Krakow is a city you can fall for in just a few hours — if your route is well planned. This article gives a proven, practical plan for about 3–5 hours of walking (a quick variant and an extended variant), tips on avoiding queues and suggestions for quick, well-rated places to eat. The route is designed to show the main highlights: the Main Market Square, the Royal Route, Wawel, the Vistula boulevards and the essence of Kazimierz — all without unnecessary running around.
If you prefer to start from another part of town (for example the train station or Kazimierz), you can easily reverse the order — the important thing is to keep a logical sequence: Market Square ↔ Wawel ↔ boulevards ↔ Kazimierz. Below you'll also find practical tips, a packing list and the most common mistakes to avoid.
The plan was prepared by Małgorzata Kasprowicz — a licensed guide. Visit zwiedzaniekrakowa.com for her offer and contact details.
09:00–09:30 — start at St. Florian's Gate / the Planty: a short walk along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square, first photos, a pretzel (obwarzanek) and initial orientation.
09:30–10:00 — Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets: walk the Royal Route toward Wawel, with a few photo stops on Kanonicza.
10:00–10:40 — Wawel: stroll around the courtyard, view the cathedral and the Dragon’s Den from the outside; if you want to enter the State Rooms or the cathedral interior, reserve an extra 30–60 minutes.
10:40–11:00 — Vistula boulevards: a short rest by the river, photos and a quick snack.
11:00–12:00 — Kazimierz: Szeroka, Izaaka, Wąska streets and Wolnica Square — the district’s essence, synagogues, atmospheric cafés and stalls. Optionally stop briefly at Nowy Square for the famous zapiekanka.
Optional extended variant (5–6 hours): add entry to the Market Underground or the State Rooms, a short Vistula boat trip, or an evening walk to Kościuszko Mound.
The route follows a natural historical and spatial sequence — starting from the Market we go the Royal Route to Wawel, then down to the Vistula and across to Kazimierz. This avoids unnecessary backtracking and keeps walking distance to roughly 4–6 km depending on the chosen variant.
Starting early helps avoid the largest crowds on the Market and gives better light for photos. Wawel is best viewed from the outside outside peak hours, and Kazimierz is pleasant a bit later when cafés start serving lunch.
If weather or mobility are limited, it’s easy to shorten the route: skip interior visits, view Wawel from the boulevards and limit your time in Kazimierz to a single street.
Main Market Square: the largest medieval square in Europe — walk around the edges, admire the Cloth Hall and listen for the trumpeter’s hejnał from St. Mary’s Tower (if you’re there on the hour). A short visit is enough to feel the atmosphere.
The Royal Route (Grodzka, Kanonicza): a historic path with beautiful townhouses and quiet nooks — Kanonicza is one of the most picturesque stretches between the Market and Wawel.
Wawel: the courtyard, the cathedral and the panorama over the Vistula. A short walk on the hill gives a good sense of the site’s importance; visiting interiors requires more time and ticket reservations.
Vistula boulevards: an ideal spot for a short break and photos with views of the river and Wawel; there are plenty of benches and takeaway food points.
Kazimierz: the former Jewish quarter with atmospheric streets, synagogues and many small cafés and restaurants — pick one or two streets to get the district’s character.
Breakfast/snack at the start: Charlotte (Plac Szczepański) — a French-style bakery with good breakfasts and coffee; Massolit Books & Cafe (near the Market) — books and solid coffee for those who like a calm start.
Quick lunch in the center: restaurants around the Market offer traditional and regional dishes; for something quick and local try an obwarzanek or a bowl of soup at a well-rated place near the square.
Kazimierz — coffee and dessert: in this district stop at atmospheric cafés such as Cafe Młynek or other popular spots with good reviews; if you prefer something classic, choose small restaurants with positive guest ratings and short service times.
Dinner after a day of sightseeing: if you plan to stay for the evening, pick a restaurant with good reviews and reserve a table in advance — on weekends places near the Market and in Kazimierz fill up fast.
Buy tickets online for the Market Underground, the State Rooms or other popular attractions — reservations help you skip long lines.
Start early (8:30–9:00), wear comfortable shoes and carry a small backpack with water. Krakow’s weather can change, so a lightweight rain jacket is a good idea.
Walk where possible — most attractions are close to each other; if needed, use a tram for longer stretches. Check accessibility options for people with limited mobility if required.
Keep documents and money in a secure place; crowds on the Market make pickpocketing more likely — watch your backpacks and wallets.
If you have only 2 hours: take a very quick route Market → Grodzka → Wawel (outside only) → boulevards.
Trying to “see everything” in one day — this leads to exhaustion and unsatisfying visits. Better to focus on a few highlights and enjoy them.
Not reserving tickets for popular interiors — planning to enter the Market Underground or the State Rooms without a ticket often means long waits. Book in advance.
Starting too late on weekends — if you arrive on Saturday or Sunday, begin early to avoid peak crowds on the Market.
Eating at the first available place on the Market — choose tried-and-true spots or small fast venues with good reviews if you care about quality and speed of service.
Comfortable walking shoes.
Small backpack with a water bottle and a power bank.
Ticket or reservation number on your phone (if you bought tickets online).
Card and small cash; an umbrella or a lightweight rain jacket.
How many kilometers will I walk? Depending on the variant — typical distance is about 4–6 km for the standard route; extended variants can be longer.
Is the route suitable for families with children? Yes, if you plan one longer break and shorter walking sections. Avoid long museum visits if children get bored quickly.
Do I need a ticket for Wawel? Walking around the hill and the courtyard is not always ticketed, but entrances to certain chambers and exhibitions require tickets — check times and book online.
How do I avoid crowds? The simplest way is to start early in the morning, choose side streets in Kazimierz and consider visiting popular interiors outside peak hours.
Wawel is not just the castle and cathedral — there are many less obvious nooks and viewpoints that give great frames of the Vistula and the Old Town.
On Kanonicza and near Grodzka you’ll find very quiet, well-preserved fragments of old Krakow — perfect for a short break away from the crowds.
The Vistula boulevards are a great place to observe local life: young people, cyclists and small food vendors often gather there, especially in good weather.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — it helps others better plan a short visit to Krakow.
If you want to see Krakow without stress and with a guide who will show the most interesting corners at a pace matched to you, check the private guiding offer by Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact and details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Have a great trip and take wonderful photos!
