Krakow: Old Town, St. Mary's Church and Rynek Underground

Embark on a guided tour of Kraków's Old Town's most essential landmarks. Discover Kraków’s Old Town on a guided walking tour that blends history, legends, and stunning architecture. Stroll through centuries-old streets, admire iconic landmarks, and hear stories that bring the heart of the city to life. 

Highlights:

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

• Marvel at the dazzling Veit Stoss altar inside St. Mary’s Basilica

• Stroll past the iconic Cloth Hall & Collegium Maius courtyards

• Discover Kraków’s medieval history underground

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

Itinerary:

Plac Marii Magdaleny / 20min / Pass By

Starting at Plac Marii Magdaleny, a picturesque square tucked between churches and cobbled lanes, your expert guide introduces you to the stories that shaped Poland’s former royal capital. From here, your journey winds through centuries, uncovering how the city grew from a medieval trading hub into a seat of kings, scholars, and merchants.

Collegium Maius / 20 min / Admission Ticket Not Included 

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.

Rynek Underground Museum / 1h30min / Admission Ticket Included

With your skip-the-line ticket and an expert local guide, you’ll explore nearly 4,000 square meters of underground paths, merchant stalls, and archaeological remains. Multimedia installations—holograms, touchscreens, and films—recreate the bustle of medieval Kraków, from merchants’ calls to the creak of carts.

Highlights include reconstructions of 11th-century burials, traces of ancient streets, and unique artifacts that illustrate Kraków’s role as a thriving trade hub. You’ll also see how daily life was shaped by craftsmen, merchants, and travelers passing through one of Central Europe’s busiest markets. Your guide enriches the journey with stories about commerce, religion, and the turbulent history revealed during excavations.

When you return to the surface, the Main Square—with St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall towering above—will feel different, transformed by the hidden history you’ve just explored. Centuries of life, trade, and tradition hidden beneath your feet now come alive, leaving you with a deeper understanding of the city at its very heart.

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: Rynek Underground Museum, Rynek Glowny 1

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