For many visitors the first encounter with Kraków is the Old Town and Wawel. The Royal Route, which runs from St. Florian’s Gate through the Main Market Square up to Wawel Hill, is a perfect route to print and take with you. On paper you can see the order of sights, approximate walking times and short descriptions — this makes self-guiding easier without constantly checking a phone map. This printable guide was created for people who want to feel the city on foot, using practical tips and suggestions for coffee or lunch breaks.
Below you’ll find a ready-to-print Wawel + Old Town plan — marked points, suggested visit times, rain alternatives and a short list of recommended nearby places to eat. This isn’t a dry museum list but a friendly guide you can fold into a pocket or print as a single A4 for quick orientation. Let me lead you step by step.
Start: St. Florian’s Gate - begin in the morning at St. Florian’s Gate or from the Planty park to ease into the city atmosphere. Note: it’s also a great spot for first photos with the medieval walls and the Barbican as a backdrop.
Floriańska Street - Main Market Square (15–25 min on foot) - walk down Floriańska Street, notice the townhouses and shops with local souvenirs. At the Market, peek under the Cloth Hall arcades and listen for the bugle call from St. Mary’s tower (played every hour).
Main Market Square - Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica (30–45 min) - from the outside the Cloth Hall makes the strongest impression; inside you’ll find craft stalls and galleries. If you plan to enter St. Mary’s Basilica or climb its tower, add time and buy tickets.
Market - Grodzka Street - Wawel Hill (20–30 min) - follow Grodzka Street to reach Wawel. On the way you’ll pass historic canon houses and churches worth seeing even from the outside.
Wawel - courtyard and Cathedral (30–60 min) - walking the Wawel courtyard is free and offers beautiful views of the Vistula. Interiors — chapels, crypts and the treasury — require tickets and reservations, so plan extra time if you want to visit them.
A small map showing the Royal Route and key landmarks (St. Florian’s Gate, Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, Grodzka Street, Wawel).
A short description of each point (1–2 sentences): why it’s worth seeing, what to view from the outside and what requires a ticket.
Suggested times and alternatives: a shorter version for travellers rushing from the train, and a longer version for explorers who want café breaks.
A short “what to bring” list — comfortable shoes, a water bottle, powerbank, umbrella or rain jacket, a printed map and the phone number for your accommodation.
A few recommended places to eat near the route (cafés, lunch spots, snack bars).
St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican - remnants of the city’s old defensive fortifications; great photo backdrop and the start of the Royal Route. Notice the historic architecture and carved details of the gate.
Floriańska and Grodzka Streets - these are historic arteries full of townhouses, stalls and small galleries. Grodzka leads straight to Wawel, so consider a short stop at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church and the historic canon houses along the way.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall - Europe’s largest medieval market square. The Cloth Hall is not only a shopping spot but also an art gallery and historic passage. The bugle call from St. Mary’s tower is one of Kraków’s symbols.
St. Mary’s Basilica - inside is the altarpiece by Veit Stoss, one of Poland’s most important works of sacred art. Entrance is paid, but walking around the church and listening for the bugle call is free.
Wawel - the royal hill, Castle and Cathedral. Walking the courtyard is free and very evocative. If you want to see the treasury, the Sigismund Chapel or the royal crypts, check opening hours, ticket types and reserve entries in advance. Official museum guides work on site if you prefer a commented visit.
Choose a single A4 page or a two-sided summary — depending on whether you prefer a compact card or a more detailed plan with descriptions. Black printing saves ink and is readable in sunlight.
Update opening hours and ticket info — some exhibitions and towers have limited availability or seasonal hours. If you plan to enter interiors, check current prices and online reservation options before printing.
Mark a “Plan B” on the printout in case of rain: a shorter indoor route through museums or a coffee-and-museum day instead of an outdoor walk.
Add a small QR code or your own link to an offline map — if you want a digital backup, generate a simple QR and place it on the printout.
For coffee breaks: Cafe Camelot (near the Market) and Charlotte (corner near the Market) are favourites for atmosphere and good reviews.
For a quick lunch or local snacks: Plac Nowy in Kazimierz is famous for zapiekanki (open-face toasted baguettes) and small local stalls. If you prefer something more upscale, consider the well-established restaurants around the Market.
For traditional Polish cuisine: look for well-reviewed places near the Old Town and Kazimierz. We recommend choosing restaurants with good guest reviews and avoiding places with no opinions or those located directly on the main square, which can be pricier and lower in quality.
For dessert or cakes: local bakeries and cafés by the Planty make a lovely stop after an intensive walk.
The bugle call from St. Mary’s Tower — played every hour; the legend about the interrupted call is one of Kraków’s best-known tales.
Wawel panorama from the Vistula boulevards — if you want to avoid crowds in the courtyard, a short walk along the river often gives a beautiful view of the castle and quieter sunset photos.
Small museums and hidden courtyards - beyond the major sights there are tiny, special places: historic tenement houses with character, niche galleries and specialist museums. Add a few to your printout as optional route extensions.
Not allowing time for tickets and queues - if you plan to enter paid interiors (for example certain areas at Wawel), book tickets in advance or arrive very early. Weekends and summer season often bring long lines.
Relying only on your phone without a printout - battery, signal or a dead phone can spoil your day. A printed card with the main points and your hotel contact number is a simple stress-saver.
Eating only at the main attractions - restaurants directly on the square can be more expensive and less authentic. Walk one street over or into a side lane for better quality and prices.
Wearing uncomfortable shoes - the Old Town has cobbles and involves a lot of walking. Even a short route can be tiring in the wrong footwear.
How long does the Wawel + Old Town route take? - The basic version is about 2–3 hours of walking with short stops; if you plan to enter museum interiors, add another 1–2 hours.
Is walking around Wawel free? - Walking the courtyard and the hill is free. Castle interiors, the cathedral and special exhibitions require tickets.
Is the printable guide suitable for families with children? - Yes. Print a shorter version of the route, add suggestions for games and legends (e.g. the Wawel Dragon story) and plan a break at a child-friendly spot.
What to do in bad weather? - Shorten the outdoor route and choose indoor museums: the National Museum, the Cloth Hall exhibitions or other castle displays. Always include an alternative indoor route on your printout.
This guide was created for guests visiting Kraków for the first time or for those who want to quietly feel the city’s atmosphere without over-planning. If you’d like a guided visit with expert commentary, official museum guides are available at some sites (for example exhibitions at Wawel) and provide accurate, in-depth storytelling about the monuments.
If you found this guide helpful — share it with friends or on social media. For private guided tours with Małgorzata Kasprowicz, please contact zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Enjoy your walks and capture many beautiful Kraków moments!
