The Royal Route is one of the most natural walks in Krakow — it leads from Matejko Square through St. Florian’s Gate and Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square, and then along Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets up to Wawel Hill. Along the way you pass the city’s most important landmarks: the historic walls and the Barbican, St. Mary’s Basilica with its hejnał (bugle call), the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), fragments of medieval streets and, finally, Wawel Castle with the cathedral. You can adapt the walk to your available time — from a short, intense overview (2–3 hours) to a full day of sightseeing with entry tickets and meal breaks.
The route has great storytelling value: it’s not just “points on a map” but the path once taken by kings during ceremonial entries. For this reason it’s worth treating the walk as a narrative — start in the morning, catch the city rhythm and leave plenty of time for Wawel and the nearby museums.
1. Matejko Square / Barbican – a common starting point; a short introduction to the fortifications and their role. 2. St. Florian’s Gate and Floriańska Street – the “entrance” to the Old Town, historic townhouses, and the house of painter Jan Matejko. 3. Main Market Square – the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church, the Adam Mickiewicz monument; a good moment for a break and a coffee. 4. Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets – atmospheric lanes leading straight to Wawel; churches and historic palaces along the way. 5. Wawel Hill – the cathedral, the Royal Chambers, and views over the Vistula; plan to spend the most time here. If you have less time: do a shortened version, stopping only at the key points. If you plan to enter interiors, allow a full day — tickets, queues and exhibition tours can take many hours.
Wawel is actually several distinct attractions: the cathedral with tombs and the great bell, the Royal Castle complex with different exhibition routes and underground areas. For this reason entries usually require separate tickets and access restrictions may apply to individual routes. It’s strongly recommended to check current opening hours and rules before your visit — during the tourist season there can be daily limits and queues for particular exhibits.
The best times for Wawel are very early morning (right after opening) and late afternoon when some tour groups have already left. Keep in mind that terraces and courtyards can be busy in the evening, and weekends are the busiest. If you want to visit specific rooms, buy tickets in advance or ask at the ticket office about the best times to come.
The city maintains public facilities in the center: staffed public toilets are located by the Planty (for example near Sienna Street, Straszewskiego Street and Szczepański Square), at the Market Square (under the Cloth Hall) and near Smocza Street close to Wawel. These points are within easy range of a walk along the Royal Route and are worth remembering: the Market Square (Cloth Hall) and sections of the Planty are the most convenient when you need quick access.
Be aware of opening hours — some municipal toilets are seasonal or have longer/shorter times outside the high season. Before an evening outing it’s a good idea to check current hours with local sources. In practice: if you plan a longer walk and want to be certain, take a short break in a café or restaurant — venues around the Market and near Wawel often provide toilets for customers.
- Always carry some small change or a card — although most public facilities are staffed, some places may require a small fee or have staff available only at certain times. - Cafés and restaurants: toilets are for customers. If you need to use one without buying anything, ask politely and be prepared for a refusal — better to order a small coffee or pastry. - Families and people with reduced mobility: municipal toilets at the Planty and near the Market have accessibility features, but not every toilet is fully adapted. If you’re planning a route with a stroller or someone with limited mobility, pick locations described as accessible. - Emergency situations: during crowds around the Market and Wawel it’s usually best to move toward the Planty or Smocza Street — those public toilets are often less busy than the Market itself.
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