The Hejnał mariacki played every hour from the high tower of St. Mary's Basilica is one of Kraków's most recognizable sounds. If you want to feel the magic of the moment — stand in the Main Market Square around the full hour and listen. The melody combined with the view of the Gothic towers and the Veit Stoss altarpiece inside creates an image you won't forget. But before you join the queue to see the interior — it’s worth knowing a few things that will save you stress and time.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice); St. Mary's Basilica with the Veit Stoss altarpiece; Wawel (Castle and Cathedral); Kazimierz (the former Jewish district); Oskar Schindler's Factory; Rynek Underground Museum; Wieliczka Salt Mine (day trip outside the city); the Barbican and the Planty; museums: National Museum / MOCAK; walk along the Vistula and evening river cruises.
If your time is limited, the “Wawel + St. Mary's + a short walk around the Market and the Cloth Hall” combo is a classic trio that gives a full sense of the city's history and atmosphere. If you have two days, add Kazimierz and Oskar Schindler’s Factory.
Visiting the basilica interior is partly paid; income from the so‑called "cegiełka" (a small ticket/donation) is used for the maintenance of the church. In practice there is a division: the area for prayer is generally open to everyone, while the part with the Veit Stoss altarpiece is visited after buying a cegiełka. Prices change from time to time — expect to pay in the range of several to a few dozen zloty for the tourist section, plus separate tickets for the tower (the trumpeter’s tower).
Tower visits are run in limited groups due to technical condition and safety; tower tickets are bought separately at the visitor service point (Plac Mariacki 7). Opening hours for the interior and sale of cegiełki are usually midday and afternoon — the safest option is to come in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid the longest queues.
Remember the rules that apply in churches: keep quiet while visiting, wear appropriate clothing (shoulders and knees covered), and turn off camera flashes. Photographing the interior is usually allowed without flash; tripods and professional equipment require permission.
Wawel is a complex of many exhibitions and places: the Royal Castle with the state rooms, the Crown Treasury and Armory, temporary exhibitions and Wawel Cathedral. Each of these parts usually requires a separate ticket, and prices depend on the exhibition and route. When planning, allow 2–3 hours to walk up the hill and one or two chosen exhibitions.
In the summer season day limits and fixed start times for visits are common — it's worth buying tickets online, especially if you care about entering at a specific time or on a weekend. Ticket prices for individual exhibitions range from modest (teens of zloty) to higher amounts (around several dozen zloty depending on a guided-route option).
Wawel Cathedral has slightly different opening hours than the castle exhibitions. The cathedral also contains royal tombs and chapels — visiting can be limited during religious ceremonies. Check in advance whether there is a service or ceremony on the day you plan to go.
1 day (fast pace): Wawel in the morning (1–2 exhibitions), walk to the Main Market Square, St. Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall, afternoon in Kazimierz or an evening Vistula cruise.
2 days (more relaxed): Day 1 — Wawel, stroll through the Planty, National Museum; Day 2 — Market Square, Rynek Underground Museum, St. Mary's Basilica, Kazimierz and Oskar Schindler’s Factory in the evening.
Practical tip: start early at Wawel (least crowded) or visit St. Mary's just before noon to hear the Hejnał. If you want to go up St. Mary's tower — come right when the ticket office opens, places fill up fast.
For breakfast or coffee near the Market: Charlotte (fresh bakery goods, very popular), Café Camelot (atmospheric interior), Massolit Books & Café in Kazimierz (bookshop plus café). For lunch or dinner: choose well‑rated restaurants serving traditional Polish cuisine or modern bistros in the center — pick places with many positive reviews and book a table for weekend evenings.
If you want accommodation close to the sights: the Old Town and Kazimierz are the most convenient locations. Boutique hotels and well‑rated apartments give easy walking access to the Market and Wawel. When choosing, check guest reviews and distance to a tram stop if you plan further trips.
For those planning a meal after visiting Wawel, consider places with a terrace or a good view of the hill — the evening panorama is often worth reserving a table for.
Buying tickets only on the spot in high season — lack of advance reservation can ruin plans. Solution: if an exhibition has a limited number of entries, buy online or reserve ahead.
Not checking mass times and ceremonies in churches — part of a church may be closed to visitors during services. Solution: check the schedule or ask at the tourist information point.
Underestimating time needed to walk on cobbled, uneven streets and climb stairs. Solution: wear comfortable shoes and set a realistic sightseeing pace.
Where to buy tickets for St. Mary's Basilica? At the visitor service point on Mariacki Square (the cegiełka sales point).
Is entry to St. Mary's Basilica free? Partly — the prayer area is accessible, but entry to the zone with Veit Stoss’s altarpiece requires a cegiełka (ticket).
Is it worth buying Wawel tickets online? Yes — especially in season and on weekends; online reservation guarantees entry at the chosen time and saves time queuing.
How much does it cost to enter St. Mary's tower and can children go up? Tower access is an extra paid option and there are limits; often there are age or fitness restrictions (many stairs). Check the rules on the day of your visit.
The panorama from St. Mary's tower or from Wawel is the best spot for a postcard-like photo — on a sunny day light falls beautifully on the city roofs. In bad weather visibility can be limited, so have a backup plan focused on museum interiors.
The word "cegiełka" may surprise you — it's a local term for a small ticket or donation to enter some Kraków monuments. Treat it as both a contribution to the site's upkeep and your admission ticket.
Avoid the biggest crowds: an early morning walk along the Planty and early access to Wawel are good ways to see the city more peacefully.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan their visit better. If you prefer to explore with a local guide, you are invited to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact information is available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I wish you a wonderful stay in Kraków — may every step through this city be interesting and stress-free!
If you want, I can prepare a shortened 1‑day or 2‑day itinerary tailored to your interests — tell me what you prefer (museums, food, photography, history).
