Krakow walking route: Main Market Square to Cloth Hall
Explore central Krakow's iconic landmarks on this 0.6 km walking route through Main Market Square, St. Mary's Basilica, and the Cloth Hall. This 9-minute walk connects three of Poland's most historically significant sites in the heart of the old town.
- Mode
- Places
- Start
- Main Market Square, Krakow
- End
- Warsaw Old Town Square
- Stops
- 4
- Video author
- travmap
- Updated
Stops on this route
- Main Market Square, Krakow — Central town square in Krakow's Old Town
- St. Mary's Basilica — Gothic church on Main Market Square, iconic Krakow landmark
- Cloth Hall — Renaissance building in the center of Main Market Square
- Warsaw Old Town Square — Reconstructed historic town square in Warsaw
Useful for your trip
- Tip
- Polish people have a neutral facial expression that may seem emotionless; this is normal and not indicative of unhappiness or rudeness.
- Tip
- Poland is very religious and Catholic; you'll notice people making the sign of the cross when passing churches, and churches are a major attraction worth visiting inside.
- Tip
- Much of Poland was destroyed during World War II and rebuilt afterward, resulting in a mix of communist-era architecture and reconstructed historic buildings; Warsaw's Uprising Museum explains this history.
- Tip
- Polish is a very difficult language to learn and pronounce; learn basic phrases like 'Dziękuję' (thank you) and 'proszę' (please) to help locals open up to you.
- Food
- Polish cuisine features cabbage and potatoes heavily on most menus; expect these ingredients even if not explicitly listed. Try pierogi and traditional meat dishes.
- Food
- Tea is very popular in Poland; you'll find it served frequently at restaurants and cafes.
- Save money
- Poland is very affordable compared to Western Europe; accommodation, food, and drinks cost significantly less, making it ideal for budget vacations.
- Timing
- The Tatras Mountains and Zakopane attract many European tourists for skiing in winter; plan accordingly if visiting during ski season.
- Tip
- Poland has large natural spaces and beauty between towns; consider traveling by bus or train to see the countryside, including lakes, coastline in the north, and mountains in the south.
- Tip
- Town squares in Poland are architectural highlights; Main Market Square in Krakow is the largest town square in Europe. Visit Warsaw Old Town Square, Lublin, and Gdansk's squares as well.
- Avoid
- Service at restaurants and businesses is not highly attentive or customer-focused; expect slower service and have patience. Service is improving but remains different from Western standards.
- Tip
- Relatively few tourists visit Poland compared to other European destinations; you may be asked why you're visiting, making it feel like a more authentic travel experience.
Video on this route
Visit Poland - 10 Things That Will SHOCK You About Poland