If you have come to Krakow and want to see the citys highlights in a comfortable, relaxed way - the Wawel + Royal Route walk led by licensed guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz is an excellent choice. The route combines a stroll along the Planty, a walk past Florian Gate and the Barbican and a visit to Wawel Hill. Thanks to the guides experience you will see the most important places, hear history, legends and curiosities, and the route can be adjusted to limit the need to use stairs. The guide has many years of experience leading groups with varied needs - from families with children to older visitors and school groups.
The route is led by Małgorzata Kasprowicz - a local guide born in Krakow who has shown the city to thousands of visitors. Her approach combines solid historical knowledge with lively storytelling, anecdotes and attention to the groups needs - including visitors who prefer step-free routes.
This article will help you plan the walk: it shows the route step by step, suggests alternative approaches, explains accessibility matters at Wawel and gives practical tips to make your visit easier.
Planty - the green belt around the Old Town, perfect for starting the walk. The Planty paths are practically step-free, have hard surfaces and run alongside the most important historical points. It is a great place to warm up and hear the first stories about Krakow.
Florian Gate and the Barbican - the symbolic start of the Royal Route. Florian Gate is best viewed from the outside while hearing about its role in the citys history - the gate together with the nearby sections of walls and the Barbican create a unique impression of medieval fortifications.
Florianska Street and the Main Market Square - a walk along Krakows representative street with views of the Cloth Hall and St. Marys Basilica. This is a good place for a short break and photos.
Grodzka, Kanonicza and the approach to Wawel - the historic Royal Route leads from the Market through Grodzka and Kanonicza to Wawel Hill. Depending on needs, the route can avoid steeper stair sections and use approaches with fewer steps. At Wawel you will see courtyards, castle architecture and exterior views of the Cathedral.
1) Start - Planty (for example from the Barbican side) - walking the Planty paths is flat and pleasant with benches and monuments; ideal for strollers and people avoiding stairs.
2) Barbican and Florian Gate - a short stop by the fortifications. They can be viewed from street level without climbing steps.
3) Florianska Street to the Market - wide sidewalks, easy to walk; entering the Main Market Square is done without steps.
4) Main Market Square - a short break; the history of the Cloth Hall and St. Marys Basilica told while standing; if needed you can sit at one of the nearby cafes.
5) Walk along Grodzka and Kanonicza - this is part of the Royal Route. Kanonicza contains short sections with steps, however the guide will show detours and step-free approaches, for example gentle ramps on the eastern side or an approach from Kanonicza/Bernardyńska Street using ramps and platforms where available.
6) Entrance to Wawel - the Visitors Centre and the main castle courtyards have ramped access; ticket offices and some services are architecturally adapted. Depending on the chosen interior exhibition route (for example the Crown Treasury or parts of the State Rooms) some rooms may be inaccessible to wheelchairs; the guide will advise how to plan the visit to minimise stairs.
Wawel is a historic hill with older buildings, so the area is not completely free of uneven surfaces. There are two main approaches to the hill - both can be fairly steep; visitors using wheelchairs or with limited mobility are advised to use assistance from a companion or to coordinate arrival in advance with Wawel staff.
The Visitors Centre offers ramps and accessible toilets; main ticket offices and some service points are architecturally adapted. Some seasonal entrances and certain exhibition branches may require negotiating small steps - in such cases Wawel has platforms and alternative entrances available after prior arrangement.
Wawel also organises quiet hours and special educational walks dedicated to visitors with sensory disabilities; information about accessibility and the possibility to arrange individual conditions (transport, assistance, guide) should be confirmed in advance.
Tickets for Wawel Castle and its exhibitions are sold online and at ticket offices; ticket allocations are often released monthly in advance, and during the season it is recommended to reserve entries earlier, especially if you want to match visiting hours to quiet hours or a guided tour.
If you want to visit Wawels interior exhibition routes with a guide, it is best to book in advance - guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz can help coordinate ticket purchase and propose a route adapted to the groups needs.
When planning your visit pay attention to - time of year and visitor volume (the biggest crowds are in summer and during long holiday weekends) - quiet hours organised at selected exhibitions (good for visitors sensitive to noise) - restrictions of internal museum routes for wheelchairs; the guide knows the current rules and will help choose the best variant.
