The Royal Route runs through the heart of historic Kraków, linking the city's most important sites that showcase both royal splendor and centuries of history. Along this route you'll see St. Florian's Gate, the Barbican, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Church and, above all, Wawel — the castle and cathedral where Polish kings were crowned and buried.
A tour with licensed guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz is a great way to hear stories, anecdotes and local curiosities that often don't appear in printed guides. A guide also makes logistics easier — advising which interiors are worth entering, which require advance tickets and how to avoid queues.
This route is an excellent choice both for first-time visitors to Kraków and for those who want to get to know the city more deeply — with historical context and a lively commentary from the guide.
Wawel and the hill: the castle courtyard, representative chambers (depending on the chosen route), Wawel Cathedral with its chapels, royal tombs and the Sigismund Bell.
Main Market Square (Rynek Główny): the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Church with the altarpiece by Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz), the Town Hall and the row of historic townhouses full of interesting stories.
The Barbican and St. Florian's Gate: a section of the former defensive walls that best shows the medieval fortifications of the city.
Along the streets of the Royal Route: Dominican and St. Andrew's churches, symbolic places linked to coronations and royal processions, and tales about city customs and craftsmanship.
Tickets for museums and some sites on the route (for example certain Wawel routes or special entries to Wawel Cathedral) are usually not included in the guide fee and must be purchased separately. It's worth planning ticket purchases ahead of time — especially in high season.
Wawel operates daily limits and sometimes varying opening hours — tickets are often valid only for a specific day and time. I recommend reserving access in advance to ensure entry to the exhibitions or the Cathedral you want to see.
After you reserve a tour, Małgorzata Kasprowicz will contact you to discuss route details and can assist with buying entrance tickets if you wish. This is convenient for groups or families with small children.
If you prefer to buy tickets yourself, check official museum or institution pages for up-to-date information. Online tickets save time and help avoid standing in lines.
The easiest way is to use the reservation form on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — in the Contact / Reserve section. In the form provide your preferred date, time, number of people and any notes about the group (children, limited mobility, etc.).
After receiving your request, the guide will contact you to confirm details, agree a meeting point and discuss tickets and any helpful materials (for example radio headsets for larger groups).
Example pricing options (indicative) are available on the guide's website — final prices depend on tour length and group size. Ask about current rates and seasonal offers when you book.
The meeting point is agreed individually — most often at the Main Market Square by the Adam Mickiewicz monument or another arranged central spot. It's easy to find for people arriving by public transport or on foot.
Tour duration: usually 2–4 hours, depending on whether we enter interiors (e.g., the Cathedral, Wawel chambers) or focus mainly on an outdoor walking tour with stories.
Indicative guide fees vary with route length and group size. For small private groups the fee is often a fixed amount for a set time; for larger groups pricing may be per person. Ask about current rates and any promotions when booking.
- Wear comfortable shoes — the route includes cobbled surfaces and often requires walking on stairs (especially at Wawel).
- Check the weather and bring a layer — Kraków's weather can change, and parts of the route are outdoors. Tours usually run regardless of weather; in very bad conditions the guide will follow a plan B.
- Documents and discounts — if you are eligible for a reduced ticket (student, senior, etc.), bring the appropriate ID; without it you may not receive the discount.
- Bags and restrictions — Wawel has rules about bringing larger luggage; if you come with a backpack, be prepared for possible restrictions.
- For families with children — the route can be adapted to younger participants; tell us the children's ages when booking so the guide can prepare suitable materials and storytelling.
Many parts of the Royal Route and the grounds around Wawel are accessible to visitors with reduced mobility, but some historic interiors and staircases may be challenging. Please report any accessibility needs when booking.
During large events, national holidays or renovations, some routes and entrances may be temporarily restricted. Before your visit, check up-to-date information and confirm details with the guide. The guide is experienced in arranging alternative routes when changes are necessary.
Safety while touring also means common sense — on the busy Market Square and in narrow streets keep an eye on personal belongings and be cautious when dealing with souvenir vendors.
The Main Market Square and the Wawel area offer many dining options — from cafés to traditional restaurants. A few recommended places nearby are:
- Pod Wawelem — a popular restaurant serving Polish dishes, often chosen by tourists after visiting Wawel.
- Café Camelot — a cozy café near the Market, great for dessert or coffee after the walk.
- Miód Malina — a place with sweets and light snacks, pleasant for an afternoon break.
After the tour it's nice to sit for lunch or coffee and ask the guide about the most interesting parts of the walk — it's a good time for extra questions and recommendations for further independent exploring.
Are entrance tickets to Wawel and the Cathedral included in the tour price? - The tour price covers the guide service; tickets to museums and some parts of Wawel or the Cathedral are typically charged separately. The guide can help purchase them.
What if it rains? - Tours usually run regardless of weather; in very bad conditions the guide can modify the route to spend more time indoors.
Is the route suitable for children? - Yes. The route can be adapted to be engaging for children — please provide ages when booking.
How far in advance should I book? - It depends on the season. In peak times (spring–summer and holidays) book several weeks in advance. If you plan to visit popular Wawel exhibitions, reserve tickets for those attractions ahead of time.
Does the guide help with buying tickets? - Yes — after booking the guide can help organize tickets and suggest the best entry options.
If you want to explore Wawel and the Royal Route with a history enthusiast who tells stories with humour and knowledge — book a tour. Małgorzata Kasprowicz has experience guiding families, school groups and individual tourists and will happily tailor the route to your expectations.
Book your date in advance, be ready for a walk and bring curiosity — Kraków has many stories worth hearing from a local. See you on the route!
If you'd like, I can help prepare a short reservation message (date, time and number of participants) — tell me when you'll be in Kraków and I'll draft a ready-to-send text.
