Because it’s the essence of Krakow in a single stretch: medieval gates and walls, the impressive Main Market Square with St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall, and finally the royal hill with the Castle and Cathedral. The route from the Barbican to Wawel connects the city’s key points and lets you feel its atmosphere, legends and centuries of history — all on foot, without rushing if you plan your day well.
Walking the Royal Route also gives you lots of flexibility: you can stop at churches, museums, cafés and viewpoints along the Vistula. For people who want to capture the city’s vibe, it’s the best choice for a first day in Krakow.
A short fun fact to start: Wawel sits on a limestone outcrop at about 228 m above sea level, and at its foot is the Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama) — a cave partly open to visitors and tied to the old legend of the Wawel Dragon.
08:30-09:00 - Start at the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate. This is a great place to begin the day, take photos and set off down Floriańska Street toward the Market Square.
09:00-11:30 - Main Market Square: stroll the Cloth Hall, visit St. Mary’s Basilica (don’t miss the Veit Stoss altarpiece and try to hear the trumpet call at 12:00 if you’ll be nearby), and consider a short visit to the Town Hall Tower or the Market Square Underground — if you plan to see the underground museum, book tickets in advance.
11:30-13:00 - Lunch near the Market. Choose depending on your mood: traditional Polish cuisine, a modern-menu restaurant or a cosy café with cake and coffee.
13:00-15:00 - Walk along Grodzka and Kanonicza streets toward Wawel: you’ll pass beautiful churches and atmospheric corners. On the way you can visit the area below the Castle and descend to the Vistula bank.
15:00-18:00 - Wawel Hill: visit the Cathedral (royal tombs, chapels) and the Royal Castle — pick the exhibitions that interest you most. Keep in mind Wawel can take a lot of time, so it’s wise to reserve at least one tour in advance.
18:00-evening - Dinner and an evening stroll along the Vistula Boulevards or return to the Market for a glass of wine or dessert.
The Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate - remnants of medieval fortifications, a perfect starting point and first photo spot.
Floriańska Street and Main Market Square - the city’s heart: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica (trumpet call at the top of the hour), the Adam Mickiewicz Monument and lively cafés.
Market Square Underground - a modern archaeological museum revealing the medieval origins of the city; tickets often need booking, especially in season.
Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets - atmospheric historic streets leading to Wawel, passing baroque and gothic churches.
Wawel - the Cathedral and Royal Castle: royal tombs, the treasury and rotating exhibitions. Don’t forget the Dragon’s Den at the hill’s foot.
Book tickets for the Castle and, if needed, for parts of the Cathedral in advance, especially if you want to see crypts or climb the bell tower — popular time slots sell out quickly.
Decide which exhibitions are your priority (for example, the State Rooms, the Treasury, the Armoury). Wawel is several separate routes rather than a single attraction, so plan between 1.5 and 4 hours depending on choices.
There is also an open courtyard at Wawel where you can rest without a ticket — late afternoon gives particularly nice light for photos.
Around the Market and on the route you’ll find a wide choice of places — from small cafés to restaurants serving traditional Polish food. A few spots visitors often like: Wierzynek (historic restaurant), Pod Aniołami (Polish cuisine in historic interiors), Café Camelot (cozy café for coffee) and Szara Gęś (modern Polish cuisine by the Market).
If you want something quick and local, try a zapiekanka from a street stall or seasonal smoked sheep’s cheese (oscypek) — an easy way to grab a bite before continuing your walk.
There are also cafés and bars on and near Wawel where you can rest before moving on; in high season it’s a good idea to reserve a table for lunch or dinner at popular places.
Shoes: comfortable footwear with good soles is best — cobbled streets and stone steps can be tiring after several hours.
Tickets and reservations: the Market Square Underground and some Wawel routes require advance booking — buy tickets online to avoid long lines. If you have a timed Castle ticket, arrive 10-15 minutes early.
Crowds and timing: weekends and the spring-to-autumn season are busiest; mornings and late afternoons are the most pleasant for fewer crowds and better light.
Weather and clothing: bring a light jacket regardless of the season — it can be cooler by the Vistula. In summer, wear sunscreen and carry water.
Safety: Krakow is generally safe for tourists, but watch out for pickpockets in crowded areas and keep personal belongings secure.
The whole route from the Barbican through the Market and Grodzka to Wawel is short within the city centre; depending on side stops and detours you may walk 4-8 km during the day.
If you go at an easy pace with photography and interior visits, plan for 8–9 hours of useful time including breaks. For a more intense visit you can shorten it to about 6 hours, but you’ll need to limit museum entries and long stops.
If needed, trams and buses in the centre quickly connect the Market with the Main Station and other parts of the city — for limited time you can use public transport, but the walking route is the most enjoyable.
Can you see Wawel and the Market in one day? - Yes, but you’ll need to prioritise. If you want to see all Wawel exhibitions and the Market Square Underground, start early and book tickets.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance? - For the Market Square Underground and popular Wawel routes we strongly recommend buying online, especially in season. Some parts of the Cathedral have separate admission.
When is the trumpet call played? - The trumpet call from St. Mary’s Basilica is sounded every day at 12:00; if you want to hear it, plan to be at the Market around midday.
Is the route suitable for families with children? - Yes, but adjust the pace and include rest stops. The Dragon’s Den and the dragon statue are attractions children usually enjoy.
Morning before you leave: phone charger, water bottle, comfortable shoes, tickets/booking confirmations.
During the day: schedule saved in your phone, coffee/lunch breaks, buffer time for queues.
Evening: stroll along the Vistula Boulevards, dinner in a cosy restaurant and relax after an active day.
Don’t try to tick everything off. Krakow is best enjoyed when you pause for the smell of cafés, admire architectural details and linger by the river.
If you plan to return, save Kazimierz and Nowa Huta for another day. Today, focus on the Royal Route and Wawel and you’ll leave with stories and photos.
Enjoy your walk and good luck discovering Krakow - if you’d like, I can prepare a version of this plan with map points or a shortened schedule tailored to your pace.
