Kraków is a city full of history, legends and hidden gems — and while maps and apps show a lot, nothing replaces a passionate storyteller. Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Kraków guide who will lead you through Wawel and the Royal Route in an engaging, humorous way, with attention to historical detail and local anecdotes. With a guide you will understand the context of monuments, hear stories you won’t find in guidebooks and avoid queues and organizational mix-ups.
If you value time, convenience and the experience of ‘living history’ — a private tour is the best option. The guide can tailor the route to your interests: a short walk through the Old Town, a longer Wawel tour with entry to the royal chambers, or a themed walk in Kazimierz or a family-friendly route for children.
Tours with a guide are also great for school groups, corporate team outings and families with children — stories are adjusted to the age and level of participants.
On the guide’s website you will find a clear price list for private tours. For small groups (up to 35 people) standard rates in Polish are: 2 hours — 350 PLN, 3 hours — 450 PLN, 4 hours — 550 PLN. Each additional hour is 100 PLN.
Rates for tours in English are higher: 2 hours — 450 PLN, 3 hours — 600 PLN, 4 hours — 750 PLN.
For larger groups (36 people and more) prices are given per person — typically from a few to several dozen zloty per person depending on the route length. There is also the option to rent audio headset sets (audio-guide) for a small fee per person.
Pay attention to seasonal promotions — on some offer pages there are reduced rates for specific dates (for example a promotion running from October 1, 2025 to March 1, 2026). If you plan to travel in that period, ask about available promotional prices when you book.
The guide fee covers the guiding time. Entrance fees to museums, Wawel chambers, the tower of St. Mary's Basilica or other visited sites are usually charged separately — the guide will help with ticket purchase and advise which entries are worth buying given time constraints and queues.
Wawel is a treasury of Polish history: the cathedral with royal tombs, the royal chambers, the Sigismund Chapel and the legends of the Wawel Dragon. The “Wawel and the Royal Route” itinerary usually combines a walk on the hill with stories about defensive functions, heraldry, the Jagiellonian dynasty and colorful characters connected to the castle.
The guide will adapt the program to the time and expectations of the group — you can focus on the cathedral and main highlights, book entries to the castle chambers, or design a route that combines Wawel with key points of the Royal Route.
Practical tip: tickets to the chambers and some exhibits at Wawel are worth buying in advance — queues form during the high season. The guide will help plan the visit order to minimize waiting time and make the most of your shared hours.
St. Mary's Basilica is a symbol of Kraków: its Gothic silhouette, the altar by Veit Stoss and — every hour — the hejnał sounding from the taller tower. The hejnał is played in four directions by buglers following a famous tradition and it ends abruptly — a part of Kraków’s legend.
If you want not only to hear the hejnał but also to climb the tower: visitors can reach a viewpoint located a bit lower than the highest level (approximately 54 m above the Market Square level), and the ascent requires climbing 271 steps. For safety and comfort the number of people per hour is limited — tickets for the tower are purchased at the basilica ticket office on the Main Market Square.
The best places to hear the hejnał are along the line between St. Mary's Basilica and the Town Hall tower on the Main Market Square — stand there on the hour. The hejnał at 12:00 is also traditionally broadcast by Polish national radio.
Meeting point and start — common meeting points for Old Town and Royal Route tours are the Main Market Square or an arranged Wawel entrance. Exact time and place are set when booking — it’s good to arrive 5–10 minutes early.
Length of the walk — a typical “Wawel and Royal Route” program lasts from 2 to 4 hours. For families with children shorter, themed routes are offered (for example “Legends Trail”).
Languages and groups — the guide conducts tours in Polish and English; prices per person apply for large groups. If you have special needs (for example a route adjusted for older visitors), mention it when booking.
Tickets and entries — museum and special exhibition fees are usually not included in the guiding price. The guide can help buy tickets online or at the box office, but it’s good to have funds ready for group admissions.
Weather and footwear — some parts of the route are outdoors on cobblestones and steep stairs; comfortable closed shoes and light layers work best.
Where to eat after the tour — around the Market and Wawel you’ll find plenty of tried-and-true places. A few suggestions: Wierzynek (for those who want a historic atmosphere), Camelot café (calm vibe, coffee and cakes) and Szara on the Market (a cozy bistro with regional dishes).
Does the guide help with booking Wawel tickets? - Yes, the guide will advise which entries are worth buying and help organize tickets for the group.
How many people can join a tour? - Standard small groups are up to 35 people; for larger groups per-person pricing applies. For special projects (schools, companies) individual terms can be arranged.
Can you hear the hejnał up close? - The hejnał is best heard on the Market Square; if you want to climb the tower, tickets are sold at the St. Mary’s Basilica box office and access to the viewpoint is limited.
Does the guide issue invoices and vouchers? - Yes, invoices and gift vouchers are available — ask about this when booking.
How do I book a date? - The easiest way is via the contact form on the guide’s website or by email; for large groups early booking is recommended, especially in the tourist season.
Come hungry for curiosities — the guide has many anecdotes that bring Kraków’s stories to life.
If you want photos without crowds, consider a morning walk right after opening times or late afternoon outside peak hours.
Bring water and a city map (or save the meeting point location) — even a short coffee break can refresh the group before the next stage of the tour.
When booking, write a few sentences about your interests — the guide will happily tailor the route and pace to your expectations.
