The Royal Route is a classic Krakow walk — the historic spine of the city that runs from the Florian Gate along Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square up to Wawel Hill. It connects the most important monuments and gives a great first impression of Krakow: personalities, legends, architecture and atmospheric side streets.
Choosing a guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz gives you more than a dry list of dates — you get a story: anecdotes, curiosities, historical context and practical tips. The route can be adapted to the group: families with children, school groups, seniors or English-speaking visitors. The walk mixes outdoor stops with entrances to key interiors such as St. Mary’s Basilica or Wawel Cathedral (entrances are usually ticketed).
For first-time visitors to Krakow this is an ideal option — in a well-paced walk you’ll get the “essence” of the city and learn what to look for when you come back for a longer visit. Expect vivid stories, visual highlights and a dozen or so spots worth photographing.
If you want to feel the atmosphere of the city and understand how Krakow worked across the centuries — from royal processions to everyday life of townspeople — this route will deliver that in an engaging, accessible way.
The tour is led by a licensed guide: Małgorzata Kasprowicz has held a state guide licence since 2012 and has extensive experience leading diverse groups — from families and schools to international visitors.
The standard tour follows the Royal Route: the Barbican and Florian Gate, Floriańska Street, the Main Market Square with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica, Grodzka Street and Kanonicza Street, and finally Wawel Hill with the Castle and Cathedral.
On the Market Square we stop at the main points: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica (including the Veit Stoss altarpiece), the town hall towers and places full of legends. On Kanonicza Street we’ll look at the former canons’ houses and hear stories about daily life around the cathedral.
Wawel is more than one place — during the visit you can see Wawel Cathedral (royal tombs, chapels), the Castle’s representative chambers and selected exhibitions. Some interiors and exhibitions require tickets; the guide will help with buying tickets or arranging access.
The pace of the walk is comfortable: there are stops for photos, short stories and time for questions. For families and school groups the guide includes more stories and puzzles to engage younger visitors.
The typical duration of the "Wawel and Royal Route" tour offered by ZwiedzanieKrakowa is about 4 hours — enough time to see key sites calmly and to learn their cultural and historical background.
Wawel Hill and its exhibitions have variable opening hours depending on season and the specific exhibition — generally the hill is open to visitors until late afternoon (longer in summer, shorter outside peak season). There are daily limits for some entrances and certain exhibitions have set times for last admission, so for group visits it’s best to reserve tickets in advance.
The ticket office and Information Centre on Wawel operate in morning and afternoon hours — it’s worth checking current times before your trip. For group convenience the guide can assist with buying tickets online or on site.
St. Mary’s Basilica offers access to parts of the interior for a fee while other areas remain open for worshippers. Visiting hours usually include afternoon time slots (more frequent and longer in high season). Access to the higher tower is sometimes possible in set hours and in small groups — it’s an extra attraction for those who like city panoramas.
The tour listing provides indicative ticket prices for attractions such as St. Mary’s Basilica and Wawel Cathedral — keep in mind that prices and concession rules can change, so it’s best to check before you travel. The guide will inform you about current fees and ticketing options.
Be aware of special dates and holidays: on some days (for example November 1) parts of the hill or certain exhibitions may be closed or operate with restrictions — always check notifications before arranging a tour.
The meeting point is agreed individually after booking. Most often we meet at a convenient spot on the Main Market Square, for example by the Adam Mickiewicz monument, but another central location can be arranged if that’s more convenient for the group.
To book a tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz it’s best to contact her by phone or email — booking lets you tailor the route, language (Polish or English), pace and any planned entrances to interiors and museums.
For large groups or if you want to include specific interiors (for example the Castle’s representative chambers) we recommend booking tickets in advance — this reduces the risk of sold-out times and helps plan the route to avoid long queues.
Typical duration of the classic tour: about 4 hours. This version allows relaxed visits and entries to major sites; shorter variants can be arranged on request.
Booking contact details (indicative): phone and email are provided in the guide’s offer — after booking we will agree the exact meeting point, route and any special group needs.
Comfortable shoes are essential — the route follows cobbled streets and includes some stairs, especially when visiting towers and Wawel.
Bring water and a light snack, especially if you’re planning the full four-hour tour. In summer bring sun protection and a hat; in winter a warm jacket and waterproof shoes.
If you plan to enter interiors with luggage — check size limits (Wawel has restrictions). For larger bags it’s better to leave items at your hotel or in luggage lockers.
For extra comfort the guide can provide sets of headsets for a small fee, which make it easier to hear in crowded places.
Tours run regardless of weather; in very poor conditions the route may be adjusted to spend more time inside attractions and museums — the guide always has a plan B.
If you’re visiting with children — let us know when booking. Małgorzata will happily adapt pace and storytelling to keep children engaged and make the tour enjoyable for the youngest participants.
How long is the "Wawel and Royal Route" tour? - Typically 4 hours; this allows a comfortable visit with entries to key interiors.
Does the guide speak English? - Yes. Małgorzata leads tours in both Polish and English.
Are entrance tickets included in the tour price? - The guide’s fee covers guiding services; entrance tickets to museums and monuments (for example St. Mary’s Basilica, Wawel Cathedral) are usually extra. The guide assists with purchasing tickets and provides up-to-date information about fees.
What if it rains? - Tours take place regardless of weather. In very poor weather the route may be modified to spend more time indoors.
Where do we meet at the start of the tour? - The meeting point is set after booking; most commonly on the Main Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz monument, though another convenient place can be agreed.
Come with an open mind and a plan for later: a guided visit is the best way to get context on your first day and to know what you might want to explore in more depth later. Take photos, but also ask questions — conversation is what makes a tour memorable.
If you want the tour to have a theme (for example legends for children, a World War II history trail, or a food-focused route) mention it when you book — routes can be personalized.
Book ahead in the high season and for larger groups — this ensures available dates and smooth logistics for entrances to paid sites.
You’re invited to the walk — Krakow has many stories to tell, and I’m happy to show you its best tales and most beautiful places!
Contact and booking: after booking we will set the exact meeting time and place and discuss your group’s needs.
