The Town Hall Tower on the Main Square is more than a landmark — it is one of the few surviving parts of the old town hall and a natural starting point for a logical walking route through the heart of Kraków. If you want a short, intense walk, the section of the Royal Route from the Florian Gate through the Main Square to Wawel can be covered in roughly 1.5–2 hours, stopping at the main sights and taking photos. This is a great option when you have limited time, want to feel the city’s atmosphere and don’t plan to enter every museum or interior.
Start: the Barbican and Florian Gate — the entrance to the Old Town. A quick stop for a photo and a short story about the old defensive walls.
Floriańska Street — stroll down one of the city’s representative streets toward the Main Square; notice the townhouses and pastel facades and hear short anecdotes about who lived here and what everyday life was like for the city’s merchants.
Main Square: Cloth Hall, the Mickiewicz Monument and the Town Hall Tower — a short history of the square; I recommend going up the Town Hall Tower if time allows: the viewpoint gives a nice perspective and the tower has an interesting past — once part of the town hall, today the only preserved fragment.
St. Mary’s Basilica — from the outside you can feel the monumental character of the church, and if you have a moment it’s worth popping inside to see Veit Stoss’s altarpiece. Don’t forget to listen for the trumpet signal on the hour.
Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets — a short walk toward Wawel. Along the way you can tell stories about university traditions and the old academic houses.
Wawel — the finale: an outdoor walk around the hill, a stop by the Wawel Dragon, a photo with the Vistula panorama and the castle. If you don’t have time to visit interiors, the courtyard and surroundings are very satisfying on their own.
Morning: breakfast in the centre — I recommend starting early (8:00–9:00) to avoid the biggest crowds on the Main Square. Popular spots include Charlotte (fresh bread and coffee) or cafés near the Planty.
Late morning: Main Square, Town Hall Tower, St. Mary’s Basilica — if you plan to visit museums (Main Square Underground, Wawel), book tickets online in advance to avoid queues.
Noon: Wawel — visit the Cathedral and the castle rooms (optional), then a short lunch break near Kanonicza Street or below Wawel, where traditional Polish dishes are served.
Afternoon: Kazimierz — a walk through the Jewish quarter, visit synagogues, Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy with its zapiekanki; you’ll also find trendy cafés and interesting bars. Alternative: a Vistula river cruise or a visit to MOCAK or the Schindler Factory Museum.
Evening: dinner in Kazimierz or near the Main Square and a walk along the Vistula — finish the day at sunset with a view of the city panorama.
The tower has a characteristic Gothic-Baroque silhouette and is one of the few remaining fragments of the old town hall — climbing it is a quick way to get a lovely view of the Square and surrounding streets. Historically the tower also had prison cells and cellars with a less pleasant past — that gives the place added character.
Surprise: the tower isn’t perfectly straight — over time and through historical events the building has tilted by several dozen centimetres (a detail visitors often find intriguing).
Another fact: the Main Square is the largest medieval market square in Europe — while walking, take a moment to appreciate the scale and the layers of history under your feet.
Start early — crowds at the Main Square and Wawel grow as the day goes on. If you only have one day, use the morning hours wisely.
Buy tickets online — for Wawel, the Main Square Underground or other popular attractions, book in advance. This saves time and lets you make the most of your visit.
Comfortable shoes and layers — Kraków is a walking city; cobblestones call for good footwear and the weather can change. Bring a water bottle and a light daypack.
Be aware of crowds and pickpockets — as in any popular tourist area, keep your documents and wallet safe and secure.
Plan B for rain — museums, cafés and the Main Square Underground are excellent alternatives if the weather disrupts your walk.
Charlotte — a French-style bakery with fresh bread and breakfasts; a great way to start the day before heading out on your walk.
Cafe Camelot — a cosy café near the Main Square, popular for its interior and atmosphere.
Wierzynek — a historic restaurant on the Main Square that works well for a special dinner; reservations are recommended in high season.
Zazie Bistro (and other well-rated bistros in Kazimierz) — if you’re looking for modern cuisine with good reviews, check local listings and pick a highly rated spot.
Trying to see “everything” in one day — this leads to fatigue and frustration. It’s better to pick a few key highlights and enjoy them than to rush through the city.
Not booking popular attractions — this can mean long lines or no entry. Book ahead if you plan to go inside major sites.
Underestimating distances and time — even when sites are geographically close, exploring with stories, photos and breaks takes longer than you think.
Eating at the first tourist spot you find — prices can be inflated and quality lower. Check reviews or ask a local guide for recommended places.
How long does it take to go up the Town Hall Tower? - Climbing and enjoying the view usually takes 15–30 minutes, depending on queues and your pace.
Can this route be done with a stroller or a person with limited mobility? - Some parts are accessible, but many historic sites and cobbled streets make movement more difficult; check accessibility and ramps in advance.
Is it worth paying for a guide? - If you want stories and context that aren’t obvious at first glance, a guide greatly enriches the experience. If you prefer to walk on your own, this plan and the short descriptions are enough to help you feel the city.
Look into side passages and alleys — they often hide the smallest, most atmospheric cafés and artisan workshops.
If you have a camera phone — try photos from Wawel looking toward the Old Town; colours at sunrise or sunset can be exceptional.
Consider a short break on the Vistula — even 20 minutes on the river boulevards gives you a breather and a different perspective of Kraków’s panorama.
If this plan helped you, share the article with friends or on social media — it might save someone time and stress when organising a trip.
If you’d like to explore Kraków with someone who will tell stories, show shortcuts and match the pace to your needs, consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and more information are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website. I warmly invite you to get in touch and wish you a wonderful walk in Kraków!
