Wawel Castle, Old Town with St. Mary's Church Guided Tour

Discover the splendor of Poland’s royal heritage on a guided tour of the Wawel Castle and Cathedral, Krakow’s most iconic landmarks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Then walk through Kraków’s Old Town. See the  Collegium Maius and Cloth Hall, then enter St. Mary’s Basilica to marvel at the Veit Stoss altar.                                                        

Highlights:

• Step inside Poland’s royal residence with a licensed local guide

• Discover the Gothic Wawel Cathedral, site of royal coronations

• Touch the mighty Sigismund Bell for good luck in the cathedral tower

• Step into UNESCO-listed Krakow Old Town with an expert guide

• Capture must-see landmarks in the heart of historic Krakow

By the end of the tour, you will have experienced the essence of Kraków’s Old Town: a place where architecture and art reflect centuries of history, and where every street corner holds a story. With an expert local guide, this is more than sightseeing—it’s an immersion into the living heart of Poland’s cultural and spiritual heritage.

Itinerary:

Wawel Castle / 1h / Admission ticket included

Meet your guide and begin your journey into the world of monarchy, faith, and art. Step inside the Royal Castle, transformed in 1930 into one of Poland’s most important museums. Wander through grand chambers filled with Renaissance and Baroque interiors, paintings, sculptures, porcelain, and military artifacts. Marvel at treasures such as Flemish tapestries commissioned by King Sigismund II Augustus and Italian Renaissance masterpieces from the Lanckoroński collection. You will also see Wawel unique collection of Eastern art, including the largest set of Ottoman tents in Europe.

Wawel Cathedral /1h / admission ticket included

The highlight of your visit is the Wawel Cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece that has witnessed the coronations, weddings, and funerals of Polish monarchs. Enter chapels and altars, then climb the tower to see the mighty Sigismund Bell—tradition says touching it brings good luck. Finally, descend to the crypts where kings, queens, poets, and national heroes rest, as your guide shares stories of power, devotion, and legacy.

Collegium Maius  / 20 min / Admission ticket not included 

Then as you stroll along the historic streets, you will pause by the Collegium Maius, the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University. Founded in 1364, this university educated generations of scholars, including the world-famous astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus. Standing in the quiet courtyard, your guide explains how this institution became a beacon of learning in Central Europe and still plays an important role in Kraków’s identity.

Cloth Hall  / 20 min / Admission ticket not included 

A few steps further lies the vibrant Main Market Square, the largest medieval square in Europe. Here, history feels alive: horse-drawn carriages pass elegant townhouses, street performers echo age-old traditions, and the heart of the square is dominated by the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). Once a bustling center of international trade, it connected Kraków to faraway markets, where merchants dealt in salt, textiles, furs, and amber. Today, your guide points out its Renaissance arcade and tells how the Cloth Hall remained a marketplace across centuries, embodying the city’s commercial spirit.

St. Mary's Basilica / 30min  / Admission  ticket included  

The highlight of the tour is entry to St. Mary’s Basilica, whose two asymmetrical towers dominate the skyline. Inside awaits one of the great treasures of Gothic Europe: the breathtaking Veit Stoss altarpiece, carved in the 15th century. With its monumental figures and dramatic scenes, it captures biblical stories in astonishing detail and color. Your guide explains how it survived centuries of turmoil, from fires to war, and why it remains such a powerful symbol of Kraków’s devotion and artistry. The richly painted vaults, stained glass windows, and chapels add to the unforgettable experience of stepping into a living masterpiece of sacred art.

Meeting point: plac Swietej Marii Magdaleny, 31-044 Krakow. Meet your guide on the St. Mary Magdalene Square, at the Piotr Skarga Monument.  They will hold an excursions.city sign.  (click to go to the Google maps)            

Endpoint:  St Mary`S Basilica   

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