The Main Market Square is the heart of Krakow — places, stories and small curiosities come together into one tale only when someone can tell them with passion and a sense of humor. A walk with a licensed guide lets you not only see the monuments but also understand their context and hear legends and anecdotes that are hard to find in paper guidebooks.
If you are short on time — for example you have one or two hours between meetings or after arriving by train — a well-planned route allows you to see the most important points of the Market and the Cloth Hall in a short but relaxed way, without rushing. The tour can be adapted to families with children as well as business groups.
In this article I will describe what a typical route around the Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall looks like when led by me, what options are available for larger groups (30–60 people), and how to prepare for the outing — practically and without stress.
My name is Małgorzata Kasprowicz — I'm a licensed Krakow guide (licensed since 2012) and I have led thousands of guests around the city. I love combining historical facts with amusing anecdotes so that everyone — from children to seniors — leaves the walk smiling and with a new curiosity in mind.
On my website you will find examples of routes, client reviews and practical information about prices and available extra services. If you want to get to know my guiding style — I also invite you to short materials and photos that show what walking routes around the Market and nearby areas look like.
A typical route includes: stories about the Market's history, legends connected to St. Mary's Church, the history of the Cloth Hall, an explanation of the Market's role in medieval and modern city life, and a walk along the Royal Route toward Wawel. I also point out places that hide the smallest but most interesting details (architectural elements, secrets of tenement houses, local customs).
Depending on the time available we can enrich the route with a short visit to selected museum interiors (where possible) and a break for coffee or a quick meal in a nearby café. The tour can last from 2 to 4 hours depending on your expectations.
On the website the rates are clearly separated for small groups (up to 35 people) and large groups (36 and more). For groups close to 30–35 people it is often worth choosing the small-group rate or adapting the logistics (for example, providing headset sets), while groups of 36+ are treated as large with comfortable per-person pricing. Therefore groups of 30–60 people are usually handled with advance notice and with equipment (headsets) prepared so that everyone can hear without problems.
For large groups I offer headset sets (audio-guide / transmitter stations) — this is very convenient in a crowded Market and on routes where it is hard to stand close to the guide. This way the tour remains comfortable even for 60 people. The rental cost for the sets is listed on the site and charged per person.
When planning a large group it's worth: - booking the date in advance (especially in season), - agreeing on a meeting point and allowing extra time to gather the group, - considering splitting into smaller subgroups if you plan to enter museum interiors that require guided access.
If you want to get away from the urban hustle, I recommend a day trip to Ojcow National Park — a great option to combine nature and history (rock formations, caves, castle ruins and picturesque valleys). I lead this option as a guide and will gladly help plan the logistics.
The trip to Ojcow can be organized as a standalone day trip or combined with a shorter walk in Krakow on the same day. For larger groups it is worth arranging transport and a meeting point in advance, because not all parts of the route in Ojcow are suitable for people with limited mobility.
On the site you will find a price table for small groups (1–35 people) and large groups (36+), with separate listings for routes in Polish and English and information about seasonal promotions — it is worth checking current promotion dates before booking. For example, prices for tours in Polish and per-person rates for large groups are specified in the price list.
The cost to rent headset sets (audio-guide) is shown separately (the amount per person is visible on the site) — this is a useful solution for large groups so that everyone can hear the guide. For paid museum entrances, entry tickets are added — tickets are usually purchased by the participants or by the group organizer depending on the arrangements.
If you are planning a trip with a company or school, ask about the possibility of issuing an invoice and a tailored offer (educational programs, adapting the route to participants' ages, etc.).
Meeting: We usually start at a clearly visible landmark on the Main Market Square — this helps gather groups, especially larger ones. The exact meeting point will be provided when you make the booking.
Clothing and equipment: Comfortable shoes are essential — the Market and surroundings involve a lot of walking on cobbles. In winter bring a warm coat, in summer bring water and sunscreen. In rain an umbrella or a light rain jacket really helps.
Sound: For groups larger than 20 people I often recommend amplification or headset sets — it's a time-saver and guarantees that everyone hears the story. The equipment rental price is shown in the price list.
Do I need to book in advance? - Yes, especially during the tourist season and for large groups. Booking ahead also allows preparation of equipment and arranging museum entrances.
How long is a typical walk? - The most popular options are 2, 3 or 4 hours — each has a different scope and route length. Detailed proposals are available on the site.
Does the guide speak English? - Yes, tours in English are available; the price list includes separate rates for English tours.
What about museum entrances and tickets? - Some places (for example selected exhibitions or certain chambers) require tickets and advance reservation. We can agree whether the organizer provides the tickets or participants buy them themselves.
Is the route suitable for elderly people and children? - Yes, routes can be adapted, but it's good to mention this when booking — then I will adjust the pace and include necessary breaks.
To book a date, it is best to contact me directly via the form on the website, e-mail or phone — provide the date, time, approximate number of participants (an exact number is helpful when arranging equipment) and the preferred language of the guided tour.
For groups of 30–60 people it's worth adding information about any special needs (museum entrances, invoice requirement, people with limited mobility) — this will help tailor the program and logistics. After confirming the date you will receive details about the meeting point and payment method.
If you have additional questions or want to personalize the route (for example more anecdotes, more art-history content, or educational elements for schools) — I will gladly tailor the program to your expectations.
