Planty and St. Florian's Gate form a natural “entrance” to Krakow's historic centre. Planty, the green ring around the Old Town about 4 km long and covering more than 20 hectares, provides space for organising and short rests, while St. Florian's Gate is a clear landmark on the Royal Route, easy for participants to find.
For groups of 30–60 people these two places have big advantages: the wide alleys of the Planty allow you to arrange people comfortably, and near the Gate you can easily plan the start of the walk or give a short historical introduction. It's also a good spot for the first group photo and to discuss safety rules and the route organisation.
If you want to visit the centre while minimising time spent in queues, plan the route so you focus on telling stories outdoors and visit interiors (for example St. Mary's Basilica or Wawel Cathedral) only when you have booked group entries in advance or split the group into smaller teams.
As a guide who has led many groups and knows the city's rhythm, I recommend treating Planty and St. Florian's Gate as an organisational hub — we start there, we summarise there, and we solve any logistical matters there before moving on.
In the following sections you'll find a concrete route plan, logistical tips and an FAQ that will help you prepare a comfortable and efficient visit for a large group.
Planty were created where the medieval defensive walls and moat once stood; it's an urban park about 4 km long, historically divided into eight “gardens” with distinctive plantings and many monuments.
St. Florian's Gate is the historic gate of the city fortifications standing on the Royal Route — a symbolic entry point to the city and a convenient place to start walks.
In Planty you'll find alleys, benches and monuments — a good organisational space for large groups, especially if you want to talk briefly, divide participants or hand out headsets.
On busy weekends the city centre can be crowded — so planning times and making reservations (when you plan to enter interiors) is key if you want to avoid lines.
A guide's experience matters — when working with large groups you need not only knowledge but calm, clear communication and helpful accessories (for example a PA system or radio headsets).
Below are three timing options for the walk. Each plan includes breaks and tips for avoiding long waits.
2 hours - quick overview (ideal for the first day of arrival):
- Start: Matejko Square or by St. Florian's Gate - brief welcome and explanation of the plan (5–10 min).
- Walk past the Barbican and a short story about the city walls (10–15 min).
- Floriańska Street with a discussion of historic townhouses and curiosities (15–20 min).
- Main Market Square - outdoor overview of the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica (20–30 min).
- Short walk along Grodzka towards Wawel - finish near the Planty or on Kanonicza Street (20–30 min).
This option limits interior visits, which helps you minimise queues and keep a steady pace.
3 hours - standard walk with one interior visit:
- Start as above plus one paid entry booked in advance (for example Wawel Royal Cathedral or the interior of St. Mary's Basilica).
- Break for coffee or a quick snack (about 15–20 min) - best to set a meeting point by a bench in the Planty.
- More stories and an alternate narrative on Kazimierz or by the Vistula if the group has energy.
4 hours and more - version with several interior visits:
- If you plan to enter several interiors, book group tickets ahead and consider dividing the group into smaller teams that visit interiors in rotation while the rest explore outside.
- The longer option also allows time for a relaxed lunch near the Market or in Kazimierz.
1) Start early or in the late afternoon - mornings (around 9:00) and afternoons after 16:00 are often less crowded than midday. On weekends morning hours can already be busy, so if possible set the start for 9:00.
2) Book group entries in advance - if you want to enter Wawel, St. Mary's Basilica or a specific museum, contact the institution ahead of time and book slots for a set hour. This is the fastest way to a “no-queue” entry.
3) Use headsets or amplification - for 30–60 people the best solution is a radio system or individual headsets. That way the group moves together, doesn't get distracted and you won't need to stop repeatedly for everyone to hear the story.
4) Split the group for interior entries - if you can't reserve one large group entry, divide the group into smaller teams and arrange rotation entries. This keeps flow and shortens waiting time.
5) Choose an “outdoor” route if pace is a priority - much of Krakow's history can be told from streets and squares; it's ideal when avoiding queues and staying immersed in the city's atmosphere is the priority.
Meeting point - I suggest Matejko Square or the entrance by St. Florian's Gate. These are visible points with space to organise the group and are easy for drivers and participants to find.
