Kraków still blends the atmosphere of a medieval city with a lively contemporary cultural life — in 2025 museums and public spaces are full of seasonal exhibitions, outdoor events and concerts. It’s a great time to see the classic attractions (the Main Market, St. Mary’s Church, Wawel) while discovering new shows and temporary museum routes.
The city can be busy in the tourist season — so when planning your visit it’s worth checking opening hours and entry rules for the main sites and buying tickets in advance where possible. This guide will help you do that smoothly and enjoyably.
St. Mary’s Basilica is a must on any Main Market itinerary. The most important interior treasure is the Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) altarpiece — a carved masterpiece that draws crowds. The bugle call (hejnał) is played regularly from the tower — a tune every hour with the famous abrupt stop that recalls the legend of the trumpeter.
Visiting hours are set — typically the interior and the altar are accessible in daytime (commonly around 11:30–18:00 on weekdays, with Sunday access sometimes shifted because of liturgies). If you want a quiet viewing of the altarpiece, arrive when the exhibition opens or shortly before closing.
Visiting during masses can be restricted — always check the basilica’s current information before your visit so you don’t run into liturgical closures.
Entrance to St. Mary’s Basilica is usually charged for visitors because parts of the chapels and altar area are only open at certain hours. There are typically full-price and reduced tickets and donations collected at the entrance.
If you want to climb the tower, expect a separate ticket and a climb up stairs — it’s a great way to see the Market panorama and hear the hejnał up close. Tower visits may be limited by group size and time slots.
Tip: when planning your day, check or reserve the basilica’s opening hours first, and then plan your Wawel visit and nearby stops — this helps avoid conflicts between site opening times.
Wawel is a large complex: the Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral, cloisters, underground exhibitions and gardens. To feel the hill’s atmosphere, dedicate at least a few hours — ideally a full day.
Not every part of Wawel is open at all times — some routes are seasonal or have limited daily entries. When planning, decide what matters most: the royal chambers, the Crown Treasury, the underground exhibitions or the Cathedral with its tombs and the Sigismund Bell.
Remember that the Cathedral has separate visiting rules (e.g., photo restrictions or a required modest dress code), and entry to some exhibitions may be limited because of their nature.
Many Wawel routes are sold as timed tickets or combined tickets; availability can be limited especially on weekends and in high season. It’s generally worth buying tickets online in advance where possible.
Prices depend on the chosen routes and your concession status (regular/reduced). There are also combined tickets covering several exhibitions, which is often economical for longer visits.
Group bookings have separate reservation rules and are typically required to register in advance — if you travel with a larger group, reserve early.
Morning: a short walk along the Planty park toward Wawel, visit the outside areas of the hill and take photos from the Vistula boulevards.
Before noon: enter the Cathedral or the underground (if you have timed tickets). After visiting Wawel, relax with coffee at a café in Kazimierz or near the Market.
Afternoon: St. Mary’s Basilica — see the Veit Stoss altarpiece and listen to the hejnał. Walk around the Market, visit the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and stop for lunch at a recommended restaurant.
Evening: dinner in Kazimierz or the Old Town, option for a chamber concert or a night stroll around the Planty.
Day 1: Wawel (Cathedral, reconstructions and underground), a short rest by the river, evening at the Market with dinner and dessert.
Day 2: morning at St. Mary’s and the Cloth Hall, a city museum or one of the thematic museums, afternoon in Kazimierz — synagogues, Plac Nowy and culinary discoveries. For the evening, we recommend dinner in one of Kazimierz’s restaurants.
Additionally: if you have time, consider a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or a walk following the murals in Nowa Huta.
Restaurants and cafés worth considering (high quality and good reputations): Wierzynek (traditional, historic), Starka (Kazimierz, Polish cuisine with a modern twist), Pod Aniołami (classic Polish dishes), Café Camelot (Old Town café), Charlotte (fresh bread and breakfast).
For coffee and books try Massolit Books & Café, and for quick local snacks head to the area around Plac Nowy in Kazimierz (famous zapiekanki).
Hotels recommended for location and reviews: Hotel Stary (luxury), Hotel Wentzl (right on the Market), PURO Kraków (comfortable modern option). For budget options, the Main Railway Station and Kazimierz areas have hostels and small guesthouses close to main attractions.
The hejnał from St. Mary’s — the melody cuts off suddenly not by accident: it recalls the trumpeter who was said to have been struck down by an arrow during a Tatar attack. That legend is one of Kraków’s most recognized symbols.
A visit to St. Mary’s tower is not just a panorama — it’s a unique close encounter with the bells and with guardians of the city’s history.
Wawel holds many surprises beyond the representative halls — cloisters, small chapels and lesser-known lapidaria can be as fascinating as the main exhibitions.
Planning everything "on the spot" without checking hours often leads to lost time and disappointment. Solution: check current opening hours and entry rules before leaving your hotel.
Confusing liturgy times with visiting hours in churches — on Sundays and holidays access to the altar may be limited. Helpful: follow parish announcements about masses and altar access.
Buying Wawel tickets at the last minute — in season tickets sell out fast. Solution: buy tickets online ahead of time or pick less crowded morning/weekday time slots.
Is it worth buying Wawel tickets online? Yes — online options often give you fixed time slots and greater certainty of entry, especially for popular routes.
Can you enter St. Mary’s Basilica for free? Generally specific parts and the altarpiece viewing are ticketed for tourists; masses and services are open to the faithful.
Do you need to book a guide? It’s not required, but a guide can enrich your visit with historical context. If you’d like a personalized experience and local stories, consider booking a private guide — Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers tailored tours and assistance with bookings.
Even if you want to see as much as possible, leave time to do nothing — coffee on the Market, a pause by the Vistula or listening to the hejnał are experiences that build Kraków’s atmosphere.
If you plan to travel on a weekend or during city events (festivals, Night of Museums, etc.), check the events calendar and consider reserving restaurants and tickets in advance.
If you want a maximum-comfort visit rich in stories, consider Małgorzata Kasprowicz’s private guiding services — contact and booking details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If this guide was helpful — share it with friends or on social media. Good planning ensures you’ll see the most important places without haste and gives you time to truly taste the city.
If you’d like a personalized tour, thematic route or help with ticket reservations — contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Booking details and the contact form are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Have a great trip and enjoy exploring Kraków!
