Krakow is a compact city but full of attractions — from the royal Wawel Hill, through the lively Main Market Square, to the atmospheric Kazimierz and the industrial vibe of Podgórze. How much time do you need to “see Krakow”? It depends on expectations: do you want to view the main sights from the outside, enter museums and cathedrals, or rather savour the pace with breaks for coffee and lunch? Below are suggested time frames to consider when planning your day:
Short walk (1–2 hrs) - a quick introduction to the Old Town: Main Market Square, Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica (from the outside), and a slice of the Royal Route. Good if you have limited time or want to match your walk to arrival/departure times.
Standard guided walk (2–3 hrs) - a typical tour covers the main Old Town sights and a portion of Wawel or a short part of Kazimierz. This is the most popular and convenient option for visitors who want to catch the city’s atmosphere.
Extended tour (3–4 hrs) - allows time to enter selected sites (for example, the Cloth Hall interiors, some museums, or Wawel Cathedral) and spend a longer period in Kazimierz.
Krakow in one day (5–7 hrs) - an intensive program: Old Town, Wawel, Kazimierz, and often Podgórze and the Schindler’s Factory. The “full speed” version includes short meal breaks.
Several days - if you want to visit many museums and interiors (Wawel Royal Castle, the National Museum, Schindler’s Factory, Underground Museum beneath the Market), allow at least 2–3 days so your sightseeing isn’t a race.
Start with priorities: decide which places are a must-see. If entering the Castle or a specific museum is important, schedule a dedicated time slot and buy tickets in advance.
Check opening hours and closed days: some sites have limited hours (for example, due to religious services, conservation work, or seasonal changes). Confirm opening times on the official site of the venue before your visit.
Consider the group’s pace: touring with family, seniors, or small children takes longer — allow extra time for breaks.
Match the route to the time of day: the Market and its surroundings are busiest in the afternoon; if you want photos in peace, come earlier in the morning.
Tickets and internal entrances take time: entering the castle, museums, or cathedral often involves queues and ticket checks — plan an additional 30–60 minutes for this.
Guiding and tour prices depend on duration, program and group size. For small groups, a short guided walk (about 2 hours) can start from a few hundred zloty (PLN) for the guide as a whole (price per group), while longer, specialist or full-day programs will be more expensive. Popular options for individual visitors and small groups are 2–3 hour tours and an all-day “Krakow in a nutshell” (about 5–7 hours).
Remember: some prices are quoted “per guide” and split among participants, others are per person — ask about the pricing model before booking.
If you want to save time and avoid queues, buy entrance tickets online — they are often sold for specified entry times.
Cancellation terms depend on the organizer. In practice there are three common approaches: free cancellation up to a specified time (for example 7–30 days before), partial refund for later cancellations (for example 50%), and no refund if cancellation happens very late (for example within 48–72 hours before the tour).
Before you book: read the terms and cancellation policy. This is the most important document — it should clearly state refund rules, deadlines and any administrative fees.
How to cancel — step by step: 1) Check the reservation terms, 2) Contact the organizer in writing (email) — verbal notices are harder to document, 3) Provide the reservation number, date and reason for cancellation, 4) Keep proof of sending (a copy of your email) and the organizer’s response, 5) If you expect a refund — ask about the timing and method of return (bank transfer, card refund etc.).
If the organizer cancels the tour: they usually must offer a full refund or propose an alternative date/tour. Request the refund and written confirmation and monitor the refund deadline.
Subject: Cancellation of reservation no. [NUMBER] - tour [DATE] Dear Sir/Madam, Please cancel my reservation no. [NUMBER] for the tour [NAME/ROUTE] scheduled for [DATE]. Please confirm the cancellation and inform me about any refund and the expected refund processing time. Reservation details: name: [FIRST NAME LAST NAME], number of people: [NUMBER], phone number: [PHONE]. Sincerely, [FIRST NAME LAST NAME]
You can copy and fill in the template. Always keep the email exchange as proof of communication.
Free cancellation: often allowed up to 7–30 days before the tour (depends on the organizer).
Partial refund: cancellations made between several days and a couple of weeks before the tour may incur deductions (for example 10–50%).
No refund: usually for cancellations within 48–72 hours before the tour or for last-minute bookings.
Deposits: some companies charge a small administrative fee or deposit, which may be non-refundable or partially refundable for late cancellations.
For travel contracts (especially packages lasting more than one day) additional consumer regulations apply — companies should provide cancellation terms in writing at booking. If the organizer cancels an event, a full refund and/or an alternative is usually due.
Refund timing: if you are due a refund, ask the organizer for a specific deadline (in practice companies usually process refunds within several to a dozen days; card refunds may be faster or slower depending on the payment intermediary).
If you have problems obtaining a refund, you can seek help from consumer protection agencies or consider filing a complaint — document all correspondence.
Cancel in writing and as soon as possible — the earlier, the better chance of a full refund or rescheduling.
Check the option to transfer the reservation to another person — many companies allow this for a small fee and it’s often easier than cancelling.
Travel insurance: if you plan well in advance, consider a policy that covers cancellation due to illness or unforeseen events — insurance can cover costs when the tour’s terms provide no refund.
Alternative: to avoid risk, choose an option with free cancellation (if available) or buy a ticket with a “refund”/“flex” option.
Some venues require timed tickets — plan your route to arrive on time.
Wawel and the Cathedral: visiting Wawel Hill and the Cathedral may require ticket reservations; check cathedral access rules (services or ceremonies may limit entry at times).
Seasonality: in summer queues and crowds are larger — if you can, choose early hours or dates outside weekends.
Transport: Krakow city centre is convenient to explore on foot; for more distant sites (Nowa Huta, Wieliczka Salt Mine, Podgórze) allow time for travel and possible public transport or transfer tickets.
Comfortable shoes and layered clothing - Polish weather can be changeable.
A small bottle of water and a snack - you’ll appreciate a break on longer walks.
Charger/powerbank and documents in a secure pocket.
A printout (or PDF) of reservation confirmations and the organizer’s contact details.
Cafés for a quick breakfast or coffee: Cafe Camelot (a charming café near the Market), Charlotte (breakfasts and bakery).
Restaurants by the Market: Szara (Polish cuisine in an elegant style), plus many restaurants serving regional and international dishes — choice depends on taste and budget.
Kazimierz — atmosphere and world cuisine: Starka (traditional Polish dishes in Kazimierz atmosphere), Cheder (Jewish and international flavours).
Pod Wawelem - heartier, home-style portions after a full day of walking.
Can I book a tour for a specific time? - Yes, most organizers offer departures at set times or allow private-hour bookings for individual reservations.
What if the guide cancels the tour? - It’s reasonable to request an alternative date or a full refund; the organizer should propose a solution and return paid funds if the service cannot be provided.
Can I transfer my reservation to another person? - Many companies allow transferring a reservation to another person for a small fee; check the terms and contact the organizer.
How early should I buy museum tickets? - The earlier the better; popular weekend and holiday time slots sell out quickly. We recommend buying online for specific entry times.
Be flexible: plan, but leave room for spontaneity — sometimes the most memorable moments happen off the schedule.
Communication is key: if anything changes (delay, illness, sudden plan change), write to the organizer immediately and ask for confirmation. This will help if you later request a refund or reschedule.
Document everything: confirmations, tickets, correspondence — these help both with refunds and complaints.
If you have questions about the route, pace or suitable breaks — ask the guide before the tour. A good guide will adapt the pace to the group and recommend the best places for a break or a local snack.
