Krakow Old Town & Kaziemierz -Day Tour

All day Tour around Krakow

Start – from your hotel
Form – walking tour
Visiting time – 6  hours
Remarks – sightseeing includes outdoor spaces, without entries
Price – 250 euro per group for up to 10 persons

During this tour you will visit the most important monuments in the city and learn about the most interesting facts related to the history of Krakow. This is a necessary point for everyone who wants to discover the city in a „nutshell” – a great start for further exploration or an ideal proposal for those who are not fans of long trips around the city

The sightseeing includes the surroundings of the Old Town – we will pass through its streets, stopping at the most important monuments in Krakow:

• Matejko Square – a square designating the historical beginning of the so-called Royal Route, leading to the Wawel Hill
• Barbican – former defensive fortifications of the royal city,
• Medieval walls with the Florian Gate – a historic defensive gate guarding the entrance to the city,
• Słowacki Theater – a beautiful theater built in an eclectic style,
• Main Market Square – the largest medieval market in Europe,
• Mary’s Church – one of the most popular monuments in Poland, maintained in neo-Gothic style, with a monumental altar being a masterpiece of sculptural art,
• Adam Mickiewicz Monument – a monument to a national bard, located in the central point of the Main Market Square – a meeting place for Cracovians in the past and nowadays. The popular phrase „we are dating under Adaś” is a common code of all who, at least for some time felt like the inhabitants of Krakow,
• Sukiennice – a richly decorated market hall, a place where former merchant stalls were placed, located in the center of the Market Square. These days, you can buy there souvenirs, local products and amber jewelery. During Christmas, a fabulous Christmas market – with handicrafts and delicacies – is set up around the Sukiennice.
• Leaning Town Hall Tower – a historic gothic tower, a remnant of the former Town Hall,
• University District and Collegium Novum – the historic edifice of the oldest Polish university – Jagiellonian University,
• The Episcopal Palace with the Papal Window – the seat of the Krakow bishops and the place where Pope John Paul 2 resided at the time when he was the bishop,
• The Royal Road – the road that historically was overcome by royal trials heading for Wawel.
• 5 Churches – the most famous Krakow churches, unique examples of sacred architecture and places inseparably connected with the history of the city,
• Kanonicza Street – the oldest street in Krakow, traditionally inhabited by clergy, the most charming nook in the Old Town,
• the Wawel Hill, the cathedral and the courtyard – surroundings of Wawel castle, the former residence of the kings of Poland, where the history of the country was created.

During the visit you will hear about the turbulent history of Krakow, its rich art, architecture and a role of an intellectual center in the country. We will go through the old events up to the present days, embracing the story with many legends and curiosities. You will find out why the fire-breathing dragon is a symbol of Krakow and the entire Main Square is standstill , when at  noon each day a bugle call is played from the church tower of St. Mary’s. In addition, the guide will share with you a dose of practical knowledge – about where to eat, how to spend the evening in the best way and where to buy souvenirs. Depending on your preferences, we will tell you more about the history and art of the city, or about its contemporary image – we will suggest  which festivals and events it is best to take part in and where the true „hidden treasures” of today’s Krakow lie.

Kazimierz – a place that brings you back to the past

Discover the most magical Cracow district – Kazimierz. Located only 1.5 km from the Old Town, it smells of fresh hummus and sounds a klezmer melody. With the meanders of small streets, high tenement houses and historic synagogues, it preserves the atmosphere of old Krakow – a place of meetings and intercultural dialogue. Our tour is a story about the pre-war history of Kazimierz and the daily life of the Jewish community – merchants, pharmacists, entrepreneurs, and rabbis. We will also touch the tragic events of World War II and the stigma that these days have had on the life of Kazimierz and the nearby district of Podgórze. The sightseeing programme includes the most important monuments and historical points:

• Synagogues: Old, High, Remuh, Popper, Tempel, Kupa, Isaac,
• Plac Nowy (New Square) – the central trading post of Kazimierz, former kosher meat selling place and kosher ritual slaughterhouse
• Stajnia – a courtyard surrounded by low tenement houses, a place famous for filming the „Schindler’s List”- Hollywood production,
• Ciemna & Szeroka Streets –the place where the movie action takes place,
• JCC – Jewish Community Center – Center of Jewish Culture in Europe, dealing with educational and cultural activities, which doors are always open to visitors,
• Old Jewish Cemetery – one of the oldest cemeteries in Europe, the historical burial place of Jews,
• House of the birth of Helena Rubinstein – a Jewish woman from Krakow, founder of the cosmetic empire in exile,
• The place of execution for Poles accused of helping Jews,
• Medieval defensive wall of the Jewish part of Kazimierz, a reminder of the former division of Krakow,
• Plac Bohaterów Getta Square, Podgórze – the square being the center of the Jewish ghetto in 1941-43,
• Apteka pod Orłem (“ A pharmacy under the Eagle”) – a place where its owner Tadeusz Pankiewicz and his staff helped Jews survive, for which he was honored with the Righteous Among the Nations medal,
• Ruins of the ghetto walls – the last surviving fragment marking the border of the Krakow ghetto.

Nowadays, Kazimierz is the favorite place of the younger generation of Cracovians. With its climatic gardens, restaurants and concerts of Jewish music, it allows you to live history while actively creating the future.

Each of our trips can be tailored to your expectations and interests. The program is often modified on the spot by our guide. For every trip in Krakow / Kazimierz there is the possibility of renting an electric car (we recommend especially during rain and with senior groups).
In the case of a group of over 10 people, we recommend using headsets. All additional options are priced on request and depend on the number of participants.