek for a historic, formal experience, and near Wawel a popular hearty choice is Pod Wawelem.
If you prefer modern, local cuisine — Kazimierz has many small restaurants and cafés with creative menus. Be sure to try pierogi, obwarzanek and local desserts.
Comfortable shoes are a must — the centre has a lot of cobblestones and uneven surfaces. This will save your feet and reduce long pauses.
Buy tickets for popular sites online in advance — royal chambers at Wawel or the Market Square Underground have limits and queues.
Best times for photos and fewer crowds: morning (around 8:00–10:00) and late afternoon. In high season expect bigger crowds around midday.
Remember water and a light snack — you’ll want to replenish energy during a full day’s walk. Many places accept card payments, but at Plac Nowy stalls it’s useful to have some cash.
Check ahead whether a place you want to visit is closed due to a service, event or renovation — especially churches and museums.
The hejnał from St. Mary’s Basilica is traditionally cut off mid‑melody in memory of the trumpeter who was shot by an arrow while warning the city of an attack in the Middle Ages.
The road you’re following — the Royal Route — is a historic path used by kings and messengers. Walking it, you’re following footsteps that span centuries.
Not all alleys off Kanonicza and Grodzka are obvious — many hide small craft workshops and galleries that are easy to miss if you only follow the main line of the route.
Trying to “see everything” in one cramped schedule — it’s better to pick priorities and leave a few sights for next time.
Not planning breaks — without short rests the walk becomes tiring. Plan a stop every 60–90 minutes.
Eating only at Market Square in the priciest places — away from the main streets you’ll find great, cheaper spots with authentic character.
Buying tickets to popular attractions too late — plan and reserve in advance, especially on weekends and in high season.
How long is the Royal Route? - The route Barbican / St. Florian's Gate → Market Square → Grodzka → Kanonicza → Wawel takes on foot (without longer interior visits) usually 2–2.5 hours.
Is the walk suitable for families with children? - Yes, but shorten sections and plan child-friendly attractions (legends about the Dragon, ice cream at the Market, Plac Nowy).
Is the route accessible for strollers and people with reduced mobility? - Most of the route is accessible, but expect uneven surfaces and cobbles. Check specific entrances and ramps for the sites you plan to visit.
Is it worth using a guide? - A guide enriches the walk with context and stories that are easy to miss on your own. If you’d like a local guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers private tours tailored to your interests — contact details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Starting the day at St. Florian's Gate gives you an advantage — it’s easier to avoid morning crowds and organise the route logically.
If you only have half a day — focus on the Royal Route + a short fragment of Kazimierz. If you have a full day — add more interior visits and relaxed breaks.
Feel free to share this article with friends and on social media — it will help others plan a better stay in Kraków.
If you’d like to explore with a local guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers private tours adapted to your interests — contact and details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
