Yes — and very enjoyably. If you want to spend a full day walking through the historic core of Krakow while avoiding entry to museums and paid indoor exhibitions, you can build a rich, comfortable itinerary. The Royal Route (Droga Królewska) and the surrounding districts offer many monuments visible from the outside, churches, viewpoints, atmospheric streets and places to rest — so a day filled with walks, stories and breaks for food is more than enough. Below you will find a detailed plan, practical tips and alternatives.
In this text you will find: a timed schedule, a step-by-step route, suggestions for breaks and places to eat, practical tips (distance, pace, transport) and ideas for ending the day in the evening.
This article assumes sightseeing without entering exhibitions and museums — we will mainly use public spaces, churches (entering church interiors is possible and usually charged or donation-based, but churches are not museums), viewpoints accessible from the outside and the Vistula boulevards. All times are approximate and depend on the group’s pace and number of stops. Stay flexible and allow extra time for breaks.
- Note: place names used on the route are traditional, well-recognized points: Matejko Square, the Barbican, Florian Gate, Floriańska Street, the Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Grodzka Street, Kanonicza Street and Wawel Hill.
- Total route length including side trips and walks along the Vistula and through Kazimierz: about 8–12 km (depending on the chosen variant).
08:30 - Start at Matejko Square: a short warm-up and introduction. The square is a good place to begin; this is where the historic Royal Route starts.
09:00-11:00 - Royal Route: the Barbican, Florian Gate, Floriańska Street, Main Market Square. Walk from the outside; entering St. Mary’s Basilica is optional if you want to see the interior. The hourly trumpet call (hejnał) from the basilica tower is played each hour — it’s worth timing your visit.
11:00-12:30 - The Market and surroundings: the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), souvenir stalls, benches, a short stop for coffee and a snack. Walk through the Cloth Hall arcade and admire the architecture.
12:30-13:15 - Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets toward Wawel: pass churches and historic townhouses, arrive at Wawel - explore the hill from the outside, admire the cathedral and the castle courtyard. We skip interior visits.
13:15-14:30 - Lunch near Wawel or in Kazimierz: I suggest moving to Plac św. Idziego / Szeroka Street or Plac Nowy (Kazimierz) — here you’ll find traditional eateries and street food.
14:30-16:00 - Kazimierz at a leisurely pace: synagogues and Plac Nowy from the outside, narrow streets, atmospheric cafes and outdoor galleries. Museums’ interiors are omitted.
16:00-17:30 - Vistula boulevards: walk with views of Wawel from the river side, rest by the Vistula, take photos, optionally a boat trip (seasonal).
17:30-19:00 - Walk the Planty around the Old Town: return toward Matejko Square, photo stops, finish the day with coffee or dessert. In the evening — dinner at a restaurant by the Market or in Kazimierz.
Start: Matejko Square and the Barbican - the place where the representative Royal Route began; fragments of the city walls and the Barbican make a great introduction to the walk.
Florian Gate and Floriańska Street - pass through the historic gate leading into the medieval city; Floriańska Street is a historic commercial street full of townhouses and cafes.
Main Market Square - the heart of medieval Krakow: the Cloth Hall (facade, columns, stalls), St. Mary’s Basilica (facade and optional interior visit), evening observations of the hejnał and market life. The square is where you can enjoy the architecture and city atmosphere without entering exhibitions.
Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets - streets that connect the Market with Wawel Hill; we pass historic churches and townhouses and other notable points.
Wawel Hill - the castle courtyard, the cathedral and the exterior fortifications; Dragon’s Den and the dragon monument on the embankment (the fire-breathing dragon operates at set times) - all viewable from the outside.
Kazimierz - a neighborhood of atmospheric streets, squares and cafes: Plac Nowy with its characteristic roundel and stalls, Szeroka Street, synagogues and historic townhouses - an ideal place for a longer break and lunch.
Vistula boulevards and the view of Wawel from the river - an evening walk with a light breeze and attractive photographic perspectives.
The Planty - the green belt surrounding the Old Town, a convenient way to end the walk and return to the starting point.
