Krakow has so many attractions that it's easy to feel lost. If you have one day or want to structure your first walk — start with the Royal Route. It's the city's natural historic axis: from the Florian Gate along Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square, all the way to Wawel. Along the way you'll see the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Church with the hejnal, and finally Wawel Hill with the Castle and Cathedral. This layout helps you get the rhythm of the city and plan breaks in the most atmospheric places.
Wawel is more than a castle — it's a collection of exhibitions and places: the Private Royal Apartments, the Treasury and Armory, Wawel Cathedral and underground spaces. Plan 2–3 hours if you want to visit several exhibitions; if you're only walking the courtyard and taking photos, a shorter stop will do.
Tickets: many exhibitions have separate tickets and limited availability. The safest option is to book online in advance — especially in high season. If you plan to enter the Cathedral, the Castle exhibitions or special thematic routes, buy your ticket ahead; some exhibitions also have limited places at the ticket offices. Walking the courtyard is usually possible without a ticket, but exhibitions require entrance tickets.
Practical notes: leave large backpacks in a left-luggage facility (there is often an option on site), turn off the flash when photographing interiors and be aware that some toilets on the grounds may charge a small fee. Also consider your route: don't choose more than 3–4 exhibitions in one day to avoid exhaustion from queues and information overload.
The Royal Route begins where the old city gates once stood — today you can use the Florian Gate as your starting point. From there walk along Floriańska Street, a representative street with historic townhouses and small shops, until you reach the Main Market Square.
On the Market Square: the Cloth Hall (a trading centre since the Middle Ages), the Adam Mickiewicz monument and the lively cafés and stalls around. Take a moment to look inside the Cloth Hall, walk a lap around the square and, if you have time, visit the town hall tower or the Rynek Underground.
From the Market Square head toward Wawel — the Royal Route naturally leads from representative public spaces to the royal residence. It's a 10–20 minute walk (depending on pace and stops). Along the way pay attention to townhouses, small open-air art spots and side streets that hide cosy restaurants and artisan workshops.
St. Mary's Church is a must on the route — famous for Veit Stoss's altarpiece, the polychromes and the atmosphere. Remember it is also a place of worship: Masses and services restrict visiting hours, so check the schedule when planning your visit.
St. Mary's tower (the hejnal tower) — you can climb the tower, but in limited groups and usually with a separate ticket/donation. The tower is reached by stairs, so access is for people who are physically able; age limits sometimes apply and the number of ascents per day is limited. The hejnal (trumpet call) is played from the tower every hour — it's a Krakow tradition worth hearing, even from the square.
Tickets and fees: the church often operates a system of small entrance fees — prices are usually a modest amount for entry to parts open to visitors. Tower entry and special visits may cost more. Tickets are typically bought on site at the visitor service point; reservations for the tower can be difficult due to low capacity. If you plan to go up the tower, arrive early or ask at the information point.
Etiquette: remember to be respectful — this is a place of prayer; covered shoulders and neat attire are appreciated, and photographing without flash is a good rule. If a service is in progress, parts of the church may be inaccessible to tourists.
Sightseeing is more enjoyable when you find a calm spot for coffee and something sweet during your walk. Here are a few classic suggestions near the Royal Route and the Market Square that keep a historic or elegant character and are great for a tasteful pause:
- Cafe in the Cloth Hall (classic, historic atmosphere): a perfect place to feel the 19th/20th‑century café vibe of Krakow and sit surrounded by Art Nouveau interiors.
- Cafe Camelot (Św. Tomasza Street) — an intimate, artistic space with a cosy interior; great for dessert and hot chocolate.
- Charlotte (Szczepański Square) — a French bakery-café with simple, elegant dishes and good coffee; popular for fresh bread and a pleasant atmosphere.
- Terraces near Wawel / cafes with a view of the Vistula — if you want to rest with a panorama of Wawel and the river, choose a place overlooking the boulevards; it’s a great way to catch the golden hour before sunset.
Tip: in high season the most 'classic' tables are often taken, so if you care about a specific spot (for example a terrace with a view), try to reserve a table or come outside peak hours. If you travel with people who prefer a quieter atmosphere, ask for a table by a side window or in a quieter room.
Morning: start at the Florian Gate and walk along Floriańska Street toward the Market Square. On the way pop into small souvenir shops and stop for a short espresso in a café.
Late morning: Main Market Square — a short tour of the Cloth Hall and a visit to St. Mary's Church (if you plan to visit the tower — buy the small ticket on site in advance). See Veit Stoss's Altarpiece and listen for the hejnal if your timing matches the hour.
Lunch/break: choose one of the elegant cafés or a terrace by Wawel — a moment to eat and rest, then head to Wawel Hill.
Afternoon: Wawel — have tickets reserved for the exhibitions you want; see the Cathedral, the crypts, the private royal apartments or the treasury according to your interests. Finish your walk by the Vistula if you want a riverside view from the boulevards.
Evening: a light dinner in one of the intimate restaurants near the Planty, stroll the Planty and rest. If you still have energy — the Wawel panorama is best after dark when the building is beautifully lit.
Tickets and reservations: buy them in advance where possible — especially for Wawel and special entries (e.g. towers). If you cannot book online, arrive early and have a plan B (another exhibition or a longer walk).
Weather and clothing: Krakow's weather can be changeable — bring a light rain layer and comfortable shoes. For churches, wear modest attire; for towers, wear comfortable shoes because there are stairs.
Baggage: if you have large backpacks use left-luggage or leave items at your hotel — some monuments require depositing large bags.
Toilets and breaks: public toilets sometimes charge a fee; cafés and restaurants are more likely to let customers use restrooms, so plan short breaks at food venues.
Safety: Krakow is generally safe, but like any tourist city — watch your valuables and documents in crowded places, especially on the Market Square and on public transport.
If you want to 'feel' Krakow rather than just tick it off a list — choose fewer things and take your time. It's better to focus on 2–3 places and really see them than to rush through half the city.
Plan breaks in places with soul — a historic café, a terrace with a view or a quiet lane by the Planty will leave a stronger impression than another photo for the guidebook.
Have more time? Consider an evening walk along the Vistula boulevards or a short boat trip — a different perspective on Wawel and the city's skyline.
If you like, I can help design an itinerary tailored to your pace, interests and constraints — from a family stroll to a cosy weekend for two. Book a walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz to make the most of your visit, avoid queues and hear stories that don’t always make it into guidebooks. Have a great trip and see you in Krakow!
