Planning a walk along the Royal Route, want to visit Wawel, the Cloth Hall and the Main Market Square, and considering a day trip to Auschwitz? You’re in the right place. I’ll explain what the route looks like, how long it takes, how to book a guide and what to keep in mind so your visit is comfortable and full of interesting details.
I’m Małgorzata Kasprowicz, a licensed guide in Krakow (licensed since 2012). I’ve shown thousands of visitors the city’s most important sites and I’ll gladly help you plan the perfect day in Krakow — whether it’s a short walk through the Old Town or a combined Krakow + Auschwitz day trip.
In this article you’ll find practical information about the Royal Route, hands-on tips, sample prices and how to book, plus answers to the most frequently asked questions.
I focus on friendly guiding with a sense of humor, anecdotes and local flavor — making the tour interesting for both adults and children.
You’re invited to read on and — if you wish — to book a walk tailored to your expectations.
The Royal Route is the classic, most popular itinerary in Krakow — we usually start at the Main Market Square and pass the city’s highlights: the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica, walk along Grodzka Street and head toward Wawel. It’s a walk full of history, legends and architectural gems.
During the tour you’ll hear both the key historical facts and small curiosities that bring the story to life: tales of residents, royal anecdotes and local legends. The walk can be arranged as a 2-, 3- or 4-hour tour — depending on how much time you want to spend entering museums and pausing for photos.
The route is flexible — if you want to visit interiors (for example Wawel, the Market Underground, museum exhibitions), we’ll adapt the program so ticket bookings and the visiting order are optimal.
For larger groups or whenever clear listening is important in crowds, I offer audio headsets — a useful option in high season and on busy days.
If you’re touring with children, I prepare a version of the route with tasks and stories to engage the youngest visitors.
Yes — it’s possible, but it requires good planning and realistic expectations about time. A Krakow + Auschwitz one-day trip works best when you have private transport (car or hired minibus) and start early in the morning.
A typical plan looks like this: a morning walk along the Royal Route (a condensed 2–3 hour version), drive to Oświęcim (about 1–1.5 hours depending on traffic), visit the camp and museum in Oświęcim (usually 2–3 hours), return to Krakow in the evening. In practice you should expect a full day — plan for a minimum of 10–12 hours for such an excursion.
Visiting Auschwitz is a solemn and demanding experience; it deserves respect and an appropriate pace. I also prepare groups for this part of the trip, explaining what to expect and how to prepare mentally.
If you are planning the route for seniors or people with limited mobility, it’s worth discussing it in advance — I’ll prepare a gentler version of the program and help organize suitable transport and breaks.
If you want to combine these two program points, contact me when booking — I will adjust the schedule and advise on opening hours and necessary ticket reservations.
Bookings are made directly through ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com — it’s best to contact me in advance by phone or email, giving the date, number of people, preferred tour length and any museum visits you want to include.
Sample prices (promotional information for the autumn/winter 2025–2026 season): for a small group (1–35 people) 2 hours — promotional price 300 PLN, 3 hours — 400 PLN, 4 hours — 500 PLN. For larger groups prices are charged per person. Headset rental is available for a small fee (for example 8 PLN per person).
Prices can change — I always confirm them at the time of booking. Payment arrangements are agreed individually, and in many cases payment can be made after the service or by invoice for organized groups.
If you want to enter paid interiors (for example the Wawel Cathedral, the Market Underground, the Czartoryski Museum or the Schindler’s Factory), separate tickets are often required and some venues limit the number of daily entries — it’s worth planning ahead, especially for larger groups and in high season.
For school groups and tours organized within government or educational programs I prepare special scenarios and age-appropriate materials.
Wear comfortable shoes — the Royal Route follows cobbled streets and includes steps up at Wawel. Weather in Krakow can be changeable, so bring a light coat or umbrella in case of rain.
Start early if you want to avoid the biggest crowds at the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s — mornings are usually calmer and better for photos.
If you combine the tour with a visit to Auschwitz, bring a small packed snack and a water bottle. Breaks at Auschwitz are short, so it’s useful to have refreshments available before and after the visit.
For group convenience I offer audio headsets — they make it easier to hear the guide in crowded areas and are especially helpful for larger groups.
When booking, tell me if someone in the group has mobility limitations, allergies or other special needs — I always try to adjust the route and pace.
How long is a walk along the Royal Route? - I usually offer 2-, 3- or 4-hour options. Two hours is a condensed walk through the main highlights; 3–4 hours allow time for entering interiors and a more relaxed pace.
Does the guide help with museum tickets? - Yes, I help plan and often advise which tickets are worth reserving in advance. Ticket reservations on behalf of the client are made after prior arrangements.
Can I book a tour for a school group? - Of course. I have experience with school groups and prepare special educational and interactive programs so students are engaged and learn effectively.
How do you handle tours with elderly participants? - For senior groups I adjust the pace, choose routes with fewer stairs and plan more frequent breaks. It’s also possible to arrange short transport segments.
Do you offer a Krakow + Auschwitz program in one day? - Yes, I have experience organizing such a day. It’s an intensive schedule and requires prior discussion to make sure all logistics are in order.
If you want to book a walk along the Royal Route or plan a day trip to Auschwitz with a return to Krakow the same day, the best step is to contact me by email or phone with the date, number of people and preferred tour length.
I promise stories that are lively, delivered with humor and genuine engagement, and a route tailored to your expectations — whether a short tour focusing on legends or a day full of history and museum visits.
I’m happy to answer additional questions, help arrange the schedule and advise on tickets and the logistics of combining Krakow + Auschwitz.
See you on the walk — Krakow has so much to show that every route can become a new, interesting story.
If you are ready, write or call — we’ll agree the details and I will prepare a program specially for your group.
