Yes — with a sensible plan you can see the highlights of both places: the Polish Aviation Museum in the morning and the most important points of the Royal Route later in the day. Keep in mind that on December 31 many institutions have shortened opening hours and the city centre can be crowded because of New Year’s Eve events and shows. Book time, buy tickets in advance if possible, and check opening hours on official sites before you set off.
It’s worth visiting the Polish Aviation Museum in the morning — the outdoor exhibition and the rich collection of engines and aircraft make for a unique experience. The museum often announces shorter hours on New Year’s Eve, so plan to arrive in the first half of the day. In the afternoon, walk the Royal Route: St. Florian’s Gate, Floriańska Street, the Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church, then Grodzka Street and Wawel.
If you only have one day, focus on a ‘digest’ version: pick the most interesting sections at the museum (for example aircraft and engines) and in the Old Town concentrate on views and quick visits to the key interiors if they are open.
The Polish Aviation Museum is located outside the strict city centre on al. Jana Pawła II. The exhibition includes large outdoor displays with over two hundred aircraft, plus indoor rooms with engines, models and archival material. On New Year’s Eve the museum often has shortened hours or closes earlier, so it’s best to arrive at opening time or check the current notice before you travel.
The museum runs themed routes (for families, for people interested in vertical take-offs, and for visitors with visual impairments) — if you’re travelling with children, choose the “Adventure in the Museum” route. Allow at least 1.5–2 hours to calmly see the most interesting exhibits and to step into a few indoor displays.
Practical tips: park early because nearby spaces are limited; check for online ticket options; bring a camera — the large aircraft and engine collection are impressive up close.
The easiest way to reach the centre is by tram or taxi/ride-hailing — the trip usually takes 20–40 minutes depending on traffic. If you use public transport, check timetables the day before, as special schedules or route changes may apply on New Year’s Eve.
Once you arrive in the centre it’s best to start the walk from Matejko Square, which leads onto the Royal Route: the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, Floriańska Street, the Main Market Square, Grodzka Street and Wawel. The route is easy to walk and gives you a cross-section of Kraków’s most important monuments.
If you plan to attend a particular outdoor New Year’s event (fireworks, concert), allow extra time for movement and crowd control checks.
The Royal Route is Kraków’s most ceremonial path: it begins at Matejko Square, goes through St. Florian’s Gate and Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square, then continues along Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets up to Wawel. It’s an ideal ‘digest’ of the historic city.
On the Main Market Square stop by the Cloth Hall, pop into St. Mary’s Church if it’s open — and listen for the trumpet call if you can. If you have time and tickets, consider the Market Underground or the towers. Grodzka Street leads past palaces and churches up to Wawel Hill, where the cathedral and royal chambers are the crown of the route.
To save time pick the essentials: St. Florian’s Gate, a brief walk around the Main Market Square (Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s from the outside), and Wawel — an exterior view and a quick courtyard visit will satisfy most visitors.
Kraków has many excellent places — to feel the local atmosphere and have a good meal, choose restaurants with strong reviews and reserve a table early, especially on New Year’s Eve. A few trusted options in the centre: Restauracja Wierzynek (historic, elegant, ideal for a special dinner), Restauracja Pod Aniołami (traditional Polish cuisine in atmospheric cellars) and Café Camelot (a cosy café perfect for dessert or an evening catch-up).
If you prefer a more relaxed vibe after your walk, the Kazimierz district offers many great bars and smaller restaurants — plan an alternative in case central venues are full.
Tip: on New Year’s Eve many places run special menus or private events — always reserve ahead and ask about entry rules, set fees or minimum orders.
Here are practical tips to make your sightseeing more comfortable on New Year’s Eve: check opening hours and notices for each attraction, carry a payment card and some cash, reserve restaurants in advance, plan your return (taxi or a known public transport option) and estimate how many hours you need to complete your route.
The centre will be crowded — expect slow pedestrian movement. Choose warm, comfortable shoes and dress in layers; December evenings can be very cold.
If you plan to watch fireworks, keep a safe distance from dense crowds and follow the instructions of public safety officers.
Not checking opening hours — this is the most frequent mistake in winter and on holidays; before you go check official pages of the places you want to visit.
Overly optimistic scheduling — don’t assume you can complete everything without breaks; add a 30–60 minute buffer for unforeseen delays.
No restaurant reservations — on New Year’s Eve many places are booked well in advance, so reserve early or prepare a backup dining plan.
St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican are parts of the old defensive walls, and walking this route is literally following the path taken for centuries by coronation and funeral processions — hence the name Royal Route.
The Cloth Hall on the Main Market Square was once more than a souvenir spot — it was an important historic trading centre; take a moment to look at the façades of the surrounding tenement houses and spot places connected with old craft guilds.
The Polish Aviation Museum holds one of the largest collections of aircraft engines in Europe and an impressive display of machines — a rather unusual highlight for a standard Kraków sightseeing programme.
Is it worth buying tickets online? — Yes, it saves time in queues and can sometimes give you access to timed entries.
How much time to allow for both attractions? — Minimum: 1.5–2 hours at the museum + 2–3 hours for a compact Royal Route (outdoor views and quick interior visits).
Is New Year’s Eve safe? — Yes, if you take basic precautions: keep important documents with you, don’t leave belongings unattended and follow instructions from city services.
If this plan inspired you — share the article with friends or on social media to help them plan New Year’s Eve in Kraków.
If you’d like to explore with someone who knows the city and can tailor the route to your expectations, consider booking a private guide from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) will be happy to adapt the tour to your needs. I warmly invite you to discover Kraków safely and joyfully — even on New Year’s Eve!
