Kraków tempts with its monuments, atmosphere and cuisine. You can “tick off” the Main Market in half an hour, but you will truly taste the city if you allow yourself a slow walk, a coffee break and a short visit to a museum. Good planning helps you avoid stress and exhaustion while seeing more without rushing.
In practice it pays to think in layers: cover the most important spots on foot, leave interior visits and museums for quieter hours (early morning or late afternoon) and weave food breaks into your route — Kraków tastes best between attractions.
Below you will find approximate visit times for the most popular places, three simple itineraries (1, 2 and 3 days) and practical tips on where and what to eat in different parts of the city. Everything is written so you can adapt the program to your own pace.
Remember: the times given are approximate — your pace depends on you, the weather and whether you want to go inside every site.
Let’s get started!
Wawel (Castle + Cathedral) - at least 2–3 hours if you want to see the representative halls and the cathedral; for a relaxed visit including museum rooms plan 3–4 hours.
Old Town (Main Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, Planty) - a walk around the Square and nearby streets takes 1.5–3 hours; if you plan to visit the Rynek Underground or climb St. Mary’s tower, add another 1–2 hours.
Kazimierz (the former Jewish quarter) - an urban route takes 1–3 hours depending on whether you enter synagogues and museums or stop for longer meals and concerts.
Podgórze and Schindler’s Factory - about 1–2 hours for a walk and exhibition; allow more time if you plan a thorough museum visit.
Wieliczka Salt Mine (trip outside the city) - usually half a day to a full day; counting transport and the visit expect 4–6 hours.
Ojców National Park (short trip near Kraków) - half a day for short trails; a full day for longer routes.
Museums (MOCAK, National Museum, Rynek Underground, etc.) - plan 1.5–3 hours depending on the exhibition and your interest in art or history.
Viewpoints and mounds (Kopiec Krakusa, Kopiec Kościuszki) - from 30 minutes to 2 hours including the walk and rest.
1 day (highlights pace) - morning: Wawel (1.5–2 h for outdoor areas and the cathedral), then walk through the Planty to the Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica). Lunch near the Square or grab a quick bite at Plac Nowy. Afternoon: a stroll through Kazimierz or a visit to one smaller museum. Evening: dinner and a walk along the Vistula boulevards.
2 days (classic weekend) - day 1: Old Town + Wawel + evening in Kazimierz. Day 2: museums (for example MOCAK or the Rynek Underground) and the Podgórze area (Schindler’s Factory), with a possible short trip to a mound or a quick excursion outside the city (Wieliczka or Ojców) if time allows.
3 days (relaxed pace) - add a second neighborhood: more time in Kazimierz (museums, cafés), visit Nowa Huta or dedicate a full day to Wieliczka or a mountain trip. With three days you can feel the city’s atmosphere and taste the culinary differences between districts.
If you have only half a day - choose one zone (Old Town or Kazimierz) and save the main attraction for your next visit. A short, well-enjoyed walk is better than racing through a "must-see" list.
If you want, I can prepare a tailored plan with opening hours and suggested timings — tell me how much time you have and what your priorities are.
Wawel - it’s worth coming early in the morning or at the end of the day to avoid the biggest crowds. From the outside the castle and cathedral show stunning architecture, and the interiors and royal chambers will take at least two hours. If you plan to enter all castle sections, reserve more time and check in advance whether tickets or time slots are needed.
St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall - the Market is the tourist heart of Kraków. A short visit to the Cloth Hall and listening to the trumpeter’s hejnał from St. Mary’s tower is a must. Visiting the tower or the Rynek Underground will lengthen your stay by an hour or two.
Kazimierz - atmospheric streets, synagogues and cafés. If you enjoy culinary discoveries and nightlife, leave at least 2–3 hours for Kazimierz (more in the evening if you want to hear klezmer music or attend a concert).
Podgórze and Schindler’s Factory - a place connected to the stronger stories of 20th-century Kraków. The museum needs 1–2 hours, and a walk around the neighborhood shows less touristy but historically important places.
Wieliczka Salt Mine - this is a trip outside Kraków but very popular. Book at least half a day including travel and the guided route. If your time is limited, it’s better to save Wieliczka for a separate day.
Old Town - you’ll find everything here: from elegant restaurants to quick snacks. It’s a good place for a dessert and coffee in the afternoon, but if you want authentic flavors and fair prices, choose side streets rather than the busiest places right on the Square.
Kazimierz - ideal for shared meals: mezze, Jewish-inspired dishes and modern interpretations. Plac Nowy is classic street-food territory — zapiekanki and small window stalls for an evening atmosphere. For a quieter dinner, look for restaurants on Szeroka, Miodowa and the side streets.
