Zuri Sun Travel

Transport – Upon request, we provide convenient transport directly from the hotel to the sightseeing location and back. Guests who wish to use this service are asked to select this option as an add-on when making their booking.

 

1. Matejko Square

Matejko Square is a charming place located outside the former medieval city walls of Kraków, in the historic Kleparz district – once a separate town founded by King Casimir the Great, just like Kazimierz. It is here, in front of St. Florian’s Church, that the famous Royal Route begins. This was the path taken by kings during their ceremonial entries into the city. At this spot, they were welcomed by representatives of the city authorities, the University, citizens, and the clergy. Our tour follows this same historic route all the way to Wawel Castle.

2.Remains of medieval fortifications

Here you can see some of the best-preserved fragments of Kraków’s former defensive walls. The Florian Gate and approximately a 200-meter section of the city walls date back to the 14th century. Nearby stands the famous Barbican – a distinctive circular defensive structure from the 15th century, which was once connected to the Florian Gate by a covered passage called the “neck”.

Most of Kraków’s city walls were dismantled in the first half of the 19th century by order of Emperor Francis II. The main city gate was saved thanks to strong protests by Professor Feliks Radwański – an architect, senator of the Free City of Kraków, and a great defender of historical monuments.

3. Floriańska Street

Floriańska Street is one of Kraków’s most famous and representative streets, leading from the Florian Gate to the Main Market Square. For centuries it served as an important trade and communication route. Walking along it, you can admire historic townhouses with richly decorated façades, and at its end the monumental silhouette of the Gothic St. Mary’s Basilica appears – one of Kraków’s symbols.

4. Main Market Square

The heart of Kraków and one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. Laid out in the 13th century, it still impresses with its harmony and grandeur. It is surrounded by the city’s most important landmarks: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, the Town Hall Tower, and the Palace of the “Pod Baranami”. It is a vibrant place full of history, art, and a unique atmosphere.

5. Cloth Hall (Sukiennice)

A symbol of Kraków’s commercial wealth. Originally a Gothic building, it was rebuilt in Renaissance style by Italian architects Giovanni Maria Padovano and Santi Gucci. Today, the Cloth Hall houses art galleries and souvenir stalls, and its arcaded galleries are one of the city’s most recognizable landmarks.

6. St. Mary’s Basilica

St. Mary’s Basilica is one of the most important churches in Kraków, built between the 14th and 15th centuries. Its most distinctive feature is its two unequal towers, from the taller of which the famous hejnał is played every hour. According to legend, this tradition commemorates a city guard who was struck by an arrow while warning the inhabitants of a Tatar invasion in the 13th century.

An extended visit also includes the interior of the basilica, where the famous Veit Stoss altar is located. This exceptional late Gothic masterpiece was created with extraordinary precision by a master from Nuremberg and continues to impress visitors with its rich detail.

7. Town Hall Tower

The Town Hall Tower is the only remaining part of the former Kraków Town Hall, which for centuries served as the seat of city authorities. The entire building survived until the 19th century, but was demolished after structural damage occurred during the dismantling of a nearby granary.

Today, only the majestic tower remains – a valuable example of Gothic civic architecture and one of the characteristic landmarks of the Main Market Square.

8. Grodzka Street

Grodzka Street is one of the oldest and most representative streets in Kraków. In the Middle Ages, it connected the chartered town with the settlement of Okół, a fortified area at the foot of Wawel Hill. For centuries it was one of the city’s main communication routes.

The street is lined with historic townhouses and churches that bear witness to Kraków’s long history. Today it is a lively place, filled with tourists from all over the world, horse-drawn carriages, and street artists creating a unique atmosphere.

9. Church of Saints Peter and Paul

The Church of Saints Peter and Paul is the first Baroque church in Kraków. Its monumental architecture was inspired by Roman churches such as Santa Susanna and Il Gesù. The façade is impressive and harmonious, and in front of it stand statues of the twelve apostles, emphasizing its representative character. The interior is equally striking, with its spacious and high vaults.

10. Kanonicza Street

Kanonicza Street is one of the most picturesque and oldest streets in Kraków. In the Middle Ages, it was home to cathedral canons, who lived in the houses lining this narrow, atmospheric street. Each building has its own centuries-old history, and preserved architectural details from Gothic to the 18th century create a unique historic ensemble.

