Krakow: Collegium Maius, St. Mary’s Basilica & Cloth Hall

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

• 1

  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.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 2
  Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiellonskiego Collegium Maius

  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.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 3
  Sukiennice (Cloth Hall)

  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.

  20 minutes • Admission ticket free
• 4
  St Mary's Basilica

  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.

  30 minutes • Admission ticket included

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Suitable for all physical fitness levels
• Please arrive 10 minutes before the tour begins. Once the group has departed, latecomers cannot join and tickets are non-refundable.
• All group tours are conducted in one language, selected at booking.
• A dress code applies for places of worship: shorts and sleeveless tops are not allowed; both men and women must cover knees and shoulders.
• This tour operates in all weather conditions, please dress appropriately and be prepared for the different weather conditions. Comfortable walking shoes are recommended.

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