Wawel and the Royal Route are more than monuments: they are a path travelled for centuries by royal processions, parades and ceremonial entourages. A walk beginning at the Barbican or Matejko Square, passing through Floriańska Street, the Main Market Square, Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets up to Wawel Hill, gives a great sense of the city’s history and atmosphere — from defensive walls and the most important medieval square in Europe to the majesty of the castle and cathedral. It’s an ideal first tour of Krakow because it links the key points and offers many stops for photos and coffee breaks.
If you have only one day in Krakow — plan the Royal Route. If you have more time — split the route into two stages, enter the interiors of selected monuments and be sure to visit the Market Underground — it’s a completely different perspective of the city, a few metres below the Market Square paving.
This guide will help you plan the route, buy tickets and avoid the most common tourist pitfalls.
Typical Royal Route: Matejko Square (Grunwald Monument) – Barbican and St. Florian's Gate – Floriańska Street – Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church, Adam Mickiewicz Monument) – Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets – Wawel Hill (Castle, Cathedral).
Along the way plan short stops: Jan Matejko's house on Floriańska Street, the Cloth Hall (go up to the gallery floor or take a quick walk among the stalls), the interior of St. Mary’s Church with Veit Stoss’s Altarpiece (paid entry), Collegium Maius and a walk down Grodzka with its historic tenement houses. The route finishes with Wawel — its courtyards, cathedral and the view over the Vistula make a great end to the walk.
Time: a walk without entering interiors usually takes 2–3 hours; full, detailed sightseeing including entry to interiors (Cathedral, Wawel, Market Underground, St. Mary’s) is a full day — plan 4–6 hours with breaks for a meal.
Entry to Wawel’s interiors requires a ticket (royal apartments, courtyards, castle exhibitions, Cathedral with crypts). The number of entries to some exhibitions is limited — especially in season — so it’s worth buying tickets in advance online or arriving early at the ticket office.
Visiting time: reserve at least 1.5–3 hours for Wawel, depending on how many rooms and exhibitions you want to see. If you plan to enter the Cathedral and the private royal apartments, plan 2–3 hours.
Practical note about baggage: large backpacks, strollers and oversized items are often directed to a left-luggage area — be prepared and avoid bringing large suitcases on a city walk.
The Market Underground is a modern museum with archaeological displays and multimedia presentations showing how life in Krakow changed across the centuries. The experience is stronger because you go below the Market surface, between layers of the city's past.
Visiting time: the individual route usually takes about 1 hour; a fuller visit with additional areas can take 1.5–2 hours.
Facilities: the museum offers an elevator and is prepared for families with children — you’ll find interactive elements and a special zone for the youngest visitors. Be aware the museum has set opening hours and closed days — check them before you go.
Buy tickets online where possible — especially in tourist season. Some attractions limit entries to specific times, and the ticket office lines can be long.
Market Underground: the museum offers days with free admission (e.g. selected weekdays) — on free days entry is usually on a first-come, ticket-available-at-the-counter basis, without prior reservations (check this shortly before your visit).
Wawel: there are sometimes days with limited free admission to selected exhibitions — however the number of free tickets is heavily limited and they’re issued at the ticket office on site.
Reduced and family tickets: most museums have discounts (pupils, students, seniors, families). If you belong to one of these groups, have the appropriate ID with you. Example Market Underground prices are around 36 PLN (adult), 32 PLN (reduced) and 72 PLN (family) — remember rates may change, so check current prices before your visit.
Morning is the golden time: there are the fewest people in the morning, right after attractions open — ideal hours for Wawel and the Market Underground. If you dislike crowds, avoid midday and early evening around the Main Market Square.
Weekdays: if possible, choose a visit between Monday and Friday. The weekend at the Market is much busier. Note that some museums have special days with extended hours or free-admission days — check these in advance.
Weather: the Royal Route has its charm even in the rain, but longer walks are more pleasant on a dry, cool day. In summer remember a hat and to drink water.
Comfortable shoes — cobbled streets and many stairs at monuments require comfortable footwear. Also bring a jacket or a rain poncho in case of sudden rain.
Cash and card — most places accept cards, but at ticket counters and small stalls it’s good to have some cash.
Discount documents — student IDs, senior cards etc. must be shown when buying reduced tickets.
Remember to schedule breaks for food and toilets — you’ll find many cafés and restaurants along the way, but in season lines can be long, so plan a lunch hour outside peak times.
Around the Market and Wawel there are plenty of places for every budget. A few suggestions I often recommend to visitors:
- Wierzynek — a historic restaurant on the Main Market Square, if you want to feel the atmosphere of old Krakow.
- Pod Wawelem — a restaurant near Wawel serving traditional Polish cuisine; a good spot for a hearty meal after visiting the hill.
- Café Camelot — a cozy café by the Planty, great for coffee and cake after a walk.
If you look for something simpler and local, try a zapiekanka near the Planty or one of the small cafés on the side streets of Floriańska and Grodzka — you’ll often find authentic atmosphere and moderate prices.
How much time to allocate for Wawel and the Market Underground? - Minimum 1.5 hours for Wawel (if you only visit courtyards and some exhibitions), 1 hour for the Market Underground. A fuller, relaxed visit is a whole day.
Is it worth booking tickets in advance? - Yes, especially in season. Online booking saves time and secures entry for a chosen time slot.
Are there days with free admission? - Some attractions offer free-admission days (e.g. selected weekdays at the Market Underground) — on free days tickets are usually available only at the box office and places are limited.
Is the Market Underground accessible for people with reduced mobility? - The museum declares accessibility, including an elevator; however, due to the nature of historic spaces it’s best to ask in advance about specific accessibility details and routes.
Can I take photos? - In most places photography is allowed without flash, but some exhibitions or interiors may have restrictions. Watch for signs.
Quick plan (3 hours): Barbican – Floriańska – Main Market Square (quick walk through the Cloth Hall) – Grodzka – Wawel (view from outside).
Full plan (all day): morning at the Market Underground, stroll around the Market and enter St. Mary’s Church, lunch, afternoon visit to Wawel (Cathedral, courtyards, selected exhibitions).
For families with children: start with the Market Underground with its interactive zone, then a short walk around the Market and an afternoon visit to Wawel — avoid long walks between attractions and plan play breaks.
Plan the day with pace in mind: Krakow is best enjoyed at a slow step, with frequent breaks to notice details and taste local treats.
Check opening hours before you leave — museums and exhibitions can have different hours, closed days and last-entry rules.
Be flexible — if one place is crowded, skip it and come back later; it’s often better to feel the city without the stress of "ticking off" every point on a list.
I wish you a wonderful stay in Krakow — if you’d like, I can help prepare a personalized sightseeing plan for 1, 2 or 3 days, tailored to your interests and pace.
