Krakow is a city where history literally sits just beneath your feet - Wawel shows royal splendour, the Market Underground reveals medieval layers of the city, and the Jan Matejko House brings you closer to the life and art of one of Poland’s most important painters. Visiting these three sites in a sensible daily plan gives you a fuller picture of both historic and modern Krakow.
It’s a great choice for people who like to mix archaeology and multimedia museum displays with an intimate, biographical museum atmosphere. A well-planned order and buying tickets in advance saves time and nerves - more on that in a moment.
The safest rule is: buy tickets online if possible. The most popular exhibitions and entry times have limited hourly groups, especially in the tourist season and on weekends.
The Jan Matejko House, as a branch of the National Museum, follows the museum’s standard pricing - full, reduced and family tickets are available; there are also special offers for youth and certain free-entry days (check free days before your trip).
The Market Underground sells tickets both through the museum website and at the box office; prices and family or group rules differ slightly from other branches, so check entry times and any group restrictions before planning your visit.
For Wawel it’s best to reserve tickets for chosen routes (the Castle, the Cathedral, the Crown Treasury/Armoury and any temporary exhibitions) separately - not all sections are covered by a single ticket. If you want to enter the Cathedral or see special exhibitions, book in advance.
The Jan Matejko House is an intimate biographical museum located in a historic tenement on Floriańska Street. The interiors recreate the atmosphere of the artist’s studio and family life; the exhibition includes original furniture, mementos and drawings.
In practice a visit usually takes 30–60 minutes depending on how much you linger over details. The museum offers audio guides, and groups must follow reservation rules and may be charged extra for guided tours.
When planning your visit keep opening hours in mind - in season the branch often has extended hours on Tuesdays and at weekends. If you’re coming with children or people who move more slowly, check for breaks and possible concessions.
The Market Underground is a multimedia exhibition built on archaeological research. The walk takes you among exposed foundations of medieval stalls, fragments of streets and water systems - the display mixes reconstructions with projections and sound.
The route usually takes about 45–75 minutes. The exhibition is interactive and family-friendly; there are educational zones for children and solutions to help visitors with reduced mobility - still, ask about current accessibility conditions at the entrance.
Practical tip: it’s quietest to visit outside the after-lunch rush and in the early afternoon on weekdays. Many people choose Tuesday as a cheaper or free day, but exact rules and entry limits change seasonally, so check before you arrive.
Wawel is a heritage complex that includes the Royal Castle, the Cathedral and broad terraces with views over the Vistula. castle routes cover representative halls, historical exhibitions and sometimes historic collections. The Cathedral is a separate part with tombs, chapels and coronation sites.
If you want to see the most, plan at least two hours - more if you include long visits to castle exhibitions or climbing specific towers. The Cathedral often has restrictions during religious ceremonies, so check the service schedule on the day of your visit.
For convenience: combine a Wawel visit with a short walk along the Vistula and a stop at one of the cafés on Kanonicza or Grodzka Street to soak up the atmosphere of old Krakow.
The most logical route depends on opening hours and your priorities, but here’s a tried-and-true option: start the morning at Wawel (it’s less crowded than late afternoon), then take a short walk to the Market Square, descend into the Market Underground, and finish with the Jan Matejko House for a calm ending to the day.
Alternatively: if you want to avoid crowds in the Underground, make it your first stop right after opening. Plan coffee and lunch breaks - the Market area offers excellent restaurants and cafés friendly to visitors.
Around Wawel and the Market you’ll find a wide choice of places - from traditional Polish cuisine to modern bistros. If you’re looking for well-regarded spots, consider Pod Aniołami (traditional Polish dishes), Wierzynek (historic and representative dining), Cafe Camelot or Charlotte for breakfast and coffee.
For evenings, head towards Kazimierz for local beers and small plates - there are many intimate bars and restaurants praised for quality. On weekends it’s often necessary to reserve a table in popular places.
Good accommodation near the Market includes Hotel Stary and several highly rated boutique hotels and apartments in the city centre. If you value luxury, look for hotels with views of the Market or Wawel and book in advance.
Many sites offer solutions to help visitors with reduced mobility, but the level of accessibility varies. The Market Underground has an elevator and family-friendly spaces; the Jan Matejko House is in a narrow historic building with tight stairs, which may make access difficult for people with significant mobility limits.
For families: the Underground and interactive exhibits engage children well. Wear comfortable shoes - walking at the Underground and Wawel includes varied surfaces and sometimes uneven ground.
Check the weather forecast and the schedule of free museum days - free-entry days can be crowded and timed-entry slots may be limited.
Not booking tickets in advance is the most common mistake - it leads to long waits or missing your preferred entry time.
Assuming that all venues are fully accessible can be surprising - before travel check accessibility information for each attraction and ask about booking adapted entry for visitors with disabilities.
Ignoring rules - for example, bans on large backpacks or tripod use - may result in leaving items in a cloakroom or not being allowed to photograph in certain rooms.
Do I have to buy tickets in advance? It’s best to - especially in season and on weekends. Buying online lets you choose your entry time and avoid queues.
How much time to reserve for each place? Wawel: minimum 2 hours, Market Underground: 45–75 minutes, Jan Matejko House: 30–60 minutes. Altogether plan a minimum of half a day, and comfortably a full day if you want an unhurried visit.
Are there free days? Some museums have free days for selected permanent exhibitions, but rules and dates can change - check current information before you go.
Can I take photos? Amateur photography without flash and tripods is usually allowed, but there are exceptions for temporary exhibitions or rooms with sensitive collections.
Beneath the Cloth Hall you’ll find not only remnants of market stalls but also pieces of old channels and urban layers that tell the story of Krakow’s trading character across centuries.
The Jan Matejko House is more than the artist’s workspace - the building has preserved personal and family mementos that give the exhibition an authenticity rarely found in larger museums.
Wawel is not only throne rooms and famous tombs - it has combined political, religious and symbolic functions for centuries, visible in small architectural details and the layout of interiors.
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If you’d like to explore Krakow with local support, consider booking a private guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) offers individual and tailored tours that make visiting more comfortable, richer in context and often more time-efficient. Details and booking information are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
