Looking for a calm, tailor-made way to discover Krakow? A private tour gives you the comfort of a flexible itinerary, fewer crowds and the ability to ask questions on the spot. For families, couples and visitors who want to see specific places without rushing, it’s often the best option.
On a private tour you can easily adapt the route to your group’s fitness, interests and time — for example combine a visit to Krakus Mound with a short walk along the Vistula and a stroll through the Old Town, finishing with a climb of St. Mary’s Tower. This kind of plan offers city views from different perspectives, without the crowds and at a pace that suits you.
At the end of the article you’ll find sample route options and practical tips: how and where to buy tickets, where to leave your car and which hours are most comfortable for visiting.
Remember — Krakow is beautiful all year round, but when planning your visit it’s worth considering the season, the weather and local opening hours of attractions.
Welcome — I’ll explain what you can see and how to organize it so that your visit is easy and enjoyable.
Krakus Mound (Kopiec Krakusa) is one of Krakow’s historic mounds, located in the Podgórze district. It’s a great short excursion if you want a view of the city from a less obvious perspective than Wawel or Kościuszko Mound.
From the top there’s a pleasant panorama of Wawel and parts of the right bank of the Vistula. The mound itself has a long history and interesting archaeological finds, but for most visitors the highlights are the views and the intimate atmosphere.
Getting there: public transport is the most convenient — get off at the 'Cmentarz Podgórski' or 'Podgórze' stops (trams and buses). From the Main Station it’s a matter of minutes by tram or bus; walking from central Podgórze usually takes 10–20 minutes.
Parking: there are small parking areas near the mound, for example by Kraków Podgórze station and on nearby streets (e.g. Aleja "Pod Kopcem" / Za Torem). Spaces can be limited, so if you arrive by car it’s worth planning to come outside peak hours or use nearby larger Park & Ride lots.
The path up the mound can be intimate but some approaches are stony and uneven — if you travel with a stroller, people with limited mobility or prefer an easier ascent, choose the gentlest paths and check where you can park as close as possible.
St. Mary’s Basilica is a must-see on the Old Town itinerary. It’s worth planning at least a short visit inside the church, and if queues and weather allow — a climb of the tower for the well-known panorama and to hear the trumpeter’s bugle.
Visiting the interior for tourists takes place at specific times during the day, and access to the Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) altarpiece usually follows a set schedule. Entrance outside service times is paid — prices may vary, so check the current information on site.
Climbing the tower is usually organized for tourists in rotating time slots: limited places per rotation and small-ticket purchases at the ticket office. There may be age or height restrictions for children and for safety reasons the number of people allowed per group is limited.
Practical tip: tower tickets are often sold only on the day at the ticket booth on the Market Square. If you need a specific time, arrive early or avoid the busiest hours (morning or early afternoon are usually best). Remember the tower can be closed temporarily in bad weather.
Respect the place of worship — during services parts of the basilica may be closed to tourists, and appropriate dress and silence are expected.
Central Krakow includes a Paid Parking Zone — parking near the Old Town is charged from Monday to Saturday, usually during daytime hours. Rates and subzones vary by location; the closer to the Market Square, the higher the rate.
The parking system divides the area into subzones A, B and C. It’s worth checking in advance which subzone you plan to leave your car in, because hourly rates rise with centrality. Minimum parking fees are typically small, but enforcement is strict — failing to pay may result in a fine.
Where to leave the car? - Most convenient: underground car parks and large parking lots near shopping centers (for example around Galeria Krakowska) - Cheaper option: longer stays on the edges of the paid zone or Park & Ride and then travel by public transport - Comfortable and stress-free: reserved spots in garages (if you plan a longer stay)
Payments: parking meters generally accept cash and cards, and many places also support mobile parking apps — it’s useful to have one of the popular parking apps installed to avoid small-change issues. Check local signs for paid hours and days off (some Sundays may be free).
Quick note: if you plan to sightsee in the Old Town by car, allow extra time to walk from the parking spot to the attractions — often it’s faster and less stressful to park slightly further out and walk in.
