A walk through Kraków can be an intimate encounter with history, but it can also be comfortable and efficient if you combine on-foot routes with short tram rides. Jan Matejko's House at Floriańska 41 is one of those places worth adding to your plan — it's well connected (tram line 4 stops nearby) and easily reachable from the Main Market Square and its surroundings. This guide will show you how to spread your sightseeing over four days, what to watch for when booking, and which cafés and practical tips will save you stress.
Start at Wawel and the Vistula boulevards, then walk up Grodzka Street to the Main Market Square — a classic beginning that lets you feel the city's atmosphere. From there, stroll down Floriańska Street to Jan Matejko's House (Floriańska 41) — an intimate biographical museum housing memorabilia, sketches and works by Matejko, where you can see both studies and paintings that document the artist’s life.
Jan Matejko's House operates on museum hours: Mondays are usually closed, Tuesdays often offer free admission to permanent exhibitions, and standard visiting hours fall into morning and afternoon slots (check the current schedule before you visit). Ticket prices for the permanent exhibition are reasonable; normal, reduced and family fares are available, and young people often qualify for special rates.
If you prefer a narrated visit, the museum offers guided tours in Polish and foreign languages — it’s a good idea to reserve a slot in advance and factor in the cost of admission. A guide will talk not just about the paintings, but also about everyday objects that opened Matejko’s world and inspired him.
Reserve the second day for a relaxed discovery of Wawel (the cathedral, courtyards, royal chambers), then walk the Planty — the green belt encircling the Old Town, perfect for an afternoon rest. You can add the Rynek Underground or one of the small thematic museums in the centre to your program. Remember that some attractions (for example the royal chambers or the Rynek Underground) require advance ticket reservations.
On this day you can also take a short tram ride to visit places a little further from the city heart, or save energy before an evening stroll along the Vistula boulevards.
Kazimierz is a must: synagogues, atmospheric cafés and great eateries. Start your morning at Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy; spend the afternoon at Oskar Schindler’s Factory and walking around Podgórze — near the Ghetto Heroes' Square the city’s history takes on a different, very important context.
Return to Kazimierz in the evening for dinner — I recommend places with a local character and good reviews, for example Starka for Polish cuisine or one of the many intimate bistros around Szeroka. Book a table in advance, especially on weekends.
Use the fourth day to see a contrast to the centre: Nowa Huta — Central Square, Aleja Róż and socialist-realist architecture — or take a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Ojców National Park. Both options offer a completely different perspective on the region and are worth considering depending on the weather and your group’s fitness.
If you choose Nowa Huta, trams or buses make getting there easy — a good way to show that Kraków is more than just the Old Town. If you plan a visit to Wieliczka, buy mine tickets in advance, as popular dates sell out quickly.
Tram line 4 is a convenient option when you want to move quickly between north-western and eastern parts of the city. The line stops at places such as Teatr Bagatela, Stary Kleparz, Teatr Słowackiego and Lubicz — all within easy walking distance of the Old Town and Floriańska, so you can combine a short ride with a pleasant walk.
Practically speaking: taking the tram saves energy before a longer stroll through the Planty or after a coffee break. Remember ticket validation machines and mobile apps — buy and validate a ticket before boarding, or have an active mobile or season pass.
Jan Matejko's House is a biographical museum gathered in the house where the artist was born and worked. You will find collections of crafts, textiles, militaria, sketches and paintings illustrating stages of his career. The exhibition helps you understand where his inspirations came from and how his studio functioned.
Some practical notes: the museum is usually closed on Mondays, has extended hours on Tuesdays and sometimes offers free-entry days for permanent exhibitions (check the schedule before you come). Guided visits must be reserved — a guide makes the collection easier to appreciate, especially if you want to learn about Matejko’s family context and little-known stories behind the exhibits.
Entrance fees for the permanent displays are affordable; family and reduced tickets exist, and audio guides are often available in several languages. For a quiet visit choose early opening hours or a weekday.
Around the Old Town and Kazimierz you’ll find both traditional restaurants and modern cafés. Pick places with strong local reviews: classic restaurants serving Polish cuisine, small cafés known for good coffee-making skills, and neighbourhood bistros with an international feel. Popular options include Café Camelot, Massolit Books & Café, and the lively street-food stalls at Plac Nowy (famous for zapiekanki). Reserving a table for the evening is smart in high season.
For accommodation, the best locations are near the Main Market Square or Kazimierz — they let you explore on foot and return easily after evening activities. If you prefer quiet, consider small guesthouses on side streets or apartments that capture the atmosphere of a Kraków tenement.
Surprising facts: at Jan Matejko's House you’ll see not only paintings but also a collection of weapons, textiles and curiosities that Matejko collected throughout his life — this often surprises visitors who only associate him with large historical canvases.
Common tourist mistakes and how to avoid them: not checking museum opening hours (watch out for Monday closures), failing to reserve tickets for popular attractions (Wawel, the Rynek Underground, the Wieliczka Mine), forgetting to validate public transport tickets, and overambitious daily distances. Solutions: plan realistically, allow buffer time and buy tickets in advance when possible.
Is it worth booking a guided tour at Jan Matejko's House? Yes — a guided tour offers context for the exhibits and speeds up understanding of the collection. The museum offers guided tours in Polish and foreign languages; book ahead if you can.
How do I walk from the tram stop to Jan Matejko's House? Stops such as Teatr Bagatela, Stary Kleparz or Teatr Słowackiego are a short, pleasant walk from Floriańska — after getting off the tram allow a few minutes to stroll the cobbled streets.
When are free-entry days at MNK museums? Some days (for example Tuesdays) are often free for permanent exhibitions — always check the current MNK schedule before your visit, as rules and dates can change.
If this plan helped you organise your stay, share it with friends or on social media — recommendations help others prepare for their trip. If you prefer certainty that your walk will be smooth and interesting, consider booking a guided walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she organises thoughtful, friendly tours tailored to visitors’ interests. Enjoy your visit and remember: Kraków is best explored slowly, with breaks for a good coffee and moments of wonder at the details!
