This is one of the most common questions from people planning a visit to Krakow. Wawel is a symbol of the city, the heart of Poland’s history and a place most visitors want to see “as soon as possible.” At the same time the area around the Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall has its own irresistible life — views, cafés, restaurants and atmosphere. The answer isn’t one-size-fits-all: it depends on how much time you have, the season, your pace of visiting and what you want to see inside. Below I explain pros and cons of both approaches and offer concrete plans for different types of trips.
It’s useful to add a practical tip straight away: Wawel and the Market are very close — the walk between them takes about 10–20 minutes. That gives you flexibility: you can start in one place and naturally walk to the other.
If you plan to visit exhibitions inside the castle or the cathedral — allow time and book tickets. Wawel often sells timed entry tickets and some exhibitions have limited places, especially in the high season.
If your priority is museum interiors, the Royal Chambers and the cathedral with its tombs and chapels — it’s worth starting at Wawel in the morning. Early visits let you avoid the biggest crowds, and visiting before midday gives you energy for the rest of the Royal Route toward the Market.
Wawel has several separate displays: the Wawel Cathedral, the Royal Chambers, the Treasury and Armory, and temporary exhibitions. Booking the first hours of the day helps you see the part you choose without hurrying and without having to skip other attractions later the same day.
For travelers with small children or older visitors, starting at Wawel allows a gentle introduction to the city’s pace: a short walk around the courtyards, views over the Vistula, and then a coffee break before a longer day of sightseeing.
The Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall are a natural starting point for many itineraries: you immediately feel the city’s vibe, hear the trumpeter’s hejnał, see Veit Stoss’s altarpiece and can plan a break in a well-rated café. This is a great way to enter the city “from the inside” and get a better orientation in the Old Town layout.
The Cloth Hall has a 19th-century Polish Art Gallery on the upper floor that can be visited in a reasonable morning slot. If your plan doesn’t include many museums, starting at the Market allows for a looser day: a walk through the Planty, the Royal Route and a later arrival at Wawel when you can take photos or have lunch.
Starting at the Market is also practical if you arrive by train or public transport — it’s a short walk from the station to the centre and the Market is the natural first orientation point.
You have little time (half a day or one day) and want to see the most historically important sites — start at Wawel in the morning. That way you can visit the hill, descend along the river boulevards and reach the Market in the afternoon.
You come off-season and want to focus on museums — a morning start at Wawel minimizes queues and makes the most of shorter winter opening hours.
If you have timed tickets for the Royal Chambers or the cathedral — begin at Wawel according to your reservation. Plan only 1–2 more attractions for the rest of the day so you don’t rush between rooms.
You want to feel the city’s atmosphere, take first photos and enjoy a local breakfast in a popular place — start at the Market. This is especially good on a first visit when orientation and atmosphere matter more than interior visits.
You have only an afternoon or an evening — the Market and Kazimierz offer evening atmosphere, restaurants and bars open late. In that case it’s sensible to leave Wawel for the next morning.
You avoid museums and prefer themed walks — choose the Old Town and Kazimierz first, leaving Wawel for a shorter, illustrated walk along the boulevards.
Below are three ready-made proposals depending on your time and pace. Adapt them to your speed and ticket reservations.
One-day plan — moderate pace: 08:00 breakfast near the Market (Café Camelot or Charlotte). 09:00 Wawel — courtyard, Cathedral, optionally one indoor exhibition. 12:00 walk along the Vistula boulevards and lunch near Grodzka Street. 14:00 Main Market Square, Cloth Hall (gallery upstairs), St. Mary’s Basilica. 17:00 short walk through the Planty and finish with coffee or dinner.
Two-day plan — comfortable pace: Day 1: morning at the Market and the Cloth Hall, afternoon at a museum or the Underground Museum, evening in Kazimierz. Day 2: morning at Wawel with a reservation for the Royal Chambers, afternoon on the boulevards and a visit to MOCAK or souvenir shopping.
