The Royal Route is Kraków's most representative path — from St. Florian's Gate along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square, past the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica, and onward to Wawel. For centuries kings rode this route during ceremonial occasions, and today walking it gives a great introduction to the city's history, architecture and legends.
For families the route works very well because it mixes sights, short stories and places that catch children's attention — dragons, legends, colorful townhouses and the open space of the Market Square, where you can rest, enjoy something sweet and let kids play outdoors for a while.
We meet at the Planty — the green belt encircling the Old Town. It's a great starting point: I give a short explanation about the old defensive walls and how, under our feet long ago, there used to be moats and ramparts now replaced by this park strip.
Walking toward St. Florian's Gate I explain the history of this impressive Gothic gate. Built in the 14th century, it was for centuries one of the most important entrances to the city — the Royal Route began here. For children I always have a short tale about guards and legends connected to the city's defense.
We continue down Floriańska Street — the historic main shopping street — until we reach the Main Market Square. There we visit the Cloth Hall, I tell the story of the trumpeter's call from St. Mary's Basilica and point out spots that often catch the youngest visitors' eyes (the Adam Mickiewicz monument and scattered dragon motifs).
From the Market Square we head toward Wawel. Along the way I point out interesting details about the townhouses, street names and local customs — all told lightly, with humour and short anecdotes so both children and adults stay engaged.
The Planty is a park strip created where the medieval city walls once stood. A walk through the Planty offers a break from city noise and is a perfect introduction to the Old Town. In summer the trees give shade, and in autumn the colours add a special atmosphere to the route.
For families the Planty is a convenient place for a quick snack, changing shoes for the little ones or gathering the group — we often start there because it is easy to find and there's plenty of space to assemble.
St. Florian's Gate is an impressively large remnant of medieval fortifications. From the outside it looks striking — it was the main northern entrance and part of an important defensive system that included the Barbican. I explain this to children with comparisons to castle obstacles and a 'knight obstacle course'.
On the gate you can spot interesting details — bas-reliefs and symbolic decorations. It's a good opportunity to talk about how the city changed and what architectural curiosities the centuries left for us to see.
After the Royal Route walk you can easily add a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine — a perfect complement for families who want to see something completely different from city monuments. The mine impresses with salt chambers, sculptures carved in salt and the Chapel of St. Kinga.
Practical tips: a visit to Wieliczka usually takes several hours depending on the chosen underground route. It's worth booking tickets in advance and remembering that it is cooler underground — bring a light jacket for children.
For families it's important to know the mine has stairs and corridors, so if you have very small children in strollers it's better to plan a carrier or choose a route suitable for your group. I'm happy to advise on the best way to organise a combined day: first a walk in Kraków, then transfer to Wieliczka.
Keep it short and engaging — instead of long lectures I use short, visual stories, riddles and small tasks: 'find a dragon detail', 'spot the most beautiful bas-relief' or a mini-quiz with a small prize (for example a sticker). This works great: younger participants stay curious and parents can relax and enjoy the historical stories.
Breaks — I plan several short stops on the Market Square and near the Planty. This way children can stretch their legs and parents can use facilities or buy drinks. I recommend bringing small snacks and water bottles.
Duration — for families the 2-3 hour option is best. It's enough time to see the main sights without overtiring the youngest.
Meeting: the easiest arrangement is to meet at the Planty/entrance toward St. Florian's Gate or directly at a specific point on the Market Square — we agree this when you book so everyone can find the meeting place easily.
Duration and prices (approximate): 2-, 3- and 4-hour variants are available. On the site I provide detailed information about costs and packages (prices vary by language and group size). If you plan to combine the tour with Wieliczka, it's worth booking a full day with enough time for transport.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, a light jacket for cooler weather (especially if you go to Wieliczka), water and small snacks for children, a phone powerbank and your booking confirmation if required.
Accessibility: the Royal Route walk is accessible to most people, but narrow sections and cobbled streets can make travel with large strollers more difficult. In the salt mine there are stretches with stairs — keep this in mind when planning a trip with small children.
Is the walk suitable for strollers? - On most of the route you can manage with a stroller, especially if you choose the Planty and Floriańska Street sections. However some cobbles and narrow passages may be tricky — consider a carrier or be prepared for a short carry on more difficult fragments.
How many kilometres will we walk? - The standard route from St. Florian's Gate to Wawel is a few kilometres with breaks. For families I suggest a 2–3 hour version with several stops so it doesn't tire the little ones.
Is it worth combining this with Wieliczka? - Yes, if you have a full day. The Kraków walk provides historical context and lovely views, while Wieliczka is an underground adventure. A well-planned day allows you to see both without rushing.
Do we need to book in advance? - It's a good idea to reserve a date for a guided walk in Kraków, especially in high season. For Wieliczka, tickets and entry times are best booked ahead as well.
Plan breaks for ice cream or waffles on the Market Square — it's always a good motivator for children. Try the traditional waffle stands or enjoy a hot waffle on cooler days; you can also visit Café Noworolski inside the Cloth Hall for a classic café stop.
Bring a small reward for kids for active participation (for example a Kraków postcard) — it encourages observation and questions.
If you like, I can prepare a themed route — for example a legends trail or a simple city game for children — it's a great option when you want the walk to be more interactive.
If you want to discover Kraków in an accessible, family-friendly way full of curiosities — I invite you to join the walk. I will tailor the route to the children's ages and your expectations, and help plan the connection with a Wieliczka visit.
Bookings and organisational details can be arranged by contacting me through the ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com site or by phone — we will set the date, meeting point and the best tour option for your family.