Half day (3–4 hours) — quick introduction: - Start: meet at an agreed point in the Old Town - Walk around the Main Market Square: a short history, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica with an optional tower climb - Finish: short walk toward the Vistula or transfer to Krakus Mound (if the group wants a different panorama)
Full morning or afternoon (5–6 hours) — relaxed pace: - Start: meeting and brief introduction at the Market Square - Visit St. Mary’s Basilica (interior) and — time permitting — climb the tower - Walk toward Wawel (brief stop at the ramparts and castle) - Transfer or walk to Podgórze, climb Krakus Mound and take time for photos - Finish: café in Podgórze / return to the Old Town
Evening visit (2–3 hours) — photos and atmosphere: - Walk the illuminated Market Square - Stories about city legends, ending with a view from the mound (if you plan an evening ascent, remember some paths are unlit and bring a torch)
On a private tour I can shorten or lengthen any part of the program — this flexibility is a major advantage if someone wants more time for photos, shopping or rest.
If you plan to bring your own car, include time for parking and walking. Walking times in the centre are often underestimated by visitors unfamiliar with the city.
Best times of day: - Morning (right after attractions open) is quieter, especially in high season. - Late afternoon and early evening are great for photography and atmosphere, but can be busier.
Tickets and payments: - Entries to popular places (for example the tower) are often sold at the ticket window; arrive early to avoid queues. - Parking meters accept cards and don’t always give change — a parking app is handy.
Weather and clothing: - It can be windier on mounds and hills than in the city centre — bring an extra layer. - On colder or wet days the mound paths may be slippery, so sturdy shoes are recommended.
For families and visitors with limited mobility: - Krakus Mound has partially surfaced paths but the ascent can be uneven; if easier access is needed, plan the route to minimize steep sections. - The basilica and tower have limits on the number and age of visitors allowed on the tower — check rules on site before entering.
Safety and comfort: carry a little cash for small payments and local tips, but most ticket offices and parking meters accept cards. Stay hydrated and take short breaks during longer walks.
As a guide I will tailor the pace and content of the tour to your expectations: - history and anecdotes explained in an accessible way - practical on-the-spot advice (best parking spots, where the nearest toilets are, when and how to buy tickets) - logistical support (transfers, breaks, food options)
I focus on a relaxed atmosphere and a pace that lets you enjoy the city without rushing. If you like, I can suggest pleasant places for a coffee break or a bite in atmospheric corners of Podgórze and the Old Town.
If you plan to arrive by car — I’ll tell you exactly where it’s easiest to park depending on your starting point and how long you’ll stay.
I’m happy to prepare a personalized route — tell me how much time you have and what you’d like to see, and I’ll send a proposal.
Contact me and together we’ll plan a comfortable, interesting and memorable tour.
- Krakus Mound: free, year-round viewpoint in Podgórze; best light for photos in the morning and at sunset; limited parking nearby.
- St. Mary’s Basilica and the tower: visiting hours are set; tower climbs are run in rotating slots and tickets are usually bought on the day at the ticket office.
- Parking: Paid Parking Zone in the centre — check subzone and hours; meters and mobile apps make payment easier; consider Park & Ride or larger garages to avoid Market Square parking stress.
- Private sightseeing: flexibility, a comfortable pace and the ability to tailor the route to your needs — ideal for families and anyone who enjoys asking questions.
If you want, I’ll prepare a concrete tour plan for you — give me an approximate duration, starting point and preferences (for example lots of photos, family-friendly pace, stroller access) and I’ll send a suggested route.
Recommended places for a break: Café Camelot (near the Market Square) and Charlotte (boulangerie on Plac Szczepański) are classic options for coffee and pastries; for a hearty traditional meal consider Pod Wawelem or Wierzynek if you prefer a historic dining setting. These are examples; I can suggest spots that fit your budget and tastes.
Useful apps and payment tips: many parking areas accept card payments at meters and through mobile parking apps commonly used in Poland. Having one app installed can simplify short-stay payments. Bring a card just in case.
FAQ highlights: - Can I park near the Old Town? Yes, but rates and time limits apply; consider parking slightly outside the busiest zone and walking in. - Are tickets for St. Mary’s Tower bookable in advance? Tower tickets are often sold on the day at the Market Square ticket office; early arrival increases the chance of getting a preferred slot. - Is Krakus Mound accessible with a stroller? Some paths are surfaced but parts can be uneven; if accessibility is essential, we’ll plan a route that minimizes steep sections.
If you’d like a short FAQ tailored to your exact plan (arrival time, car or public transport, number of people, special needs), tell me those details and I’ll prepare clear, practical recommendations.
