It’s an unusual but perfectly complementary combination: one day full of art and walks around Krakow, and the next day a shot of adrenaline at Poland’s largest amusement park. For families with children, couples and visitors who enjoy variety, this plan gives a break from hustle and bustle while delivering strong, contrasting experiences. Both attractions are close enough to arrange over two relaxed days — the National Museum has several branches in Krakow’s center, while Energylandia is in Zator, about 45–60 minutes by car from Krakow and conveniently reachable by trains and buses.
After visiting the museum you don’t need to return straight to the hotel — an evening stroll through the Old Town, dinner at a recommended restaurant and a calm night prepare you well for an energetic day at the park. This article gives a ready plan, practical tips and a list of common mistakes to avoid.
Day 1: a walking visit to the National Museum and its nearby surroundings. Start at the Main Building or the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) — these locations host the museum’s strongest displays. Plan 2–3 hours for the permanent collections and one temporary exhibition, with a coffee break in a nearby café. Leave the afternoon for a stroll around the Market Square, the Planty and lunch or dinner in one of the recommended restaurants.
Day 2: a trip to Energylandia. Depart in the morning by car or train to Zator; driving usually takes about 45–60 minutes depending on traffic, and there are direct trains from Kraków Główny to Zator (check the current timetable). When planning the day, allow time for travel, ticket lines at the park (unless you have online tickets) and meal breaks.
If you travel with children, arrange Energylandia attractions so you start in the calmer areas and save the big rollercoasters for later hours, when little ones can rest or enjoy snacks.
The National Museum in Krakow consists of several branches across the center — including the Main Building, the Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), the Czartoryski Museum and artist-dedicated branches. In one day it’s sensible to choose one or two sites and avoid overloading the schedule.
I recommend starting at the Main Building or the Sukiennice — there you’ll find the broadest overviews of Polish and European art. Pay attention to temporary exhibitions, which often bring the most interesting works.
Practical note: many branches admit the last visitors about 20 minutes before closing. On Tuesdays access to permanent exhibitions is often free, while some branches may be closed on Mondays — check opening hours before you go. Regular admission to museum branches is usually a modest fee; some special exhibits or temporary shows may require an additional charge.
Buying tickets online saves time, especially for temporary exhibitions. Check the museum’s pages to confirm whether a particular exhibition is available that day and whether guided-tour slots exist. Group tours are offered in several languages and have set fees (guide service fee + entrance tickets).
Opening hours vary by branch; generally many locations operate Tuesday–Sunday, with some closed on Mondays. Last admissions happen before closing — always check current information before leaving.
If you plan a group tour with a guide, book several days in advance — museums accept reservations and can advise on group size and any special accommodations.
Energylandia in Zator is reachable by car, train or bus. Children love the family zones and carousels, while thrill-seekers will find high-intensity rollercoasters and extreme rides.
Driving from central Krakow usually takes around 45–60 minutes, depending on traffic. Visitors can use the park parking — check parking fees and options on arrival.
If you don’t have a car: take the train from Kraków Główny to Zator (check connections and times as schedules can change). From the Zator station it’s a short walk or a local transfer to the park. Buy Energylandia tickets online to skip ticket-office queues, particularly on weekends and during the summer season.
In the museum wear lightweight clothing and comfortable shoes — you’ll do a lot of walking and standing, and some galleries are air-conditioned. At Energylandia choose comfortable sport shoes, sunscreen, a hat and a water bottle — summers can be hot and pathways between attractions are often exposed.
If you plan to use the most popular rides, consider buying express tickets or arriving right at opening time — queues are shorter then. For families it’s useful to study the park map ahead of time and check height restrictions for specific attractions.
After a museum day enjoy dinner at a well-reviewed restaurant near the Market Square. Some popular choices include Szara Gęś (Rynek Główny) for elegant Polish cuisine, Starka in Kazimierz for hearty traditional dishes, Zazie Bistro for French-style cuisine and Restauracja Pod Różą for classic dining. For a relaxed coffee break try one of the cafés on the Old Town streets or a visit to Stary Kleparz market for local flavours.
If you plan to stay overnight before heading to Energylandia, consider a hotel near the train station or with easy access to the main roads — this saves morning stress. Options range from boutique hotels in the centre to comfortable chain hotels along major routes; always check recent reviews and parking availability.
Trying to see everything in one day — the National Museum has many branches; it’s better to choose one or two and explore them calmly than to rush and remember little.
No plan for Energylandia — not booking tickets online and arriving in peak season results in long queues. Plan in advance which attractions you want to visit and organize them to minimise walking time around the park.
Not checking opening hours — some museum branches are closed on Mondays and temporary exhibitions may have different opening times. Always confirm hours before you leave.
On Tuesdays many National Museum branches offer free access to permanent exhibitions — a good opportunity to see main collections at lower cost. Temporary exhibitions, however, may still require separate fees.
Energylandia is not just rollercoasters — the park has family zones, smaller attractions, shows and seasonal events that are often overlooked by visitors focused only on extreme rides.
In Krakow many museum branches are within short walking distance of each other — this makes it easy to create a pleasant walking route without needing public transport.
Can you combine visiting the National Museum and Energylandia in one day? Theoretically yes, but it would be very intensive. It’s wiser to spread the two experiences over two days to fully enjoy both.
Do I need to buy museum tickets in advance? For permanent exhibitions it’s usually not necessary, but for temporary exhibitions and group visits booking is recommended.
How to get to Energylandia without a car? The most convenient option is typically the train from Kraków Główny to Zator — check current connections and times as schedules may change.
Plan breaks and avoid overloading days with too tight a schedule. If you travel with small children, factor in naps and daily rhythms. When booking accommodation, check whether the hotel offers parking or an easy route toward Zator.
If you’d like a guided tour of Krakow tailored to your needs, I offer private guiding services — I can help arrange tickets, design the best walking routes and adapt the plan to your group. Contact details and full offer are available on my guide page.
If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media so other visitors can benefit from practical tips. I also invite you to consider a private guided tour of Krakow offered by Małgorzata Kasprowicz — personalized walks make the city easier to navigate and help you get the most out of your stay.
