Do you want to see Wawel and walk the Royal Route, or maybe combine that with a visit to an unusual district — Nowa Huta? This guide will help you plan a comfortable and interesting day in Krakow. You’ll find descriptions of the main sights, approximate opening hours, suggested routes (on foot and using public transport), practical tips and recommendations for where to eat after a busy day of sightseeing. Everything is told in a simple, friendly way — just like guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz does on her tours. You will discover both royal monuments and the industrial charms of Nowa Huta. Let’s get started!
Sightseeing with a guide is not just a dry list of dates and facts — it’s a story about people, legends and small curiosities that make a place come alive. If you want to ask questions, see interiors or enter attractions with skip-the-line tickets, plan a tour with a guide.
What to watch for: many institutions in Krakow change hours seasonally or for special events (exhibitions, services, state ceremonies). Treat opening times as approximate and confirm them before you go — and if you’re touring with Małgorzata Kasprowicz, the guide will help adjust the route and check site availability.
The Royal Route is a classic path through the heart of Krakow — it begins at the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, runs along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square, then continues through the Cloth Hall and Grodzka Street to Wawel. It’s a walk full of symbols, monuments and history.
Suggested order and approximate visiting times (without long interior visits):
- Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate — a short presentation of the fortifications, 10–15 minutes.
- Floriańska Street — stroll along the famous commercial street, stop to admire townhouses and amusing details, 15–30 minutes.
- Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall — the city’s heart: St. Mary’s Basilica (outside or optional interior visit), the Cloth Hall, the Adam Mickiewicz monument, souvenir stalls; time 45–90 minutes depending on entries.
- Grodzka Street — walk toward Wawel, stories about former caravans and churches, 15–25 minutes.
- Wawel — the royal hill with the cathedral and castle; a full visit takes from 1.5 to 3 hours (depending on exhibitions and entries).
Note: if your time is limited, consider visiting only the cathedral and viewing Wawel from the outside, leaving the palace interiors for later. With a guide you can often get a clearer narrative and shorter waiting times at ticket offices.
Wawel is a complex of several sites: Wawel Cathedral, the Royal Castle (state rooms, permanent and temporary exhibitions), the Sigismund Bell, crypts, the Treasury and Armory, and the Dragon’s Den. Each of these places has separate visiting rules and often different opening hours.
General tips:
- Wawel Cathedral: usually open to visitors most of the day, with pauses for services; during major ceremonies it may be closed to tourists.
- Royal Castle: exhibitions typically open in the morning (around 9:00–10:00) and run until late afternoon (around 16:00–18:00), but hours depend on the specific part of the exhibition and the season.
- Treasury, Armory and crypts: these often have separate entrances and limited capacity per session, so it’s worth booking tickets in advance.
- Dragon’s Den: access is seasonal and depends on conditions; entry may be ticketed.
Safest strategy: plan your visit in the morning, buy tickets online where possible, or book a guided tour — the guide will coordinate entries and inform you about current availability. Keep in mind that the ringing of the Sigismund Bell may mean temporary restrictions on photography and movement inside parts of the cathedral.
Nowa Huta is a unique part of Krakow — built as a model industrial town, today it attracts visitors with its urban layout, socialist-realist monuments, striking sacred architecture and alternative museums. It’s hard to describe in one sentence — it’s better to feel it during a walk with a local guide.
Main points worth seeing:
- Central Square — a space designed for collective ceremonies, a symbol of Nowa Huta.
- Aleja Róż — the representative avenue of the estate.
- Ark of the Lord (Kościół Arka Pana) — one of the most recognizable modern churches with a distinctive form.
- Wanda Mound and Krakus Mound (there are also historical mounds around Nowa Huta).
- Museum "Dzieje Nowej Huty" — exhibitions showing daily life and the history of the district.
- Restauracja Stylowa — a cult spot from the era, recommended if you want to taste PRL-era atmosphere in both menu and interior.
How to organize a visit: Nowa Huta usually requires a separate trip (half-day or full-day), because it’s a tram ride of about twenty minutes from the Market Square. The guide will tailor the route to your interests — architecture, social history or applied arts.
Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a licensed Krakow guide with experience leading small groups, school trips and corporate events. Her style combines solid knowledge with anecdotes and light humor — city stories presented accessibly and taking participants’ questions into account.
What you can expect on a tour organized by Małgorzata:
- Adjustment of pace and content to the group (families with children, seniors, corporate groups).