Podgórze/Zabłocie - here you’ll find trendy cafés and restaurants often using local products and plant-based cuisine. It’s a great spot for a late breakfast or a relaxed lunch away from the crowds.
Specialties to try - obwarzanek (Kraków ring bread) best fresh, pierogi in many varieties, żurek served in bread, Kraków cheesecake, and seasonal regional treats. Don’t miss local patisseries and cafés — coffee and a cake are a perfect break.
Where to have breakfast and coffee - Kraków has many small cafés serving good coffee and breakfasts. If you plan a long sightseeing day, start with a solid breakfast and coffee — it will give you energy for several hours of walking.
Quick options - a zapiekanka on Plac Nowy, an obwarzanek from a street cart, or pierogi at a milk bar. These are great choices when you want to see a lot in a short time.
Old Town - for local classics: look for places serving traditional Polish dishes and pleasant cafés for dessert. Try to avoid restaurants with menus only in English and very high prices — they are often not worth the wait.
Kazimierz - perfect for dinner with friends, sharing plates (mezze, hummus, Israeli and Ashkenazi dishes) and live music. Plac Nowy is a must for street snacks.
Podgórze/Zabłocie - seek out concepts focused on local products, craft cafés and plant-based kitchens. It’s a nice area for a calmer lunch away from the crowds.
On a budget - a milk bar or small canteens offer quick and cheap meals; this is a great option for travellers who want to save time and money.
If you want a personalized list of places (vegan, family-friendly, with a view), tell me your preferences — I’ll prepare suggestions matched to your plan.
Check opening hours and buy tickets online where possible — this saves time and avoids queues, especially in high season. Some popular attractions limit the number of visitors per hour.
Kraków is compact enough to explore on foot; trams and buses are useful for more distant points (Nowa Huta, Wieliczka, Podgórze). If you plan an intensive program, consider time-based public transport tickets or a city card that offers connections and discounts.
Best times to visit - mornings (museum openings) or late afternoons when some tourists leave the center. On weekends the busiest times are midday and early afternoon around the Market.
Clothing and footwear - comfortable shoes are essential. Old cobbled streets can be tiring, and visiting Wawel or the mounds requires some walking.
Safety - Kraków is generally safe, but like any big city watch your belongings and be cautious in crowded places.
Weather and seasons - summer brings crowds and longer opening hours; spring and autumn are a great compromise between weather and fewer visitors. Winter has a cozier atmosphere but some attractions may have limited hours.
8:30 - Breakfast in a cozy café, coffee and local baked goods. 9:15 - Start at Wawel: a short walk around the courtyards and a visit to the cathedral. 11:30 - Head to the Market: Cloth Hall, Rynek Underground or climb St. Mary’s tower (optional). 13:00 - Lunch in a side street or a quick bite at Plac Nowy. 14:30 - Walk to Kazimierz, time for coffee and a short look at the synagogues. 16:30 - Museum visit or relax by the Vistula (boulevards). 19:00 - Dinner in Kazimierz or Podgórze, evening concert or a cozy pub.
This outline is only an example — adapt it to your pace and attraction opening times. If time is limited, shorten museum visits and focus on the main sights on foot.
If you like, I can prepare a version of this plan with addresses and opening hours for a chosen day — just tell me when you’ll be in town.
Enjoy discovering Kraków — take breaks, try local food and leave room for surprises. Kraków can delight when you least expect it.
Warm regards, Małgorzata Kasprowicz (your Kraków guide)
Currency and payments - Poland uses the złoty (PLN). Cards are widely accepted in shops and restaurants, but it’s handy to have some cash for street food, market stalls and smaller cafés.
Language - Polish is the official language; in tourist areas people usually speak at least some English, but a few phrases in Polish will be appreciated.
Emergency numbers - dial 112 for any emergency in Poland.
Public transport - single tickets must be validated on board (tram/bus) unless you buy them from a machine or app in advance. Consider day tickets if you plan multiple trips.
Tipping - around 10–15% is customary in restaurants if service is not included. For cafés or quick bites a small tip is appreciated but not required.
Accessibility - many central streets have cobblestones and historic buildings with limited elevator access. Plan extra time if you need step-free routes and check accessibility information for individual museums.
When to book - for the Wieliczka Salt Mine, popular exhibitions and some seasonal events, it’s wise to book in advance. Check opening hours for museums and any temporary closures before your visit.
Local etiquette - people in Kraków are friendly and helpful. Being polite, using simple greetings and being patient during busy times makes interactions smoother.
Want a personalized plan? Tell me your dates, how many hours you’ll have each day and any food preferences (vegan, family-friendly, allergy info) — I’ll prepare a tailored itinerary with recommended places to eat and realistic timings.