The name Royal Route (via regia / Droga Królewska) comes from the fact that monarchs entered the city along this path during coronation ceremonies and other state events - from Matejko Square through Florian Gate, the Market and Grodzka Street to Wawel.
Along the route you will find places connected to authority, the church and urban life: the cathedral on Wawel was the site of coronations and royal burials, the Main Market concentrated trade and representative functions, and the streets linking these points preserved historic buildings. Walking this route lets you feel the continuity of urban space that for centuries was the axis of state and religious ceremonies.
The "no museums" version focuses on public space, church interiors (if you choose to visit) and the city narrative rather than paid exhibitions. This option is good for people who prefer street atmosphere, photography and long breaks on cafe terraces.
- Remember: some churches and towers charge admission to enter the interior or climb the tower; if you want to avoid all fees, view interiors from the outside and plan café breaks instead.
Morning coffee: cafes around Matejko Square and Floriańska Street — good places to warm up before heading to the Market.
Lunch: Kazimierz — Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy offer places serving traditional Polish cuisine and street food (zapiekanki, pierogi, Jewish-fusion cuisine). This is a convenient lunch area after a morning at Wawel.
Snacks and dessert: on the Market or near the Cloth Hall you’ll find patisseries and cafés with local pastries. I also recommend ice cream or cakes in small cafes on side streets.
In the evening: dinner at a restaurant with a view of the Market or in an intimate spot in Kazimierz. If you prefer a more casual vibe, choose the Vistula boulevards and food trucks / seasonal outdoor stands.
- For food lovers: try local specialties — alongside modern restaurants you’ll find classic pierogi, sour rye soup (żurek) and potato pancakes; in Kazimierz you’ll often find Jewish-inspired and fusion options.
Pace and distance - the route including the Royal Route, Wawel, Kazimierz and the boulevards is usually 8–12 km depending on the variant. Suggested walking time with breaks is 6–8 hours (including pauses and lunch). If you also count time for rest and photos, reserve a full day.
Shoes and clothing - comfortable, waterproof footwear and layered clothing. In winter surfaces in the Old Town can be slippery; in summer bring a hat and water.
Accessibility - most of the route is pedestrian-friendly; some sections at Wawel and on the Planty have stairs. Check accessibility if you travel with a stroller or a person with limited mobility.
Toilets and luggage - public toilets are available on the Market and in the Kazimierz area; luggage storage is available at train stations and at several service points.
Tickets and entrances - since you plan the "no museums" version, many attractions can be seen from the outside free of charge. Entrance to the cathedral, towers or the Dragon’s Den may be paid — check prices on site if you decide to go in.
- Safety: Krakow is relatively safe for tourists, but keep small valuables with you, be careful in crowded places on the Market and watch for pickpockets in crowds.
Add a visit to Kościuszko Mound or Krakus Mound - good ideas if you want extra viewpoints and fresh air. Both mounds require additional time and some effort.
Wieliczka - if you change your mind about museums and want to go outside the city, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a full-day trip on its own — it requires transport and is a paid attraction.
Boat trip on the Vistula - a seasonal way to rest and see Wawel from the river. Short cruises are available during the tourist season.
Night walk and illuminations - if you still have energy, an evening walk around the Market and the boulevards gives a different atmosphere, with illuminated facades and fewer tourists.
- If you want a shorter version, limit the route to the Royal Route and Wawel (2–4 hours of walking without long breaks).
The Royal Route of Polish Kings is a classic — you can experience it in many ways: as a quick walk through the most important points or as a full-day stroll with breaks, photography and delicious food. The no-museums version gives more freedom and less time pressure.
When planning the day remember to allow extra time for breaks, wear comfortable shoes, and keep in mind that the most valuable moments on such a route are the pauses: conversation, coffee, watching people and architecture. Those are the moments that stay in memory the longest.
- If you want, I can now prepare a point-by-point map with approximate distances and walking times between them, or a shortened 4-hour version — tell me which option you prefer.
- Enjoy your walk - Krakow makes the greatest impression when you give it time.
