Collegium Novum is more than an attractive neo-Gothic façade by the Planty — it is the heart of Kraków’s academic history and a building every tourist passes while walking the Royal Route. If you enjoy combining architecture, university stories and short, comfortable rides around the city, you can plan a day focused on the university and its neighbourhood so that it’s both interesting and relaxing.
In short: yes — you can sensibly include a melex (electric tourist vehicle) as part of a full-day plan, provided you treat it as a way to make moving between points easier and to shorten transfers, not as the only way to explore. Melex rides work best on routes like Old Town — Wawel — Kazimierz — Podgórze; they save energy and let you see more in less time, but they won’t replace walking where it’s worth getting off and really looking around.
This article gives a practical three-day plan with emphasis on Collegium Novum, tips for when and how to use a melex, what to see near the university, where to eat well and how to avoid common tourist mistakes.
Start your day with a relaxed walk from the Planty toward Gołębia Street: Collegium Novum (Gołębia 24) is an impressive neo‑Gothic building decorated with ornate façade details and the coats of arms of benefactors. Walk around the Aula area — interiors used for administration are sometimes closed to visitors, but check in advance for open days or student events (inaugurations, sessions) when the main hall may be accessible.
In the Aula you can spot paintings by Jan Matejko — the most famous is often referred to in English as 'The Copernicus Astronomer'. Also notice the representative staircases and polychrome coats of arms. The building contains Room 56 — the place connected with the tragic events of 6 November 1939 (Sonderaktion Krakau) and a memorial to the arrested professors; visit this spot with respect for its history.
From the university area take a short walk to Wawel — the courtyard, the cathedral and the treasury are classics. Remember to book tickets for the royal chambers or the cathedral crypts in advance during the high season. In the evening you can stay nearby and eat at a restaurant serving Polish cuisine — choose well-reviewed places close to Wawel or the Market Square if you want to save time on returns.
If you plan a 'melex day', treat the rental as a flexible option: short transfers between long walks, pick-up at your hotel and the ability to finish the route where it’s most convenient. Many companies offer single rides (30–60 minutes), but you can also rent by the hour or for a full day — then build the route around your priorities.
Sample full-day melex schedule: 09:00 pick up at hotel/hostel → 09:15 quick ride and stop at Collegium Novum with a short story about the Jagiellonian University → 10:00 ride through the Planty to the Main Market Square, 30–45 min stop (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica) → 12:00 ride to Wawel, time for the courtyard and lunch nearby → 14:30 melex to Kazimierz, longer walk and a coffee break → 17:00 ride to Podgórze to see parts of the former ghetto and the Ghetto Heroes Square → 19:00 return and finish. During stops it’s worth getting off and exploring on foot.
A few practical notes: book the melex in advance, especially on weekends and in season; negotiate pick-up and drop-off points; ask about audio or guide options — many melexes offer recorded commentary in several languages. Prices depend on route length, passenger number and service type — as a rough reference, a short ride for four people can cost in the order of a few hundred złoty, while hourly or full-day rentals are priced individually.
Leave the last day for a deeper immersion: a morning in Kazimierz is a great idea — many cafés, galleries and atmospheric streets invite slow exploration. Here a melex can shorten distances between points, but it’s best to walk and soak in the neighbourhood.
Recommended spots for coffee and food (longstanding, consistently well regarded): Massolit (bookshop with a café), Cafe Camelot — a charming place near the Market, Hamsa and other well-rated venues in Kazimierz serving Mediterranean and Middle Eastern dishes, and the historic restaurants around the Market if you want classic Polish dishes. When choosing restaurants, follow guest ratings and reviews — it’s wise to reserve a table for the evening, especially in high season.
Spend the afternoon in the Planty Park or by the Vistula, and in the evening return to the Market Square or enjoy a glass of wine at a quieter Kazimierz bar. If you plan a trip outside the city (Wieliczka, Ojców National Park), book ahead — these are popular day trips.
Check the availability of the university’s aula and rooms before you visit — many spaces are administrative and may be closed during university events. The biggest disappointment for visitors is arriving only to find they cannot enter.
Don’t expect a melex to go everywhere you want — narrow streets, stairs and some parts of Wawel are out of reach. Treat the melex as a convenience, not a complete solution. Book in advance during season and negotiate pick-up/drop-off points.
Another common mistake is not bringing proper walking shoes. Even if you use a melex, be ready for plenty of walking on cobbled streets. Also bring a light jacket for the evening — Kraków weather can change quickly. It’s useful to carry water and an offline map (your phone battery can drain during a full day of exploring).
Is Collegium Novum open to visitors? Partly — the building serves administrative functions; the Aula and some rooms are open during events, open days or by reservation; check dates in advance.
How long is a standard melex tour? Typical routes last 30–45 minutes, but there are hour-long options and rentals by the hour or for a full day.
Can a melex reach everywhere in the Old Town? Not always — melexes follow designated routes and cannot access places with stairs, steep slopes or very narrow alleys.
Do I need to book Wawel tickets in advance? Yes, for some parts (royal chambers, treasury) booking is recommended, especially during the tourist season.
A large painting by Jan Matejko depicting Copernicus hangs in the Collegium Novum Aula — one of those details that link the Jagiellonian University with Polish historical painting. Room 56 has deep symbolic meaning as a place of memory — remember this history when you visit.
Melex operators in Kraków often offer recorded commentary in several languages and run both short rides and customized rentals. These services are organised locally and companies sometimes provide special routes for groups, weddings or events; you can rent a vehicle for several hours or the whole day if you want to see a lot without strenuous walking. A small tip: the best views often come when you get off the vehicle and give yourself time to walk and look around.
Three days in Kraków are doable — combine walks with short melex transfers wisely, book key tickets in advance and leave time for unhurried discovery. Collegium Novum is a must for lovers of academic history and beautiful architecture — even if the interior isn’t always accessible, the area and the stories about it are worth your time.
If you like this plan, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a better stay in Kraków. If you prefer to explore with a private guide, consider booking a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — she offers tailored walks and local knowledge to make the most of your visit. Have a great time discovering Kraków!
