Are you planning to spend a full day in Krakow and want your children, partner and grandparents to go home excited — not exhausted or bored? You’ve come to the right place. In this guide I describe a family-focused tour centered on Wawel and the Royal Route, led in English — designed to be fun for the youngest, informative for adults and comfortable for everyone. I’ll also explain how to book, how much time to allow, what’s worth seeing and practical things to have on hand.
I am a licensed Krakow guide (license since 2012) and I’ve led thousands of guests — families make up a large part of my tours. I know the places that spark children’s imagination and how to weave legends, funny anecdotes and interactive tasks so everyone has a great time. I give tours in Polish and English and adapt every program to the group’s age and pace. To book, call +48 501 962 037 or email kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
This is a private, original route connecting Wawel Hill and the key points of the historic Royal Route — an ideal "core" for a family day in Krakow. The standard program can be run as a 2-, 3- or 4-hour tour; the optimal time for a relaxed family visit is 4 hours when we also go into selected interiors and tell stories in a way that engages children.
During the tour you will see, among other things: - The Royal Castle with its representative cloisters, - Wawel Cathedral (site of coronations and royal tombs), - the Dragon’s Den with tales of the Wawel Dragon, - parts of the Royal Route: Grodzka Street, the Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican.
Tickets for some attractions (for example the Cathedral, St. Mary’s Basilica, selected castle rooms) are paid separately — I can help with ticket purchase and will inform you about current prices before the tour. Comfortable headset sets are available for groups to improve audibility and comfort in crowds.
Why a private family tour makes sense? Because we set the pace for children, take breaks for ice cream or short history games, and I tell stories in simple English with questions and activities that make history stick.
If the weather is bad, the route is adapted — more indoor visits and shorter outdoor sections.
Instant rapport with younger participants is key. My approach includes: - vivid stories and short riddles, - hands-on tasks (for example, "find the sculpture", "solve the royal riddle"), - pacing adapted to the children’s age and energy, - plenty of breaks and suggested resting or snack spots.
I aim for every child to feel actively involved: short contests with small prizes, drawing tasks or role-playing parts of the dragon legend work very well. Parents receive clear historical context in accessible English, plus practical tips for what to see after the tour.
If there are infants or a stroller in the group, I choose a route with accessibility in mind, avoiding steep or very crowded passages where possible.
For school groups and larger families I can provide headset sets (they help with hearing and communication) and flexible time slots.
My licenses include access to Wawel Hill and several museums in the city, which makes organising entrances and family visits easier.
8:30–9:00 — Meeting in the centre (for example, Main Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz Monument or another place agreed at booking). Short introduction and a "warm-up" with legends for the kids.
9:00–13:00 — Wawel and the Royal Route: visit Wawel Hill, enter the Cathedral, hear stories about Polish kings, visit the Dragon’s Den and walk Grodzka Street to the Market Square. The program is in English, with tasks for children. (Four hours is optimal to see main sites and enter selected interiors.)
13:00–14:00 — Lunch at a family-friendly restaurant near the Market Square (free time). I can recommend places with children’s menus and a relaxed atmosphere so everyone can eat and rest — options include Pod Wawelem, Miód Malina or Café Camelot depending on the group’s tastes and accessibility needs.
14:00–16:30 — Afternoon activities (choose one): - a gentle stroll through the Planty and along the Vistula, - a visit to the Czartoryski Museum or the Rynek Underground (entrances depend on age and interest; tickets extra), - the "Legends Trail" for children — short, magical tales at each stop.
16:30–17:00 — Short break for ice cream or coffee, a quick summary of the day and tips on what else to see in Krakow on your next visit.
The cost of a guiding service depends on duration and group size. Standard private options run from 2 to 4 hours; most families choose 3–4 hours. The guide fee does not include entrance tickets to attractions — these are paid separately.
Practical organisational details: - Tours available in English, - Headset sets for groups (rental approx. 8 PLN per person), - After booking we agree on meeting point and time (often the Main Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz Monument).
Booking: the best way is to call +48 501 962 037 or email kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. When booking we’ll set the route, preferences (e.g. stroller, children’s ages, walking pace) and I can assist with purchasing tickets for interiors if you wish.
If the weather is poor the route is adjusted — we move more of the program indoors to museums and covered spaces so the day remains enjoyable.
For large groups (Above ~30 people) please inform me in advance; sometimes extra equipment or a second guide is needed to keep everyone comfortable.
- Clothing: dress in layers — Krakow weather can change quickly; comfortable walking shoes recommended. - A backpack with snacks and water for the children — breaks are important. - Stroller: if you have a stroller, tell me when booking and I will choose the stroller-friendly route where possible. - Tickets: if you want to enter specific halls on Wawel or museums, it’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance; I can help order them. - Camera/phone: the views are picturesque, but some interiors have photography restrictions — I’ll let you know on site. - Headset set: for larger groups it’s worth renting a set so everyone can hear without crowding.
For families with very young children I recommend an earlier start (for example 9:00) when places are less crowded; this usually makes the visit much calmer.
If you are travelling with grandparents I will include shorter walking sections and more frequent seating opportunities.
If anyone has special needs (for example limited mobility) — please mention it when booking and I will propose the best route.
Do you speak English? - Yes, I lead tours in English and adjust the language to the participants’ ages.
Are entrance tickets included? - No, the guide fee covers guiding only. Tickets to museums and interiors are paid separately; I can help buy them.
Where do we meet? - Usually the Main Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz Monument, but we arrange the exact meeting point individually.
What if it rains? - The route is adapted so we spend more time in buildings and museums.
Do you have audio equipment? - Yes, headsets are available (rental approx. 8 PLN per person), recommended for larger groups.
How far in advance should we book? - The earlier the better, especially in high season. I recommend booking at least a few days in advance; during peak season a week or more is safer.
Is the route stroller-friendly? - Yes, I tailor the route for strollers where possible, although some parts of Wawel and old streets can be less comfortable.
How do I book a private full day with a guide? - Contact me by phone +48 501 962 037 or email kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. We’ll agree on the route, timing and your family’s needs.
Do you also offer afternoon extensions to other districts? - Yes, I can suggest an afternoon continuation (for example a stroll through the Planty, a walk by the Vistula, or a family legends route), but this guide focuses on Wawel and the Royal Route.
If you have other questions — write or call and I’ll gladly advise and help plan the perfect family day in Krakow.
Warm regards — Małgorzata Kasprowicz
