There are many ways to fall in love with Krakow — walking lets you feel the atmosphere of the streets, peek into courtyards and stop where others hurry on. Five days is the perfect amount of time to calmly see the main sites (Old Town, Wawel and the Cathedral), soak up Kazimierz’s character and add some less obvious attractions.
By walking you save time on transfers and notice more details: sculptures, commemorative plaques, small chapels and cafés that often escape people using public transport.
A 5-day plan also lets you match the pace to the weather and your mood: mornings for museums, afternoons in street cafés, evenings for concerts and dinners.
For Wawel and the Cathedral it’s worth getting tickets in advance — in high season queues and limited entry slots can lengthen waiting times.
Plan to visit interiors (museums, representative rooms, synagogues) in the morning — that’s when there are fewer people. Leave afternoons for courtyard strolls and longer coffee breaks.
Krakow is pedestrian-friendly, but don’t forget comfortable shoes and a small backpack with a water bottle. Good footwear makes a big difference on historic cobbles.
Day 1 — Old Town and the Market: start at the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica, then walk along Grodzka Street to Wawel. Enter the Castle courtyard, visit the Cathedral and the Royal Tombs. Finish the day with dinner near the Market.
Day 2 — Wawel at a relaxed pace and surroundings: choose a different Castle exhibition (Representative Rooms or the Treasury and Armory), visit the Cathedral Museum and, if you like art history, the Gallery of Old Art. Spend the afternoon walking along the Vistula boulevards.
Day 3 — Kazimierz: dedicate a full day to the Jewish quarter — the Old Synagogue, the Remuh Synagogue and the old Jewish cemetery, the Tempel Synagogue and memorial sites. Stop for street food at Plac Nowy; in the evening choose a klezmer concert or dinner at a cozy spot.
Day 4 — Podgórze and the Schindler Factory: cross the Bernatek Footbridge to the right bank of the Vistula, visit parts of the former ghetto, the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory museum and the Ghetto Heroes Square. In the evening return via the Piłsudski Bridge and walk toward the Planty.
Day 5 — A looser rhythm and small gems: visit lesser-known museums (for example, the Underground of the Market Square), drop into cafés, buy local souvenirs and leave time to return to a favorite spot from earlier days.
Wawel is several different attractions — Representative Rooms, the Treasury, the Cathedral Museum, the Sigismund Bell and the Royal Tombs. Don’t try to do everything in one day if you want time for stories and detail.
Visit the Cathedral in the morning when it’s quieter; schedule a separate slot for the tower or the crypts. Remember that during special ceremonies some areas may be closed to visitors — check the calendar of holidays and events.
For popular exhibitions and interior entries it’s better to buy tickets online or come for the first entries of the day — this helps avoid the longest queues.
Kazimierz is a place of memory and of everyday life — when visiting synagogues and cemeteries keep quiet, don’t photograph during prayer and don’t sit on gravestones.
Start your route at the Old Synagogue and the Remuh, then head to the Small Market and Plac Nowy — it’s a convenient loop that shows the district’s key layers.
Allow time for café breaks — that’s where you’ll feel the local vibe and try dishes inspired by Jewish and Israeli cuisine.
For a quick local bite: zapiekanki by the Okrąglak at Plac Nowy are a classic worth trying at least once.
In Kazimierz you’ll find highly regarded local spots: Zazie Bistro (great for a relaxed lunch), Klezmer Hois (breakfasts and traditional flavors in an intimate atmosphere), Hamsa or other Israeli-style bistros near Szeroka Street and various international restaurants along Józefa and Miodowa streets.
Near the Old Town and around the Market Square I recommend well-rated restaurants with evening reservations — they’re perfect for ending the day with a view or a traditional Polish dinner.
It’s most convenient to stay in the center or close to Kazimierz — then most walking routes overlap with the main attractions and you’ll avoid daily commutes.
If you prefer quiet, choose accommodation a little outside the Square but within a 20–30 minute walk. Krakow is compact and easy to explore without a tram.
Check reviews and photos of accommodations — pay attention to bed comfort and nighttime quiet, since active walking days need proper rest.
Mistake: trying to "tick off" all attractions in one day. Solution: pick smaller portions — better stories and less fatigue than quick photos and a feeling of wasted time.
Mistake: not booking Wawel or popular exhibitions in advance. Solution: buy tickets ahead or plan visits outside peak hours (morning or late afternoon).
Mistake: ignoring local etiquette at memorial sites. Solution: before entering a synagogue or a cemetery read a short note about the rules — it takes a moment and shows respect.
Is 5 days enough? Yes — it will let you see the main attractions and feel the city’s atmosphere if you walk and don’t plan too many far-off day trips.
Do I need tickets for Wawel and the Cathedral? For many parts, yes — check availability and buy tickets online or come early in the morning.
Can I see everything on foot? Yes — the main points are close to each other, but for longer trips you can use the tram or bus. Many walking routes are comfortable and well signposted.
Wawel isn’t a single hall — it’s a complex of buildings and functions: royal chambers, chapels, a tower and underground areas. Giving yourself time makes it easier to understand architectural changes over the centuries.
The little squares and courtyards of Kazimierz hide details that tell stories of old crafts and cultures — just stop for a moment and read the inscriptions on the buildings.
Many cafés in Kazimierz now draw on world cuisines, but local history and memory often inspire the menus — you’ll see a mix of tradition and modernity on the plates.
Plan your route but leave room for improvisation — those are often the most memorable travel moments.
If you want to deepen your understanding and feel the city’s stories, consider a guided visit for selected parts — a private meeting gives space for questions and details you won’t find in a guidebook.
If this article helped you, share it with friends — travel is better when shared.
If you’d like a personalized route or sightseeing at your pace, contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz. All contact details and the full offer are available on the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website.
Good luck on the route! And remember — Krakow tastes best when enjoyed slowly.
