You have about 120 minutes but want to feel the Old Town’s atmosphere, come away with nice photos and a handful of useful facts — that’s doable. In two hours you can walk the most important stretch of the Royal Route, view the Main Market Square from different sides, admire St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) from the outside, and catch quick views of Wawel Castle and the Planty gardens.
This plan assumes a walking pace, short stops and skipping most paid interiors. If you want to enter the Basilica, the Market Underground or Wawel’s courtyards and museums, add time — two hours will then be too short.
Start: St. Florian’s Gate / the Barbican — 10–15 minutes. A beautiful place to begin, a quick introduction to the city walls and a great photo spot before you head down Floriańska Street toward the Square.
Floriańska Street — 10–15 minutes. Stroll this representative street to see historic townhouses, plaques to notable residents and the feel of the commercial avenue leading straight to the Market.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall — 40–60 minutes. Walk around the square’s frontages, look at the Cloth Hall from several angles, glance at the Town Hall Tower and watch everyday city life. If you wish to enter St. Mary’s Basilica, plan an extra 20–40 minutes for a queue and tickets.
Short detour: Kanonicza Street or a section of the Planty — 10–15 minutes. Kanonicza is one of the most atmospheric little streets — ideal for quick photos and a quiet moment.
View of Wawel from the ramparts or Vistula boulevards — 15–20 minutes. You don’t have to go into the castle to get lovely shots of Wawel rising above the river.
End point: the Planty or a nearby café — a few minutes to rest and plan the rest of your day.
Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - walk the arcades and admire the historic façades; inside the sheltered arches you’ll usually find souvenir and craft stalls, and the colonnade perspective makes attractive photos.
St. Mary’s Basilica - from outside the twin towers and Gothic silhouette are impressive; if you go in and have time, you can see the magnificent altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss (entrance is paid and queues sometimes form).
Town Hall Tower - a fragment of the old town hall with stories of the city and a clear landmark. Observe the square from different sides — by the Cloth Hall steps and toward Grodzka Street you’ll get varied perspectives.
Entrances to popular interiors (St. Mary’s Basilica, the Market Underground, Wawel) are usually paid and may require buying tickets on site or online. For a two-hour walk treat these as optional extras — if entering is important, allow more time.
Public toilets are limited close to the Square; you can use facilities in museums, shopping centers or cafés (often after a purchase).
Card payments are widely accepted in the center, but carry small cash for market stalls and tiny purchases. Keep documents and your phone close — be mindful of pickpockets in crowded spots.
Cobblestones and uneven surfaces: comfortable shoes are essential. If you use a stroller or have mobility limits, plan the route more slowly and expect some sections to be less accessible.
Morning (about 6:00–9:00) — the fewest crowds, soft light, perfect for peaceful photos and capturing architecture without many people.
Afternoon and the golden hour — warm colours and flattering light, but more visitors. For reflections and dramatic skies head toward the Vistula boulevards and Wawel embankments.
Evening — illuminated façades and atmospheric shots, though note changes in foot traffic and fewer open venues.
The basic route is family-friendly — short segments, breaks at the Planty and benches along the way. Consider a stop for ice cream or coffee near the Square.
For visitors with limited mobility: some streets and squares are accessible, but cobbles and steps can make movement harder. Contact places you plan to enter in advance to check for lifts and ramps.
If you have a stroller, prefer the main Planty avenues rather than every cobbled alley — this will make the walk easier.
The Square hides many small details: old measuring marks near the Cloth Hall, coats of arms and memorial plaques on façades — take a moment to look up and along the buildings.
St. Mary’s Basilica is famous for the trumpet call (Hejnał) played from the taller tower on the hour — a short, emotional local tradition to hear if you’re on the Square.
The Planty form a green ring around the Old Town and are a great spot for a short break away from the Market’s bustle.
- comfortable shoes - a light jacket or rain cape - a powerbank - a bottle of water and small change for souvenirs - offline maps or saved points in your map app - a good mood and openness to chat with locals
The Main Market Square is the heart of the city and is best explored on foot. Even in two hours you can feel its rhythm, see the key sights and take lovely photos. Walk without hurry, stop where something intrigues you and remember — Krakow rewards curiosity and a sense of humour.
If you’d like, I can tailor a short route specifically to your interests — photography, history, family or a relaxed stroll. Write to me and I’ll help plan the perfect two hours in Krakow.
