Krakow is a city of layers: history, legends and behind-the-scenes stories that you discover most fully with someone who lives here and speaks about it with passion. A private guide adapts the route to your family’s pace - children, seniors and people with limited mobility can explore comfortably and without rushing.
Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Krakow guide (licensed since 2012) and has led thousands of tours. She offers classic routes (Royal Route, Wawel), themed and family-friendly itineraries - stories mixed with anecdotes, questions and small tasks for the youngest make the visit engaging for the whole family.
Private tours also mean flexibility: you can shorten or extend the route, add a break for play or lunch, request audio headsets for larger groups and ask for the tour in a specific language. This is especially convenient in high season, when popular sites can be crowded.
St. Mary's Church (St. Mary's Basilica) is one of Krakow’s most recognizable symbols: an impressive Gothic church on the Main Market Square with the famous altarpiece by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) and a history reaching back to the Middle Ages.
The Hejnał mariacki rings out every hour from the church tower - a special moment worth timing into your visit. The legends about the trumpeter, his sacrifice and the sudden break in the melody are easy to tell and gain extra meaning when you stand in the heart of the Square and listen to that short but memorable tune.
Keep in mind that access to some parts of the tower or certain interior areas may be limited by opening hours and visitor caps. Plan at least 30–60 minutes to see the interior and hear the story of the altarpiece, and arrange a guided visit to notice details you might otherwise miss.
A trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a natural complement to a visit to Krakow. Underground you will find chambers, chapels carved in salt, sculptures and subterranean lakes - all set within the long history of salt mining.
On a guided tour you will visit, among other highlights, the Chapel of St. Kinga - one of the most moving places in the mine, full of sculptures and details carved from salt. The guide will show the most interesting chambers, explain mining techniques and describe how salt was used in daily life and in the economy.
Practical tips: bring comfortable, non-slip shoes - it is cooler and more humid underground than on the surface. Plan the Wieliczka visit in advance - especially if you want to combine it with a half-day or full-day itinerary from Krakow. For families choose a route adapted to children, shorter or with extra stops for explanations and play.
For families it’s best to plan a route that mixes shorter walking sections with interesting stops: Main Market Square, the Hejnał, a short visit to St. Mary's, a break for ice cream and then a visit to Wawel or Kazimierz. Varying the pace and adding 'riddles' keeps younger participants focused and curious.
If you plan Wieliczka with children, consider a shortened route or include rest options. Many families combine a morning walk through the Old Town with an afternoon in Wieliczka - this allows a relaxed pace and time for lunch.
When planning for families check for changing facilities and high chairs in restaurants, and ask the guide about age-appropriate educational activities. Małgorzata often suggests routes 'with tasty stops' - breaks where children can rest and grab a bite.
The Main Market Square area and its surroundings offer many family-friendly places. Popular spots that work well for a break during sightseeing include: Pod Wawelem (traditional Polish cuisine), Cafe Camelot (cozy café in the Old Town), Charlotte (bakery and breakfast spot) and Hamsa in Kazimierz (Middle Eastern kitchen, family-friendly).
Try to plan meals outside peak hours (for example before 12:00 or after 14:00) to avoid long queues and to give children a comfortable experience. If you visit Wieliczka, note that there are restaurants and bars nearby, but it’s best to plan your break in advance, especially for larger groups.
If you want something more local, ask the guide for recommendations of less touristy places - local guides often know small family-run restaurants with signature dishes.
When booking a private tour, it’s worth reserving in advance (especially in season), informing about special needs (stroller, limited mobility, food allergies), agreeing on language and duration of the tour and asking about access to interiors that may have visitor limits.
Prices and tour lengths vary depending on route and group size. Typical private walks in Krakow last 2–4 hours; many families choose a 3–4 hour option to combine several attractions without rushing. For a Wieliczka trip plan at least half a day if you want to pair it with some sightseeing in Krakow the same day.
In high season audio headsets or guide audio sets are useful for larger groups - they improve audibility and comfort in crowded places. Always carry a water bottle, comfortable shoes and layered clothing, as city weather can change quickly.
How do I book a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz? - The quickest way is via the contact form or by phone - it’s helpful to provide an approximate number of participants, children’s ages and preferred tour length.
Are the routes adapted for children? - Yes. There are special family routes with riddles, legends and shorter walking sections so children won’t get bored during the tour.
Can I combine Krakow sightseeing with a trip to Wieliczka in one day? - Yes, it’s a popular combination but needs good planning and an early start; for family comfort it’s often recommended to dedicate a separate day to Wieliczka or choose a shorter city route plus an afternoon in the mine.
Does the guide provide audio equipment for larger groups? - Yes, audio headset sets are available on request, which helps with hearing the guide in crowded places.
How long does a standard tour of the Market Square and Wawel take? - Usually 2–4 hours depending on pace and the number of interiors visited; if you want to see more museums and indoor attractions, plan a longer time or an additional day.
Bring a small backpack with snacks, a portable charger and any medication children may need. Consider a lightweight stroller if you have very young children - some streets and historic sites are cobbled and uneven, so a sturdy stroller is best.
If you want to hear the best version of the Hejnał, stand near St. Mary's or on the Main Market Square a few minutes before the hour - the atmosphere in the square at that moment is very special.
If weather is uncertain, plan indoor alternatives like the Rynek museums, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) arcades or a shorter visit to the Wawel State Rooms.