Three-day plan — exploratory pace: Day 1: Old Town and Cloth Hall, Day 2: Wawel and museums in Podgórze/Zabłocie, Day 3: Kazimierz, a themed walk (Jewish or culinary) and relaxing on the river boulevards.
Many exhibitions at Wawel are sold with assigned entry times and have daily visitor limits. Check current information on museum pages before arrival and consider booking online — it saves time and reduces the risk of no availability in peak season.
The Cathedral has separate hours and visiting rules; some days parts of the Cathedral may be closed for liturgical ceremonies. When planning entry to the Cathedral allow extra time, especially on weekends and holidays.
At Wawel it’s better to choose 1–3 exhibitions rather than trying to “see everything.” This allows a more careful look at the artefacts and time to rest between rooms. Note that large backpacks may be prohibited and you might need to leave them at a cloakroom.
Trying to see too many museums and exhibitions in one day — result: rushing and exhaustion. Solution: choose priorities and leave space for a coffee break or a relaxed lunch.
Not booking timed tickets — result: long queues or no entry. Solution: buy tickets online or plan visits for less crowded times (morning or late afternoon).
Starting sightseeing very late — in season crowds can appear before midday, and popular Market restaurants often require reservations. Solution: if you prefer fewer people, get up earlier or visit on weekdays.
Krakow is a walking city. Good, comfortable shoes for cobbles are essential — many streets have historic paving and uneven surfaces. Bring shoes that prioritize comfort over fashion.
In summer carry a water bottle and a hat; in winter check the forecast and dress in layers — museum interiors can be cool. Secure your documents and phone; on the busiest routes be aware of pickpockets and keep your belongings close.
If you use a guide, it’s worth choosing official guides or museum staff who often offer historical knowledge and cultural context that’s hard to find alone. On Wawel there are guides employed by the institution — using their narration can greatly enrich your visit.
Breakfast or coffee: Café Camelot, Charlotte, Massolit Books & Cafe. All are well reviewed and conveniently located near the Market. Recommended lunch and dinner spots near the Market and Wawel: Szara Gęś, Pod Aniołami, Wierzynek. If you plan dinner in a popular place, reserve a table in advance.
In Kazimierz look for smaller, local restaurants with high ratings — it’s a great area for evening culinary discoveries. If you want modern cuisine or places working with local produce, check recent reviews and pick the best-rated ones.
If you fancy a quick dessert or ice cream after sightseeing, the Market area has many cafés and artisan gelato shops. A break in one of them will soothe tired feet and give time to plan the rest of the day.
Wawel is more than the castle and the Cathedral — there are places and stories beneath the hill worth discovering on a guided walk. Not everything is open every day, so what you see may depend on the weekday and the season.
The Cloth Hall offers more than souvenirs — the upper floor houses a 19th‑century painting gallery that is often overlooked but provides artistic context for the city. It’s a good option for a quieter midday visit.
The Vistula river boulevards give excellent perspectives on Wawel and are a great place for sunset photos. For photographers the golden hour along the river produces exceptional shots.
Do I have to reserve tickets for Wawel in advance? Not always, but many exhibitions are sold with timed entry and in peak season it’s wise to book ahead to be sure of entry.
Can you see Wawel and the Cloth Hall in half a day? You can see the main sites at Wawel and make a quick visit to the Cloth Hall, but it will be an intense schedule. It’s better to pick a few priorities and save the rest for another day.
How can I avoid the crowds? The best strategy is to come in the morning on weekdays, book timed exhibitions and spread attractions across a few days rather than trying to see everything in one day.
If you’re unsure where to start, a good compromise is to begin at the Market and the Cloth Hall in the morning, take a short coffee break and then walk the Royal Route to Wawel — that way you get the best of both worlds: city atmosphere and historic interiors. If your goal is museum interiors and you want to avoid crowds, start at Wawel.
If this article was helpful, share it on social media or send it to friends planning a trip to Krakow. If you want a tailor-made route and stories you won’t find in guidebooks — I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact and offerings are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — I’ll happily help design the perfect itinerary and reserve times to match your priorities. Thank you for reading and enjoy discovering Krakow!
