Kraków’s Main Market Square is more than architecture and café terraces — it’s a place layered with centuries of history, legends and details that are easy to miss on your own. Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz), your guide, connects facts with stories, points out key monuments, explains the symbolism of architectural details and places buildings into the city’s wider history, so the walk becomes a coherent narrative instead of a string of random sights.
A standard guided walk around the Old Town focuses on the Main Market Square and its immediate surroundings: the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica with the famous hejnał (trumpet call), parts of the Royal Route and views toward Wawel Castle. Małgorzata highlights interesting architectural details, explains the former functions of market stalls and trade customs, and shares Kraków’s best-known legends and anecdotes. Routes can be adapted to the group’s interests — theme-based tours (legends, art, Jewish history) are available on request.
The Rynek Underground is an archaeological museum located just a few metres beneath the Market Square. It reveals settlement layers and fragments of medieval buildings — merchant stalls, street remains and everyday objects — presented with multimedia and reconstructions that help imagine how the bustling market looked centuries ago. Many of Małgorzata’s extended tours include a visit to the Underground; exploring the exhibition typically takes about an hour (check the museum’s visiting time separately).
Typical tour lengths are 2–3 hours — enough to see the main sites and hear their stories without rushing. Shorter, condensed walks last about 1.5–2 hours and concentrate on the square’s highlights. Full programs that include the Rynek Underground, Wawel or extra neighbourhoods (for example Kazimierz) can take 3–4 hours or a full day depending on what you choose. Małgorzata offers flexibility and adapts the pace and content to the age, stamina and interests of the group.
Prices vary — Małgorzata typically offers either a flat rate for a group (for a 2–3 hour walk) or a per-person price for very small groups. Guided service usually does not include museum entry tickets (for example, access to St. Mary’s interior or the Rynek Underground is paid separately at the ticket office or online). Advance booking is recommended; Małgorzata can organize microphone sets for larger groups — please request that when you book. Meeting points are usually a clear landmark (for example the Adam Mickiewicz Monument or the Barbican), and Małgorzata will confirm exact place and time when you reserve.
Dress comfortably — the tour covers cobbled streets and often several kilometres on foot. Check the weather — an umbrella or a light jacket may come in handy. If you plan to enter underground exhibitions or museums, verify opening hours and whether you need to buy tickets in advance. Ask about group size limits and the availability of sound equipment for larger groups. If you’d like a themed route (legends, sacral art, or a family-friendly tour for children), tell Małgorzata when booking. If you need the tour in another language, mention it early — language options can be arranged.
Suggested meeting points: Adam Mickiewicz Monument, Cloth Hall side, or near the Barbican — Małgorzata will confirm the exact spot when you book.
Quick - 1.5–2 h: a short walk around the Main Market Square, an overview of the Cloth Hall with notes on historical trade and craft, and St. Mary’s Basilica (outside or a brief interior visit) — good for visitors short on time.
Standard - 2–3 h: a full walk around the Market Square, entry to selected interiors (for example parts of the Cloth Hall’s upper-floor museum), stories about the hejnał and city symbols; often includes a short visit to the Rynek Underground.
Extended - 3–4 h: Market Square + Rynek Underground + a walk to Wawel or a chosen district (Kazimierz or Podgórze) — ideal if you want deeper historical context and more sites.
- First-time visitors to Kraków — Małgorzata will show the city’s essence and make orientation easy.
- School groups and families with children — the tour can be adapted in tone and pace and include playful tasks and stories.
- Visitors interested in a specific topic (art, architecture, Jewish history of Kraków) — themed tours are available.
- Guests who value context and storytelling — the guide turns individual monuments into a cohesive story of the city.
Will the guide buy tickets for us? - Generally museum and attraction tickets are bought separately; Małgorzata can help with reservations and advise where to buy tickets online.
How many people per group? - A single guided group commonly includes several dozen people, but limits can differ — check in advance, as some interiors restrict the number of visitors.
Are tours available in other languages? - Yes. Małgorzata offers tours in Polish and English; other language options can be arranged if requested when booking.
What if the weather is bad? - Much of the route is outdoors, but Małgorzata can adapt the itinerary to include more interior visits or museums in case of poor weather.
Book in advance — popular time slots (morning and afternoon) fill up quickly in the tourist season. Confirm meeting point and time, approximate duration, number of participants, the language of the tour and whether you want a visit to the Rynek Underground or other museums. Agree on the payment method and any extra costs (museum tickets, sound system rental). Małgorzata will send final details for the meeting once your reservation is confirmed.
