St. Barbara's Church stands on Mały Rynek (Mały Rynek 8) and is often called one of the most picturesque corners of the Old Town — the corner where its façade meets the House Under the Orchard (Dom Pod Ogrojcem) creates a classic view of Krakow's Market. From this spot it's easy to begin a short walk that, within about a 15-minute radius on foot, will take you to the city's most important symbols.
Mały Rynek is a convenient base: in a few minutes you can reach the Main Market Square, St. Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall; if you fancy a slightly longer walk, Wawel Hill is at a distance most people cover in about 10–15 minutes. That means you can see the city's highlights quickly and then sit down for coffee in one of the well-regarded cafés nearby.
Start: St. Barbara's Church, Mały Rynek 8. Take a moment to enjoy the charming square and look at the side elevation that sits next to the rear façade of St. Mary's Basilica.
Direction: Main Market Square (1–3 minutes). Walk across Mały Rynek toward the Cloth Hall and admire St. Mary's Basilica — a perfect spot for first photos and a short story about the hejnał (trumpet call) and the altarpiece by Veit Stoss.
If you have an extra 10–15 minutes: head toward Wawel (routes go via Grodzka Street or Świętego Gertruda Street) — the walk takes about 10–15 minutes from the Main Market Square, depending on pace and photo stops.
Alternative: if you prefer atmospheric side streets, walk along Floriańska Street to see St. Florian's Gate and the Barbican — the route takes a similar time and is full of historic townhouses and charming nooks.
St. Mary's Basilica and its tower — a symbol of Krakow; the hejnał is played from here every hour.
The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) — the heart of the Market Square: galleries, souvenir stalls and a place where the history of trade meets modern life.
The House Under the Orchard (Dom Pod Ogrojcem) and Mały Rynek — picturesque townhouses and a quieter photo background with views of the centre.
Wawel — the royal hill and cathedral; depending on your pace you can reach it in about 10–15 minutes from the Main Market Square.
Floriańska Street, St. Florian's Gate and the Barbican — part of the Royal Route full of history, craft shops and interesting architectural details.
The Planty and Krakow's little streets — a relaxing green belt around the Old Town, ideal for a short rest.
Wierzynek — a famous historic restaurant right by the Main Market Square; consider booking a table if you plan a longer meal in historic interiors.
Camelot Cafe — a cosy café on Świętego Tomasza Street, a good stop for a cup of coffee after visiting Mały Rynek.
Charlotte (Plac Szczepański) — a French bakery and bistro praised for fresh bread, breakfasts and a friendly atmosphere; a great place to pause between sights.
Tip: around the Market you'll find many places across a range of prices; if you want good value, choose venues with a longer history or many positive reviews — they often offer a better quality-to-price ratio.
Check the mass times at St. Barbara's Church before your visit, especially if you plan to go inside outside typical tourist hours; the church holds regular services and ceremonies.
The Old Town has many cobbled streets — comfortable shoes are essential. For visitors with limited mobility some routes can be challenging; allow extra time and check accessibility at specific sites.
Tickets and reservations: some attractions (for example selected routes at Wawel) require tickets or reservations — especially in high season. If you want to climb St. Mary's tower or visit certain exhibitions, check availability in advance.
Crowds and safety: the city centre can be crowded, particularly in season and on weekends. Keep an eye on small valuables, plan brief stops off the main routes and use side streets to avoid the largest crowds.
Trying to “see everything” in one hour — it's better to focus on a few places, soak up the atmosphere and leave time for a break.
Not checking opening hours of churches and museums — many sites have limited visiting hours or specific closed days.
Choosing the first restaurant you find without checking reviews — around the Market there are many tourist-oriented places that can be pricey and underwhelming.
Being disrespectful in sacred places — remember to stay quiet and dress appropriately during services.
The corner of Mały Rynek near St. Barbara's Church and the House Under the Orchard appears on many postcards as a “picturesque corner” — it's one of those spots that often looks even better in person than in photos.
Wawel and the Main Market Square are closer than many visitors expect — with a relaxed pace you can comfortably walk between them in under 20 minutes.
Is 15 minutes enough to walk from St. Barbara's Church to Wawel? - Yes. At a steady pace the walk takes about 10–15 minutes from the Main Market Square; if you stop for photos or take breaks, allow more time.
Can you go inside St. Barbara's Church? - Yes, the church is open to visitors, but be mindful of mass times and show respect during liturgies.
Is the area safe at night? - The Old Town is usually well lit and busy after dark, but as in any major city it's wise to stay alert and watch personal belongings.
Plan your route so you leave at least one longer break for coffee or a small meal — often the most enjoyable part of sightseeing. Choose trusted places (for example Camelot, Charlotte, Wierzynek) if you care about quality.
If you want to learn more than a guidebook provides, pick one detail to remember and come back later or look up the story behind a particular townhouse or sculpture — Krakow is full of stories worth discovering slowly.
If you enjoyed this route and would like to explore the city with a private guide, we recommend the services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact and details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
