This three-hour walk has been designed with VIP guests and business delegations in mind. The program includes a stroll around the Main Market Square, entry to St. Mary’s Church (subject to opening hours and availability), listening to the hejnał, and stories about traces of World War II preserved in the city center. The route combines the most iconic places with less obvious details that help to understand Krakow’s atmosphere and 20th century history. Everything is delivered in an intimate, elegant format - pace and stops are adjusted to the group and the organizer’s expectations.
During the walk we will discuss: the Market Square architecture, legends and curiosities connected with St. Mary’s Church, the meaning of the hejnał and its symbolism, as well as concrete traces of the German occupation in central Krakow - from memorial sites, through preserved fragments of urban fabric, to stories about people and residents’ fates. The route is arranged to give guests a full picture of the place without rushing and with respect for difficult topics.
Guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz - licensed guide of Krakow (license since 2012), with many years of experience leading domestic and international guests, including business groups and official delegations.
Start: Main Market Square - meeting and a short presentation of the route (5-10 min). The ideal meeting point is near the Adam Mickiewicz monument or immediately beside St. Mary’s Church - the exact place is confirmed at booking.
Market Square and Cloth Hall - Sukiennice (30-40 min) - stories about the Square’s history, its medieval layout, the role of the Cloth Hall as the city’s trading heart, plus anecdotes and curiosities to engage guests from different countries.
St. Mary’s Church - interior and the hejnał (30-40 min) - overview of the architecture and the Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) altarpiece (external and concise interior commentary; entry depends on opening hours), and above all the hejnał: its meaning, tradition and the legend explaining the interrupted signal.
Traces of World War II in the city center (50-60 min) - the route covers the area around the Market and places that recall the occupation: fragments of buildings, sites connected to the fate of the Jewish community, stories of uprisings, and changes in urban space after the war. The guide presents historical facts and recommends additional memorial places (for example the nearby museums) for those who wish to deepen their knowledge.
Time for questions, a short summary and recommendations for dining or business options (cafes, lunch, transport) - 10-15 min.
The hejnał played from the tower of St. Mary’s Church is one of Poland’s most recognizable traditions. A trumpeter sounds the melody every hour, and at the full hour the tune is famously cut off mid-phrase. The most popular version of the legend tells of a medieval trumpeter who warned the city of an attack and was shot while sounding the alarm - the interrupted melody commemorates his sacrifice and is never finished. On our tour we also explain the hejnał’s actual historical functions and the modern tradition of performing it.
For business guests it is useful to know: the hejnał is normally played live, though exceptions may occur (for example rehearsals or special events). The guide will advise on the best places to stand in the Market so you can comfortably listen to the hejnał and take photos.
During the visit we pay attention to the etiquette of photographing inside sacred spaces and at places of memory - we ask for discretion and respect, especially when discussing wartime stories.
Our approach is factual and empathetic. In a three-hour format we cannot cover every aspect, but we focus on what directly relates to the Market and its surroundings: changes in urban fabric during the occupation, residents’ fates (including the Jewish community), histories of specific sites and people, and memorial places with their contemporary significance.
Sample topics covered on the tour: city administration under occupation, the creation of the Krakow ghetto and its impact on district life (including pointing out related memorial locations), stories of selected tenement houses and institutions, and postwar traces and adaptations of urban space.
The route tells stories about people - witnesses, victims and rescuers - without sensationalizing tragic events. If the group wishes to learn more, the guide suggests further visits: Schindler’s Factory Museum, memorial sites and nearby exhibitions.
Intimate format and pace tailored to expectations - the tour is designed for small, representative groups, with attention to comfort (shorter walking sections, breaks in elegant locations).
Professionalism and the guide’s experience - Małgorzata has led tours for many years, including official and business groups; she knows social etiquette and can adapt the narrative for an international audience.
Additional options for companies - private entries, restaurant recommendations for business lunch or dinner, help coordinating transfers and logistics. It is possible to compose shortened or extended versions of the route depending on the delegation’s schedule.
Duration: standard 3 hours. The tour is usually conducted in Polish; English-language tours are available on request.
Price (promotion and regular rates): the regular price for a 3-hour tour in Polish is 450 PLN; a current promotion (if valid at the time of booking) may be 400 PLN for 3 hours - please ask at booking about promotion dates. English-language versions and other arrangements have separate rates - details provided on request.
Equipment and comfort: the guide provides sets of headsets (audio-guide) for groups - useful in crowded moments on the Market and ensuring comfortable listening.
Availability: entry to St. Mary’s Church depends on opening hours and religious events - we plan the program flexibly and, if the interior is closed, replace it with expanded exterior commentary and additional stops.
After the tour it is worth planning a lunch or coffee break in an elegant yet welcoming place in the center. A few tried-and-true addresses near the Market: Cafe Camelot - a cosy cafe with an artistic interior; Wierzynek Restaurant - a historic venue for a representative meal; Pod Aniołami - traditional Polish cuisine in a historic setting; Szara (restaurant on the Market) - a good option for a business lunch. The guide can assist with reservations according to the group’s preferences.
For those who prefer something less formal: the squares and streets between the Market and Kazimierz offer many cafes and wine bars that work well for informal meetings after sightseeing.
If a company lunch or client meeting is planned, we are happy to recommend a venue matched to budget and the event’s character.
Please be punctual - especially when parts of the tour involve reserved entries (for example to the church).
Sacred interiors and places of memory require suitable dress and behavior - we ask for discretion, phones on silent and avoidance of loud behavior.
For the comfort of the group and people with limited mobility: please inform us at booking about any need to adapt the route (fewer stairs, shorter walking sections, option to use a taxi for shorter legs). The guide will help plan the route so it is accessible for all participants.
Q: Is entry to St. Mary’s Church guaranteed? - A: Entry depends on opening hours and liturgical events. Usually entry is possible, but at booking we can agree on program alternatives in case the interior is closed.
Q: Is the tour suitable for elderly people and those with limited mobility? - A: Yes, the tour can be adapted - shorter walking sections, more breaks and the option to use transport on request. Please inform us when booking.
Q: Does the guide speak English? - A: Yes, English tours are available - please request this in advance.
Q: How do I book a tour for a business group? - A: Booking and planning are best arranged in advance - the guide can also assist with matching the program to the delegation’s schedule, reserving tables and arranging transfers.
To book the route or request an offer for a business group, please contact via the ZwiedzanieKrakowa website (booking form) or send an email with date, number of participants, required language and any program preferences. For larger groups or official delegations there can be dedicated conditions and additional services.
When booking it is helpful to provide approximate time of day (for example morning or afternoon), accessibility needs, whether a business lunch is planned after the tour, and preferences about pace and storytelling style (more formal or more anecdotal).
After receiving an inquiry the guide will prepare a short offer with the route plan, an approximate quote, optional extras (for example audio-guide, table reservations) and information about payment terms and any applicable promotions.
Clothing and footwear: comfortable, smart shoes - the city centre has cobbled streets and paving that require stable footwear. For business guests we recommend conservative layered clothing (weather can change suddenly).
Photography: the Market is a great place for photos, but please be sensitive in places of worship and memory. The best light for Market photos is usually morning and late afternoon.
Timing: if you plan an official lunch or meeting after the tour, reserve a table in advance - especially in high season. The guide can help with bookings and suggest the restaurant best suited to the event.
Weather: in case of rain the tour can still take place, but point order can be changed to limit time outdoors.
