Are you planning a walk along the Royal Route and wondering: how long it takes, which museum entrances are worth visiting and how to avoid queues? This text answers those questions step by step and also offers a practical plan for a short version and a version that includes interior visits - including the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and St. Mary's Basilica.
I want to help you pause at the most interesting points of the Main Market Square, learn where to buy tickets and how to pace your visit so you don’t run in a panic between sights. Everything is written in a friendly style, with practical tips you can use right away.
This guide was written from the perspective of a licensed guide who leads tours along the Royal Route and knows the realities of queues, opening hours and visitor numbers — so you’ll find realistic timings, ticketing tips and logistical advice here.
Note: the plan below includes a variant with interior visits (Cloth Hall - Gallery, St. Mary's Basilica, Rynek Underground, Wawel). If you only want a quick outdoor walk, use the shorter version described later.
The Royal Route traditionally begins at Matejko Square, leads past St. Florian's Gate and along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square, where the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica dominate the center, and then continues down Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets to Wawel Hill with the Castle and Cathedral.
On the Market Square we'll stop at the Cloth Hall — a medieval trading hall that houses, among other things, the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art — and at St. Mary's Basilica with its famous altarpiece and the hourly heynał.
If you plan to enter museums, decide in advance which interiors are priorities for you — the Royal Chambers on Wawel, the Rynek Underground, the Sukiennice Gallery or St. Mary's Basilica may require reservations or time for queues.
Start: Matejko Square - a short introduction and photos at the Grunwald Monument, 15–30 minutes. Walk toward St. Florian's Gate and the Barbican.
Floriańska and the entrance to the Market - stroll along Floriańska Street, a brief stop by Jan Matejko's house or Café Jama Michalika, 15–25 minutes.
Main Market Square - allow 45–90 minutes for the main attractions. If you enter St. Mary's Basilica, allocate 20–40 minutes (queues can be longer). The Cloth Hall Gallery typically takes 30–60 minutes depending on your interest in art.
Afternoon: Grodzka and Kanonicza - 20–40 minutes walking to reach Wawel. Wawel Hill: you can view the courtyard quickly, but if you want to visit the State Rooms, the Cathedral and the crypts, plan an additional 1–2 hours and check ticketing rules.
Estimated total time: 4–6 hours (depending on the number of interior visits and queues). If you plan coffee and lunch breaks - add another 1–2 hours.
Short on time? A quick Royal Route walk (outside only) takes about 2–2.5 hours and lets you see the most important façades and places (St. Florian's Gate, the Market, the Cloth Hall from the outside, Grodzka, Kanonicza, Wawel).
This option is great for a first reconnaissance or for visitors who prefer to leave museums for another day or visit them when queues are smaller.
Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - the ground floor still hosts souvenir stalls, while the upper floor houses the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art. Allocate about 30–60 minutes for the gallery if you’re interested in Polish Romanticism and 19th-century painting.
St. Mary's Basilica - inside you’ll find the magnificent altar by Veit Stoss and richly decorated interiors. Visiting the church can take 20–40 minutes. Watch for services and restrictions on photography.
Rynek Underground - an interactive exhibition presenting the archaeology of the medieval Market. It’s a great option for visitors who enjoy history down to the foundations. Booking online often saves time in high season.
Wawel - the Royal Chambers, Cathedral and crypts are a must-see. Visit times depend on chosen exhibitions; the State Rooms usually take at least an hour, and the Cathedral plus crypts another 30–60 minutes. Buy tickets in advance if your route includes Wawel.
It’s best to buy tickets for popular places (Royal Chambers at Wawel, Rynek Underground, selected Sukiennice exhibitions, some entrances to St. Mary's) online with a specific entry time. This saves time and stress.
If you don't have tickets, arrive early in the morning (around 8:00–10:00) or later in the afternoon — visitor numbers usually drop then. In season (spring–September) queues tend to be longer, so plan extra time.
In larger groups it’s worth using headsets — they improve audibility and comfort in crowded places. As a guide I often provide a set of headsets, which speeds up and smooths the tour.
Also check for closures due to religious ceremonies or special events — some sites change their opening hours.
The distance from the Barbican to Wawel with short stops is a few kilometers of walking with photo stops — in practice count about 3–5 km for the whole route with interior visits. The walk is gentle, but cobbles and uneven sidewalks mean comfortable shoes are essential.
Bring water, a light snack, ID and a comfortable daypack. In summer a sunscreen and a hat are useful; on cooler days dress in layers.
Public restrooms and cafés are available around the Market and on the Planty — plan short breaks every 60–90 minutes so you don’t lose energy.
Kraków's city center is largely pedestrian, but many streets have cobbles and some historic buildings have steps. Some museums and exhibitions offer accessibility options, but access to parts of historic interiors may be limited.
I recommend checking accessibility information for specific museums before your visit and, where possible, buying tickets that allow priority entry or contacting museum staff to arrange alternative routes.
If you travel with a stroller, plan the route with steps and narrow passages in mind — sometimes it’s better to leave the stroller at a stroller-friendly point and walk shorter sections on foot.
Kraków is a tourist city — use normal precautions: watch your belongings, be aware of pickpockets in crowded areas and use official tourist information points if you have doubts.
Places of worship require appropriate dress and quiet; some venues restrict photography inside. Respect the space and other visitors.
If you want to hear the heynał from St. Mary's Basilica, check the times — it is played on the hour, though weekend and holiday schedules can vary from a regular weekday pattern.
The Market area and Kazimierz are full of cafés, bars and restaurants — from places serving local specialities to elegant restaurants on Kanonicza Street. For a historic dining experience try Wierzynek near the Market Square.
For a quick bite visit the stalls at Plac Nowy or look for cafés such as Cafe Camelot and Szara (both popular near the Market). If you want to try local snacks: obwarzanek (a ring-shaped bread), pierogi and regional pastries are widely available near the Square.
Plan short breaks every 60–90 minutes — there are many cafés and benches on the Planty, perfect for resting and watching city life.
How long does the route take with interior visits? - At a comfortable pace with several entrances (St. Mary's, the Cloth Hall, Rynek Underground, Wawel) plan 4–6 hours or a full day with breaks.
Do I need to reserve tickets in advance? - For popular exhibitions and chambers it’s advisable to buy tickets online in advance, especially on weekends and during the tourist season.
Is the Cloth Hall only souvenir shops? - The Cloth Hall is both a market hall with souvenirs on the ground floor and the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art on the upper floor — it’s worth visiting if you care about 19th-century Polish art.
Is St. Mary's Basilica always open to tourists? - As a place of worship, access can be limited during services; always check before you visit.
How do I avoid crowds on the Market? - Come early in the morning or later in the evening; outside the high season the Market is also much more pleasant.
I am a licensed guide in Kraków with many years of experience leading individual and school groups along the Royal Route, Wawel and nearby sites. I work in Polish and English, run themed and family tours, and provide comfortable headset sets for groups.
If you wish, I can help create a personalized itinerary, reserve entries to selected museums and plan a pace matched to your needs.
Set priorities: choose 2–3 places you absolutely want to enter, and view the rest from the outside. That’s the best way to avoid fatigue and truly feel Kraków.
Book tickets online where possible, arrive early or late in the afternoon, wear comfortable shoes and leave space in your plan for a coffee break — sometimes the best memories come from a pause in the Market.
I wish you a wonderful walk along the Royal Route - if you’d like, I can personally guide you along this route and help plan museum visits so your day in Kraków is as successful as possible.
