The Royal Route is the heart of historic Kraków — a chain of the city’s most important landmarks from St. Florian’s Gate, across the Main Market Square, to Wawel. It combines striking views, legends and places that can captivate even younger visitors. The Market Square Underground is a museum beneath the surface of the Main Square where the city’s history is told through archaeology, multimedia displays and interactive elements — perfect for families who want to "go under the surface" and see Kraków from a different angle.
If you only have half a day (about 3–4 hours), a well-planned route makes it possible to see the highlights, visit one or two museums and leave enough time for a break and a meal. As a licensed guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz helps set a comfortable pace so adults enjoy the walk and children don’t get bored.
In this article you’ll find a practical half-day itinerary, tips on tickets and museum entrances, ideas for children’s activities and concrete recommendations for places to rest. Everything in a friendly, useful style — so your family day in Kraków goes smoothly.
Suggested time: 3–4 hours. Pace is flexible — depending on children’s ages and number of stops. Here’s a step-by-step route:
- Start: St. Florian’s Gate / Barbican — an easy-to-find meeting point and a good place to begin. A short introduction: what the Royal Route was and where the king’s procession used to pass.
- Floriańska Street — walk toward the Market: a few curiosities about the townhouses, old guilds and legends connected with the street.
- Main Market Square — Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and St. Mary’s Basilica: a short story about the Cloth Hall and the bugle call; option to enter St. Mary’s Basilica if you have time and wish. Pause on the Square for photos and a snack.
- Market Square Underground — visit the museum under the Square (visit time approx. 45–75 minutes). This is a highlight for children because the exhibition is visual and often interactive.
- Grodzka / Kanonicza Streets — walk toward Wawel: stories about royal customs and a short stop by historic townhouses and churches.
- Wawel Hill (courtyard and outside views) — if time allows, a quick visit to the cathedral or a walk around the courtyard. Finish with lunch or a snack near Wawel or return to the Market Square for dinner.
Market Square Underground: this site is worth visiting with family due to its evocative staging, archaeological finds and accessible storytelling. Allow about 45–75 minutes for the tour — longer if children enjoy examining details. For larger groups or in high season consider buying tickets in advance or checking time slots.
St. Mary’s Basilica and Wawel Cathedral: both churches impress, but interiors can have queues in season. If you plan to enter (especially to see treasuries, towers or royal crypts), add extra time and check opening hours.
Cloth Hall and small museums: short exhibitions in the Cloth Hall or at Krzysztofory Palace can be visited with limited time, but each entry adds another 20–60 minutes. Choose one or two interiors for a half-day plan so children aren’t overloaded.
Discounts and concessions: many museums offer reduced fares for children and family tickets. Bring any documents that confirm eligibility for discounts (pupil, student or senior IDs).
Stories and legends: short, vivid tales about the Wawel Dragon, the trumpeter who plays the bugle call, or the Cloth Hall merchants are a great way to engage kids. A slightly theatrical delivery helps hold attention.
On-walk tasks: small photo contests ("who can find the prettiest façade detail?"), symbol hunts (e.g. dragon, lion, coat of arms) or quick quizzes about what we’ve seen keep energy and curiosity high.
Breaks and pace: schedule short breaks — a 10–15 minute rest on a square, ice cream or juice will recharge the children and give parents a breather. Keep a moderate pace and be ready to pause if a child needs to rest.
Interactive museums: pick exhibitions with touch or multimedia elements — children learn faster through play. The Market Square Underground includes many visual and spatial solutions that engage younger visitors.
Around the Market and along the Royal Route you’ll find many family-friendly places: from cafés with desserts to restaurants serving traditional food. A few spots that often work well for family walks:
- Camelot (ul. Św. Tomasza) — a cozy café with a warm interior, good for a break with children.
- Charlotte (Plac Szczepański) — a bakery-café with a wide selection of bread and desserts, convenient for a quick breakfast or mid-morning bite while touring.
- Wierzynek (Main Market Square) — a historic restaurant suitable for families if you want to feel the atmosphere of traditional Kraków and have more time for a meal.
Alternatives: for a quick and budget-friendly option there are many bistros and bars nearby offering children’s dishes. Ask your guide about places with changing facilities or children’s menus — local guides know calm, family-friendly venues well.
Stroller and cobblestones: the Old Town has many stone streets — strollers are possible but a sturdy all-terrain buggy helps, or plan part of the route without a stroller (older children can walk).
Weather and clothing: bring a hat, a light rain jacket and comfortable shoes. For a half-day tour, carry water and a small snack for the kids.
Toilets and changing stations: there are public toilets and toilets in cafés; ask your guide about locations with changing tables if needed.
Safety and contacts: agree on a meeting point with your family and keep an eye on children near curbs and on crowded squares. A good idea is to carry a card with the child’s name and a parent’s phone number just in case.
Is half a day enough for the Royal Route and the Market Square Underground? - Yes, if you choose one main interior to visit (for example the Market Square Underground) and treat the rest as a walk with short stops. For a more relaxed pace plan 4 hours.
Should we book tickets in advance? - In season and at weekends I recommend booking tickets to popular museums. This helps avoid queues and lets you plan time with children more reliably.
Is the route suitable for very young children? - Yes, many families use this route. Adjust pace and number of indoor visits to children’s ages. Short stories and frequent breaks help keep little ones interested.
Are there exhibits for kids in the Market Square Underground? - The Underground displays archaeology and multimedia formats that usually engage children. Before visiting, ask about family programs or educational activities.
If you’d like the half-day Royal Route to be led by Małgorzata Kasprowicz, the best way is to contact ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com — look for the tour description in the “Wawel and the Royal Route” section, where you’ll find details and available times. Reservations can be made via the contact form on the site or using the provided contact details.
When booking, note that you are coming with children and give approximate ages of the youngest — this helps tailor the pace, choose suitable stories and plan breaks. The guide has experience with family groups and offers routes specifically tailored to children’s needs.
If you have special requests (entrances to particular museums, themed stories, need for audio sets), mention them when booking — it makes organization smoother and the tour more enjoyable for the whole family.
Visiting Kraków with children can be a wonderful experience if you have a well-thought-out plan and a little flexibility. The Royal Route, combined with a visit to the Market Square Underground, offers a superb mix of grand spaces and fascinating history beneath the city’s surface. As a guide, I’m happy to lead you through these places so that everyone — from the youngest to the adults — takes away a fun fact, a smile and the desire to return to Kraków. See you on the route! — Małgorzata Kasprowicz, ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com.
If you’d like, I can help prepare a route variant tailored to your children’s ages — tell me how much time you have and what you’re interested in (legends, castles, daily life history) and I’ll prepare a plan just for you.
