The Barbican is one of Krakow's most recognizable fortifications — a round brick structure that still reminds us the Old Town was once surrounded by defensive walls. Walking from St. Florian's Gate along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square is the classic beginning of the "Royal Road" and a great orientation point for anyone short on time but wanting to feel the city's historic heart.
If you plan to explore on foot, starting the day at the Barbican and following the Royal Road lets you see the key sights quickly and catch Krakow's atmosphere — from the Gothic St. Mary's Church to Wawel Hill.
Later in this text you'll find routes and practical tips for 1-, 2- and 3-day walking plans, plus recommendations for coffee and lunch spots where you can rest and taste local cuisine.
This plan is for people who have only one day, are on a layover, or want a "best of" Krakow on foot. Start: around the Barbican–St. Florian's Gate area (best to begin in the morning, about 8:00–9:00).
Suggested route: Barbican and St. Florian's Gate – Floriańska Street – Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Church, Town Hall) – Grodzka/Kanonicza Street – Wawel Hill (Castle, Cathedral, Dragon's Den) – walk the Vistula boulevards south or head to Kościuszko Mound if you have energy and time.
Time: an intensive walking day including visits inside selected attractions (for example the Cathedral, possibly the Market Underground or one interior at Wawel) will take 8–10 hours with breaks. If you only view things from outside, 5–6 hours is usually enough.
Tips: buy tickets to popular museums in advance (Wawel, Market Underground, some exhibitions), wear comfortable shoes and carry a water bottle. For a coffee break, choose places near the Market or Kanonicza — a quick way to recharge without straying far from the route.
Day 1: Follow the one-day route but take your time with the castle and one museum visit. Finish the day with dinner in one of the restaurants on Kazimierz or by the Market Square.
Day 2: Enjoy the atmosphere of Kazimierz and Podgórze. In the morning stroll Kazimierz's streets: Szeroka Street, the synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery and cozy cafés. In the afternoon you can visit the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum or MOCAK (Museum of Contemporary Art), and in the evening walk the Vistula boulevards or have dinner in a stylish Kazimierz restaurant.
Time and pace: spread museum visits across both days and reserve one longer meal at the end of each day. This gives you time to feel the city without rushing and to discover Krakow's café and culinary side.
Day 1: Old Town and Wawel with a looser schedule (visits inside, Market Underground).
Day 2: Kazimierz and Podgórze, visit the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum or MOCAK, evening at Plac Nowy (zapiekanki, cafés) or a cozy restaurant.
Day 3: Choose a trip outside the city (Wieliczka, Tyniec, Ojcowski National Park) or reserve time for lesser-seen city areas — Nowa Huta, the Błonia meadows, green mounds (Kościuszko Mound, Krakus Mound). If you prefer to stay in the city, take a themed walk (for example a café route, street art tour, or literary trails).
Benefit of 3 days: you can walk around but keep a gentler pace, have time to rest and enjoy good food — Krakow is best discovered slowly.
Shoes and weather: sturdy, comfortable footwear is essential — cobblestones, stone steps and longer walks are common. Check the forecast and bring a light raincoat or umbrella if weather is uncertain.
Tickets and hours: check opening hours and buy tickets online for popular attractions (Wawel, Market Underground, some exhibitions) — you'll save time and avoid queues.
Luggage: if you only have a few hours in the city, use left-luggage services at Kraków Główny station or luggage storage services in the center. This is convenient for travelers with small bags.
Toilets and breaks: public city toilets are located at several points — check a map or use cafés and restaurants (often a purchase is required).
Safety: Krakow is generally safe for tourists, but stay alert in crowded places (wallets, phones). At night stick to main streets and well-lit squares, especially if you're alone.
Transport note: trams and buses are convenient for longer transfers (for example to Nowa Huta or Kościuszko Mound) if you want to save walking time.
Breakfast / coffee: Charlotte (pl. Szczepański) — fresh bread and a cozy bakery atmosphere; Massolit Books & Café (Kazimierz) — for book lovers and good coffee; Cafe Camelot (Św. Tomasza / Kanonicza Street) — a snug spot near the Market.
Lunch / dinner near the Old Town and Wawel: Szara (Market Square) — classic dishes in a convenient location; Pod Wawelem — traditional Polish food in large portions, a popular place after visiting Wawel.
Kazimierz and late evening: Mleczarnia or Starka — atmospheric spots with a nice vibe; Plac Nowy for quick snacks and the famous zapiekanki (Polish-style open-faced toasts).
Sweets / desserts: Wedel or small patisseries near the Market and in Kazimierz — try local pastries and chocolate.
Note: in the high season it's a good idea to reserve a table for the evening, especially at popular restaurants in the Old Town and Kazimierz.
The center of the Old Town is compact so most classic sights are within a short walk (a few hundred meters to 1–2 km between main points). Walking the whole Royal Road slowly with breaks is about 3–4 km.
If you plan longer routes (Kościuszko Mound, Nowa Huta, Ojcowski National Park), expect to use public transport or short car/train trips. Kościuszko Mound and some other mounds require uphill walks, so your step count can easily double.
Example: walking from St. Florian's Gate to Wawel is about 2–3 km depending on the route and how often you stop for photos or sights.
Can you "see" Krakow in 1 day? Yes — you can visit the main points and feel the city's atmosphere, but it will be an intense day without deep visits to all museum interiors.
How many steps / km per day with intensive sightseeing? With a one-day walking plan you can do 10–15 km, depending on how often you pause and which route you take. Keep this in mind when planning shoes and breaks.
Is Krakow family-friendly? Yes — many attractions are suitable for children (Dragon's Den, Vistula riverboat rides, Wieliczka Salt Mine nearby). Break the sightseeing into shorter stages and plan play breaks.
Where to leave a car? It's safest to use guarded parking lots or hotel parking; in the center use short walks and paid parking zones.
Is a tourist card worth it? If you plan to enter several museums in 1–2 days, check available city cards and discounts — they can pay off, but not always if you mainly plan outdoor walks.
Plan key visits in advance but leave flexibility for spontaneous discoveries — that's often the best part of exploring.
Use breaks to taste local flavors: good coffee and a solid meal will give you energy and help you notice architectural details and everyday city life.
If you want to feel Krakow "like a local", pick one neighborhood (for example Kazimierz) and devote a few relaxed hours to it instead of rushing through every sight.
And finally: Krakow likes it when you come back. Even if you only see a part of it in one day, the city will welcome you with more surprises on your next visit.
