Krakow is a city where history sits on every corner — stories about royal customs, residents, legends and forgotten secrets taste completely different when someone shows them with passion and context. A guide can tailor the route to the group's interests, tell anecdotes, answer questions and save time (and queues!).
If you plan a short stay and want to make the most of your time: arrange a specific route with the guide — the Royal Route and Wawel are classics, and Kazimierz brings the flavour of past cultures and cuisine. Guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz conducts tours in Polish and knows the city 'from the inside' — she can advise where to eat, how to schedule breaks and what to see beyond the beaten path. Bookings are best made in advance.
1) Start: Main Market Square — a brief introduction, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Church (historical context and curiosities).
2) Walk the Royal Route: Grodzka and Kanonicza streets — stories about Wawel and former residents.
3) Wawel — a walk around the castle, exterior viewpoints; a short overview of visiting the Cathedral and selected exhibitions (buy tickets in advance if you plan to go inside).
4) Kazimierz (optional, time permitting): synagogues, atmospheric cafés and recommended spots for a break — for example a cosy café or a small local restaurant.
This plan keeps a good pace and leaves room for questions, photos and a short coffee break.
Wawel is a complex of sites: the castle with exhibitions, the Cathedral and separate displays beneath the castle. Opening times vary depending on the part and the season, so check availability before your visit and — if you plan to go inside — buy tickets online or ask the guide to reserve them.
Practical rules worth remembering: - Cathedral: seasonal opening hours change; typically spring and summer have longer visiting hours than winter. - Museums and exhibitions usually allow last entry 40–60 minutes before closing; always plan extra time. - Some religious holidays and ceremonies can limit access to interiors (for example the Cathedral may be closed on selected days).
Practical tips: buy tickets in advance, arrive 10–15 minutes before your group’s start time, bring a light layer (it can be cooler inside the Cathedral) and remember baggage restrictions — large backpacks are better left at the hotel or in storage.
Zakrzówek is one of Krakow’s most beautiful recreational spots — a former limestone quarry with clear water, walking piers and a designated bathing area. During the bathing season the site operates on a schedule and is supervised by lifeguards; outside that season using the reservoir is possible but at your own risk.
Practical seasonal information (example from summer 2025): - The bathing season ran roughly from mid‑June to early September. - Visiting hours in season were usually about 8:00–18:00, with Monday sometimes treated as a technical day (opening later; on Mondays the bathing area may open only in the afternoon). - Walking piers may be accessible later in the evening (for example until around 22:00), but swimming outside designated hours is prohibited and dangerous because some parts are very deep.
Recommendations: check the current rules and city notices before you go — in season there can be visitor limits and safety rules. If you want to add Zakrzówek to your tour and relax by the water afterwards, discuss this with your guide so timings and pace can be adjusted.
Cats rarely enjoy travel or changes of environment — the best solutions minimise your cat’s stress and provide care tailored to its needs. Practical options:
- Stay at home and arrange visits from a catsitter: a professional catsitter comes several times a day, feeds the cat, refreshes water, cleans the litter and plays a little. This works well for short trips and when you want the cat to stay in familiar surroundings.
- Cat hotel / boarding: for longer trips a cat hotel provides continuous care, shelter and veterinary supervision. Many facilities accept cats for short and longer stays and offer different care standards and feeding options.
- Family or friends: reliable if someone you trust knows your cat’s habits and can look after it.
What to avoid and remember: - I do not recommend taking a cat on a short city trip — travel and crowds usually stress the animal. - If you must transport the cat, use a sturdy carrier, bring its favourite blanket, a small bowl and veterinary documentation (vaccination records). - Book care in advance, especially during tourist season — places in cat hotels and catsitter availability fill up quickly.
Examples of solutions in Krakow: - local cat hotels offering 24‑hour care and sometimes transport service; - professional petsitters/catsitters who do home visits and short stays; - foundations and cat organisations that help find temporary care or advise on adoption and welfare.
1–2 weeks before the trip: - Book the tour with the guide (Małgorzata Kasprowicz) and confirm the meeting time. - Find and reserve cat care (catsitter or cat hotel). Agree the scope of duties, number of daily visits and any medication schedules.
3–4 days before: - Prepare an information sheet for the carer: feeding preferences, feeding times, medicine instructions, emergency vet contact and the cat’s health card. - Check Wawel and Zakrzówek opening hours and the weather forecast so you can plan the tour pace and possible rest stops.
Day of the trip: - Prepare the carrier, documents and the cat’s blanket (if the cat travels to the hotel or goes with a carer). - Arrive a few minutes early at the meeting point with the guide; bring small change for tips and a phone with a charger.
Do I need to book Wawel tickets well in advance? - If you plan to enter interiors (Cathedral, Underground, exhibitions) — yes, especially in season. Online booking or booking via the guide saves time.
Is Zakrzówek safe for swimming? - Designated bathing areas are supervised during the season and have marked zones and lifeguards; outside that period swimming is prohibited and dangerous due to depth. Always follow the rules.
How far in advance should I book a catsitter or cat hotel? - The earlier the better; during tourist season it’s best to book several weeks ahead, or at least 7–10 days before departure.
Can I take my cat to a hotel in Krakow and keep it with me while sightseeing? - Possible if your accommodation and transport are pet‑friendly, but it’s stressful for the cat. For the animal’s comfort it’s usually better to arrange care at home or in a trusted cat hotel.
- Plan your route with consideration for the group’s pace and breaks — the guide will help pick a tempo and suitable coffee and restroom stops. - Clothing: comfortable shoes and a light jacket — Krakow has many cobbled streets and interiors of historic buildings can be cool. - Tickets and limits: watch for participant limits and last‑entry times; it’s better to arrive early than late. - Cat care: do not leave your pet without arrangements; choose a solution that reduces the animal’s stress and gives you peace of mind during sightseeing.
If you’d like, I can help organise the tour, suggest an optimal route and coordinate sightseeing time with cat care so you can enjoy Krakow without worries. I warmly invite you to contact me and wish you a wonderful trip around our city! — Małgorzata Kasprowicz, licensed guide in Krakow.
