St. Adalbert's Church stands almost in the middle of the Main Market Square and often goes unnoticed among the grand townhouses and soaring towers. It is a special place: its history reaches back to the early Middle Ages, and in the basement you can find fragments of earlier walls and traces of the city’s older development. A visit here is a great starting point - both because of its location and because the crypt sometimes hosts a permanent or temporary archaeological exhibition that helps you understand life in early Kraków.
Entering the church and visiting the crypt is a wonderful way to begin the day: the impressions of centuries, the hush of the temple and immediate contact with history make the rest of the walk through the city feel more meaningful and better told. From here it is also easy to set off on short routes around the Old Town - everything is within a few minutes' walk.
If you enjoy collecting small, unexpected experiences - pay attention to the floor level compared with the former level of the Market Square. You will see similar "layers" of the city in other places, but at St. Adalbert's they have a particularly clear, tangible presence.
The route described here is designed to show the most important places in a sensible order, without stress and with time for breaks: we start in the morning at St. Adalbert's Church, then the Market Square, Wawel, a walk along the Vistula and an afternoon in Kazimierz. The whole can be done at a walking pace in 6-9 hours, including coffee breaks and visits inside attractions.
Sample plan:
- 9:00 - meet at St. Adalbert's Church; short visit to the crypt and a brief story about the place.
- 9:30 - Main Market Square: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica (optional climb to the tower), a short walk around monuments and townhouses.
- 11:00 - walk along Grodzka Street toward Wawel; on the way glance at the Florian Gate and the Planty gardens.
- 11:30-13:00 - Wawel: castle courtyard and the cathedral (if you plan to enter the interior or climb a tower, check tickets and opening hours), optionally a short lunch break nearby.
- 13:30 - walk along the Vistula, photos from the Bernatka Footbridge or the river boulevards; a relaxed stroll toward Kazimierz.
- 14:00-17:00 - Kazimierz: synagogues, narrow streets, Plac Nowy, mandatory zapiekanka or coffee; you can visit small galleries and craft shops.
- 17:30 - return via the Dębnicki Bridge or through the Planty and the Barbican, finish at the Market Square with an option for dinner at a recommended restaurant.
In practice it's easy to adjust the pace: if you want to spend a lot of time in museums, start earlier; if you prefer a relaxed tempo with frequent coffee breaks - the full-day plan is ideal.
The crypt under St. Adalbert's Church - if the archaeological exhibition is open, it is worth seeing; it gives context for visiting the Old Town.
Main Market Square - the Cloth Hall, the towers of St. Mary's Basilica, the Adam Mickiewicz Monument and the lively square; a short visit inside the Cloth Hall lets you feel Kraków's trading tradition.
Wawel - the castle courtyard and the cathedral are classics, but also pay attention to the nearby views of the Vistula and remnants of the old fortifications.
Kazimierz - a neighborhood with a unique atmosphere, synagogues, cozy pubs and galleries; Plac Nowy is a great spot for quick street food and watching local life.
Kraków offers a wide choice of places for every budget. Around the Market Square and Wawel you will find restaurants with long traditions and higher-end dining, while Kazimierz has many friendly, authentic spots. I recommend choosing well-reviewed places and locations with a view - a meal by Wawel or in a charming Kazimierz café is memorable.
A few concrete suggestions often recommended by locals and visitors: Restauracja Wierzynek at the Market Square for a historic, traditional Polish experience; Pod Wawelem near the castle for hearty, home-style portions; Café Camelot in the Old Town for a cozy coffee and cake break. For an iconic street-food experience visit the zapiekanka stalls at Plac Nowy in Kazimierz (for example the long-standing stalls locals mention).
If you want something special - reserve dinner in advance at a popular restaurant. In high season places fill up fast, and booking saves time.
Shoes and pace: choose comfortable footwear - cobbles and stairs appear frequently. Plan breaks every 1.5-2 hours, especially in hot or cold weather.
Tickets and opening hours: if you want to enter Wawel, the tower of St. Mary's Basilica or specific museums, check opening hours and buy tickets ahead of time. Lines can be long in season.
Toilets and breaks: public toilets in the center are available, but it's usually more pleasant to use facilities in cafés and restaurants (often after making a small purchase).
Safety: Kraków is generally safe, but in large crowds watch your personal belongings. Be cautious of souvenir sellers offering deals without receipts.
Accessibility: some historic sites have architectural barriers; if you need assistance or access information, check each site's accessibility details before visiting.
Weather: Kraków's weather can change - it's wise to carry a light coat, umbrella or an extra layer.
The current level of the Market Square is higher than the early medieval street level - in the church crypt and other places you can see fragments of the former street. This is a vivid way to feel how the city "grew" over time.
The Planty park was created on the site of the old defensive walls - a walk through the Planty is a walk along the traces of the city's fortifications, often with pleasant shade and benches.
The hejnał from St. Mary's tower is a tradition played every hour - stop and listen, it is one of Kraków's most recognizable sounds.
Trying to "see everything" in a single day leads to rushing and exhaustion - it's better to pick a few places and give them time, rather than run past them without really experiencing them.
Not booking popular attractions - tickets for some interiors (Wawel, towers) are best purchased in advance. You will avoid long queues.
Eating only on the Market Square - while convenient, it can be more expensive and less authentic. A few minutes' walk will usually find better value and more interesting menus.
If this plan inspired you - share the article with friends or on social media so more people can plan a successful walk around Kraków.
If you would like to spend the day even more comfortably, with stories tailored to your interests, consider booking a private guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers personalized walks and will happily prepare a route suited to you. Details and contact are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Wishing you a wonderful day in Kraków - full of great views, tasty treats and a few small, delightful discoveries.
