The “Wawel and the Royal Route” is a classic, experience-rich tour of Kraków’s heart led by licensed guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. The walk links the city’s most important historic sites: from the Florian Gate and the Barbican, along Floriańska Street, the Main Square with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica, to Grodzka Street and the ascent to Wawel with the Cathedral and Royal Castle.
The route tells Kraków’s story on several levels — political, religious and everyday life. You’ll learn how royal ceremonies looked, see traces of medieval trade, and hear anecdotes and local legends (including the story of the Wawel Dragon). The guide presents the material in an accessible, humorous way with curiosities suited to adults and families with children. Tours usually run in Polish and, by arrangement, in English.
On the guide’s website you’ll find information about tour length — the standard version of this itinerary lasts about 4 hours, while shorter 2–3 hour walks and themed variants are also available.
Meeting: we usually meet in the city centre — on the Main Square, most often by the Adam Mickiewicz monument or another agreed meeting point. After a short introduction we set off along the Royal Route.
Stage 1 - Florian Gate and the Barbican: a story about medieval fortifications, trade and the city’s defense.
Stage 2 - Floriańska Street: a walk along the representational street of former royal processions, with tales about townhouses, craft guilds and everyday life in old Kraków.
Stage 3 - Main Square and the Cloth Hall: the history of Europe’s largest medieval market square, the Cloth Hall’s role as a trading hall and the Square’s function in city life.
Stage 4 - St. Mary’s Basilica: stories about Veit Stoss’s altarpiece, the bugle call (hejnał) and the historic architecture (entering the interior may require a ticket).
Stage 5 - Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets: the road leading to Wawel, with tales about residents, legends and churches along the way.
Stage 6 - Wawel: the Cathedral, royal tombs, the castle courtyard — the site of coronations, burials and national memory. Parts of the route may require tickets (for example castle exhibitions, the cathedral or certain chapels).
Wawel is a complex of monuments: the Royal Castle and the Cathedral. Depending on the chosen option you can visit the royal chambers, the armory, the treasury and the cathedral with royal tombs and chapels.
Practical note: Wawel’s opening hours and daily visitor limits for some exhibitions can vary — it’s a good idea to check current information and reserve tickets online before your visit. Tickets for specific routes are usually sold for set times and are valid on the day of purchase.
If you want to enter the cathedral interior, be prepared for a possible separate fee. The guide can assist with ticket purchases and advise which parts of Wawel are worth visiting depending on your time and interests.
The Main Square is Kraków’s heart: the Cloth Hall, the Town Hall Tower, souvenir stalls and numerous cafés create a unique atmosphere. The Cloth Hall houses a gallery of 19th-century Polish art on the first floor, while the ground floor continues to function as a market with handicrafts and souvenirs.
The Rynek Underground (Main Square Underground) is a separate attraction — a multimedia archaeological exhibition presenting the market’s foundations and artefacts from the medieval square. A descent under the Square usually takes about 1–1.5 hours, so it’s worth including in your schedule.
Opening hours for the Cloth Hall and the Underground can be seasonal and vary year to year; during the tourist season most city museums open in the morning (around 9:00–10:00) and close in the late afternoon or early evening (around 16:00–18:00). It’s best to check current hours before you visit, especially outside the high season.
Opening hours for monuments (Wawel, the Cloth Hall, the Rynek Underground, St. Mary’s Basilica) can change, especially off-season, during holidays or for special events. For this reason we always recommend checking current hours on official sites before you head out.
Tickets: some sites (for example Wawel — castle routes, the Rynek Underground, St. Mary’s Basilica) require admission tickets. These are often sold online for specific time slots. The guide can help buy tickets and plan the most efficient visit order to avoid long waits.
If you plan to enter interiors, factor in the extra cost of tickets — the guide fee usually does not include admission to museums and certain monuments. During booking we will discuss which entrances are necessary and whether it’s worth purchasing them in advance.
Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Kraków guide (licensed since 2012) and has led thousands of visitors. Her routes are recommended for families, schools and groups interested in history and local stories.
How to book: the easiest way is by phone or e-mail. The guide asks for early contact to arrange tour details, length and number of participants. Example contact details for booking are provided on the guide’s website: phone number and e-mail address. After booking, the meeting place and time and any group needs (for example radio headsets for larger groups) are agreed.
Prices: private guiding fees vary depending on route length and group size. The guide’s website lists current prices; seasonal promotions and options for school groups and large organised tours are available.
Best times to visit: early mornings and late afternoons are usually less crowded than midday. To avoid queues for interiors, plan your visit at opening time or just before closing of some attractions (check whether a given site admits last visitors).
Clothing and comfortable shoes: the route is a walk along cobbled streets and inside monuments — comfortable footwear is essential. When entering the cathedral or churches, modest clothing is recommended (covered shoulders, no very short shorts), especially during services.
Weather: tours run regardless of weather — the guide has a plan B and can adjust the route to spend more time inside if it rains. On colder days bring a light jacket; in summer bring water and headwear.
After the walk it’s worth stopping at the Square or near Wawel — you’ll find cafés and restaurants at various price levels. For a historic dining experience try the legendary Wierzynek restaurant on the Main Square; for a quicker option there are many cafés and small places around Floriańska Street and the Cloth Hall.
If you want something quick: the Cloth Hall area and Floriańska Street are full of cafés and takeaway spots. After an intensive tour a coffee and cake in a local café or a sit-down lunch with regional dishes will hit the spot.
If you would like recommendations tailored to your budget and preferences (vegetarian, family-friendly, fine dining), the guide can suggest several tried-and-true addresses when you book the tour.
How long is the “Wawel and the Royal Route” tour? - The standard tour lasts about 4 hours; shorter 2–3 hour versions are available.
Does the guide speak English? - Yes, tours can be conducted in Polish and in English by prior arrangement.
Are Wawel and other admission tickets included? - The guide fee usually does not include admission tickets to museums and some interiors; the guide will assist with purchases and advise which entrances to plan for.
What if it rains? - Tours run in all but the most extreme weather; the route can be adjusted to spend more time inside when needed.
Where do we meet? - Meeting place and time are arranged after booking; the most common meeting point is the Main Square by the Adam Mickiewicz monument.
