You arrive in Kraków and wonder: "Should I take the classic walk around the Market Square, or look for something less obvious?" — This walk is for you. It is a lazy, story-driven stroll through the heart of the city that focuses on architecture, legends and the nooks and crannies of the Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall, but intentionally avoids museum interiors — more stories outdoors, fewer queues and crowds.
The route is adjusted to the group's pace: I tell the history, share amusing anecdotes and local customs, and show places that are often missed when people hurry between the obvious sights. The walk is not a race: it is an encounter with the city and its stories, perfect for the first day of your stay when you want to feel Kraków’s atmosphere without going into museum exhibitions. We usually meet at the Main Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz monument (or — if you prefer — at the Barbican) and head toward the Cloth Hall and the nearby lanes.
Duration options: usually 2 or 3 hours, depending on how many stories we come across and how many breaks we plan. The route is available in Polish and English; small modifications are possible for families with children, people with limited mobility, or groups interested in particular themes (for example architecture, legends, photography).
I do not promise visits inside museums — this is a "no museums" walk — but I am happy to point out what is worth visiting afterwards and how to buy tickets if you decide to enter any of the venues after the walk.
During the tour I share practical tips: where to eat well, where to take the best photos, and how to move through the winding, cobbled streets.
The Main Market Square in Kraków is one of the largest and oldest medieval market squares in Europe — its history goes back to the 13th century. For centuries it has been where trade, politics and the city’s religious life met.
The Cloth Hall was originally built as a place for cloth trade — hence the name — and for centuries served as a commercial hall. Its modern appearance is the result of many reconstructions, including Renaissance rebuilding and 19th-century renovations that shaped its elegant arcades and attic.
The square is also home to St. Mary’s Basilica with the famous altarpiece by Veit Stoss and the daily bugle call from the tower — a short trumpet melody that is always worth hearing because it remains a living part of local tradition. Around the square you’ll also find other traces of the past: the remains of the old town hall with its preserved tower, monuments and city gates, as well as narrow streets leading toward Wawel and beyond — every corner has a story.
Although we do not go into museums on this walk, I talk about the collections and places that lie "just behind the doors", so it’s easier for you to decide what to visit later.
During the tour I use local knowledge and anecdotes — those that help you feel not only the facts but also the atmosphere of historical and contemporary Kraków.
- The Cloth Hall: from the outside we will look at the arcades, the attic and sculptural details and talk about its commercial past and 19th‑century transformations.
- St. Mary’s Basilica: I will tell the history of the church, Veit Stoss’s altarpiece and the bugle call tradition — we will hear the bugle if timing allows.
- The Town Hall Tower and fragments of the old fortifications: I will point out places that recall the Market Square’s administrative role.
- The Adam Mickiewicz monument and city legends: a few amusing and lesser-known tales that give context to the places we visit.
- The lanes and alleys around the Square: Floriańska, Grodzka and hidden courtyards — often overlooked but worth seeing.
- The Planty and fragments of the city fortifications: a short walk along the green belt surrounding the Old Town.
All of this at a pace that encourages questions and photos. We will not enter museum interiors or stand in long lines — this is about meeting the city in person.
- Safety and factual accuracy: as a licensed Kraków guide (license since 2012) I lead tours with respect for facts and historical context.
- Practical experience: I have led thousands of people and can tailor the story to the group's age and interests while keeping a comfortable pace for everyone.
- Personal contact and local tips: I will suggest where to eat, where to get a good coffee, how to avoid the biggest crowds and where to take the best photos.
- Flexibility and languages: the route is available in Polish and English; I gladly adapt it to your expectations — pace, topics, breaks.
In short: touring with a guide is not a tape of facts, but a story with little details that often don’t make it into printed guides.
Duration: usually 2 hours (shorter version) or 3 hours (extended version).
Meeting point: usually by the Adam Mickiewicz monument at the Main Market Square; alternatively at the Barbican — we agree the exact spot when you book.
Price: prices depend on duration and group size; for small groups (1–35 people) standard rates typically start at a level where a 2-hour walk is in the range of a few hundred złoty per group. Exact information and promotions are provided when you book.
Admission tickets: this route does not include museum entries — if someone wants to visit, for example, the Market Underground or exhibitions in the Cloth Hall afterwards, I will help with information on where and how to buy tickets (tickets are extra).
For families and children: yes — the route can be adapted to engage younger participants (legends, short games and puzzles).
Weather: the walk takes place regardless of weather; in case of very bad conditions I can modify the route to spend more time under arcades and in covered spaces.
Accessibility: central Kraków has cobbled streets and uneven surfaces — for wheelchair users or people with limited mobility it is best to discuss the route in advance to adapt the course and pace.
Contact and booking: I accept bookings by phone or email — when booking please give the date, approximate number of people, preferred language and meeting point. During booking we agree details, any special needs and payment terms.
Are tickets included in the price? - No. On this walk we do not enter museums; tickets for optional venues (for example St. Mary’s Basilica, the Market Underground) are extra. I can help with ticket purchase or advise the best time to go in.
Is the walk suitable for children? - Yes. I have experience with families — stories and pace are adapted so the tour is engaging for younger participants.
Do you offer tours in English? - Yes, I run tours in Polish and in English.
What if it rains? - The walk goes ahead in most weather; in heavy rain the route is adjusted (more time under arcades, shorter outdoor stretches).
Can I book a walk at short notice? - If there is a free slot in the schedule, yes — but to be safe it’s best to book in advance, especially in high season and for larger groups.
How long do typical groups last? - Standard tours last 2–3 hours. For school groups or special programs different time frames and prices may apply.
Best times for photos and quiet: early morning (before 9:00) and late afternoon — the Square is less crowded then, the light is better for photography, and the atmosphere is completely different.
Food and snacks: try local treats — obwarzanek (a ring-shaped bread), regional pastries and small cafés in the side streets. For a pleasant café experience near the Old Town I often recommend Café Camelot on Świętego Tomasza, and for a historic dining experience you can consider restaurants on the Square such as Wierzynek. For fresher local markets and more food variety visit Stary Kleparz market just a short walk from the centre.
Photo spots: the best frames are from the corners of the Square, under the Cloth Hall arcades and from small courtyards near Floriańska. If you want photos with an empty Market Square behind you — get up early!
Money and shopping: small souvenirs are sold under the Cloth Hall arcades; it’s useful to have some cash for small stalls, although many places accept cards.
Toilets: there are cafes and public restrooms in the centre, but it’s usually most convenient to plan a break in a café.
To book a walk, contact me by phone or email — give the date, approximate number of people, preferred language and meeting point. For larger groups it’s best to confirm the date in advance.
When booking we will agree on: - duration (2 or 3 hours), - meeting point, - any special needs (route adjustments, mobility limitations, children), - payment terms and cancellation policy.
Logistics and practical details will be arranged individually — always to make the walk comfortable and as rewarding as possible in terms of content and experience. I warmly invite you to join a walk around the Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall — come hear Kraków’s stories, see the city through the eyes of a guide and feel the atmosphere of a place that delights every time someone looks closely.
See you at the Square! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz (licensed Kraków guide). I share contact details when booking by phone or email.
If you like, I can also prepare a personalized route: a shorter one for families with small children, a photo-focused walk with extra stops for shots, or a themed tour with more legends and anecdotes. Tell me what you expect and I will tailor the route to your needs.
