Short answer: yes and no — it depends what you want to see. If you plan to walk the Royal Route from the outside, visit the main points and only step into Wawel’s courtyard for photos, a relaxed walk takes about 2–2.5 hours. If you want to go inside the buildings (the Cathedral, the Royal Chambers, or the underground), expect additional hours — often 4–6 hours or more depending on queues and how many exhibitions you visit.
That’s why when planning a three-day stay it’s worth treating the Royal Route and Wawel as a morning or late-morning item on day one: you’ll see the key spots without pressure, and can spend the rest of the day discovering Kazimierz, enjoying food and resting.
Below you’ll find a friendly, detailed day plan, practical tips on when to buy tickets and how to pace yourself so you don’t wear out on the first day.
This article is based on practical sightseeing plans and walking times along the Royal Route and on the experience of local guides — I present it in a simple, friendly way so you can start planning right away.
Tip: if you want to visit interiors, book tickets in advance — it saves a lot of time.
Start: Matejko Square - a convenient place to begin, especially if you arrive by public transport or leave luggage near the city centre. From there head toward the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate.
The Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate - a short stop by the old defensive walls gives a sense of the medieval city. It’s a good spot for first photos and a quick note on Krakow’s fortifications.
Floriańska Street - full of historic townhouses, cafés and local atmosphere. Walking this street sets the pace for the Main Market Square.
Main Market Square - the heart of Krakow: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica (listen for the bugle call if you’re there on the hour), the Mickiewicz Monument and a chance to rest briefly. Passing through the Square usually takes 45–90 minutes; if you enter the church or shop for souvenirs, add extra time.
Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets - the direct route to Wawel. Along the way you’ll pass historic houses and churches; the atmosphere becomes calmer.
Wawel Hill - the castle courtyard, the Wawel Dragon statue and the view over the Vistula. If you only want to see the outside and visit the courtyard, this is enough for the day. If you plan to enter the Cathedral or Royal Chambers, add time and remember ticket requirements.
Time summary: the outdoor walking version fits into about 2–2.5 hours at a moderate pace, with short stops for photos and a small coffee along the way.
Day 1 (morning): Royal Route + Wawel (2–2.5 hour walking version). Afternoon: relax, have coffee at the Market Square or stroll the Planty. Evening: dinner in the centre or a walk along the Vistula boulevards.
Day 2: Kazimierz and Jewish heritage - wander the district, visit Plac Nowy, synagogues, atmospheric cafés and galleries. Optionally visit the Oskar Schindler Factory museum if you’re interested in 20th-century history. Evening: dinner in Kazimierz or a cultural event/concert.
Day 3: choose according to your interests — Wieliczka Salt Mine (full day), an excursion to Nowa Huta, a Vistula boat ride or quieter walks (Zakrzówek, Planty, Szeroka Street). If you prefer a slower pace, keep the third day for anything you didn’t finish in the first two days.
This distribution lets you see the key places without spending half your trip in queues. If you want to visit Wawel’s interiors on the first day, consider shortening your Kazimierz visit or moving some activities to the evening.
Tip: plan museum and chamber visits for the morning or reserve tickets online — it helps avoid lines, especially in high season.
Only have a few hours? Focus on the Main Market Square plus a short walk to Wawel. Route: the Square (quick look at the Cloth Hall and basilica), a brisk walk along Grodzka to Wawel, photos by the Dragon and the viewpoint over the Vistula. This is ideal if your time is limited but you want to feel Krakow and see its icons.
If possible, start early in the morning — the city is calmer then and the light is nicer for photos.
If your visit is in the afternoon, check closing times for interiors and allow time for lunch around the Square.
Short tip: even in a condensed version bring a bottle of water and a few coins for paid toilets at attractions.
A short break in a café on Floriańska or the Market Square nicely completes a quick tour.
Tickets and reservations: if you plan to enter the Royal Chambers, the Cathedral or the Wawel underground, buy tickets in advance (online) — it saves a lot of time. For popular exhibitions and museums, booking is the best way to avoid queues.
Hours and crowds: the centre is busiest between 10:00 and 16:00. Quieter times are early morning and late afternoon. In high season (May–September) expect larger crowds and longer lines.
Pacing and breaks: plan short rests every 30–45 minutes — a café stop, ice cream, or a bench in the Planty. Walking the Royal Route at a relaxed pace keeps it enjoyable and leaves time for photos.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, a light layer (Krakow’s weather can change), a water bottle, a powerbank and small change for smaller expenses. A small backpack works best.
Accessibility: some routes and historic sites have limited accessibility for people with reduced mobility — if this matters to you, check access and lifts/levels before visiting.
Toilets and meals: the centre has many cafés and restaurants; toilets at attractions can be paid or limited. Plan a lunch break after a busy morning on the Royal Route.
The route is logical and easy to navigate on foot — start at Matejko Square, then Floriańska and the Market Square, Grodzka/Kanonicza and Wawel. At a normal walking pace without long indoor visits, the whole route is doable in 2–2.5 hours.
Photogenic stops: the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, townhouses on Floriańska, the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s tower, the quiet corners of Kanonicza Street and Wawel courtyard. Plan 5–10 minutes for each of these stops.
Group pace: if you’re with a group, set short meeting points and a shelter spot in case of rain — it helps keep to the plan.
Logistics tip: if you want to reduce walking, consider a short tram or taxi between distant points, but the historic centre is best explored on foot.
No rush: the aim of this plan is pleasant discovery — if you fall in love with a place, stay longer and move other items to another day.
Are 2 hours enough? Outside only — yes. For interiors and museums you’ll need more time.
Main route highlights: Matejko Square - Barbican - St. Florian’s Gate - Floriańska - Main Market Square - Grodzka/Kanonicza - Wawel (courtyard, Dragon).
If you want to enter the Cathedral or the Royal Chambers: reserve tickets online and allow extra time (at least 1–3 hours depending on the interiors you choose).
What to pack: comfortable shoes, water, a light jacket, powerbank, small change for toilets and entrance fees (if not bought online).
Finally: sightseeing in Krakow has flavor — leave time for coffee and cake at the Market Square or dinner in atmospheric Kazimierz. The most important thing is to keep a pace that lets you feel the city, not only tick off sights.
Q: Should I buy Wawel tickets in advance? A: Yes, when you plan to visit interiors it’s strongly recommended to buy tickets online to avoid long waits.
Q: Can I do the Royal Route with children or a stroller? A: Yes, the main streets are pedestrian-friendly, though cobblestones can be bumpy. Plan more breaks and choose flatter stretches if needed.
Q: Where to eat nearby? A: The Main Market Square and the streets around Kazimierz offer many cafés and restaurants for all budgets. Leave time to try local specialties and a relaxed meal.
Q: What if it rains? A: Many museums and churches provide shelter; keep an umbrella or waterproof layer handy. A café break is also a pleasant way to wait out a shower.
Q: One last tip — how to make the most of your visit? A: Start early, book interiors in advance, wear comfortable shoes and allow yourself small detours — the best discoveries are often in quiet side streets.
