Krakow is not only monuments and cafés by the Cloth Hall — it is also a living open-air gallery. The largest concentrations of murals and street art today appear in districts such as Zabłocie, Podgórze, Kazimierz and Nowa Huta, where local and international projects interact with the history of each place. Many works were created as part of festivals and municipal initiatives, and some involved residents in the creative process — this makes a mural route both an aesthetic and a social experience.
For business and VIP guests it is worth planning a route that combines a "wow" effect with comfort: short car transfers between points, well-timed coffee and lunch breaks, and a guide’s concise commentary that explains each work’s context in a few words. This way the visit becomes an elegant addition to a delegation’s program — an inspiration and a topic for dinner conversations.
A private route gives control over pace, start and finish — you can begin very early before the crowds or in the afternoon just before dinner. It also provides the privacy and discretion often needed for business meetings, and flexibility in the tour’s length and themes (for example artistic contexts, local history, connections to nearby industry).
Additional services worth considering for VIP arrangements: door-to-door transport, reserving a table at a selected restaurant, preparing a short brochure with the route and photos of the murals, and the option to arrange a meeting with a curator or a local artist (when available).
The guide can also tailor the narration to the audience — brief, factual comments for business groups, or more anecdotes and cultural context for guests especially interested in art.
Start: Zabłocie - this former industrial area is now one of the city’s most dynamic art hubs. Here you can see large-scale works on factory buildings and around MOCAK, as well as murals that link local history with a modern visual language.
Next: Podgórze - a stroll or short drive through charming streets where socially-engaged and eco-themed pieces appear (including festival cycles of community murals). Pay attention to projects created with resident participation.
Kazimierz: the heart of history and contemporary street art. You’ll often find murals referring to Jewish memory, literature and urban legends. New streets and side alleys hide colorful frescos and typographic works.
Short stop by university facades and along Krakowskie Przedmieście - some academic buildings and building fronts feature works with interesting references to science and the city.
Alternative/extension: Nowa Huta - if you have more time, head east: the murals there often reflect industrial heritage, the Solidarity era and social change.
It’s useful to show works that tell the story of a place — for example murals referring to Zabłocie’s industrial past or social projects in Podgórze created with residents. Some pieces were produced as part of festivals such as ArtBoom or local curatorial initiatives and in cooperation with MOCAK.
Examples of artists and projects to mention during the route include Polish names as well as international creators who have painted in Krakow — their works often combine color, history and local context. Showing the contrast between monumental murals and small-scale street graphics gives a fuller picture of the city’s scene.
Remember that some murals are temporary or respond to current events — that adds dynamism to the route and requires the guide to update the "must-see" list before each tour.
Transport: a private car or minivan is the best option — it ensures punctuality and comfort between stops. For international guests, consider a driver who speaks English.
Time: the optimal option for busy people is 2–3 hours with a short coffee break; 1.5–2 hours more gives the extended version including Nowa Huta.
Weather and dress: the route is mostly outdoors, so suggest light, comfortable shoes, and provide umbrellas or an indoor alternative (cafés, MOCAK) in case of bad weather.
Discretion: a private route guarantees the comfort of business conversations and photos without the presence of large tourist groups.
For VIP groups choose restaurants known for quality and a discreet atmosphere. In the Old Town, by Wawel and in Kazimierz you’ll find places praised for both cuisine and service — ideal for a business lunch after the mural route.
Examples of well-regarded venues to consider (reservation recommended): Szara Restaurant (Rynek Główny area), Pod Aniołami (near the Old Town), and smaller high-quality bistros in Kazimierz. For wine-focused or intimate dinners consider places with private rooms or the option to reserve a separate area.
For a short coffee break we recommend cafés with good reviews in the neighborhoods on the route — they are a comfortable moment to discuss impressions and review photos.
When choosing a hotel, pay attention to location (close to the Old Town or near your route’s starting area), service standards and transfer options. Boutique and luxury hotels around the Old Town and Wawel combine prestige with convenient access.
Helpful hotel features: concierge service, the ability to reserve meeting rooms and restaurant space for private gatherings, and group business packages. Booking in advance reduces the risk of problems on arrival.
Too many stops in one day - better to focus on a few carefully selected murals and discuss them in depth than to rush through many works without context.
Failing to account for travel and breaks - add a 15–30 minute buffer between locations, especially during peak traffic hours.
No Plan B for bad weather - prepare a list of cafés, museums (for example MOCAK) or short multimedia presentations in a comfortable indoor space.
Photographing during private events - some locations are private or host events; if you plan group photos by a mural, check availability and permissions in advance.
How long is a typical private street art route? 2–3 hours is the basic version; 4–5 hours is the extended option with lunch and a transfer to Nowa Huta.
Is the route accessible for people with limited mobility? Part of the route can be planned to minimize long walks and increase the number of curbside stops — everything can be arranged before the tour.
Do you have to pay to view murals? No — most murals are publicly accessible. However, some installations in private spaces or museum exhibitions may have fees. The guide will inform you about such cases before the visit.
Can I reserve lunch during the tour? Yes — it’s recommended to reserve a table in advance; for business guests choose restaurants with good reviews and a private area.
Not all murals are purely decorative — many were created in response to local social, educational or ecological needs; some were made in collaboration with residents and young people.
Krakow has hosted artists from Poland as well as from Italy, Israel, the Netherlands and other countries — their presence gives the city’s open-air gallery an international character.
Some projects received funding or support from cultural institutions and city programs, showing that street art in Krakow is increasingly treated as a tool for shaping public space.
Always agree on the route before arrival — the guide can prepare a personalized map with travel times and suggested break spots.
When planning evening activities leave time to prepare guests for a business dinner — a private route pairs very well with an elegant evening at a restaurant.
Ask the guide for a brief pre-tour briefing for participants — a few sentences about neighborhood history and key themes will improve the reception of the works and enliven networking conversations.
If you liked the concept of a private street art route in Krakow, share this article with friends or on social media — it’s a simple way to inspire others to discover the city’s less obvious sides.
If you want to organize an elegant, well-crafted tour for VIPs or business guests, you can use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) — details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I warmly invite you to book and discuss how best to tailor the route to your group’s needs.
