St. Mary's Church is one of Krakow's most recognizable symbols — two towers of different heights rise above the Main Market Square and can be seen from almost every corner of the square. Inside is the altarpiece by Veit Stoss, a masterpiece of late Gothic sculpture, and from the taller tower the bugle call (the hejnał) is played on the hour every day, abruptly stopping mid-melody — the legend remembers a trumpeter warning the city of an attack. It's an ideal place to start a 3-hour walk: its central location and proximity to other monuments let you quickly catch the "essence" of Krakow.
If your time is limited, start at St. Mary's: visiting the interior usually takes 20–40 minutes (depending on queues and interest in the altarpiece), and going up the tower requires extra time and a separate ticket. It's worth checking opening hours and considering buying tickets in advance, especially during high season.
1. St. Mary's Church — Veit Stoss altarpiece, polychromes and the hejnał. (30–45 min).
2. Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and Main Market Square — town hall tower, the Adam Mickiewicz monument, market stalls and the atmosphere of the city's heart. (15–25 min).
3. Sienna Street / Grodzka Street — walk the historic route toward Wawel, passing historic townhouses and churches. (10–15 min).
4. St. Peter and St. Paul Church (view the façade) — a quick stop for photos and a short story about the apostles' statues. (5–10 min).
5. Wawel — castle courtyard, exterior view of the Cathedral and the royal tombs seen from outside. (30–40 min).
6. Vistula River embankments / view of Wawel from the river side — a short walk for a different perspective and photos. (10–15 min).
7. Kanonicza Street and Jan Długosz House — a picturesque section of the Royal Route. (10 min).
8. Planty Park — a short walk in the green ring around the Old Town, a good place to rest for a moment. (10–15 min).
9. St. Florian's Gate and the Barbican (part of the old fortifications) — the symbolic entrance to the Royal Route. (10 min).
10. Kazimierz — a quick look at Plac Nowy and the vibe of the historic Jewish quarter — if you want to explore deeper, plan more time. (15–30 min, optional).
0:00–0:35 - St. Mary's Church: enter the interior, admire Veit Stoss's altarpiece, and a brief explanation of the hejnał.
0:35–0:55 - Cloth Hall and the Market: walk around the Cloth Hall, take a photo by the Mickiewicz monument, quickly browse stalls and soak up the local atmosphere.
0:55–1:15 - Grodzka to Wawel: stroll the Royal Route, stop by St. Peter and St. Paul Church.
1:15–1:55 - Wawel: castle courtyard, view of the Cathedral and the exterior royal tombs; if short on time, skip going inside.
1:55–2:10 - Vistula embankments: a short photo stop and a rest by the river.
2:10–2:40 - Return via Planty / Kanonicza Street to the Market, optional stop at St. Florian's Gate.
2:40–3:00 - Last-minute shopping, coffee or a quick bite at one of the nearby cafés.
Buy tickets in advance or choose an early hour: you'll avoid queues at St. Mary's and for the tower.
If you only have 3 hours, skip entering several large attractions (for example a full tour of Wawel or multiple museums) — it's better to see them from the outside and learn about them from a guide or an app.
Avoid eating on the Market Square if you want to save money — restaurants there are beautiful but pricier; for good local food at more reasonable prices head to Grodzka Street, Kanonicza Street or Kazimierz.
For a historical and upscale experience near the Market, Wierzynek offers a luxurious, traditional service and is a memorable culinary experience.
For a quick coffee in an atmospheric setting try cafés on Kanonicza Street or Mały Rynek — in season many of them serve excellent coffee and cakes without the need to return to the Main Square.
In Kazimierz check out places around Plac Nowy and Szeroka Street — the area has many interesting local bars and restaurants serving Jewish, Polish and fusion dishes.
The towers of St. Mary's Church are not the same height — they had different functions and served as watchtowers.
Veit Stoss's altarpiece is not a single sculpture but a complex triptych of carved scenes — the largest Gothic wooden sculptural work in Central Europe.
The hejnał from St. Mary's is played from the tower every hour, year-round — historically the tune served as an alarm signal for the city.
Trying to see too much: don't plan to visit the interiors of several museums and climb every tower in 3 hours — choose priorities.
Buying souvenirs only on the Market — prices are often higher; walk a few side streets where prices can be more reasonable.
Not planning time to return to your accommodation or catch transport — if your lodging is outside the center, allow extra travel time, especially in the evening.
Is the hejnał played every day? Yes — every hour from the higher tower of St. Mary's Church; the melody stops suddenly in keeping with the legend.
How much is the ticket to St. Mary's Church? Ticket prices change; there are different ticket options and separate admission for the tower. Check current prices before your visit.
Can I see Wawel in 3 hours? A quick look at the courtyard and an exterior walk is possible in that time, but a full tour of the Castle and Cathedral takes longer. If you want to go inside, plan additional time.
Getting around: Krakow's center is very walkable — most attractions are close to one another, but wear comfortable shoes.
Public transport tickets: if you're staying outside the center or plan to return by tram, consider 24/48/72-hour tickets; for central sightseeing walking is enough for most sights.
Accessibility: due to the age of many monuments not all places are fully accessible for people with limited mobility — check accessibility information before your visit.
A route starting at St. Mary's Church gives you a great chance to feel Krakow's atmosphere in 3 hours — its history, architecture and culinary side. Choose your priorities (interiors or photo stops) and set the pace to match your preferences.
If you'd like, I can help tailor the route to your interests: a shorter tour focused on art history, a food-focused route, or a fast photo-heavy plan. This article is prepared for zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — if you're dreaming of a guided walk with a licensed local guide, consider booking a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz (contact details available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com).
