Looking for a calm, clever and fun way to show Kraków to children and adults at the same time? The “Wawel and the Royal Route” itinerary led by Małgorzata Kasprowicz combines the city’s most important sights with stories that engage the youngest listeners. A relaxed walking pace, plenty of curiosities and places to pause make it ideal for families with children of different ages.
Małgorzata is a licensed Kraków guide (licensed since 2012) with experience leading families and school groups. She has guided thousands of visitors and knows how to tell stories in a way that attracts younger audiences — making the tour informative but never boring. The route respects a family pace and can be adjusted to the group's needs.
The tour works both as a first introduction to Kraków for children and as a relaxed overview for families who want to see the city’s highlights without rushing. The guide uses interactive elements: questions, short tasks and legends that help remember places and events.
The route follows the Royal Route, the historic path from St. Florian’s Gate to Wawel Hill. Along the way you’ll see the most important spots of old Kraków: the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, Floriańska Street, the Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church, Grodzka Street, the charming Kanonicza Street and the Royal Castle on Wawel with the Cathedral.
Each place is presented in a cheerful and accessible way: what the Barbican reminds us of, why kings traveled the Royal Route, what secrets St. Mary’s Church holds and what’s worth seeing on Wawel. For children the biggest attractions are often the legends and tales about dragons, knights and royal ceremonies.
During the tour the guide points out architectural details, suggests the best spots for family photos and recommends places for a short break with hot cocoa or ice cream. The route is planned to naturally combine key monuments with convenient breaks for children.
The four-hour version of the tour is optimal to comfortably walk the Royal Route, visit Wawel and tell the most important stories without hurry. Shorter options (2 or 3 hours) are also available for families who prefer them.
The guide adapts pace and content to the ages of participants. For the youngest she uses curiosities and simple tasks (e.g. a “hunt” for specific sculptures or colorful details); for older children — legends and amusing historical anecdotes. Parents appreciate clear narration and answers to questions about architecture and historical context.
If someone in the family needs a break, the guide will plan it in a family-friendly spot. In case of rain the route can be modified to spend more time inside monuments and interiors. The guide usually offers optional headset sets (audio-guide) which help with audibility in larger groups.
Duration: standard 4 hours — the recommended option for families, with shorter 2- and 3-hour variants available.
Languages: tours are offered in Polish and English. Małgorzata has experience guiding international visitors as well as Polish families.
Pricing (example, promotional period 2025-10-01–2026-03-01): small groups (1–35 people) — 2 hours: 300 PLN, 3 hours: 400 PLN, 4 hours: 500 PLN; regular prices 350/450/550 PLN respectively. For larger groups pricing is calculated per person. The guide also offers themed tours at different rates.
Admission tickets to some sites (e.g. St. Mary’s Church, Wawel Cathedral) are not included in the guiding fee and must be purchased separately. Indicative ticket prices: St. Mary’s Church — regular around 15 PLN, reduced around 8 PLN; Wawel Cathedral — regular around 22 PLN, reduced around 15 PLN. The guide will assist with ticket purchase and inform about current rates.
Headset sets (audio-guide) are available for a small fee (about 8 PLN/person), useful for larger or crowded groups.
Reservations and contact: bookings are made by phone or email — phone number and email address are provided with the offer. Meeting place and exact time are arranged individually; the usual meeting point is the Main Market Square (by the Adam Mickiewicz monument) or another convenient central location.
Much of the route runs on historic paving and cobblestones, so comfortable, stable footwear is recommended. Some sections include steps or inclines — if you’re traveling with a stroller, it’s a good idea to discuss the route with the guide in advance so she can adjust the walk where possible.
Tours run regardless of weather. In poor conditions (heavy rain, strong wind) the guide has a plan B — you will spend more time inside monuments, museums and churches so the tour remains comfortable and safe. Bring a lightweight raincoat or umbrella and dress in layers for cooler mornings.
If anyone has limited mobility, please inform the guide ahead of time — many places on the route are accessible, but some historic stairs and narrow passages may require modifying the plan.
- Comfortable shoes for walking on cobblestones. - A bottle of water and a small snack for children. - A camera or phone with a charged battery — the route offers plenty of photo opportunities. - A raincoat and a light layer for cooler mornings. - Cash for church tickets and possible tips; most places also accept card payments, but having some PLN is convenient.
For families with small children: bring a small backpack with essentials (diapers, wipes, spare clothes). If you plan to eat after the tour, booking a table in a popular restaurant can help on weekends.
When traveling with a stroller it’s useful to agree the route with the guide before the meeting so the walk goes as smoothly as possible.
After walking the Royal Route and visiting Wawel many families enjoy relaxing with a warm meal or a dessert. Here are some trusted places near the Market and in Kazimierz:
- Wierzynek — a historic restaurant on the Main Market Square, good for a more formal meal. - Pod Aniołami (Grodzka Street) — known for regional dishes, close to Wawel and family-friendly. - Charlotte (Plac Szczepański) — a French bakery and café, great for a quick breakfast or dessert with children. - Café Camelot (near the Market) — a cozy spot for coffee and cake after the walk. - Starka or Mleczarnia in Kazimierz — if you want to continue to the atmospheric Kazimierz neighborhood and try local flavors.
Keep in mind that in the high season places around the Market and in Kazimierz can be busy, so reserving a table in advance can make the end of your day smoother.
How long is the “Wawel and the Royal Route” tour? - Standard: 4 hours — the optimal time to see all main highlights without rush. Shorter 2- and 3-hour options are available.
Does the guide speak English? - Yes, tours are available in Polish and English.
Are entrance tickets included in the tour price? - The guiding fee usually does not include tickets to some sites (e.g. St. Mary’s Church, Wawel Cathedral). The guide will help with ticket purchase and inform about current prices.
Is the tour suitable for children? - Yes, the route is family-friendly. The guide has extensive experience with children and adapts the narration and pace accordingly.
What if it rains? - Tours run in most weather. In case of heavy rain the route can be adjusted to spend more time indoors and in museums.
To book the tour or ask about details, contact directly by phone or email. Meeting place and exact start time are arranged individually after booking — the most common starting point is the Main Market Square (by the Adam Mickiewicz monument) or another convenient spot in the city center.
When booking please provide: date, an approximate number of participants, information about children (ages), any special needs (e.g. stroller, limited mobility) and the preferred language of the tour. This helps the guide prepare a route perfectly suited to your family.
We wish you a wonderful visit to Kraków — full of curiosities, photos and smiles!
If you plan to visit Wawel’s indoor exhibitions (state rooms, royal apartments or special exhibitions), check ticket availability and opening hours in advance — popular time slots can sell out, especially in high season.
Keep small change for public restrooms or refreshments in crowded areas. Many cafés and restaurants accept cards, but having some cash is handy for quick purchases.
If you’d like a family photo at Wawel or on the Market, ask the guide for a recommended spot — she knows where to go for the best light and fewer crowds.
Enjoy your walk through Kraków with Małgorzata — may it be full of discoveries, laughter and lasting memories!
