Do you have only a few hours in Krakow, are you visiting with children, or are you leading a school group and want to make the most of your time? This route is planned so that in 3 hours you see the most important places of the Old Town, visit the Market Underground and hear stories that both adults and younger visitors will remember.
As a guide I lead this route in an engaging way - I tell stories with humour, ask questions, use short anecdotes and simple comparisons so teenagers and children don’t lose interest. The route combines archaeology, legends and clear historical facts presented to be understandable and intriguing. The Market Underground is a must-see - here the city’s history literally comes out of the ground.
Why three hours? It’s the sweet spot: enough time for the Royal Route, a short visit to Wawel (courtyard or the cathedral depending on the plan), a visit to the Market Underground and a stop around the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. I adjust the pace to the group - if you need a slower pace we can extend the route or shorten museum visits.
If you come with a class or family, the program includes educational elements and practical breaks - photo stops, a short snack or rest. The goal is that after three hours everyone feels Krakow is closer and more interesting.
Practical note: the route includes walking on cobbles and descent into the Underground (stairs). For people with limited mobility I prepare alternative solutions - please write in advance and we will discuss details.
The Royal Route: Florian Gate, Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square - I talk about medieval buildings, the Cloth Hall and its role in trade, and why the bugle call is played every hour.
St. Mary’s Basilica (exterior and optional entrance) - the story of the trumpeter, Veit Stoss’s altar and a short tale about sacred art.
Market Underground - the centre of this tour. I show what was excavated beneath the Market, how medieval streets and houses looked, and explain how urban life functioned centuries ago. Children and teenagers especially love this place because archaeology assembles history like a puzzle.
The Cloth Hall and the Market surroundings - stories about merchants, exhibits and local customs; a perfect spot for a quick photo or a sweet treat.
Depending on time and interests: a short walk to Wawel (the courtyard and outdoor stories about the castle), a stroll through the Planty park or a quick look at the area around St. John’s Church and university townhouses.
I always leave time for questions - that is often the most valuable part of the tour.
The Underground is an archaeological museum beneath the surface of the Main Market Square where you can see remnants of 14th–15th century Krakow. Walking through the Underground is like stepping back in time - house foundations, fragments of cobbles and everyday objects tell a lot about former urban life.
For children I often use simple comparisons: what a shop looked like 600 years ago, how the street differed, what building materials were used. This helps understanding and makes the information stick.
In practice: the Underground is a bit cooler and darker than the surface, with several stairs and narrow passages. I recommend comfortable shoes and a light jacket just in case.
A visit to the Underground usually takes 30–45 minutes as part of the 3-hour route - enough to feel the atmosphere and see the most interesting discoveries.
If your group is large, I suggest headset sets - they make hearing the guide easier in crowds and ensure nobody misses important details.
The program is built around short attention blocks: a story, a question to the group, a short anecdote and a visual element (a place, object or reconstruction). This keeps students engaged and helps them remember facts.
Outdoor activities are enriched with interactive elements: quiz questions with small prizes (e.g. little gadgets or sweets), short quizzes during the walk and group tasks - all to give the trip both educational and fun character.
Teachers and supervisors often praise the pace and style - I make sure the stories are not a boring lecture while preserving educational value. If you want material aligned with the school curriculum (history, art), I will prepare a short outline before the trip.
For the youngest children: the route can be shortened and given more stops and breaks for play or snacks.
For teenagers: I focus on curiosities, historical contexts and spots that make great photos.
Duration: standard 3 hours (option to extend).
Meeting point: we will agree on a clear landmark near the Main Market Square - details set when booking. Please be punctual to make the most of the time.
Groups and pricing: I work with groups from families of 2–6 people up to larger school groups; headset sets are available for big groups. Prices depend on route length and group size; when booking please give the number of participants and any paid entrances (e.g. Basilica, Wawel).
Accessibility: the route includes stairs (Market Underground). If someone has mobility limitations, please inform me before the tour - we will find a safe solution or modify the route.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, a small snack, water, a jacket (it can be cooler in the Underground). For school groups: a participant list and information about supervisors help organisation.
Booking and contact: book in advance, especially in high season; for school trips I’ll gladly help refine the program and formalities.
Will children remember more than just pictures? - Yes. I use active learning methods: questions, tasks and simple comparisons make students take away concrete facts and recall them back at school.
Are tickets for the Underground included? - In all bookings I inform about the need to purchase admission where entrances are paid. For school and larger groups I can help with booking and logistics. Exact arrangements about fees are settled when booking.
Is the route suitable in rain? - Yes. Much of the storytelling and attractions are outdoors, but the Underground and some interiors offer shelter from rain. In bad weather I will propose minor route modifications.
How many kilometres will we walk? - The distance depends on selected entry points (Wawel, the Basilica). A standard 3-hour tour covers about 2–4 km at a moderate pace.
Can the tour be booked in English? - Yes, I also offer English-language versions for guests who need it. Please indicate the preferred language when booking.
How to prepare a school trip? - Please send the list of participants, pupils' ages and supervisor details. I will prepare a program matched to the group level and a short summary material for the teacher.
Arrive on time and travel light - this makes moving around the Market and the Underground easier.
Encourage children to ask questions - their questions often open the most interesting topics.
Take a break for something local: there are many places near the Market offering snacks - if you’d like, I can recommend family-friendly cafés and pastry shops nearby.
If you plan to visit off-season or need special arrangements (e.g. stroller access), write in advance - everything can be planned.
Remember that three hours with a guide is just the beginning - if you like Krakow, I’m happy to prepare a longer route or a different theme (Kazimierz, Schindler’s Factory, Nowa Huta, etc.).
If you want three hours in Krakow filled with meaningful content, laughter and interesting discoveries - join me for a walk. I will take care of pace, atmosphere and making sure everyone returns from the tour with a new curiosity to tell family or classmates.
Contact me via the booking form on the website or write directly - we will arrange route details, meeting time and any preferences. See you at the Market! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz, Krakow guide.
PS. If you have special educational requests (a museum lesson, themed tasks for pupils), I will prepare additional printable materials.
Enjoy your visit and remember: Krakow has many layers of history - it’s worth seeing them all, starting from those under your feet.
