Do you want to see the castle and cathedral and still make time for a new contemporary exhibition? Do you prefer modern art instead of long queues in historic interiors? Are you a small group of 2–6 people and want a relaxed pace? Answering these questions will help you create a programme that doesn’t turn into running from place to place.
In short — choose a priority: history (Wawel, the Cathedral, the Main Square) or contemporary art (MOCAK, Manggha, Bunkier). If you want both, save time by booking tickets online and start early in the morning.
Morning (start around 9:00) — Wawel Hill: begin the day with a walk around Wawel and a visit to the Cathedral. If you plan to enter the interiors and exhibition routes, book timed tickets; otherwise visits can take longer. A visit to Wawel typically takes 1.5–2 hours if you choose one or two exhibitions.
Late morning (about 11:30–13:00) — Main Market Square: a short walk, Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica (check access to the tower and the interior). This is also a good time for a quick lunch — there are many options in the centre, but on weekends it’s wise to reserve a table or choose a café near the square.
Afternoon (about 13:30–17:00) — contemporary art and new exhibitions: you have several options depending on interests. Manggha offers displays linking tradition and modernity; MOCAK and Bunkier Sztuki present contemporary shows and installations. Plan 1–2 hours for each place you choose.
Evening (after 18:00) — Kazimierz or the Vistula boulevards: finish the day with dinner in a welcoming restaurant and a glass of local wine or mulled wine if it’s chilly. Kazimierz has a great evening atmosphere and many spots well suited to small groups.
Recently Krakow has hosted several interesting shows — both historical exhibitions that refresh familiar stories and fresh contemporary presentations. Choosing one spot from the list can give you a sense of the city in different moods.
Manggha — exhibitions combining tradition and modernity. Seasonal shows often feature Japanese art and comparative displays — a place that blends aesthetics with accessibility.
MOCAK — here you’ll find bold, often large-scale contemporary exhibitions. Recent seasons have presented solo projects by young artists and large installations that make a strong counterpoint to historical visits at Wawel.
National Museum (its branches) — check which temporary collections are currently on show. City branches often present thematic exhibitions — for example on fashion, architecture or the city’s iconography.
Bunkier Sztuki — a gallery with a long tradition of contemporary art exhibitions; often concise, curated shows that fit easily into an afternoon plan.
A small group means flexibility — it’s easier to find a table in a café, you move faster through museums and you can adapt the pace more easily. You can change plans spontaneously if you come across an interesting exhibition or event.
In practice — book timed entries, but also allow margin for breaks and photos. Small groups often manage to reserve group tickets or arrange a short guided visit for a few people — check availability with the institution you plan to visit.
Buy tickets online — it saves time, especially for Wawel and popular galleries. On weekends and when new exhibitions open, entry slots can sell out quickly.
Check opening hours and breaks — some museum branches have different weekend hours, and some close earlier than the city centre.
When planning your route, account for walking time — Krakow is pleasant to explore on foot, but trams and short taxi/ride-hailing trips will speed movement between more distant points.
Be aware of entry limits and possible cloakroom rules — some museums require larger backpacks to be left in a cloakroom or deposit.
Allow time for short rests and easy adjustments — in a small group it's simplest to adapt the schedule to suit everyone.
If the weather doesn’t cooperate, focus on museums and indoor exhibitions. A day at the National Museum, MOCAK and Manggha will give you variety — from painting and sculpture to installations and design.
Reserve time for a longer lunch or coffee in a cosy café — it’s a great chance to relax and plan the afternoon without rushing.
Breakfast — cafés around the Market and Kazimierz offer breakfast options for all budgets. Small groups tend to find a place without reservations more easily in the morning, when it’s quieter.
Lunch — a quick bite by the Market or a more relaxed meal in Kazimierz. If you want local flavours, look for restaurants with concise regional menus and seasonal ingredients.
Breaks — plan short pauses every 1–1.5 hours. Museums usually have cafés or benches outside the exhibition rooms — ideal spots to discuss the next stops.
Shorten museum visits to 45–60 minutes and choose exhibitions with interactive elements. Museums often offer educational materials or short family workshops — check the calendar before you come.
For small children, plan longer play breaks in a park or on the Vistula boulevards — this lightens the schedule and makes sightseeing enjoyable rather than a chore.
- Book tickets for Wawel and chosen exhibitions online.
- Check museum opening hours and last entry times.
- Plan your route on foot plus possible tram/taxi rides.
- Bring comfortable shoes, a phone charger and a small backpack — some places require leaving larger bags in a cloakroom.
- Allow for breaks and flexibility — a small group can easily adapt the pace.
Don’t try to “tick everything off” by force. One well-planned Wawel visit, one strong exhibition and a pleasant meal often stay in memory more than a race through all the sights.
If you’d like, I can help you build a personalised one-day plan — tailored to pace, interests and culinary preferences. Krakow tastes best when explored slowly and with curiosity.
