Old towns & squares

The Royal Road in Kraków

Key information

The Royal Road is a historic route through central Kraków, running from Matejki Square to Wawel Hill. It commemorates the former route of royal coronation entries, funeral processions and ceremonial parades. Along the walk you can see the Old Town’s key landmarks: the Barbican, Florian Gate, Floriańska Street, the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, Grodzka Street, Kanonicza Street and Wawel.

Route and key stops

The route begins at Matejki Square, near the Grunwald Monument and the Barbican. Continue through Florian Gate and along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square. Allow time for the Cloth Hall, the Town Hall Tower, St. Mary’s Basilica with Veit Stoss’s altarpiece and the Church of St. Adalbert. From the square, the route follows Grodzka Street past the churches of Sts. Peter and Paul and St. Andrew, then continues along Kanonicza Street to Wawel. The walk ends at Wawel Castle and the Cathedral, the historic coronation site of Poland’s kings.

Planning your walk

The route is about two kilometres and free to walk, but interiors require separate tickets or admission arrangements. Opening hours for St. Mary’s Basilica, museums, Wawel Castle and the Cathedral change, so check each venue’s official website. Allow half a day if you plan to visit interiors. Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square are crowded in high season, so start in the morning or walk in the evening. The route is pedestrian-friendly, making comfortable shoes more useful than a car; plan parking outside the historic centre.