Do you have only a few hours in Kraków and really want to see the Saints Peter and Paul Basilica? Great choice — it’s the city’s first Baroque church and can charm you at a glance with its façade, interior and several unexpected highlights. Below you’ll find a concrete quick visiting route, practical ticket and opening-hour info, and tips to avoid the most common mistakes.
The basilica stands at ul. Grodzka 52A, near the square of St. Mary Magdalene — just a short walk from the Main Market Square toward Wawel will bring you to one of the most picturesque corners of the Old Town. We’ll do this efficiently, aiming for maximum impressions in minimal time.
I use historical and practical facts here — building dates, location and the most interesting points inside the church — but I explain them in simple language so you can plan your visit right away.
The basilica’s façade with its apostles’ sculptures makes an impression from the street — it’s one of Poland’s finest Baroque elevations. The interior hides rich stucco, polychromes and Baroque altars, and an extra surprise that often delights visitors: the church displays a Foucault pendulum, one of the longest in Poland, which visibly demonstrates Earth’s rotation.
In short: in a few minutes you’ll see representative elements of Kraków Baroque architecture and get a portion of local history without spending hours in museums.
The basilica was built in the first half of the 17th century (construction roughly 1605–1619, consecrated in 1635) — it is the earliest full-Baroque example in Kraków’s urban architecture.
Start: Main Market Square. Walk along Grodzka Street toward Wawel — the stroll usually takes 7–12 minutes depending on pace and crowds.
Entering the interior (10–25 minutes) — look at the façade, the apostles’ sculptures on the fence (they are copies of David Heel’s originals), the main altar, stucco decorations and the pulpit shaped like a boat. In the central area, glance up at the vault and the dome above the transept.
Foucault pendulum (5–10 minutes) — if you catch a demonstration or the pendulum is set up, spend a few minutes observing and enjoying a short explanation of the physical phenomena. It’s an easy-to-remember ‘trick’ that children and adults often recall long after the visit.
Short walk around St. Mary Magdalene square (5–10 minutes) — take in the surroundings: the small square, the urban layout and the neighbouring St. Andrew’s Church.
If you have more time: a quick coffee nearby (15–30 minutes) and a further walk toward Wawel — total route about 1–2 km, ideal for half a day of Old Town sightseeing.
Entrance to the basilica is usually free — it is an active parish church with pastoral duties, so visitors may enter without buying a ticket. Exceptions occur for special events, exhibitions or guided-entry sessions when the organizer may charge a fee.
Opening hours vary with season and liturgical calendar. In practice the basilica is most often open to visitors in the morning and afternoon — typical windows are roughly Mon–Fri about 9:00–19:00, shorter on Saturdays and variable on Sundays and holidays (some hours are reserved for services). It’s always a good idea to check the current hours before you go.
Masses and liturgies have priority — if you find a service in progress, enter respectfully or return after it finishes. This avoids disappointment if the interior is temporarily inaccessible.
Don’t plan your visit during major Masses — many visitors forget to check service times and arrive when the interior is occupied. Choose early morning or late afternoon instead.
Don’t count on online tickets — because this is a parish church most visits are free and don’t require reservation. If you plan a special guided visit or want to attend a specific pendulum demonstration, check with the parish in advance.
Dress code: remember this is a place of worship — shoulders and knees should be covered. This avoids being asked to stay outside or to use paid covering garments.
Keep quiet and respect photographic etiquette — photos are generally allowed, but be discreet during services and in the presence of people praying.
The Foucault pendulum — one of the most ‘scientific’ highlights inside a Baroque church. It’s a wonderful talking point for children and adults to witness physics in a historical setting.
Stucco decorations and the main altar — the sculptural details and polychromes from the 17th–18th centuries deserve a moment of attention; step closer and let your eyes travel across the vaults and side chapels.
Apostles’ sculptures on the fence — the originals by David Heel were exposed to weather and now copies stand outside; the story of these sculptures is a nice anecdote to share while standing on the square.
If you want to eat nearby, consider well-rated places on Grodzka Street and around the Market: Miód Malina, La Campana and Pod Aniołami are long-established spots appreciated by visitors. All are within a short walk from the basilica.
For coffee and a snack, look for a charming café on the Market–Wawel route — Kraków cafés range from rustic to design-led. A short break after visiting is a good moment to look at a map and plan the rest of your day.
If time is tight, get coffee to go and walk toward Wawel — the view of the castle from nearby hills rewards a brisk pace.
This is the first Baroque church in Kraków — construction finished in the first half of the 17th century and the design was inspired by the Roman Il Gesù, making it an architecturally important point in the city’s history.
The Foucault pendulum in this church is impressively long — one of the more notable demonstrations of the experiment outside university lecture halls.
The apostles’ sculptures on the fence are copies of well-preserved originals — the originals suffered weather damage over time, which led to the decision to display replicas outdoors.
Do I need to buy tickets online? - No, standard visiting is free and doesn’t require reservation. For special guided visits or events, check the organizers in advance.
How much time do I need? - 30–75 minutes is enough to see the main elements. If you like to linger, read info panels or pray, plan more time.
Can I enter during Mass? - Services have priority; if you prefer to visit without liturgy, check service times or choose a different time of day.
Are there audio guides? - Sometimes guided tours or short presentations occur, but most visits are individual. If you want deeper historical context, you can arrange a private guided visit with Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
If you liked this quick guide, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan a short but valuable stay in Kraków.
If you’d like to explore Kraków with a local who knows the city and can show you how to make the most of your time, contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. She can tailor a route to your needs: fast pace, themed tours or family-friendly tempo — the choice is yours.
Enjoy your visit and see you in Kraków!
