The Royal Route is the heart of historic Kraków: it starts at Wawel and leads through the city’s most important and characterful places — the Planty, Floriańska Street, the Florian Gate and the Main Market Square. Touring with a local licensed guide gives you context, stories and anecdotes you won’t find in a paper guidebook.
A walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz is friendly and engaging: Małgorzata was born in Kraków, has worked as a licensed guide since 2012 and has shown the city to thousands of visitors. Her experience helps set the right pace, answer questions and tailor the story to the group — families, school groups or adults.
A key advantage of a private guided tour is reduced time spent in lines. The guide can advise when and how to buy museum tickets or Wawel entrance passes, arrange visits at convenient times and lead the group efficiently to avoid the largest crowds.
Meetings usually take place at the edge of the Planty — the green belt encircling the Old Town, whose relaxed walking atmosphere is a perfect introduction to the city’s history. The Planty were created on the former city fortifications and are today a favourite walking place for locals and visitors alike.
Next we walk down Floriańska Street — the main ceremonial axis leading straight to the Florian Gate. The street is rich in history: townhouses, souvenir shops, historic facades and hidden details the guide will gladly point out.
The highlight is the Florian Gate — the dominant feature of the northern Old Town. This Gothic structure from the late 13th century was the main entrance to the Royal Route for centuries; inside the passage there is a small place of devotion, and the exterior retains decorative elements and historical inscriptions.
The walk usually finishes at the Main Market Square, where you can extend the program with visits to St. Mary’s Church, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) or Wawel — depending on the chosen duration of the tour and ticket availability.
Start: Planty — a short story about the city walls and the 19th-century transformation of the ramparts into a park surrounding the Old Town.
Floriańska Street — the history of trade and civic representation, townhouses with interesting details, former guild locations and stories about everyday life in past centuries.
Florian Gate — discussion of architecture, defensive functions and symbolism, including the decorations and historical inscriptions on the façade.
A short stop near the Barbican (if the route includes it) — explanation of the medieval defensive systems of Kraków.
Main Market Square — must-sees: the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the Town Hall Tower and St. Mary’s Church. This is where the core of the Royal Route ends; the guide will suggest logical next steps for sightseeing depending on time and the group’s interests.
Typical options include a short walk (about 2 hours) that covers an external view of the main points, and a fuller visit lasting 3–4 hours with entrances to selected sites (for example Wawel or the interior of St. Mary’s Church).
Decisions about entrances should be made at booking time: tickets for some attractions are limited and have set entry times, so booking ahead speeds things up and minimizes time spent waiting in lines.
The tour can be tailored: pace and content are adapted for children, seniors or participants with special interests (for example Kraków legends, architecture or everyday life in past centuries).
Clothing and footwear: the route runs mostly along sidewalks and cobbled streets — comfortable closed shoes are the best choice.
Tickets and documents: if you want to visit Wawel, the Cathedral or special exhibitions, ask for help when booking — the guide will recommend the best times and help reduce waiting in queues.
Weather: in summer bring a hat and water; in winter dress in layers and have warm gloves. The walk is easy but includes pauses for storytelling and photos.
Accessibility: many parts of the route are accessible, but some historic sites have steps — if you are travelling with someone needing assistance, let us know when booking so the guide can optimise the route.
Around the Main Market Square you’ll find everything from classic taverns to restaurants serving modern Polish cuisine. For a special meal in historic interiors try Wierzynek or Pod Aniołami; for refined modern Polish dishes try Szara on the square. Cozy cafés like Cafe Camelot and local patisseries are perfect for coffee and dessert after the tour.
For families: look for places with quick service and children’s menus to keep your day on track. For lovers of traditional cuisine: many restaurants around the Market Square serve hearty Polish classics. If you’d like specific recommendations tailored to your group, the guide will be happy to suggest and reserve places when you book.
Is the tour available in other languages? - Yes, Małgorzata also offers tours in English; please state your preferred language when booking.
How many people can join a private walk? - Tours are flexible: you can book for a single visitor, a couple, a family or a group. For larger groups the guide can provide solutions to improve audibility (for example headset systems).
Does the guide arrange tickets for interiors? - Yes, when booking you can request help purchasing tickets and scheduling entry times, which helps avoid queues.
What if the weather is bad? - The route is flexible; stories can be enriched and parts of the program moved to covered spots or cafés. If weather prevents the tour, rescheduling is the simplest option.
Where do we meet? - The meeting point is set when booking; common choices are a convenient spot at the Planty or near the Florian Gate so everyone can arrive easily.
Booking: it’s best to reserve in advance — by phone or via the guide’s website. At confirmation check the start time, the tour length and any entrances you want to include.
Payments: the guide accepts cash and usually card payments; payment details are arranged at booking.
Customising the program: if you have special requests (a themed tour, a particular pace, educational elements for children), tell us in advance — Małgorzata will prepare a program tailored to your group.
Contact and extra info: before the tour you can ask for practical tips about getting here, parking for coaches or recommended restaurants — the guide will provide up-to-date advice and help plan your day.
Touring the Royal Route is not only about seeing monuments but also listening to stories about the people who filled these streets with life for centuries. My aim is that everyone leaves the tour feeling they know Kraków a little better: its moods, its signs and its small secrets.
If you want to visit the Planty, the Florian Gate and the Market Square without wasting time in queues — write or call and we will plan the perfect route for you and your group. Kraków tells its best stories to those who want to listen. You are warmly invited! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