- Themed tours available (for example, legend trails, a culinary route through Krakow, the Royal Route with a visit to Wawel).
- Option to rent headsets for larger groups so everyone can hear the guide well.
- Help purchasing or reserving attraction tickets, practical tips and alternative points if something is closed.
Tour length: typical outings last from 2 to 4 hours — depending on scope (for example, the Royal Route alone is about 2–3 hours, while combining Wawel with a longer castle visit can take half a day or a full day). It’s best to reserve in advance, especially during the tourist season.
- Best times to visit: early morning (right after venues open) or late afternoon — then there are fewer crowds. Avoid the middle of the day in high season if you want to skip long queues.
- Tickets and reservations: for some parts of the Royal Castle and special exhibitions it’s worth buying tickets in advance. Touring with a guide simplifies logistics and often shortens waiting time at entrances.
- What to bring: comfortable shoes, a light jacket (it can be windy on Wawel), water, and snacks if you plan a long route. In summer, bring a hat and sunscreen.
- Accessibility: many places along the Royal Route are accessible for people with limited mobility, but some historic interiors and certain mounds have restrictions. Ask the guide about a specific route and she will prepare alternatives.
- Safety and respect: appropriate dress and quiet are expected in churches and sacred places; visits may be limited during services.
- Toilets: in the city center there are public toilets and facilities in cafes/galleries — plan short breaks during longer routes.
- On foot: the Royal Route from St. Florian’s Gate to Wawel is about a 25–35 minute walk without stops; with stops at the Market Square and short entries, plan at least 2–3 hours.
- Tram/bus to Nowa Huta: direct trams run from the center (travel time depends on the line and starting point, usually 20–30 minutes). The guide will suggest the most convenient connections and meeting points.
- Parking: the center of Krakow has paid parking zones; if you come by car it’s better to leave the vehicle in an underground parking lot and move around on foot or by tram.
After intense sightseeing you’ll probably want a good meal. Here are a few suggestions from different parts of the route:
- Nowa Huta: Restauracja Stylowa — a place with atmosphere, known for years and ideal if you want to try dishes in a PRL-era setting.
- Main Market Square / Old Town: Cafe Camelot — a cozy café perfect for a coffee break; Restauracja "Pod Aniołami" — traditional Polish cuisine in an atmospheric interior.
- Kazimierz (if you want to extend your walk): Mleczarnia — a popular café with a nice evening atmosphere.
Guide tip: avoid the cheapest tourist traps right at the main attractions — a few hundred meters from the Market Square you’ll find equally good restaurants with better value for money.
Is one day enough to see Wawel and the Royal Route? - Yes, you can cover the basic loop in one day, but if you want to enter the Castle, explore exhibitions in detail and visit Nowa Huta, plan an extra half day or spread it over two days.
Is it worth buying tickets online? - Definitely yes for castle exhibitions and special displays — you’ll save time and secure entry.
Can children and seniors handle the route? - Yes, the route is suitable for most groups. For greater mobility limitations the guide will propose gentler route variants.
How far in advance should I book a guide? - In the high season it’s best to book several days or weeks in advance; outside the season dates are more flexible. If your schedule is flexible, ask about available times and recommended visiting hours.
Quick walk (2–3 hours): St. Florian’s Gate → Floriańska → Main Market Square (short external visit to St. Mary’s Basilica) → Grodzka → Wawel (view from the outside and a brief visit to the Cathedral).
Full royal visit (half day): Reserved entry to the Castle (state rooms) → Wawel Cathedral → Dragon’s Den → lunch break → stroll across the Market Square and return to St. Florian’s Gate.
Nowa Huta (half day): Tram from the center → Central Square → Aleja Róż → Museum "Dzieje Nowej Huty" (entry) → Wanda Mound or Ark of the Lord → Restauracja Stylowa for lunch.
If you want to tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz, the easiest way to arrange a date and details is via the booking form on ZwiedzanieKrakowa.com or by phone — the guide offers routes in Polish and will adapt the program to the group’s needs on request.
When booking, please inform about: number of people, preferred time and tour length, any mobility limitations, and interests (history, cuisine, legends, architecture) — this way you’ll get a perfectly tailored tour. If you plan to enter the castle, you can ask for help purchasing tickets online.
If you’d like, I can prepare a short version of a tour plan tailored to your needs — tell me how much time you have and which places you absolutely want to see.
