Kazimierz, Florian Gate and Wawel are three different faces of Krakow that are easy to visit in a well-planned single day. Kazimierz brings atmosphere and stories tied to Jewish culture, Florian Gate is a symbolic start of the Royal Route, and Wawel is the historical heart of the city — literally and figuratively. If you want to feel Krakow’s contrasts: grab mezze in Kazimierz, walk the Royal Route through Florian Gate and finish the day at Wawel — it’s a great plan for your first day in the city.
This text will help you compose an itinerary, explain how and where to buy tickets for Wawel, what to see in Kazimierz, and give practical tips (where to eat, how to save time and what to avoid). All in a friendly, practical style — so you can experience Krakow like a local.
Florian Gate is the main northern gate of the Old Town, with origins mentioned already in the Middle Ages. The original stone part dates roughly to the late 13th century, while the brick upper levels were added in the 15th century. The gate was connected to the nearby Barbican by a fortified passage nicknamed the “neck”.
Over the centuries the gate served as a ceremonial entrance to the Royal Route — hence its Latin name Porta Gloriae, or “Gate of Glory”. After wartime damage and later restorations it received the Baroque helmet we see today. Look for details: from the Kleparz side you can spot the Piast eagle, and on the city side there is a rococo relief of St. Florian.
Stand on the threshold of the Gate and imagine the coronation processions and funeral corteges that passed this way to Wawel — a small moment where architecture and city ritual meet.
Kazimierz is a district you can explore quickly or savor slowly. If you have little time, follow this route: Szeroka – Old Synagogue – Remuh and the cemetery – Miodowa – Plac Nowy. It’s an intense 60–90 minutes but very rewarding.
Have 2–3 hours? Add the Isaac Synagogue and the Tempel (High) Synagogue on Józefa Street, peek into several courtyards and stop for mezze or coffee. Half a day is comfortable — you can visit a museum, linger over coffee and stay for an evening klezmer concert.
What to see and what to pay attention to:
- Old Synagogue — a great starting point if you want to understand symbols and context.
- Remuh Synagogue and the Old Cemetery — a quiet, moving place of memory; notice the small stones left on the matzevot.
- Tempel Synagogue and Izaak (Isaac) Synagogue — the variety of forms and styles in Jewish architecture.
- Plac Nowy and the Okrąglak — the culinary and nightlife hub; a daytime market, evening street food and bars.
Practical tip: visit interiors in the morning when there are fewer people; photo spots (Szeroka, the alleys off Józefa and Meiselsa) look best at golden hour or late afternoon.
Wawel is one of the most visited places in Krakow, so I recommend buying tickets in advance — especially if you plan to visit the Castle interiors, the Cathedral with its crypts or climb the tower to see the Sigismund Bell. Buying ahead saves time and reduces the risk of sold-out slots in high season.
Visiting options vary: short walks around the courtyard and hill, the Cathedral with crypts and the bell tower, and tours of the royal apartments and permanent exhibitions. Prices depend on the scope of the route — you’ll find inexpensive options and higher-priced tickets for longer routes that include several displays.
A few practical rules that commonly apply when buying tickets:
- Meeting points for guided tours may be indicated (often near Kanonicza Street).
- Larger backpacks and strollers are sometimes required to be left in cloakrooms for some exhibits (strollers usually cannot enter interiors).
- Some tickets require ID to prove discounts (for example student cards).
- If you plan to climb the bell tower or visit crypts, be ready for stairs and limited accessibility for visitors with reduced mobility.
Practical tip: when booking check cancellation terms and the opening hours of the specific exhibition — not all displays are open at the same times.
90 minutes (quick visit): start in Kazimierz at Szeroka and the Old Synagogue, walk down Miodowa to Plac Nowy for a quick bite, then take a tram or walk back toward the Market Square and pass through Florian Gate onto the Royal Route — if time allows, finish with an exterior view of Wawel.
2–3 hours (comfortable walk): a slower pace in Kazimierz (Remuh, Izaak), a break for mezze, then walk via St. Anne’s or the Old Town streets to Florian Gate and continue toward Wawel; you can plan a short visit up to the Wawel hill (the courtyard).
Half a day (fuller experience): Kazimierz in the morning (museum or synagogues), lunch, walk the Royal Route through Florian Gate, and a booked route at Wawel (for example Cathedral + crypts or the Royal Apartments). Allow at least 1.5–2.5 hours at Wawel if you want to see several exhibitions.
Kazimierz is a place where you’ll find both Jewish cuisine and modern bistros and world flavors. A few places worth considering:
- Hamsa — Israeli flavors, mezze to share.
- Cheder — classic, warming Jewish dishes and an atmospheric interior.
- Street stalls at Plac Nowy — quick street food and local atmosphere (ideal for a snack).
- Cafes on Szeroka and Józefa Streets — great spots for a coffee break and people-watching.
Culinary pro tip: order a mezze platter for the middle of the table — you’ll taste more dishes and it fits perfectly with a strolling sightseeing rhythm.
Shabbat and holidays: remember that during Shabbat (from Friday dusk to Saturday evening) some houses of worship and institutions may operate differently or be closed. This is also a good time for a quieter walk outside peak visiting hours.
Etiquette at places of memory: in synagogues and cemeteries keep a respectful tone — don’t take photos during prayers, don’t walk on matzevot, and instead of flowers people often leave small stones on the graves.
Accessibility and pavements: the cobbles in Kazimierz and around the Old Town can be uneven — if you have a stroller or mobility issues, plan shorter legs and more breaks.
Wallets and petty theft: as in any busy tourist area — stay alert, close your bags and avoid carrying all documents in a back pocket.
Toilets and cloakrooms: at tourist sites you may sometimes need to pay for the restroom or leave a backpack in the cloakroom when entering an exhibit. Factor these short “procedures” into your time planning.
Do I have to buy a Wawel ticket in advance? - Not always, but in season and on weekends it’s wise to reserve ahead to avoid queues and sold-out time slots.
How much time should I allow for Wawel? - If you only want to see the hill and courtyard from outside, 30–60 minutes is enough. For the Cathedral, crypts and selected exhibitions plan at least 1.5–2.5 hours.
Can I visit Kazimierz and Wawel the same day? - Yes. An optimal plan is morning in Kazimierz (many interiors open early), afternoon along the Royal Route and at Wawel.
Are synagogues open to tourists? - Most synagogues allow visits, often for a small fee; check opening hours and rules in advance (for example modest dress and head coverings may be required when entering prayer spaces).
Where can I leave luggage while sightseeing? - There are luggage storage points in the center and near popular attractions; in some Wawel visits larger backpacks must be left in a cloakroom.
Plan with a time buffer — Krakow is a city of walks and surprises: side streets, courtyards and small galleries appear where you least expect them.
Eat locally — a short coffee break or mezze in Kazimierz will give you energy and help you feel the place better.
Book a Wawel ticket if you want to enter the interiors — it will save nerves and hours in line.
If you like — plan an evening in Kazimierz: a klezmer concert or dinner makes a perfect end to the day.
If you want, I can help tailor an itinerary for a specific arrival time or propose options for families, seniors or visitors with reduced mobility. Write and I’ll adapt the plan to your needs!