The street is also connected with Karol Wojtyła, who lived here for many years – first at number 19, and later as bishop in the so-called dean’s house at number 21.

11. Wawel Hill

Wawel Hill is a limestone outcrop with excellent defensive qualities, chosen in ancient times as the settlement site of the first inhabitants of present-day Kraków. Over time, Wawel became one of the most important centers of power in Poland and served this role for many centuries. Today, thanks to its exceptionally rich history, it is one of the most important cultural heritage sites in the country.

12. Wawel Cathedral

Wawel Cathedral is the most important church in Polish history, closely connected with the monarchy and state affairs. It was the site of coronations, royal weddings, and funerals. Many Polish kings are buried here in ornate tombs and chapels.

The extended visit includes access to the royal crypts and the tower with the Sigismund Bell. According to tradition, touching the bell’s clapper and making a wish brings good fortune and the fulfillment of desires.

13. Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle is a magnificent residence of Polish monarchs and one of the country’s most important monuments. The Renaissance courtyard is particularly impressive and is considered one of the most beautiful of its kind in Europe.

Its three levels of arcaded galleries were designed by outstanding Italian masters, giving the building exceptional lightness and harmony. The elegance of its forms and masterful architectural details make it an unforgettable place.

14. The Wawel Dragon

The legend of the Wawel Dragon is one of the most famous stories associated with Kraków. According to legend, the beast lived in a large cave carved into the slope of Wawel Hill and terrified the city’s inhabitants.

At the entrance to the Dragon’s Den, visitors can learn different versions of the story, already recorded in medieval chronicles. The tale of the dragon has been an important part of Kraków folklore for centuries and continues to attract tourists.

15. Pauline Monastery and Skałka Church

Skałka is a place of great historical and religious significance, associated with the 11th-century event in which Bishop Stanislaus of Kraków was killed by order of King Bolesław II the Bold (also called the Generous). The tragedy is believed to have taken place in the Romanesque rotunda of St. Michael that once stood here.

In later centuries, Jan Długosz, moved by the neglected state of the church, initiated the arrival of Pauline monks from Jasna Góra to take care of the sanctuary. They remain its custodians to this day.

Skałka also contains the Crypt of the Meritorious in the Baroque church, where Jan Długosz himself is buried, highlighting its importance as one of Poland’s key memorial sites.

16. Church of St. Catherine

The Church of St. Catherine is one of the most important Gothic monuments in Kazimierz, under the care of the Augustinian order. Its construction began during the reign of Casimir the Great, and its monumental form continues to impress with its scale and elegance.

The church was twice damaged by earthquakes – a rare phenomenon in Poland. Its interior contains many valuable and fascinating works of art that highlight its historical and artistic significance.

17. Isaac Synagogue

The route continues along Świętego Józefa Street, through the picturesque Nowy Square, toward the former Jewish district of Kazimierz, where the Jewish community was relocated at the end of the 15th century.

One of the first monuments visited is the Isaac Synagogue, one of seven surviving synagogues in Kazimierz. It was founded in the first half of the 17th century by Isaac Jakubowicz, the royal banker and an important figure of the Jewish community of that time.

18.Old Synagogue

The oldest synagogue in the heart of the former Jewish quarter on Szeroka Street is one of the most important monuments of Jewish sacred architecture in Europe. Dating back to the 15th century, it has preserved elements of its original Gothic and Renaissance structure despite later alterations.

It blends harmoniously into the surrounding urban fabric and stands as a unique example of Kazimierz’s historic architecture and the centuries-long presence of the Jewish community in Kraków.

19. Remuh Synagogue

The Remuh Synagogue is a small Renaissance building of immense religious, historical, and cultural significance. Despite its modest size, it has long been one of the most important sites in Jewish Kazimierz.

The adjoining cemetery is one of the oldest surviving Jewish cemeteries in Europe. It is the burial place of many notable figures, including Rabbi Moses Isserles (Remuh), a 16th-century scholar whose grave has been a pilgrimage site for centuries.

An extended visit includes entry to both the synagogue and the cemetery, allowing for a deeper understanding of its unique history and significance.