Wawel and the Royal Route are the heart of historic Krakow — the best place to learn the main threads of Polish history, see the most important monuments and feel the city’s atmosphere in just a few hours. The route links the royal hill with the bustling Main Market Square, and stories, legends and anecdotes make the walk interesting for adults and accessible for children.
If you are planning a visit with family or a school class, a well-planned tour with a local licensed guide will reduce time spent in queues, engage younger listeners and allow you to visit top sites without stress. Małgorzata Kasprowicz has been leading these tours since 2012 and knows how to turn stories into an adventure for kids and teens.
In the text you will find a suggested day plan, practical tips about tickets and logistics, ideas for educational games for the youngest visitors and a short suggestion for a trip to Ojcow National Park as an extension of the program.
The most popular version of the route lasts about 3–4 hours and includes Wawel Hill and the main points of the Royal Route: the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, Floriańska Street, the Main Market Square with St. Mary’s Church and the Cloth Hall. For school groups we often choose a 4-hour option to also visit interiors (the cathedral, royal chambers) and give children time for questions and short breaks.
The program can be shortened (2 hours) or expanded (thematic tours 3–4 hours). Tours are available in Polish and English; for larger groups there are also headset sets to help everyone hear during the walk.
Cost and booking details depend on the length of the route and the number of participants — there are options for small and large groups and extra services (for example headset sets).
Wawel Hill includes several spots you shouldn’t miss: the Castle Courtyard, Wawel Cathedral (site of coronations and royal burials), and the Royal Castle chambers with collections of paintings, tapestries and objects from court life. For children, the legend of the Wawel Dragon is a particular attraction — told well, it becomes a great introduction to the visit.
It is worth planning interior visits in advance: access to some rooms or chapels is limited by number of visitors and specific hours. A guide helps organize the order of visits so the group spends less time in lines.
With younger participants we recommend short stops, simple tasks ("find the coat of arms", "count the columns") and interactive elements — these keep attention and turn history into an adventure.
- The Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate — we start at the medieval city walls: talk about how the city was defended and who the masons and guards were.
- Floriańska Street — walk down the city’s representative street, full of historic townhouses with interesting stories (rhymes, guilds, crafts).
- Main Market Square — the heart of the city: St. Mary’s Church with the trumpet call, the Cloth Hall with its trading history and the Town Hall Tower. For children it’s good to tell legends connected to the square and offer a mini quiz.
- Around the Market you’ll also find many spots for rest and snacks, which makes it easy to plan a break for school groups.
Stories should be interwoven with anecdotes and curiosities — this is the best way to remember dates and names without getting bored.
Ojcow National Park is an excellent option if you want to add a day trip into nature to your Krakow sightseeing. The park is known for picturesque karst rocks, gorges, caves and the castle at Pieskowa Skała — a great place for children who enjoy movement, natural curiosities and short walking trails.
This trip can be organized as a half-day or full-day extension to the city program. The guide will talk about geology, local legends and point out places safe for younger participants. Bring comfortable shoes, water and small snacks — in high season the park can be crowded, so booking transport and arranging the program in advance is a good idea.
For school groups you can prepare a simple field game (searching for rare plants, observing rock formations), so the visit combines educational elements with play.
Book in advance — especially if you plan interior visits on Wawel or have a larger school group. Małgorzata Kasprowicz accepts bookings by phone and email; dates fill up quickly in the tourist season.
Typical rules and sample prices (approximate and depending on route length and number of participants): - for small groups (1–35 people) there are usually 2, 3 or 4 hour options; - prices for larger groups (over 35 people) are available; - additional fees may apply for headset rental (small fee per person) which helps in larger groups.
Tours are offered in Polish and English. The guide holds a state license, has experience with school groups and a practical approach to working with children. When booking, agree on: - meeting point, - pace and length of the route, - whether you plan interior museum visits, - educational needs of the class (for example specific historical topics).
- Clothing and footwear: comfortable shoes and layered clothing — on Wawel and around the Market there can be temperature differences between sun and shade, and indoor museum rooms are sometimes cooler.
- Food: plan a short break at the Market or a nearby cafe. Recommended spots around the Market for families include Café Camelot (cozy atmosphere), Pod Wawelem (traditional cuisine, larger portions) and Massolit Books & Cafe (for book and coffee lovers).
- Safety: for school groups have a list of participants, chaperones and an agreed meeting point in case the group gets separated.
- Educational games: prepare simple tasks for children (quiz, drawing found details, counting columns) to boost engagement.
The standard meeting point is a central spot near the Main Market Square; exact place and time are arranged individually at booking. The meeting can also be organized at the entrance to Wawel Hill if the group prefers to start at the castle.
Bookings and questions are best sent directly: - phone: +48 501 962 037 - e-mail: kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com When contacting, please include the approximate number of participants, preferred date and tour length, and let us know if the group includes children or participants with special needs.
The guide adapts the program to the age of participants and gladly prepares educational versions for schools as well as fun, engaging routes for families.
- Visit Kazimierz — another historic district with a distinct atmosphere and important sites of Jewish history; it can be combined with a short evening walk.
- Thematic tours: legend routes, medieval life, the history of trade and crafts — great alternatives to classic routes when you want to focus on a specific theme.
- Workshops and educational activities for classes — after prior arrangement short workshops combining sightseeing with practical activities are possible.
Does the guide speak English? - Yes, tours are available in both Polish and English.
How long is the "Wawel and the Royal Route" tour? - Most often 3–4 hours (the 4-hour version allows time for interiors and a break), but you can book shorter 2-hour or longer thematic programs.
How do I book a tour for a school class? - Call or write an email with the number of participants, preferred date and educational expectations. Booking in advance makes arranging interior visits easier.
Does the guide help with museum tickets? - Yes — when planning the route the guide will advise which entries to reserve in advance and how to optimize the order of visits.
Can headset sets be rented? - Yes, comfortable headset sets are available for a small fee per person to improve audibility in larger groups.
- Plan time for a break — the Main Market Square and nearby cafes are perfect places to rest after intensive sightseeing.
- If you are coming with children, let the guide know in advance — the program can then be enriched with tasks and short educational games.
- In the high season start early in the morning or choose afternoon hours to avoid the biggest crowds.
- Bring comfortable shoes and a small backpack with water — this makes sightseeing more enjoyable for both adults and kids.