Duration and breaks - when planning a 2–3 hour walk remember at least one 10–20 minute break, especially for multi-generational groups. Planty offer benches and places for a short rest.
Amplification - if the group is over 25 people, consider a radio system (guide carries the transmitter, participants have receivers with earpieces) or a compact speaker with good range. Explain how to use the equipment before you set off.
Transport and coaches - if you arrive by coach, arrange the parking spot with the carrier in advance and indicate a convenient meeting point. Include clear meeting point instructions in your confirmation to participants.
Toilets - there are public restrooms near the Market and in larger museums and cafes. Plan a short restroom break before you move on.
Weather - have alternatives for rain (short visits to cafes, covered sections of the route). In hot weather make sure there is water and shade breaks.
Planty are generally easy to walk through, but remember that the Old Town has uneven cobbles - comfortable, stable footwear is essential. People using wheelchairs or with limited mobility should be notified in advance so you can plan a route without steps or steep slopes.
Near St. Florian's Gate and the Barbican there are narrower sections - for very large groups it's wise to move in a column and use the wider stretches by the Planty for short stops.
Make sure the contact person and meeting point are clearly marked, especially at the start of the route. It's useful to write down a contact phone number and give it to group supervisors.
When touring, be mindful of local rules and customs - don't block passages, and avoid setting up large banners or equipment in public spaces without permission. Respectful behaviour makes moving around easier and prevents inconveniencing other groups and residents.
In case of a medical emergency quickly locate the nearest first-aid point or call emergency services - have a prepared list of participants with basic information.
As a licensed guide in Krakow (licensed since 2012) and someone who has led many groups, I combine good storytelling with practical organisation. I know the city's rhythm, where it's comfortable to set a group down, and how to introduce interior visits smartly to avoid wasting time in queues.
For large groups I recommend using headsets — this helps keep contact with participants and maintain a steady pace. I also assist with communication with sites when reservations or confirmations are needed.
My routes blend curiosities, anecdotes and historical context with practical tips so the visit is both valuable and enjoyable for the whole group.
If you'd like to book a date or discuss route details for your group, write or call in advance — we'll agree the best plan to avoid queues and make the most of your time.
Practical note - for weekend reservations I recommend securing the date well in advance, especially if you plan to visit popular interiors.
Q: Where is the best meeting point? - A: Matejko Square or the entrance by St. Florian's Gate. Both are clear, have space for organising a group and are easy to find.
Q: Can we avoid queues on the weekend? - A: Yes, if you plan a route emphasising outdoor stories and/or book group entries to specific sites. Starting early in the morning or late afternoon also reduces crowds.
Q: Do we need city permits or special permissions to lead a group? - A: Ordinary walks on the streets and in Planty do not require special permits, but larger events or setting up extensive equipment may need arrangements with authorities or landowners. If you plan something unusual, let me know ahead of time.
Q: What if part of the group wants to enter interiors and the rest doesn't? - A: The best approach is to split the group into smaller teams and arrange rotation entries. This shortens waiting time and lets everyone see interiors without long queues.
Q: Are Planty good for children and older people? - A: Yes - Planty have benches, paths and places to rest. Remember the uneven surfaces in the historic centre and adjust the walking pace to the slowest participants.
1) Confirm the meeting time and pickup point with the driver/coach and participants a day before.
2) Make sure someone in the group has the participant list and a contact phone in case someone gets lost.
3) If you plan interior visits, book tickets for a specific time and have a plan B for delays.
4) Bring water and light snacks for longer outings - it simple keeps spirits up and reduces emergency stops.
5) And most important - enjoy yourselves. Krakow has character and atmospheric corners, and a well-organised walk will showcase them in a way your group will remember for a long time.
Planty and St. Florian's Gate are an excellent place to begin an encounter with Krakow — especially when the guide has experience with large groups and can manage logistics, pace and interior visits.
If you'd like me to lead your group and help plan a “no-queue” weekend route, I'll gladly arrange details and tailor the programme to your needs. Please contact me and reserve dates in advance.
See you on the Planty - Małgorzata
