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Licensed guide to Krakow — Małgorzata Kasprowicz: Planty and St. Florian's Gate

Licensed guide to Krakow — Małgorzata Kasprowicz: Planty and St. Florian's Gate
Private Tour Guide in Krakow - Margaret Kasprowicz

Margaret Kasprowicz

Why take a walk with a licensed guide?

Krakow is a city with layers upon layers: medieval walls, palaces, legends and little curiosities hiding, it seems, just under your nose. Seeing it with a guide is more than a dry list of dates — it’s a story that makes places come alive. Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Krakow guide (license since 2012) and has led thousands of visitors — from school groups and independent tourists to corporate outings and VIP guests. Her style blends solid knowledge with humor, anecdotes and questions that engage participants.

If you want to understand why the Market Square, the Planty and St. Florian’s Gate matter so much for the city’s history, or to hear legends about the Dragon or Twardowski in an entertaining and light way — a walk with Małgorzata is a great choice. She adapts her approach to the group: children enjoy games and mini-competitions, while adults receive a rich portion of history with interesting details. For larger groups, audio headset sets are available to make listening comfortable even in a crowd.

We focus here on what Małgorzata offers and how to prepare for a meeting with her.

Be ready for a short or a longer walk — from 2 to 4 hours, depending on the route and pace. The most popular routes are the Royal Route (Wawel — Market Square — St. Florian’s Gate), a walk through the Planty, and a route around Kazimierz.

If you have special requests (for example, a stroller-friendly route, a program adapted for children, or a themed lecture), write or call — Małgorzata will gladly prepare a personalized tour.

Contact and bookings

The easiest way to book a walk is directly through ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com or by phone or email. Basic contact details (published in the guide’s profile) are:

- phone: +48 501 962 ...

- e-mail: kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com

If the phone number appears shortened, write an email or check the contact section on the site to get the full details. When booking, provide: the date and time of the walk, number of people, preferred language and any limitations (for example accessibility for strollers).

Booking in advance — especially during the tourist season and on weekends — increases the chance of securing a convenient time. For school groups and larger events it’s best to contact at least several weeks ahead.

Planty and St. Florian’s Gate — what you’ll see on this route

A walk through the Planty and around St. Florian’s Gate is an ideal way to begin discovering the Old Town. The Planty — the park encircling the historic center — is a green belt full of benches, sculptures and preserved fragments of the old city walls. It’s a perfect place to start the story about the city’s development and how Krakow looked in different eras.

St. Florian’s Gate is one of the best-preserved city gates in Europe — a symbol of Krakow’s former fortifications and a landmark on the Royal Route. Around the gate you’ll hear stories of royal processions, craft guilds and how the city defended itself from attacks.

The route can be extended to include:

- walking the Royal Route (Wawel — Grodzka — Market Square)

- a look at St. Mary’s Church (discussion of Wit Stwosz’s altar from the outside or inside, depending on the plan)

- a short visit to Wawel (overview of the castle and cathedral history)

- a walk to Kazimierz if you want to learn about Krakow’s Jewish history and the unique atmosphere of that district.

During the walk Małgorzata mixes historical facts with anecdotes and questions, so even well-known places gain fresh perspectives.

Practical information before meeting

Meeting place: the most convenient meeting point is usually at St. Florian’s Gate or at a designated spot in the Planty so participants can join easily. The exact meeting point is agreed when booking.

Duration: usually 2–4 hours. Shorter walks (around 2 hours) are a good introduction; longer walks (3–4 hours) allow a more relaxed pace and additional stories.

Price and extra fees: options are available for small and larger groups and price lists in Polish and English. Promotional season rates may apply — ask about current prices when booking. For large groups there are special per-person rates. Audio-guide headset sets are available for a small fee (around 8 PLN per person).

What to bring: comfortable shoes, a bottle of water, and a hat for sunny days. On cooler days it’s best to dress in layers — the route is mostly on foot.

Accessibility: if someone needs a route adapted for limited mobility or for a stroller, inform this during booking — the guide usually adapts the route to be as comfortable as possible.

Weather and plan B: in case of bad weather the guide will suggest alternatives — a shorter route, more stories in sheltered places, or rescheduling if possible.

Prices — key information (promotional season example)

The guide offers rates for small groups (1–35 people) and separate pricing for larger groups. During promotional periods (as noted on the site) prices may be reduced — for example:

- tours in Polish for small groups: 2 hours — 300 PLN, 3 hours — 400 PLN, 4 hours — 500 PLN;

- tours in English for small groups: 2 hours — 400 PLN, 3 hours — 500 PLN, 4 hours — 650 PLN;

- audio-guide headset sets: around 8 PLN per person.

Rates for large groups (over 35 people) are usually calculated per person and are often significantly lower. When booking a group, confirm details and possible discounts.

FAQ — frequently asked questions

Where is the best meeting point?

- The usual suggestion is to meet at St. Florian’s Gate or in the Planty next to it — an easy-to-find spot and a convenient starting point for the Royal Route.

Does the guide have museum permissions?

- Yes — Małgorzata holds a Krakow guide license (since 2012) and permissions to guide in some museums and on Wawel Hill — confirm the specific route at booking if you plan to enter paid sites.

Is the walk suitable for children?

- Yes — there are special routes and formats for children, for example the Legends Trail, where stories and mini-games engage the youngest participants.

Can I pay by card?

- Payment methods are arranged at booking — many bookings are handled by bank transfer or electronic payment, but confirm before the walk.

How far in advance should I book?

- In the tourist season and on weekends — ideally several weeks ahead. For smaller groups a few days may be enough, but availability is not guaranteed.

A few practical tips from the guide

- Arrive a little earlier — Krakow can be crowded, and a calm start helps you enjoy the stories to the fullest.

- Don’t hesitate to ask questions — the guide encourages dialogue and likes to tailor pace and content to the group’s expectations.

- To take the best photos in the Planty or by St. Florian’s Gate, choose the golden hour — early morning or late afternoon when light is nicest and crowds are smaller.

- Think comfort: flat-soled shoes and a light jacket will make the walk more pleasant even if the weather changes.

- If you plan to visit museum interiors or the cathedral — check opening hours and ticket requirements in advance.