Kraków Old Town and Wawel Hill Guided Walking Tour
Introduction to Kraków’s history and culture in the Old Town and on Wawel Hill – we trace a clear route from the medieval walls and Barbican through the Main Market Square and Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica and Collegium Maius, to Wawel Hill’s Cathedral and castle courtyard.
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Basic Information
Total time
2h 30m
Language
English, Polish, Spanish, German (check the calendar for availability)
Price
„Pay what you wish” tours do not have a fixed price. It is up to you to evaluate your guide’s work and reward it. Some people give 10€, others 50€ depending on their satisfaction and abilities.
Meeting point
Between St. Florian´s Gate and Barbican Nearest public transport: Stary Kleparz 01 tram stop; Teatr Słowackiego 02 tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Krakow guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour suitable for people with reduced mobility and strollers
❗Our tours run no matter the weather. High or low temperatures, rain or snow is not a reason for us to cancel our tours. We are always here for you. The only reason for cancellations are extreme weather conditions (like heavy storms…), guide's sudden sickness or no minimum number of people (5) to run the tour, but we will always let you know using the data you provided during registration for the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our pay as you wish tours are designed for individual travellers and small groups. We don’t accept parties of more than 7 people on them. If you travel in a party of 8 or more (school groups, bigger groups of friends etc.), please choose a paid option of 18€ per person or book a Private Tour. For more information on the latter, please contact us.
About the tour
Kraków’s Old Town survived the Second World War, so you’re able to feel the ambiance of the days when it used to be the capital of Europe’s largest country. Come join us for a tour around a city that hasn’t changed much since the Middle Ages to find out why it was included on the first-ever UNESCO Heritage List!
We will show you where to look to find traces of the city in its heyday in the 15th and 16th centuries, when Copernicus himself walked these streets. These were the days when Kraków teemed with the sounds of many different languages, colourful clothing and exotic goods, and people from around the world who came here seeking their fortune. But the roller-coaster of history never missed the royal city, and its days of wealth and prosperity turned to times of collapse and decline. The most recent tragedy of World War II and the hopelessness of communism are something you can still feel roiling under the seemingly calm and peaceful surface of contemporary Kraków. It was also during this dark time that Kraków was home to a young man who later changed the fate of Poland and the world. His name was Karol Wojtyła, better known as Pope John Paul II.
Like every good story, Kraków’s should have a happy ending, right? The city today will surely provide one! Join us and be ready to watch, touch, listen, smell and taste. You will definitely need all of your senses to discover Kraków!
After visiting the Old Town we recommend taking Jewish Kraków and World War II in Kraków free tours to understand Kraków’s history better!
Highlights
- 1
City Walls & Barbican
Medieval fortifications that once encircled the city, including a Gothic gatehouse.
- 2
Main Market Square
Europe's largest medieval town square, featuring the historic Cloth Hall at its center.
- 3
St. Mary's Basilica
A Gothic church famous for its wooden altarpiece and an hourly trumpet call.
- 4
Collegium Maius
The oldest building of the Jagiellonian University, where Nicolaus Copernicus once studied.
- 5
Archbishop's Palace
The former residence of Pope John Paul II with its famous “papal window.”
- 6
Wawel Hill
A historic complex featuring the Royal Castle courtyard and the magnificent Wawel Cathedral.
7Wawel Dragon
A fire-breathing statue commemorating the legendary dragon at the foot of the Wawel Hill.
Map
Between St. Florian´s Gate and Barbican Nearest public transport: Stary Kleparz 01 tram stop; Teatr Słowackiego 02 tram stop
Our customers said about us
Krakow
5.0Annia on Jewish quarter
Annia is passionate and a delight to listen to.
Krakow
5.0Interessante und humorvolle Lernzeit
Max erwies sich als ein kluger sprachgewandter und humorvoller Guide, der mir den kulturellen Rahmen der Orte eröffnet hat, so dass ich die Geschehnisse verstehen konnte: ich habe viel gelernt über jüdisches Leben. Ein sehr gute Führung, die nicht an der Aufzählung von Fskten bleibt, sondern diese kulturell und geschichtlich einzuordnen hilft. Danke!
Krakow
5.0Super Einstieg in die Geschichte Krakaus
Danke an Damian, der eine super interessante Tour durchführte: Wissenswertes zur Geschichte, viele Hintergundinfos, mit ganz viel Humor gewürzt! Klasse!
Krakow
5.0Sehr interessante Führung mit Max und vielen Tipps
Wir haben die Altstadttour und die Tour durch das jüdische Viertel zusammen mit Max als Tourguide gemacht. Es hat durch seine lockere Art sehr viel Spaß gemacht und war zudem auch sehr informativ! Er hat ein tolles Wissen über die Stadt und die Geschichte mit vielen praktischen Tipps und Empfehlungen. Wir können die beiden Touren auf jeden Fall weiterempfehlen!
Krakow
5.0Fantastischer Tourguide und tolle Stadtführung
Wir hatten eine sehr interessante und zu gleich locker witzige Stadtführung mit Maks. Sein Wissen über Krakau ist wirklich enorm und die Art es zu vermitteln ist sehr unterhaltsam. Wir können die Tour durch Krakaus Altstadt wirklich sehr empfehlen!!!
Krakow
4.0Tour of Krakow
Very knowledgeable tour guide
Krakow
5.0Altstadt Tour mit besonderen Infos
Super tolle Tour durch die Altstadt von Krakow! Unser Guide Max hat extrem gute Kenntnisse und Hintergrund wissen aus allen Epochen der Stadtentwicklung. Alles mit viel Witz und Charme erzählt. Wir hatten eine tolle Zeit, die wie im Flug verging. 100% Empfehlung!
Krakow
5.0Great Tour and exceptional guide
We did the old town with Pavlo this morning. Although the weather wasn’t good, Pavlo made the tour very enjoyable. Taking in all the main sights and attractions of the old town we saw things we would never have dreamt going to - church, cathedral, art gallery, castle. Pavlo’s knowledge on the town of Krakow and the history of his city and country in general was exceptional. Can’t rate it high enough
Krakow
5.0Old town krakow with Anya
It was amazing . Anya I hope I spell her name correctly . We’ve enjoyed her tour she is professional , full of knowledge shared her personal life story and all that was thoroughly spiced with a lot of humor . We highly recommend the tour with her . Also biked atour to the Jewish quarter hope to see , too 😉
Krakow
5.0Marina
Great walk
Did the tour with Jacob who was very entertaining and knows his history and the city very well. He kept the heavy stuff light but informative. Really enjoyed the tour
