You only have a weekend but want to see the highlights and still visit the National Museum without standing in long lines? It’s possible — you just need to spread your time well and focus on calm parts of the city instead of trying to cram every single "must-see" into one day. I recommend splitting the visit into two themed days: Old Town and Wawel on day one, Kazimierz, Podgórze and selected branches of the National Museum on day two.
Sample schedule: Day 1 — a morning walk around the Market Square, a quick look at the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), then follow the Royal Route to Wawel (courtyards, Cathedral). In the afternoon relax on the Planty or have coffee in a less crowded café. Day 2 — Kazimierz in the morning (quiet streets, Nowy Square), afternoon: choose 1–2 branches of the National Museum (for example displays in the Cloth Hall/Sukiennice, the Wyspiański interiors, or Jan Matejko’s House, according to your priorities). This split helps you avoid a tight schedule and leaves time for breaks and local food.
If you plan to visit the National Museum, know that prices and rules vary by branch — not all galleries charge the same. Major permanent exhibitions in the Main Building usually have higher admission than smaller branches; many smaller branches have lower, uniform pricing for their permanent displays.
Helpful ways to save: on Tuesdays entry to permanent exhibitions is free in many branches, so if you can arrange your visit for a Tuesday it can be a great museum day. Reduced-price tickets are available for young people aged 7 to 26 (bring a valid ID). People eligible for concessions must show appropriate documents — remember to carry an ID, student card, or other proof of entitlement.
Another practical note: the last visitors are generally admitted around 20 minutes before closing, and many museums are closed on Mondays — check the exact opening hours of the branch you plan to visit. Many branches also offer audio guides in several languages — useful if you prefer to explore at your own pace.
I strongly recommend buying tickets online whenever possible — it saves time and allows you to book entry at a convenient hour. Many branches allow reservation of tickets and time slots; if you want to see a popular exhibition or a specific hour, booking is a good idea.
If you’re looking to save: choose smaller branches of the National Museum or plan your visit for Tuesday when permanent exhibitions are sometimes free. Students and young visitors should have their ID ready; seniors and people with disabilities often have special discounts too — check the conditions and bring the necessary documents. Note that some temporary exhibitions have separate pricing and may not be covered by the same concessions as permanent displays.
The best times for sightseeing and quiet walks are early morning (museum openings and the first hours in the Old Town) and late afternoon, especially outside the high season. If you want photos without crowds, get up a bit earlier — morning light and empty streets are a real advantage.
Avoid tourism peaks: midday and early evening in summer (June–August) see the highest footfall. On weekends the centre can be much busier — if you value calm, consider visiting main spots on weekdays or use less obvious routes (for example the Planty, the Vistula boulevards, and the green areas around the Błonia).
If you plan to visit popular attractions (e.g. the Wawel State Rooms, the Market Underground, the Cloth Hall galleries) check whether entries have assigned times — then arrive punctually rather than waiting in a long queue.
Day 1 (Old Town + Wawel): start in the morning at St. Florian’s Gate and walk the Royal Route, pause briefly at the Cloth Hall; if you want to avoid crowds consider seeing the Cloth Hall interior outside peak hours or skip it and return later. On the way to Wawel, visit the castle courtyards, the Cathedral and take a coffee break in one of the side streets away from the Market Square.
Day 2 (Kazimierz, Podgórze and the National Museum): morning in Kazimierz — enjoy the quiet streets of Esterka and Szeroka and a short visit to Nowy Square. In the afternoon pick one or two branches of the National Museum: if you care about 19th-century Polish art, the Cloth Hall galleries are a good choice; for lovers of modernism and decorative arts consider Wyspiański’s rooms or Jan Matejko’s House. Rather than trying to visit every museum at once, focus on one to keep the experience pleasant and unhurried.
When choosing food, opt for places with good reviews and local atmosphere — around the Market Square you’ll easily find crowds, while a few side streets away you can discover intimate restaurants and cafés with great reputations. For dinner in Kazimierz I recommend places that combine regional flavors with a cozy interior; for a quick lunch in the centre look for bistros on side streets.
Some practical tips: for coffee and dessert choose atmospheric cafés in Kazimierz; for a quick bite try well-regarded bakeries or spots with local snacks. Popular places can fill up — booking a table or coming outside peak meal times helps avoid waiting.
Too many plans in one day — many visitors try to see too much and end up exhausted instead of enjoying the trip. It’s better to choose 2–3 key sights per day and leave time for rest and coffee.
Not having documents for discounts — if you plan to use reduced tickets, prepare your student card, ID or other required document. Without proof the museum may not grant the concession.
Not checking opening hours and city events — on Mondays many museums are closed, and during events (markets, concerts, runs) the centre can be very crowded. Before you travel check official opening hours for the branches you want to visit and the city events calendar.
Is Tuesday a good day for museums? Yes — in some branches permanent exhibitions are free on Tuesdays, which can save you money; just be aware that popular time slots may be busier.
What documents are needed for a reduced ticket? Bring a valid school or student ID or another identity document proving age; check discount conditions beforehand, as some offers apply only to citizens of certain countries.
Is an audio guide worth it? If you like to explore at your own pace and enjoy deeper stories about the exhibits, an audio guide in a language you understand is a good investment — many branches offer them for a small fee.
Few people realize that not all branches of the National Museum have the same prices and rules — small museums often offer lower rates, and some collections can be seen away from the crowds in these less obvious locations. It’s worth looking beyond the Main Building.
If you want to avoid crowded photographic spots at the Market Square, choose morning or late evening and consider a walk along the Planty or the Vistula riverbanks — you’ll find nice views and fewer people there as well.
Finally: if you’d like a more personalized visit, I’m available as a guide — contact details for Małgorzata Kasprowicz are visible on the site. If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help them plan a calm and pleasant weekend in Kraków!
