This route links Kraków’s most important historical sites into a logical, engaging story: from the Barbakan and St. Florian’s Gate, along Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square with St. Mary’s Basilica, to the picturesque Kanonicza Street and Wawel Hill with the Royal Castle and Cathedral. For students it’s a great chance to see the “essence” of the city in a short time, hear legends and historical facts, and ask questions to the guide. The route works well for younger classes (with games and puzzles) and for high-school groups (with more focus on historical and architectural context).
A guided visit helps students see monuments not just as a "collection of buildings" but as the stories of people and the city — which improves memory and interest. The guide can also adjust pace and storytelling style to the group’s age.
If you’re planning a school trip, agree the duration, meeting point and ticket arrangements in advance. Below you’ll find specifics: suggested times, indicative costs, route details and practical tips.
The standard recommended tour “Wawel and the Royal Route” lasts 4 hours — an optimal time to calmly visit the main spots, enter selected interiors and have a short break. For classes with tighter schedules, shorter versions of 2 or 3 hours are possible (shorter overview of key places).
Sample variants:
- 2 hours: a quick walk from St. Florian’s Gate through the Market Square to Wawel, basic stories and the Dragon legend.
- 3 hours: extended walk with entrance to St. Mary’s Basilica (or the Cathedral Museum) and a short presentation on Wawel.
- 4 hours: full guided tour with entries to selected interiors, time for a short snack break and an educational activity for children.
- Meeting point: usually at the Main Market Square (by the Adam Mickiewicz monument) or another agreed central point — easy to reach and recognise.
- The Barbakan and St. Florian’s Gate: an introduction to the medieval city walls and the role of the Royal Route.
- Floriańska Street: tenement houses, guilds and stories about honesty and daily life in former times.
- Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall: the centre of trade, royal ceremonies and town life. Here we explain what a royal procession looked like.
- St. Mary’s Basilica: history, Wit Stwosz’s altarpiece and the trumpet signal (hejnał). Touring the paid interior section and — optionally — visiting the tower (seasonal, in groups).
- Grodzka Street and Kanonicza: the most beautiful stretches of the Royal Route, canons’ residences and tales of life near the cathedral.
- Wawel Hill: the Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral, royal tombs and legends (including the Dragon’s Den if time allows).
Wawel (Royal Castle) — general information: visitor services operate through the Visitor Centre. Typical opening hours for exhibitions and routes: Tuesday–Sunday usually 9:30–17:00 (last entries vary by exhibition); Monday can be partly limited (morning openings or special closed days). Because of daily limits and seasonal changes it’s best to plan ahead and let the guide help with ticket reservations.
Wawel Cathedral and the Cathedral Museum: the Cathedral Museum follows seasonal hours; it is usually open in the morning and afternoon, with different schedules on Sundays. Plan visits to the cathedral and museum outside major liturgies if possible.
St. Mary’s Basilica: tourist access to the paid interior section commonly runs around 11:30–18:00 on weekdays; Sunday schedules differ (for example later opening of the paid section). Access to the prayer area is free. Tower entry is seasonal and limited by group size.
Note on hours: many sites have different hours throughout the year and limits on visitors. I recommend booking in advance — the guide will help with ticket purchase and planning according to current opening times.
Guide fee (indicative, service offered by Małgorzata Kasprowicz):
- Small groups (1–35 people): 2 hr / 3 hr / 4 hr — commonly available options (promotional and standard prices vary seasonally). A promotional rate applied between October 1, 2025 and March 1, 2026; please ask for current rates when booking.
- Large groups (36+ people): price calculated per person, option to rent listening sets (audio receivers) — around 8 PLN/person. Headset sets make it easier to follow the guide in crowded places.
Admissions to sites (indicative; paid separately):
- St. Mary’s Basilica: entry to the tourist section approximately 10 PLN (reduced 5–8 PLN depending on organisation).
- Wawel Cathedral: fees for selected interiors and the Cathedral Museum depend on the exhibition; some parts require separate tickets.
- Royal Castle (exhibitions): different exhibitions and routes have separate prices; combined tickets and seasonal passes may be available.
In practice: the tour price covers the guide’s service; museum and monument tickets (e.g., Treasury, State Rooms, Cathedral Museum) are extra. The guide will assist with purchases and advise on current fees when you reserve.
Booking contact: phone +48 501 962 037 or email kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. After you get in touch we will confirm: date, exact meeting point and time, group age, number of participants, planned museum entries and any special needs (e.g., accessibility).
A few practical booking recommendations:
- Book in advance, especially in high season (May–September) and on holidays.
- For groups over 30 people consider renting listening sets or arranging an additional guide so everyone can hear the commentary.
- Decide whether you want the guide to handle interior tickets (often more convenient) or if you will buy them yourselves before the visit.
- Meeting point: choose a recognisable spot (e.g., the Adam Mickiewicz monument) and tell students where to gather after any breaks.
- Time for restroom and snacks: plan a short break — quick snacks or sandwiches work best; there are many cafés and bars near the Market Square and Wawel.
- Clothing and weather: most of the route is outdoors — check the forecast and ask students to wear comfortable shoes. In rain the route can be adjusted to spend more time indoors.
- Safety: do headcounts when entering/exiting sites, use recognisable signs (for example class-colored scarves) and brief students on behaviour in historic interiors.
- Plan B: in very bad weather the guide usually has an alternative route with more indoor visits and museum time.
Near the Market Square and Wawel you’ll find places accustomed to serving school groups with quick, affordable menus:
- Restauracja Pod Wawelem (traditional Polish dishes, large portions — good for groups),
- Miód Malina (café/restaurant with a pleasant interior and child-friendly menu),
- Local canteens and milk bars in the centre (fast and economical option for larger groups).
It’s worth informing the restaurant in advance about your group size or choosing a place with a group menu — this helps logistics and shortens waiting times.
How long is the “Wawel and the Royal Route” tour? - Standardly 4 hours; 2- and 3-hour options are also possible depending on the school’s needs.
Does the guide speak English? - Yes, English-language tours are available; please state your preference when booking.
Are entrance tickets included in the tour price? - No. The fee covers the guide’s service; museum and interior tickets are paid separately. The guide can help buy tickets and advise which interiors are recommended.
Is the route suitable for younger pupils? - Yes. The route can be enriched with stories, quizzes and tasks so younger participants stay engaged. Teachers often report active participation from students.
What if it rains? - Tours run regardless of weather; the guide has a Plan B that includes more indoor visits and museums.
- Booking and contact: phone +48 501 962 037 or email kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — when you contact us, please provide the number of participants, group age and preferred tour language.
- Prepare students for interaction — questions and short tasks help knowledge stick longer.
- Tell the guide about special needs (e.g., mobility limitations, requirement for step-free routes) so we can adapt the route and pace.
Wishing you a great trip! Kraków is full of history and delights — with good organisation and a guide, your visit will be safe, engaging and full of memories.
