Yes — although Krakow has so much to offer that one weekend won’t cover everything, in 2 days you can see the most important monuments, soak up the atmosphere of the Old Town and Kazimierz, and take a short, comfortable melex ride that will save you energy and time. The key is a plan, priorities, and a few practical tricks to fit the maximum experiences into a reasonable pace.
This article gives you a ready plan for 2 days, practical tips (tickets, opening hours, what to reserve), food recommendations, common mistakes and an FAQ. Everything is written in a simple, friendly style — so you can pack your bag and head out to explore right away.
- Wawel is actually several separate places: the Royal Castle (exhibitions), the Underground, the Crown Treasury and Wawel Cathedral. Some routes have a limited number of entries and require timed tickets.
- Wawel Cathedral has its own rules and often a separate entrance — when planning your visit check which parts are paid and which are free.
- Melexes (electric tourist vehicles) are a convenient way to quickly see the Old Town, Kazimierz or the route along the Vistula. A standard route lasts about 30–45 minutes; audio guides are often available in several languages.
Day 1 - Wawel Hill and the Cathedral: in the morning start at Wawel (Castle + Treasury/Underground), then visit Wawel Cathedral with its historic tombs and chapels. In the afternoon walk along the Vistula and have dinner near Kazimierz.
Day 2 - Melex and the Old Town: in the morning take a half-day melex tour (Old Town + Kazimierz or Podgórze), then continue on foot around the Main Market Square, Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica and the Old Town lanes. In the evening drop by Plac Nowy for a zapiekanka or relax in one of the cozy cafés.
If you have more energy or prefer less walking, spend more time in one of the Castle’s exhibitions after Wawel or add a Vistula river cruise instead of part of the walking.
1. Morning: arrive as early as possible (at opening) — you’ll avoid queues and crowds. Start at the Royal Castle (routes: Castle I, Castle II or a combined ticket) — if you want to see the “most precious” items, book the dedicated route.
2. Wawel Cathedral: after the castle, go to the Cathedral. Don’t miss: the Sigismund Chapel, the burial places of kings and national heroes, and the famous Sigismund bell (it rings only on special occasions). Entry to some parts of the cathedral may be limited — check timed entries on the day of your visit.
3. Afternoon: an easy walk along the Vistula embankments or toward Kazimierz, where you can have lunch. If you prefer less walking, book a short melex ride that will take you to the main points of the Old Town and Kazimierz.
1. Half-day by melex: plan the ride in the morning — melexes offer several routes (Old Town, Kazimierz, Podgórze) and usually last 30–45 minutes. It’s a great option if you want a quick orientation and to see more without effort. Melexes typically stop at strategic points, e.g. near St. Mary’s Church or ul. Szeroka in Kazimierz.
2. Afternoon on foot: after the melex walk around the Main Market Square, visit the Cloth Hall, see St. Mary’s Basilica (the altarpiece by Veit Stoss), and if time allows — pop into a few churches or climb St. Mary’s tower.
3. Evening: dinner at a restaurant serving regional or international cuisine. For a quick local bite choose Plac Nowy (zapiekanki), for a longer meal try the area around ul. Grodzka and ul. Floriańska.
- It’s worth buying tickets for chosen Wawel routes online in advance — some routes have limited places and fixed entry times. The ticket system opens with a certain lead time, so check availability dates before your trip.
- Wawel Cathedral has free and paid parts — check entry rules and opening hours before visiting.
- Melexes can be booked at InfoKraków points, in hotels or directly with drivers. If you want a specific time, reserve in advance or arrive early, especially in the high season.
- Traditional Polish cuisine: around Wawel and the Old Town you’ll find restaurants serving classic Polish dishes — try pierogi, żurek or pork chop. Look for places with local atmosphere and avoid pure tourist traps when possible.
- Kazimierz: we recommend places serving Jewish and Mediterranean cuisine — ul. Szeroka and nearby streets are great for a relaxed lunch or dinner. Plac Nowy is a classic spot for quick, inexpensive food (zapiekanki).
- Cafés and desserts: after sightseeing, a small café with local character is perfect — search the side streets of the Old Town and Kazimierz for cozy spots that often serve better coffee and cakes than the most obvious places.
- The Sigismund bell: its ringing is a special ceremony and only happens on important occasions — don’t expect it to toll every day.
- Wawel is not just castle rooms — the Underground and the Treasury hide objects and spaces that many visitors skip, but which really build the picture of Poland’s history.
- Melexes have regulations and assigned stopping points in the city center — that keeps parking orderly, but it also means a melex won’t take you on-demand into any random courtyard.
- Mistake: arriving at peak times without tickets — leads to long queues or no availability. Solution: buy a timed ticket online, especially for castle routes and popular exhibitions.
- Mistake: planning too many stops for one day — Krakow is best felt more slowly. Solution: choose priorities and leave time for a café break.
- Mistake: carrying large luggage through the center — some exhibitions and the cathedral have baggage restrictions. Solution: leave luggage in a luggage storage or at your hotel, and bring a small daypack for sightseeing.
How much time do I need for Wawel and the Cathedral? - If you want to see the main places at Wawel and enter the Cathedral, allow 2–3 hours (more if you plan to visit additional exhibitions).
How long is a melex ride? - Standard routes last about 30–45 minutes; if you want to visit several districts, plan for half a day.
Do melexes carry luggage? - Melexes are small tourist vehicles and are generally not suitable for transporting large suitcases.
- Wear comfortable shoes, even if you plan part of the route by melex — the Old Town and Kazimierz are best explored on foot.
- Check current opening hours and entry limits (especially at Wawel) before your visit.
- If you want more time with history, consider visiting Wawel on the second morning when it’s often calmer.
If this plan helped you, share the article with friends or on social media — let others see how to spend 48 effective hours in Krakow.
If you prefer a calmer visit with historical context and no stress about tickets or queues, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I’ll gladly help plan a route matched to your interests and pace.
Good luck and enjoy sightseeing in Krakow!
