Wawel and the Royal Route are the heart of historic Kraków — the path once traveled by kings and now inviting visitors to discover the city’s most important monuments. This text gives a practical sightseeing plan, a few time options (a quick walk, a full day, a two-day program), tips about tickets and opening hours, recommendations for restaurants and places to stay, and a list of the most common mistakes so your visit is calm and enjoyable. Everything is written in a friendly tone so you can easily adapt the route to your own time and pace.
In the following sections you’ll find ready-made plans, practical advice on when to buy tickets, what’s worth seeing inside, and a few surprising facts about Wawel and the Royal Route that guidebooks don’t always tell you. If you want the short version — start early, walk from the Barbican through the Market Square to Wawel, and book indoor visits in advance. If you have more time — extend the route with the Rynek Underground, Collegium Maius and Kazimierz the next day.
Start at the Florian Gate or Matejko Square to step immediately into the atmosphere of the historic city. Pass the Barbican, walk along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square — see the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica from the outside (or go inside if you want to see Wit Stwosz’s altarpiece) — then follow Grodzka Street to Wawel.
At Wawel spend time walking the castle courtyard and around the Cathedral. Even if you don’t have time for all interiors, seeing the courtyard, the Dragon’s Den and the terrace area above the Vistula gives a full impression of the place. I recommend starting early to avoid the busiest crowds in the afternoon.
Morning: start at the Barbican/Florian Gate, take a short stop by the walls and walk along Floriańska to the Market Square. If you plan to enter St. Mary’s Basilica and climb the Town Hall tower, do it right after arrival — mornings are best. Don’t forget to listen for the trumpeter’s call at the full hour.
Midday: visit the Rynek Underground or the Cloth Hall, lunch in one of the recommended restaurants on the Old Town. After lunch take a relaxed walk along Grodzka toward Wawel, stopping at the churches of St. Peter and St. Paul and St. Andrew.
Afternoon: Wawel — if you have pre-booked tickets, visit the royal chambers or the New Crown Treasury, enter the Cathedral (note: the Cathedral and the Castle are not always covered by the same ticket) and possibly explore the Wawel Underground. Finish with a walk along the Vistula and sunset from the Wawel embankments.
Day 1: focus on the Royal Route and the main points of the Old Town — the Barbican, Florian Gate, the Market Square, the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, the Rynek Underground, Grodzka and Wawel (courtyard and basic visit to the Cathedral).
Day 2: spend time on interiors and less obvious places — a full castle visit (chambers, temporary exhibitions), climbing the tower with the Sigismund Bell (if available), Collegium Maius, and an afternoon in Kazimierz or a walk along the Vistula Boulevards. With two days you can explore without rushing and include a longer lunch or coffee break.
Wawel and the Cathedral are sometimes run by different institutions — this means tickets for the Castle and for the Cathedral/Sigismund Bell may be sold separately. So when planning indoor visits, check available routes in advance and buy tickets online, especially in high season.
Best times to visit: early morning (opening) or late afternoon — those are the least crowded times. If you want to hear the trumpeter’s call from St. Mary’s, plan to be in the Market Square at noon or at the exact full hour. Keep in mind that exhibition hours and last entries change seasonally — always check current times before you go.
Small tips: wear comfortable shoes, carry a water bottle (in summer), and if you plan to visit interiors — check Mass times at the Cathedral (they can restrict visiting hours). Booking for a specific time reduces queues and stress.
In the Old Town and nearby you’ll find historic restaurants as well as cozy cafés. A few tried-and-true suggestions worth recommending: Wierzynek (a historic restaurant with a long tradition), Pod Aniołami (regional cuisine in an intimate interior), Cafe Camelot (a cozy café near the Market), Massolit Books & Cafe (a good café and a spot for book lovers). Keep in mind that restaurants right on the Market Square tend to be more expensive — if you’re looking for great quality at a better price, consider the side streets off the Square or Kazimierz.
For accommodation, choose places near the Old Town or in Kleparz/Stradom — a short walk to Wawel and the Market saves time. When booking, pay attention to guest reviews about nighttime quiet and breakfast — these often determine comfort after a day of walking.
Wawel is actually two separate entities: the Royal Castle and the Cathedral are administered under different ticketing systems — this is why sometimes you need two different tickets if you want to see the chambers and enter the Sigismund Bell area.
Along the Royal Route pay attention to architectural details — many streets and gates hide fragments of medieval walls and former fortifications that are easy to miss when you’re in a hurry. The Dragon’s Den beneath Wawel is legendary, but it’s also worth pausing at the loess embankments and the Vistula views — these are great spots to steal a quiet moment.
Trying to see everything in half a day — this leads to rushing and disappointment. Better choose priorities: either full interiors of Wawel, or a longer walk through the Old Town and the Rynek Underground.
Buying tickets on the spot during peak season — risk of long queues or sold-out slots. Book online for a specific time, especially for popular exhibitions.
Not checking opening hours — a museum can have closed days or shorter hours in certain seasons. Before you plan your route, check the hours of the specific exhibition or cathedral.
Is it paid to enter Wawel? Yes — parts of the hill are freely accessible, but entrance to the castle exhibitions and some parts of the Cathedral require a ticket. So before your visit check which exhibitions you want to see and buy tickets in advance.
How much time should I allow for Wawel? If you want to visit selected interiors and the Cathedral at a relaxed pace, plan 2–4 hours. A full, unhurried exploration of the whole hill and exhibitions can take a whole day.
Is the route accessible for people with limited mobility? Large parts of the Royal Route and the Wawel area are accessible, but some historic interiors and towers have stairs and limitations. Check accessibility details for specific exhibitions before your trip.
Wawel and the Royal Route are a must-see part of a visit to Kraków — you can walk them quickly, spend a whole day there, or spread the visit over two days to soak up the atmosphere and enter interiors without rushing. The key to a successful visit is planning ahead: choose priorities, buy tickets online and pick times that avoid the crowds.
If this article helped you plan your trip — share it with friends or on social media. And if you’d like a personalized visit and the stories you won’t find in guidebooks — I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. You can find contact details on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Good luck and enjoy your visit!
