Grodzka was part of a former north-south trade route.

[1] The street is part of the Royal Route, used by Polish kings to reach Wawel Castle.

The earliest documents referencing its name date from the thirteenth century.

[2][3] Part of the street was destroyed by the Kraków Fire of 1850.

In the later half of the 19th century, a tramway track was laid on Grodzka Street.