The guide offers tours in Polish and English; prices may vary depending on the date and length of the tour. Example pricing for small groups (1-35 people) during promotional periods: - 2 hours: from 300 zł (promotion) - 3 hours: from 400 zł (promotion) - 4 hours: from 500 zł (promotion) The promotion applies on selected seasonal dates; regular prices are slightly higher. For larger groups (36+ people) prices are calculated per person - the guide presents an individual offer when booking.
Additional services: - headset sets/audio-guide for groups: available for a small fee (for example around 8 zł/person) - themed tours and workshops for schools - pricing and programmes are tailored to needs. To confirm current prices and availability it is best to contact the guide directly via the booking form on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com or by phone/email to arrange details. Note - prices may change - this article reflects promotional and seasonal offers for the autumn-winter 2025-2026 period.
Booking a guided tour makes it easier to coordinate Wawel access and adapt the route to the needs of visitors with limited mobility.
During the walk it is good to plan a stop for coffee or a light meal - here are a few tried-and-true options near the Market and the Royal Route: - Cafe Camelot (ul. Swietego Tomasza) - a cosy spot close to the Market, good for a short break. - Wierzynek (Main Market Square) - a historic restaurant for those seeking a special atmosphere (reserve a table if you plan to eat there). - Cafes in the Cloth Hall and around the Market - a quick coffee and pastry before continuing. The guide often recommends places that are convenient for groups and serve quickly so you dont waste time waiting. If you need a wheelchair-friendly venue the guide will suggest places with easier access.
If you prefer traditional street snacks, try local stalls around the Market or visit one of the regional restaurants in the Old Towns side streets. The guide will gladly recommend stops depending on your culinary preferences and schedule.
Note - in the high season restaurants around the Market can be crowded - reserve tables in advance for larger groups.
- Comfortable shoes and layers of clothing - even on a step-free route the city has uneven surfaces and short cobbled sections. - Water and small snacks - its pleasant to carry a bottle of water, especially in summer. - Wawel ticket - if you plan to enter indoor exhibitions, buy tickets in advance online; the guide will help choose the time and route. - Participants using wheelchairs/older visitors - inform about this when booking so the guide can prepare a step-free route and coordinate accessibility with Wawel staff. - A phone with a charged battery - the guide sometimes recommends apps describing points of interest and its useful for photos.
If youre travelling with children, bring small games or activities to keep the youngest engaged during longer stories. The guide is skilled at involving children with legends and interactive tasks.
Remember to respect sacred spaces and museum rules - quiet hours are a good option for visitors seeking calmer visits.
Is the route really step-free? - The route can be organised to minimise stairs: Planty, the Barbican, Florianska and the Market are practically step-free. Approaches to Wawel may include slopes and short steps - the guide will point out the most comfortable ways and can contact staff to use ramps or platforms if needed.
Does the guide help book Wawel tickets? - Yes - when booking a tour its worth consulting the guide about entry times and exhibition routes; Małgorzata Kasprowicz assists in coordinating schedules so the route is comfortable for the group.
How long is the walk? - Standard options are 2, 3 or 4 hours; in practice 2-3 hours are often chosen for the Wawel + Royal Route walk. Visiting Wawels interiors and museums can extend the time.
Is the tour suitable for children and seniors? - Yes. The route and storytelling are adapted to the group. The guide knows how to engage children and adjust pace for seniors.
What if it rains? - In bad weather the route can be shortened and focus shifted to indoor spaces, or some stories can be told from covered areas; the guide will advise the best solution.
Bookings are made via ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com or by contacting the guide directly through the sites booking form. When booking provide the date, an approximate number of participants, preferred language and whether you need a step-free route or other facilities.
Book in advance, especially during the tourist season. For larger groups the guide offers flexible programmes and additional services (for example headset sets for groups, themed routes).
Summary - a guided walk is a comfortable and safe way to discover Wawel and the Royal Route without worrying about unexpected stairs - Małgorzata Kasprowicz will help adjust the pace, content and route to your needs.
