A weekend in Krakow is often short and intense: you want to see as much as possible while soaking up the city’s atmosphere. A private tour gives you what a standard plan often lacks - flexibility, a pace suited to your group, and stories you won’t hear from an audio guide. This is especially useful on weekends, when the city is busiest and it’s easy to run into crowds or long lines at popular attractions. With a private guide you’ll save time (for example by arranging a route to avoid queues) and hear local anecdotes that will make the walk memorable.
When choosing a private service, plan ahead - especially if you want to combine the walk with a carriage ride or entry to Wawel or a specific museum. Weekend slots for popular hours fill up quickly, and carriages and city attractions can only handle a limited number of visitors at once.
If you’re coming with family, a partner or a small group of friends, a private tour also gives the comfort of conversation, stopping for photos, or changing the plan on the go (for example, extending a coffee break).
The Barbican is a fragment of Krakow’s medieval defensive walls and a common stop on the Royal Route - it impresses not only history lovers. In the tourist season the Barbican and the adjacent sections of the walls are open to visitors at set hours; check current opening days and times before you arrive, because at certain times the site may be closed or have reduced hours.
The Barbican also has rules for organized groups - museums may set a maximum group size and requirements for supervision (for example a group ticket obligation for school groups). If you plan to enter with a guide, it’s a good idea to reserve tickets in advance, particularly on weekends and in the summer season.
A walk along the walls and a short visit to the Barbican complement a carriage ride nicely - you can disembark near St. Florian’s Gate or on the Planty and continue on foot. Remember comfortable shoes - cobbles and steps near the walls are not friendly to high heels or heavy luggage.
Horse-drawn carriage rides through Krakow’s centre are a classic attraction: they usually start from the Main Market Square (often near Sławkowska Street) and follow the Royal Route, passing St. Florian’s Gate, the Barbican and parts of the Planty. It’s a romantic and comfortable option if you want to see the main sights without long walks, but keep in mind that horse traffic moves slower than walking and the route can be short.
Treat a carriage ride as a complement to a guided walk. In practice you can arrange a short ride (somewhere between a few minutes and thirty minutes) mid-route or at the end of the tour - it makes a lovely keepsake and photo opportunity. If you want a longer route or a private booking at a specific time (for example an evening ride just for your group), reserve the carriage in advance - especially for weekends and the summer season.
All rides take place on cobbled streets in the city centre, so people with limited mobility should ask about comfortable boarding and disembarking conditions in advance. Also pay attention to the weather: in rain a carriage may be less comfortable and horses may have more difficulty on slippery cobbles.
Sample comfortable plan for 3–4 hours (for a couple or a small group): 1) Start: Main Market Square - a short introduction, the history of the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica; 2) Walk the Royal Route along Floriańska Street toward the Barbican - stories about the city gates; 3) Short stop at the Barbican and a section of the walls - time for photos; 4) Carriage ride (around 10–30 minutes) through the Planty and part of the Royal Route; 5) Walk to Wawel (if time and reservations allow) or finish in one of Kazimierz’s atmospheric cafés.
If you have more time (half a day or a full day), adapt the plan: longer visit to Wawel, the Rynek Underground, a lunch break and a walk through Kazimierz. A private guide will smoothly integrate a carriage ride into the route so you don’t waste time waiting or standing in line.
On weekends I recommend starting early in the morning or in the late afternoon - central streets are usually less crowded then than around midday.
When booking a private tour, clarify: the tour length, whether you want to enter paid attractions (for example Wawel chambers), how many people are in your group and whether you want to add a carriage ride. Some sites (including certain rooms at Wawel or group entries) require advance reservations - the guide can help with arrangements.
Prices for guiding services depend on duration and language; you can find current offers and price lists tailored to small and larger groups on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Carriage rides and museum tickets are usually separate fees - include them in your budget. Guides commonly accept payment by bank transfer or cash; ask about preferred payment methods in advance.
If you plan to visit at the weekend, I recommend confirming the booking a few days beforehand - it’s easier to secure attractive hours and combine several program elements (for example carriage ride plus Wawel entry).
After the tour it’s nice to sit down for coffee or a meal - here are some tried suggestions around the Market Square, Kazimierz and Wawel: - Cafés on the Market Square and near Floriańska: perfect for a quick espresso and people-watching. - Kazimierz: excellent Polish and Jewish cuisine, cozy bars and restaurants - try traditional dishes like żurek, pierogi or regional tasting boards. - Lunch near Wawel: you’ll find places with regional and international cuisine, good for a longer stop after sightseeing.
When choosing a place, check weekend opening hours and the possibility of reserving a table - popular spots can be busy, especially in the evening. If you want recommendations tailored to your tastes (for example vegetarian, family-friendly, or a romantic dinner spot) - your guide will gladly suggest local places known to residents.
For sweet-toothed visitors consider visiting a traditional patisserie - coffee and a slice of cheesecake in Krakow are a classic after a long walk.
Carriages involve animals - drivers take care of the horses, but tourists also have responsibilities: do not feed the horses, do not put your hands out of the carriage while it is moving and follow the driver’s instructions. In bad weather the driver may refuse to drive for safety reasons.
If someone in your group has limited mobility, inform us when booking. Not all carriage routes and passages by the Barbican are accessible for wheelchairs; curbs, stone steps and cobbles can make movement difficult. A private guide will recommend an alternative, more comfortable route.
Also remember basic rules: respect monuments (don’t climb where it’s forbidden), don’t litter and be considerate of other tourists, especially in crowded weekend places.
How long is a carriage ride? - Rides are usually short - from a few minutes up to around thirty minutes; they can be adapted to fit your walking schedule. If you want a longer ride, plan and confirm it with the driver in advance.
Is it worth combining a carriage ride with visits to the Barbican and Wawel? - Yes, it’s a lovely combination: a carriage gives rest and great photo opportunities, while the Barbican and Wawel are substantial historical stops to explore on foot. With a private guide it’s easier to synchronise entries and reservations.
Do carriages operate year-round? - Carriages are more common in spring and summer and on warm weekends; in colder months their numbers and routes may be reduced. In bad weather a guided walk may be a better choice.
Do I need a ticket for the Barbican? - Visiting the Barbican and adjacent sections of the walls is often organised as a paid museum route - when planning your visit check current rules and, if necessary, reserve group tickets.
How far in advance should I book a private guide for the weekend? - Ideally a few days to two weeks in advance - during the high season and long holiday weekends it’s best to book even earlier to secure a convenient time and additional elements (for example carriage ride or museum entries).
- Plan priorities: do you want more history, culinary experiences, or photography? This helps the guide tailor the route to you. - On weekends starting at 9:00 or after 16:00 can save you from the biggest crowds at the main sights. - Dress comfortably: Krakow has cobbles, stairs and long walks. - If you dream of a carriage ride at a specific time (for example at sunset), book it well in advance. - Use local recommendations - the guide knows places that don’t appear in every tourist guide but are worth visiting.
If you’d like, I can help plan a route tailored to your weekend: we’ll set the time, route (Barbican, Wawel, Kazimierz, etc.), reserve tickets where needed, and advise the best times for a carriage ride. Contact me and let’s make your Krakow weekend special!
Enjoy your visit - Małgorzata Kasprowicz (licensed Krakow guide)
