The hejnał (bugle call) from the St. Mary’s tower sounds every hour and it’s free — a perfect way to start. In half a day you can feel the atmosphere of the Old Town, see the famous Veit Stoss altarpiece in St. Mary’s Basilica, pop into the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and enjoy a short tram ride if your accommodation is outside the historic centre.
Below you’ll find a practical schedule, transport tips, food recommendations, common mistakes to avoid and a short FAQ. The article is friendly for first-time visitors and for people returning to the city — with tips on saving time and avoiding crowds.
Start: arrive by train or step out of your hotel. If you’re farther from the centre, take a tram and get off at one of the stops by the Planty (for example Teatr Słowackiego or Teatr Bagatela). The Main Market Square is a 5–12 minute walk from there.
Timing: it’s best to start in the morning (between 8:30 and 10:00) — you’ll avoid the biggest tour groups and long lines to enter the basilica and the tower.
Order: quick coffee → St. Mary’s Basilica (visit the interior if open) → tower/bugle-tower visit (if you want the view) → stroll around the Market and the Cloth Hall → optional short tram ride to Kazimierz or walk to the Wawel if you have time.
St. Mary’s Basilica usually opens to visitors in the late morning — in practice the main altarpiece is accessible roughly from around 11:30 to 18:00 on weekdays, and from the afternoon on Sundays. Hours may change because of religious services or conservation work, so check current opening times on the day of your visit.
Entry to the interior and to the tower is by a visitor donation/ticket (there are regular and reduced rates). Tower access is limited for safety reasons and the number of people per entry is restricted — if you plan to go up, come early.
Children below the permitted age are not admitted to the tower for safety reasons — keep this in mind when planning a family visit.
Kraków’s city centre is compact and most attractions (Market, Wawel, Grodzka Street) are within comfortable walking distance. Trams are useful when your accommodation is farther away or if you want a quick way to move between districts.
The nearest major stops for the Market are at Teatr Słowackiego or Teatr Bagatela — from there it’s a short walk to the Square. Trams run frequently and line numbers change with direction, so check the schedule or use a public transport app before you go.
Tickets: buy them at the stop kiosk, on board where possible or in a mobile app. Remember to validate (punch) your ticket — failing to do so can result in a fine. If you plan multiple rides, consider 24/48/72-hour tickets.
0:00–0:15 - Arrive by tram to the Planty (Teatr Słowackiego/Bagatela stop) or walk in, quick coffee at a café by the Planty.
0:15–0:45 - Enter the Main Market Square, short stroll around the Cloth Hall, photos and getting your bearings.
0:45–1:30 - Visit St. Mary’s Basilica: view the Veit Stoss altarpiece and the most important details. Watch service times — parts of the interior may be closed during liturgies.
1:30–2:00 - Go up the bugle-tower (if available) — panorama of the Market and city centre. Access happens in limited groups, so allow time for waiting.
2:00–3:00 - Walk to Wawel (about 15–20 minutes) or take a short tram ride to Kazimierz, visit a chosen spot and have lunch at a recommended restaurant.
You can flexibly reallocate this time — half a day is enough to feel the atmosphere and see the highlights without rushing.
Near the Market: Szara (restaurant by the Market) and Wierzynek (historic, more elegant option) are both well regarded. For a quick, atmospheric coffee try Café Camelot tucked on a side street of the Old Town.
For bookish cafés and a relaxed vibe, Massolit Books & Cafe in Kazimierz is a lovely choice. For bakeries and light breakfasts, Charlotte and local bakeries offer fresh pastries.
If you plan a post-sightseeing lunch, pick places with good reviews — avoid suspiciously cheap spots right on the Market that often cater mainly to tourists.
If location and comfort matter: look for hotels near the Market or All Saints’ Square — from there you can walk to most attractions. Boutique hotels and well-rated properties in this area reduce travel time and let you see more in a short visit.
For budget travellers consider guesthouses and hostels near Kleparz and the Main Railway Station — from there you can reach the Old Town by tram or a short walk.
The Veit Stoss altarpiece in St. Mary’s is one of the most important Gothic carved altarpieces in Europe — take time to notice the fine details of the wooden sculpture.
The hejnał used to be a warning signal — legend says a trumpeter stopped playing when he was struck by an arrow. Today the hejnał is a symbol of Kraków, played every hour.
You usually enter the tower from a different entrance than the church interior — the tower entrance is typically on or near Floriańska Street or a separate visitor point, so follow the signs on site.
Mistake to avoid: trying to tour the basilica interior during services — parts of the church are reserved for worship and visitor access may be limited.
Not checking opening hours before you leave — churches and towers have regular visiting times but they sometimes change for repairs or liturgies.
Not having a valid public transport ticket or not validating it — check and buy a ticket before boarding or use the mobile app.
Trying to get to the tower at the last minute — entries are limited, so arrive earlier or plan wait time.
Eating in so-called 'tourist traps' on the Market — ask for recommendations or pick a place with solid reviews.
Is it worth taking the tram to the Market? If you’re staying in the centre it’s usually easier to walk. The tram is useful if you’re further away or need to move quickly between districts.
Is the hejnał played every day? Yes — the bugle call is played from St. Mary’s tower on the hour, every hour, and is one of the city’s free attractions.
Is entry to the Basilica paid? Access to the tourist part of the basilica requires a donation/ticket (there are reduced rates); tower access is charged separately and group sizes may be limited.
Can children go up the tower? Children under a certain age are not admitted to the tower for safety reasons — check the specific age limit before your visit.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends or on your social media — it will help others plan a short stay in Kraków.
If you’d like a private, local guide for an in-depth and friendly tour of Kraków, Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) offers professional guiding services — you can find information on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. We recommend using a local guide if you want stories and details that are hard to find on your own.
