Planty are the green ring surrounding Kraków’s Old Town — a park stretching roughly 4 km and covering about 21 hectares. Created in the 19th century on the foundations of demolished defensive walls, they now form a pleasant walking route that links the city’s most important points. Along the way you’ll find numerous monuments and commemorative plaques as well as preserved city gates — including St. Florian’s Gate and the barbican. Walking the Planty is a great way to feel Kraków’s pulse before entering the historic core of the Market Square or Kazimierz.
Planty are ideal for an early morning or late afternoon meet-up — at those times it’s less crowded, the light is good for photos, and benches and alleys invite rest.
If you want to combine the walk with stories about the city, a private tour with a guide lets you discover small details and local anecdotes that are easy to miss on your own.
A walk with a local guide saves time and guarantees you’ll hear stories, anecdotes and context you won’t find in a standard guidebook. The guide can tailor the route to your interests — history, legends, architecture, culture or gastronomy.
In practice this means less time searching for information, pointing out hidden details on building façades, and help choosing the best cafés along the way. On a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz you also get local stories told in an engaging and often humorous way.
If you’re walking with a group, the guide will manage pace and breaks so everyone leaves satisfied.
Start at the northern section of the Planty (around St. Florian’s Gate) and follow the green belt toward the Main Market Square — along the way you’ll pass university buildings, monuments and small squares. The Royal Route naturally leads toward Wawel Castle, but it’s worth planning short walking sections with coffee breaks.
Choose stops to combine rest with local flavor: begin with a small black coffee or espresso at a specialty concept, then enjoy a lighter dessert and relax in a cozy interior or garden. This mix lets you experience different faces of Kraków cafés — from historic spots to modern roasters.
The route can be shortened or extended — the guide will adapt the variant to your available time and group preferences.
Kraków offers a huge selection of cafés — below is a curated list of well-regarded spots that work well after a walk around the Planty. I chose different types: specialty cafés, book-cafés, historic coffee houses and atmospheric places in Kazimierz.
Wesoła Café (Rakowicka Street) — a recognizable specialty café valued for the quality of its beans and a friendly atmosphere; great for breakfast or a morning coffee.
Karma Coffee Roastery (locations include Krupnicza and Kazimierz) — a roastery and café, an excellent spot for specialty coffee lovers and for buying beans to take home.
Zaczyn (Kościuszki Street) — a bakery-café known for alternative brewing methods and fresh pastries; recommended for breakfast-goers.
Café Lisboa (Dolnych Młynów) — a Portugal-inspired café known for good espresso and pasteis de nata.
Fornir (Długa Street) — a café with a cozy garden, perfect for an afternoon break; often serves pastries and coffee from local roasters.
Massolit Books & Café (several locations) — a café combined with an English-language bookshop, an excellent option when traveling with friends from abroad.
De Revolutionibus / De Revolutionibus Café (Bracka Street) — a place for those who like coffee in a bookish, scholarly atmosphere.
Eszeweria and Cheder (Józefa Street, Kazimierz) — atmospheric local spots in Kazimierz; Cheder offers a partly kosher menu and often hosts cultural events.
Nowa Prowincja (Bracka Street) — a café with a long history of artistic meetings, perfect for feeling the local vibe.
Avoid the first café you see on the Market Square with a terrace overlooking the Cloth Hall — places right on the square are often more expensive and the coffee quality can be lower. It’s better to walk one street over and look for spots serving specialty coffee or well-reviewed local cafés.
Check reviews and photos, but also trust your eyes: a solid espresso machine, a clean bar and an attentive barista are good signs. If a café advertises “coffee from country X” without naming the roaster or brewing method, there’s a risk it’s a standard drink rather than specialty.
Ask about the brewing method — if you’re after alternatives (drip, AeroPress, Chemex), ask before ordering. In summer cold brew and nitro coffee can be refreshing choices.
Best time for a walk around the Planty: early mornings and late afternoons — it’s quieter and the city shows a calmer side.
If you like photography — sunrise or sunset light beautifully models the architecture of Wawel and the Market; Planty create a natural frame for those shots.
Remember comfortable shoes — Planty are several kilometers of walking with breaks; bring a water bottle and a light jacket as Kraków weather can change.
If you plan to visit a museum or Wawel Castle, check opening hours and whether tickets must be reserved in advance.
Mistake: starting the day at a highly touristy spot in the Market and immediately going into the first café with a terrace. Result: pricier coffee and a poorer experience. Solution: walk 2–3 minutes into a side street and choose a local-recommended place.
Mistake: planning too many attractions in one day without breaks. Walking the Planty and relaxing in a few cafés will bring more pleasure and better memories. Solution: schedule breaks and one longer coffee tasting instead of rushing.
Mistake: not checking opening hours before visiting a café or museum. Especially off-season many places have shorter hours; check opening times before you go.
Are the Planty suitable for families with children? Yes — wide alleys and benches make the walk pleasant for families; you can stop at a playground or picnic on warm days.
How much time is needed to walk the Planty? Depending on the pace: 1–2 hours for a relaxed walk with short stops; if you plan café visits and museum stops, set aside half a day.
Do I need to reserve a table in popular cafés? On weekends and during high season it’s worth considering a reservation, especially for larger groups or for breakfast.
How to find a good specialty coffee? Look for places described as roasteries or offering alternative brewing methods; a knowledgeable barista will gladly tell you about the beans and recommend a brewing method.
Several fragments of the old defensive system have been preserved within the Planty — their presence is often embedded in the park and the outline of the walls is sometimes marked with stone lines or plaques.
The park contains more than twenty monuments to important figures in Polish culture and science — commemorations connected to Copernicus, Matejko and Queen Jadwiga among others.
Cafés in Kraków often combine coffee with local pastries or cultural concepts — for authentic experiences look for places that offer their own breads, cakes or literary events.
If this guide was useful, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan a better stay in Kraków.
If you’d like to explore with a local guide, consider a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. On zwiedzaniekrakowa.com you can find pricing and a contact form. Private tours let you tailor the pace and topics to your needs, and Małgorzata is happy to advise on the best coffee and rest stops during the walk.
Wishing you a wonderful stay in Kraków and many enjoyable coffee moments while walking the Planty!
