Kraków is a city that gives you plenty of impressions just by strolling its streets: the monumental townhouses of the Main Market, the majestic silhouette of Wawel, the green Planty and the lively Kazimierz — all without the need to enter museums. This plan is great if you have limited time, are traveling with children, want to avoid queues or simply prefer to soak up the city’s atmosphere from the outside.
While walking around Kraków you’ll see places that are easy to link into a walking route: the Main Market with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica, the Wawel area (courtyards and views over the Vistula), the Planty and the atmospheric Kazimierz with Plac Nowy. These are classic sights that make an impression even without entering paid interiors.
If you want to add some nature and panoramas to your route — choose the Vistula Boulevards, Błonia or one of the mounds (Krakus, Wanda). These are great spots for sunset or a picnic away from the tourist bustle.
Quick first contact (1–2 hours): Main Market — Cloth Hall — St. Mary’s Basilica (outside) — Grodzka Street heading toward Wawel. This is a classic “first hour” in Kraków, ideal for orientation and photos.
Day route (4–6 hours): Old Town — Wawel Hill (courtyards and view of the Vistula) — Vistula Boulevards (riverside walk) — Podgórze and the Father Bernatek Footbridge (sunset view of Wawel). In this version you can have lunch around Kazimierz or under Wawel.
A more intimate, “local” route (southern Kraków): Krakus Mound — Bednarski Park or the Wolski Forest with Piłsudski Mound — return by tram to the centre. The mounds offer different city panoramas than the crowded Market and are often less busy.
Main Market and the Cloth Hall — the heart of Kraków, perfect for people-watching, buying souvenirs and trying an obwarzanek from a street cart.
Wawel — stroll the courtyards, enjoy views of the Vistula, see the cathedral (attendance at services is possible without a ticket; many parts of the castle are, however, paid exhibitions). If you plan to enter museum rooms, check days with free admission because some institutions offer such days during the week.
Kazimierz and Plac Nowy — you can’t experience Jewish history only through a museum; a walk through the streets, the market at Plac Nowy and a zapiekanka at the round kiosk are a full experience. Around you’ll also find numerous cafés and galleries.
Vistula Boulevards — a place for evening walks, cycling and relaxing; great for sunset with a view of Wawel.
Mounds (Krakus, Wanda, Piłsudski) — different locations, different vistas: Krakus Mound offers peace and a panorama of the city away from crowds; Kościuszko Mound usually has a different access policy (not always free).
If you want to try traditional Kraków cuisine in places appreciated by locals and visitors, consider long-standing restaurants such as Hawełka or Pod Baranem — they serve classic dishes done well.
For quick street food in Kazimierz try the zapiekanki at Plac Nowy (the round kiosk) — an icon of city food. For coffee and cake, cafés near the Market and in Kazimierz are very pleasant; choose places with good reviews.
If you prefer something more intimate, Podgórze and Zabłocie offer newer, well-rated places with plant-based and modern takes on regional dishes.
If, despite a “no museums” plan, you feel like visiting an exhibition, many Kraków institutions have days with free admission — different museums often offer free entry on selected weekdays. Check the current schedule before your trip. It’s a good way to combine a walk with a short visit without extra cost.
Note: some parts of complexes, like castle exhibitions or special displays, may always be paid even if the grounds are public (for example, Wawel’s courtyards are accessible but the exhibition halls are paid). So check in advance if you plan to go inside to avoid disappointment at the entrance.
Remember that free-entry days often create queues — if you want to avoid crowds, stick to walking around the city or visit exhibitions outside the high season or peak hours.
Good shoes are essential — cobblestones, sometimes uneven sidewalks and longer routes require comfortable footwear.
Plan breaks for coffee and local treats: Kraków has many cafés and patisseries, and a short rest can save your mood after several hours of sightseeing. If you want something cheap and quick — try an obwarzanek or a zapiekanka.
Check the weather and tram timetables if you plan to shorten your route: trams provide a quick return to the centre from many points. In the tourist season carry a water bottle and be aware that prices near the Market can be higher.
Especially in summer avoid the biggest Market crowds in the afternoon — early mornings and late afternoons are nicer for walks and photos.
Trying to “see everything” in one day — it’s better to pick two or three neighbourhoods and see them calmly than to jump from spot to spot without resting.
Buying souvenirs and food only at the Market — prices there can be higher; check side streets of the Old Town and Kazimierz where quality and atmosphere are often better.
Not checking opening days and hours — if you plan to enter a specific place, check in advance. Many attractions have days with free or limited access.
Change your perspective: not only the Market and Wawel have postcard views — from the mounds or from the footbridge over the Vistula you’ll capture photos with different light and fewer tourists.
Plac Nowy is not only about zapiekanki — on Saturdays there are flea markets with antiques and local trinkets; a great place to find a unique souvenir.
The Vistula Boulevards are where locals spend evenings — you can encounter food trucks, small concerts and local initiatives, especially in warmer months.
Can you visit Kraków without spending money? Yes — many basic attractions (walks around the Market, the Planty, the Boulevards and some mounds) are publicly accessible. However, some interiors and special exhibitions are paid.
How many days are enough for Kraków if I don’t enter museums? Even a weekend (2 days) lets you see the main parts of the city: the Market, Wawel, Kazimierz and the Boulevards. To feel the city more deeply and visit mounds or quieter neighbourhoods — stay 3–4 days.
Is it worth bringing children? Yes — museum-free routes are often more engaging for children (parks, mounds, walks by the Vistula, zapiekanki as a quick meal).
If this article helped you, share it with friends or on social profiles — let more people discover Kraków with pleasure, without the pressure to “tick off” every museum.
If you’d like a personalised walk of Kraków with a local guide who will show you less-obvious routes and suggest culinary gems — get in touch with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
