The Kraków Trail of Saints is an informal but well-known route that runs through a dozen or so — most commonly listed as 19 — churches and sanctuaries across the city. It is not only historic architecture but mainly places connected with figures recognized by the Church as saints and blesseds, as well as with important religious events and local traditions.
For a traveler this is a unique combination of sacred art, history and local spirituality: tombs and relics, chapels with valuable polychromes, altars and paintings, and often local festivals and patronal feasts. For people looking for cheap sightseeing it is an attractive option: many sites can be viewed from the outside or entered for a symbolic fee or free of charge outside the hours of special exhibitions.
The trail can be done in many ways: as a full-day walk covering all points, as a series of shorter walks focused on one area (Old Town, Kazimierz, Zwierzyniec/Łagiewniki) or as an outing using public transport to reach locations outside the city center.
The full route, covering the classic set of sites, passes through about 19 locations and is roughly 20–30 km long depending on the variant and mode of travel. Doing it entirely on foot is the commitment of one intense day - practically a whole day of walking (7–9 hours) with short stops for visiting and resting.
Most visitors divide the route into shorter stages. Two popular, practical variants are: - middle variant (Old Town + Wawel + Skałka + the Kanonicza street area): 2–4 hours of walking with many points concentrated in a compact area; - extended variant (adding a trip to Łagiewniki and Zwierzyniec): half a day using tram/bus or a full day if everything is done on foot with more frequent stops.
When planning you should allow time to enter interiors (10–30 minutes for the more important churches, more if you want to visit a cathedral museum or a crypt) and possible waits for services or closures (especially in the early morning and late afternoon).
Wawel (Cathedral and Chapels) - a must on the St. Stanislaus route and other saints trails; a site of exceptional historical and religious significance. Church on Skałka (Basilica of St. Michael and St. Stanislaus) - an important sanctuary and pilgrimage site linked to the cult of St. Stanislaus. St. Mary’s Basilica and the Market area - better known for monuments but containing many religious references and valuable sacred details. The Dominican Church and the Holy Trinity Basilica - places linked with great preachers and the spiritual history of the city. St. Francis of Assisi Church, St. Anne Church, Corpus Christi Church - further important points in the city center. The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy in Łagiewniki - a site of national importance, reachable by public transport and frequently visited by pilgrims. Additional churches with traditions and tombs of blesseds or saints are scattered across Kazimierz and other districts; depending on your interests you can create themed routes (for example “in the footsteps of John Paul II” or “the St. Stanislaus trail”).
This is an example list: in practice the trail is open and flexible - different guides and lists name slightly different points, but the core sites remain the same.
Getting around - use public transport (trams and buses) for farther points like Łagiewniki; single tickets or short-time tickets are usually cheaper than taxis. If you plan more than a few trips, a 24-hour ticket is often worth it.
Entrances and fees - many churches can be visited free of charge outside special exhibitions and museums; where fees apply (cathedral museums, crypts, some exhibitions) plan a small budget - typically a dozen or so Polish złoty. Hours - plan visits outside service times if you prefer a quiet inspection of the interior; masses and services are an opportunity to see the sites but limit photography and movement.
Check official city announcements and the website for occasional themed events or special access - some events require prior reservation. Self-guided audio or paper guides - look for maps and short PDF guides to print or keep on your phone - an inexpensive but informative alternative to a paid guide.
Plan breaks - when planning a longer route, include an affordable meal option (a milk bar, a small canteen or street food) instead of restaurants by the Market, which tend to be more expensive.
Quick central walk (2–3 hours) - central variant: Wawel - Kanonicza - St. Anne Church - St. Francis Basilica - Dominican Church - St. Mary’s. This variant gives a good sense of the architecture, tombs and major chapels without long transfers.
Half-day variant with Łagiewniki: Old Town (selected churches) + quick tram ride to the Sanctuary of Divine Mercy; ideal if you want to see both the center and one of the most important contemporary sanctuaries.
Full-day marathon (7–9 hours): all main points in the center, Skałka, Kazimierz and a trip to Łagiewniki - an intensive day, recommended for people used to longer walks.
Opening hours - churches have varying opening times - many open early in the morning and close in the evening, but some points (cathedral museums, crypts) have separate visiting hours and fees. It’s worth checking current opening times before you go; if you cannot, plan to visit in the middle of the day when most places are available.
Rules of conduct - these are places of worship - modest dress and quiet are expected; during services tourist behavior is limited (no flash photography, maintain silence, respect participants).
Accessibility - some sites have limited access for people with reduced mobility (steps, stairs, narrow passages); when planning a longer route, ask in advance about access or use a route variant that minimizes stairs.
Photography - in many churches you may take photos without flash, but some interiors have restrictions; always check on entry and respect any bans.
Cheap food along the routes - around the Old Town, Kazimierz and near transport stops you will find budgetbars and affordable places serving good inexpensive lunches. Small bistros, milk bars (bar mleczny) and bakeries with warm snacks are recommended.
Preparing your own provisions - a simple solution is to bring sandwiches and drinks for longer stretches of the route - this helps avoid expensive venues around the most visited attractions.
Prices and tickets - where you need to pay for entry to a cathedral museum or for a guide, expect small fees; for food and drinks in the city center prepare a budget in line with typical local prices outside peak tourist season.
Safety - Kraków is relatively safe for walking tourists, but as in any popular city keep an eye on personal belongings especially in crowded places and on public transport.
Ethics and respect - when visiting places of worship remember local customs - do not disturb services, keep quiet and dress modestly.
Supporting the sites - if you wish you can leave a small donation in the collection box, buy a postcard or a small item from the parish shop; it’s a simple way to help maintain the heritage without a large expense.
The Kraków Trail of Saints and Sanctuaries is a proposal for those who want to see the city’s spiritual dimension and learn history through places of worship. The route is flexible: you can do it entirely on foot, in stages or using public transport, which lets you adapt pace and costs to your needs. To start, plan the central variant of 2–3 hours and then consider expanding to separate half-day or full-day outings (Kazimierz, Skałka, Łagiewniki). Wear comfortable shoes, check opening hours of the main sites and consider buying a day ticket for public transport if you plan longer transfers.
You can start right away: choose the nearest cluster of churches in the center, take water and a map on your phone and let the city lead you from chapel to chapel - it’s one of the cheapest and most authentic ways to get to know Kraków.
