You arrive in Krakow for the weekend and wonder: where to start, how much can you see in two days and how to avoid getting overwhelmed on the Main Market Square? Here’s a practical approach: begin with a “block of must-see places” — the Royal Route from Matejko Square to Wawel, tailor your afternoon to the mood (Kazimierz for food and atmosphere, Podgórze for history), and save evenings for walks and local flavors.
In practice the best route is a compromise between what you “have to see” and what you want to feel. Below you’ll find the main route described step by step, optional variants, sample 1- and 2-day plans and concrete practical tips to make sightseeing easier.
The route known as the Royal Route (Via Regia) is the backbone of most Krakow sightseeing and the simplest way to see the city’s key points in a short time. A typical course: Matejko Square - the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate - Floriańska Street - Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica) - Grodzka Street - Kanonicza Street - Wawel Hill (Castle and Cathedral).
Estimated time: a walk “from the outside” without entering interiors takes about 2–2.5 hours. If you want to visit interiors (St. Mary’s Basilica, State Rooms at the Castle, Rynek Underground, the Cathedral) plan 4–6 hours or even a full day depending on the number of sites and queues.
Along the route it’s worth stopping briefly at the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, spending time on the Market Square (you’ll feel the city’s pulse there) and planning a visit to Wawel — the courtyard is quick, while entries to the cathedral and the state rooms require extra time and tickets.
Kazimierz is the second weekend “must”. It’s a district where history mixes with cafés, small museums and a lively music scene. A walk along Szeroka, Miodowa and Józefa streets will reveal synagogues, atmospheric gates and plenty of spots for a coffee break or local food.
Plac Nowy is the district’s culinary heart — a daytime market, an evening street-food hub and a lively meeting place. If you like quick bites, try local snacks; if you prefer a longer meal, pick a restaurant on a side street and savor the atmosphere.
Time for Kazimierz: from 1.5 hours to half a day, depending on whether you plan museum visits or an evening concert.
On the other side of the Vistula lies Podgórze — an area important for 20th-century history. You’ll find Ghetto Heroes’ Square, sites of remembrance and the museum connected to Schindler’s Factory. It’s a space that helps make sense of the city’s difficult chapters.
A walk through Podgórze usually takes 1–2.5 hours. It pairs well with a visit to Kazimierz — you can walk across the bridge on foot and continue exploring, or shorten the journey by tram depending on the weather and your energy.
Morning: Start at Matejko Square, walk the Royal Route through St. Florian’s Gate to the Market Square — visit St. Mary’s Basilica and take a quick look at the Cloth Hall. This pace lets you feel the centre and see the main highlights.
Midday: Take Grodzka and Kanonicza streets toward Wawel — the castle courtyard, a short visit to the Cathedral, lunch near the Market or in Kazimierz after crossing the bridge.
Afternoon: Kazimierz — Plac Nowy, synagogues, time for coffee and street food. If you still have energy, an evening stroll around the Planty park or a view of Wawel from the Vistula banks.
Day 1: The Royal Route with visits to St. Mary’s Basilica and parts of Wawel, evening around the Market Square or a short concert/dinner in Kazimierz.
Day 2: Morning in Kazimierz and Plac Nowy, cross to Podgórze and visit the Schindler’s Factory museum. Reserve the afternoon for a relaxed walk around Planty, a visit to a city museum or a short trip outside the city (for example the Wieliczka Salt Mine) if you want to diversify the program.
Food route - combine the Market Square, Kazimierz and Plac Nowy to try local specialties: obwarzanek, pierogi, regional treats and street food. It’s a great way to get to know the city through its flavors.
Religious/heritage route - Wawel, St. Mary’s Basilica, Skałka and the churches on Grodzka and Kanonicza. For those interested in architecture and religious history.
Family route - shorter sections, legends (the Wawel Dragon), interactive museums and breaks for ice cream or playgrounds. Plan frequent rests and avoid overloading the little ones.
Night route - the Market Square and surroundings take on a different mood in the evening. Illuminated monuments, cozy bars and fewer tourists outside the high season.
Tickets and queues - many attractions have paid entries and limited slots at specific times. If you plan to visit the State Rooms at Wawel, the Rynek Underground or popular museums, check online booking options — this saves time in season.
Best times to visit - early mornings (around 8:00–10:00) or late afternoons have smaller crowds. In high season (spring–summer) expect heavier foot traffic, so start early if possible.
Transport - Krakow’s centre is very walkable; most classic points are within a short stroll. Trams and buses are useful for trips to more distant places (Nowa Huta, the Salt Mine, longer routes).
Accessibility - not all alleys have perfect surfaces; cobbles and uneven ground are common, so people with limited mobility should check accessibility of specific entrances in advance.
Safety and comfort - bring comfortable shoes, a water bottle, a light rain jacket or windbreaker and watch small valuables in crowded places.
Basics: comfortable walking shoes, water, a small backpack or bag, power bank, ID and wallet. If you plan to enter several museums, be prepared for short queues and changeable weather.
Layers and weather: Krakow’s weather can change during the day — it’s better to dress in layers than rely on a single outfit. In summer don’t forget sunscreen and a hat; in winter bring a warm coat and gloves.
For photographers: the best light is in the morning and before dusk. Popular spots get crowded, so plan photo stops outside peak times and explore side streets for more interesting compositions.
A guided walk with a local guide adds context and stories you won’t find in paper guidebooks. A guide will match the pace to the group, tell anecdotes and point out places worth seeing from a different angle.
If you’d like to tour with me — Małgorzata Kasprowicz — send a short note with preferred times, number of people and interests. I’ll help plan a route that matches your rhythm: short two-hour overviews, four-hour full walks or full-day plans with breaks for meals.
When booking, please indicate language preferences, pace (leisurely vs. intensive) and mobility limitations so the route is comfortable for everyone.
1) Start early, especially if you want to avoid queues at popular interiors. 2) Book tickets online where possible. 3) Divide sightseeing into sensible blocks: centre in the morning, Kazimierz in the afternoon, Podgórze the next day. 4) Wear comfortable shoes and plan breaks every 60–90 minutes. 5) Allow yourself a moment without plans — sit in the Planty, drink a coffee and watch the city.
Krakow is a city of history, flavor and small discoveries. Even on a weekend you can feel its rhythm — all you need is a good plan, comfortable shoes and a touch of curiosity. If you’d like, we can plan the route together so your weekend is exactly the way you want it.
Wishing you a great stay and many beautiful photos — see you on a walk around Krakow!
Małgorzata Kasprowicz
