Do you dream of strolling through the Old Town, visiting Wawel or Kazimierz without jostling crowds and long waits? A private guided tour is a great way to achieve that. Many visitors also wonder: can you take photos during such a tour — inside museums, at Wawel, in churches and on the city streets? Short answer: yes, but with a few important rules and exceptions.
Below you'll find practical tips on planning a queue-free visit and what to know about photographing different places in Krakow so you avoid unpleasant surprises.
This article is meant to help tourists prepare for their visit — you’ll find advice on reservations, photography rules, examples of good practice and an FAQ with the most common questions.
A private tour gives you flexibility: you can choose the time (for example early mornings or late afternoons), the pace of the walk and the specific places you want to visit. This helps you avoid peak tourist hours and reduce time spent in lines at popular sights.
In practice, “no queues” is achieved by booking admission tickets in advance, buying online tickets for attractions, setting a specific entry time and using priority entrances when an institution offers them.
If you plan to enter paid sites (for example selected routes at Wawel, St. Mary’s Tower, museums), it’s worth booking tickets online ahead of time. Many tickets are time-specific, which allows quick entry and helps you avoid queuing.
Always check an institution’s website before visiting: opening hours, entry availability and visiting rules. At many sites, online reservation is the key to avoiding queues.
Plan your route so the most popular spots are visited outside the busiest hours (right after opening or late afternoon).
If you want to visit Wawel (the hill, the cathedral, castle interiors) — buy a ticket or arrange the visit with a guide in advance. The same applies to entry onto St. Mary’s Tower — places can be limited and a ticket or entry token may be required.
If you plan to see museum interiors or special exhibitions, check whether the exhibition requires a separate ticket and whether there is a limit on people per tour.
Photography in public spaces — streets and squares of Krakow — is allowed: while walking around the Market Square, the Planty or Kazimierz you may take photos freely. Remember, though, to respect other people’s privacy (for example, avoid intrusive photos).
Museums most often allow amateur photography for private use provided that flash, tripods and extra lighting are not used. Sometimes parts of a permanent exhibition or temporary shows may have a total photo ban for conservation or copyright reasons.
Some museum regulations state that commercial photography (photo shoots, publications, photo sales) requires written permission from management and may involve a fee.
Churches have additional rules: usually private photos without flash are permitted, but photography during liturgies (Mass, baptism, wedding) can be restricted. In many dioceses and parishes professional photographers are asked to complete a liturgical course or obtain permission to photograph during ceremonies.
A special example: in some large churches (for instance parts of St. Mary’s Basilica) reporting and permission are required well in advance for professional filming or scheduled photo sessions.
In short: private photos are allowed in most places, but always check the site rules and — when planning a professional session — ask for permission ahead of time.
No flash and no tripod — the most common and important rule in museums and churches. Flash can damage artworks and disturb other visitors.
Photography for private use — means you may take souvenir photos, but publishing them for commercial purposes requires permission.
Restrictions for temporary exhibitions — some shows (for example works loaned from private or foreign collections) may have an absolute ban on photography.
Professional shoots — if you want to organize a photo session (wedding, fashion, advertising) contact the institution in advance; written consent and a fee are often required.
During Mass and ceremonies — photography should be discreet and agreed in advance; professional photographers often need documents proving completion of a liturgical course.
Carry a small camera or phone — it’s usually enough for nice souvenir photos and attracts less attention than professional equipment.
Turn off your phone flash — flash is forbidden in most interiors.
Don’t use tripods, selfie-sticks or monopods without permission — these are often treated as session equipment and can be banned.
If you want to photograph during a service, keep quiet and do not disturb participants. It’s better to wait for a break after Mass.
Always ask staff or a curator when in doubt — a short question will save you stress.
If you plan to publish photos (blog, social media with commercial intent), check copyright rules for displayed works and any restrictions beforehand.
Can a private guide arrange tickets and help me skip the queue? - Yes, a guide can help plan the route and advise on buying timed tickets. In some cases the guide can reserve group entries which reduces waiting.
Can I take photos in the Castle and Cathedral at Wawel? - Amateur photos are usually allowed, but specific parts of the castle and cathedral may have restrictions. Check rules for particular routes and any bans.
Can I take photos during a wedding Mass? - It depends on the parish. A professional photographer usually should get the parish priest’s permission and in some dioceses completion of a liturgical course may be required.
What if a museum forbids photography? - If the institution’s rules prohibit photography, you must respect that. Many museums allow private photography without flash, but there are exceptions due to conservation or copyright.
Can I organize a photo session in a historic interior? - Yes, but it requires arrangement with the institution, written permission and usually a fee. Plan in advance.
Want to avoid crowds in a restaurant after touring? Try cafés and places with local character: Camelot Cafe (Old Town) — great for coffee and interior photos; Mleczarnia (Kazimierz) — a cozy café with a garden; Charlotte (Market Square) — a bakery and bistro with charm. After a busy day you can also visit Pod Wawelem for traditional Polish dishes.
Wear comfortable shoes and bring a water bottle — Krakow is a city best discovered on foot. If you plan a longer tour, consider breaks for coffee or lunch during less crowded hours.
If you want good city panorama photos, think about viewpoints — Wawel Hill, Kościuszko Mound, the Wanda Mound terrace and (outside the centre) Krakus Mound.
Remember the season — in summer early mornings and late afternoons are the best times for photos and quiet sightseeing; in winter plan shorter routes and always check opening hours.
A private tour of Krakow is an excellent way to explore the city comfortably and flexibly. To avoid queues and take photos without stress, plan your route, book tickets ahead and check the rules of the places you want to visit.
Golden rule: respect monuments and other visitors. Turn off flash, avoid tripods without permission and ask when something is unclear. In most museums and churches private photos are allowed; professional sessions need prior consent.
If you’d like, I (Margaret Kasprowicz) can help plan a private route in Krakow tailored to your needs — I’ll suggest the best times, photo spots and restaurants worth visiting after sightseeing.
