Yes — holiday-time Kraków has a special atmosphere, and a private tour is often the best way to feel the city without crowds and with a tailor-made plan. Pałac Krzysztofory, the seat of the Museum of Kraków, is one of the places that can remain accessible on certain holiday days, though it’s wise to check opening hours in advance. A private tour lets you adapt the route to current exhibitions, open sites and weather — especially when some monuments close or limit access on some holiday dates.
This article gives practical tips on how to plan your visit, what to see around Krzysztofory, which parts of the city are best to visit during the holidays, and how to avoid common tourist pitfalls.
Pałac Krzysztofory stands on the west side of the Main Market Square and for years has been an important branch of the city museum. Its interiors combine Baroque accents with modern displays that tell Kraków’s story from its beginnings to the present. In recent years the palace underwent major revitalization and gained exhibition and educational spaces plus a small dining area — a convenient place to begin or end a private walk through the Old Town.
During the holidays pay special attention to museum announcements about opening hours — not all city branches operate the same way on holiday days, and group and individual entry times may differ.
A private tour program can easily be tailored to your interests: from Gothic towers and Renaissance townhouses, through Baroque details, to traces of 19th- and 20th-century reconstructions. A classic route includes the Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, Pałac Krzysztofory and stretches of the Royal Route toward Wawel.
Worth considering are: the interiors of Krzysztofory with their city-history displays, the external façades of townhouses and their sculptural details, sacred architecture (including parts of Wawel Cathedral, chapels and portals) and the history of daily life across the centuries, often hiding in side streets and old guild signs.
During the holiday season temporary exhibitions and thematic displays at city museums make great additions — a private guide will quickly assess what’s available and worth seeing that day.
Book in advance. During the holidays some attractions change hours and guide availability can be limited. Reserving a few days to a week before your planned visit usually gives the best results.
Check for closures and services. Museums and some monuments may be closed on specific holiday dates — confirm access and any special-ticket requirements before you leave.
Be flexible with the program. If a particular site is closed, a private route allows quick changes to visit alternative places with comparable historical or architectural value.
Remember entry times. Some exhibitions accept last entries an hour before closing; this is especially true in sites with limited visitor numbers. During the holidays allow extra time for walks and short breaks in heated cafés.
After an intensive tour of the Old Town and Krzysztofory, choose well-reputed places that serve hearty meals and welcome guests on holiday days. In the Market Square and Kazimierz you can consider: Wierzynek (historic restaurant with traditional cuisine), Pod Aniołami (Polish dishes in atmospheric cellars) and Starka in Kazimierz (authentic regional cuisine).
For coffee and a quick dessert drop by Cafe Camelot or one of the well-regarded cafés around the market. If you plan a longer lunch break during a private tour, it’s smart to reserve a table in advance — popular spots fill up quickly during the holiday season.
Pałac Krzysztofory hides local legends — for example stories about a mysterious rooster and little spirits connected with old cellars; such anecdotes bring the tour to life during a private visit.
In the city centre you can see traces of different eras side by side: Gothic details neighbor Renaissance portals, and 19th-century reconstructions left their signatures in façades and interior décor.
Architectural details are often particularly striking when lit in the evening — a private guide can plan the route to best use light and atmosphere.
Not checking official opening hours — solution: confirm museum and church hours the day before.
Not reserving a table at popular restaurants — solution: book ahead, especially for holiday lunches.
Trying to see too many interiors in one day — solution: pick a dozen priority points and trust the guide to arrange a logical, comfortable plan for the group.
Can a private guide enter a museum or church with a group on a holiday? Usually yes, but it depends on the institution’s policy; the guide will check this beforehand and help organize tickets or reservations.
How many people count as a “private” tour? It depends on the guide’s offer — private tours can be from 2 to a dozen or more people; always confirm the maximum group size when booking.
Does transport run normally during the holidays? Public transport runs, but some days (for example December 25) follow special schedules; taxis and private transport are available, but plan travel time with a margin.
How should I dress? Churches expect modest dress; outdoors wear warmer clothing and comfortable shoes — cobblestones and short walking distances are typical in the Old Town.
Booking a private tour with a local licensed guide gives advantages: route flexibility, stories tailored to your interests and organizational help on holiday days. When reserving, provide preferences: walking pace, interests (sacral architecture, daily life history, city mysteries) and accessibility notes (stroller, mobility limitations).
If you wish, the guide can also help reserve a restaurant table after the tour and suggest accommodation options that match your budget and expectations.
If you liked this guide to private touring in Kraków during the holidays, share it with friends or on social profiles — you’ll help others plan a better visit.
When you’re ready for an intimate, tailor-made tour of Kraków with guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz, contact her via zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — assistance with booking, route planning and trip organization is part of the service.
