The May long weekend is when Krakow fills up with visitors - weekend crowds in the Old Town and at popular attractions are the norm. This guide shows how to minimize time spent in queues, spread your sightseeing through the day, and find alternatives so your trip is enjoyable rather than frustrating. You will find concrete tips to use before you leave, practical advice for once you arrive, and ready-made day plans for different needs. Everything is presented in simple steps you can use right away.
The idea is simple - Krakow and the surrounding Lesser Poland region draw very many tourists, especially during long weekends. In recent years the region has seen millions of visits a year, which means higher demand at attractions and longer waits at entrances. The key to comfortable sightseeing is planning, flexibility, and choosing less obvious times or places to visit.
Below you will find detailed strategies and sample routes - from morning tactics to alternatives outside the historic core. Use several ideas together and you will avoid the biggest queues.
Practical note: I use exact hour suggestions and route examples in this text - treat them as guidelines you can adapt to your pace and the weather.
Yes - especially at the most famous spots: Wawel, St. Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the Wieliczka Salt Mine, the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum, and timed-entry museums. Visitor numbers vary, but the May long weekend traditionally brings a surge of Polish and international tourists. In practice this means larger crowds in the centre and significantly longer lines at ticket offices and security checks.
That is why it’s worth not relying on chance - instead use the tools and strategies below to minimize waiting time and have more time for enjoying the city.
- Buy tickets in advance and choose time-slot entries when possible. This applies to Wawel (if you care about specific exhibitions or the tower), the Wieliczka Salt Mine, museums and special exhibitions. On-site tickets often mean longer waiting.
- Check opening hours and last-entry times. Some sites change hours during event seasons; it’s better to plan your visit than improvise.
- Install apps or register with online ticketing systems for popular attractions. Timed-entry tickets reduce the risk of long waits.
- Reserve a table for lunch or a main meal in advance, especially in popular districts (Old Town, Kazimierz). Tables in the city centre can be scarce during lunch hours.
- Early morning: the first hours after opening are the most reliable way to avoid crowds. If you want to visit Wawel, St. Mary’s Basilica or the Cloth Hall without the crush, arrive at opening or shortly after.
- Late afternoon and early evening: after about 4:00-5:00 PM, centre traffic usually eases; this is a good time for walks, photos and exhibits that stay open later.
- Weekdays rather than weekend: if you can choose dates, pick a weekday - attendance is lower than during a long weekend.
- Avoid the midday peak (around 11:00 AM-3:00 PM): this is the worst time to go to the main spots, because tour groups and visitors from local hotels tend to head out then.
- Morning (8:00-10:30): Wawel and the cathedral - ideal hours for a stroll through courtyards and a quick look at exhibitions before groups arrive. Old Town - the market and Planty have a quieter side in the early hours.
- Late morning/midday (10:30-14:00): short museum visits with prior reservations, walking around Kazimierz - a perfect time for coffee and breakfast in a local café.
- Afternoon (15:00-19:00): Podgórze, the mounds, the Vistula boulevards or less obvious museums. At this time the centre often relaxes.
- Evening: dinner in the side streets of Kazimierz or Nowa Huta, a walk on the Planty, concerts and outdoor events - far fewer queues and more atmosphere.
- Instead of concentrating only on the Market Square and Wawel, choose side streets: Kanonicza Street, St. Thomas Street, and the streets leading to the Planty. They are often quieter and full of interesting architectural details.
- Visit Podgórze and Krakus Mound - fewer tourists, wide views and a different perspective on the city.
- Nowa Huta is a good alternative for those who want to see less crowded historic sites and open spaces; its wide avenues are great for relaxed walks.
- Choose smaller local museums and galleries instead of the most crowded attractions - they often offer equally interesting displays without queues.
- Head outside the city: simple nearby ideas for the long weekend include Ojców National Park, Lanckorona or a short trip to Wieliczka outside peak hours.
- Walk or use a bike/scooter in the strict city centre - often faster than a car. Walking also lets you use side streets that bypass the busiest areas.
- If you use public transport, plan routes ahead and check timetables - trams and buses heading to the centre will be crowded during morning and afternoon rush hours.
- Avoid driving into the very centre - parking is expensive and drops you near the largest crowds. Consider Park and Ride (P+R) parking and taking a tram in.
- For trips outside Krakow (Wieliczka, Ojców National Park) choose the earliest train/bus departures - this minimizes queues at entrances and reduces crowding at attractions.
- Allow extra time for breaks, meals and toilets - children lose patience quickly in queues.
- Choose attractions with easy access and check information about facilities (elevator, stroller access).
- Use timed-entry tickets and guided visits - groups with a guide sometimes have separate entrances or faster access.
- Keep a map of first-aid points and nearest toilets handy - during busy times access to them may be more difficult.
Plan A - "Classic centre without rush" - 8:00 Wawel (courtyards, cathedral) - 10:00 Quick breakfast near the Market - 11:00 Walk around the Cloth Hall and the Old Town side streets - 13:00 Lunch in Kazimierz - 15:00 Podgórze and Krakus Mound - 18:00 Leisurely evening walk on the Planty.
Plan B - "Alternative and peaceful" - 8:30 Breakfast in a local café outside the centre - 10:00 Nowa Huta (avenues, local museums) - 13:00 Science Garden or a water park for families - 16:00 Short visit to Plac Nowy and dinner in a Kazimierz side street.
Plan C - "Wieliczka in the morning, Krakow in the afternoon" - 7:30 Departure to Wieliczka, entry with a morning-ticketed tour - 11:30 Return to Krakow and lunch - 13:30 Walk the Planty and visit less crowded museums - 17:00 Relaxation and evening on the Vistula boulevards.
- Tickets for the most popular attractions in advance - printed or in an app.
- A day plan with times and alternatives in case of weather changes.
- Water bottle, comfortable shoes and a light outer layer for wind or rain.
- Charged phone with offline maps and any electronic tickets.
- A table reservation or lunch booking for busy midday hours in the centre.
- Book tickets in advance and choose timed-entry.
- Get up earlier or visit attractions in the late afternoon.
- Use side streets, alternative districts and day trips outside the city.
- Move on foot, by bike or public transport instead of driving into the centre.
- Plan flexibly and have a ready plan B - when one place is crowded, choose another.
The May long weekend in Krakow can be a fantastic opportunity to discover the city and its surroundings if, instead of racing through every must-see at once, you spread your visits over time and use reservations and less obvious routes. With a few simple planning changes you’ll gain more time to enjoy the city and spend less time waiting in lines.
