Yes — you can see the most important sights and feel the two different faces of the city: the historic Wawel and the socialist-realist Nowa Huta. The key is a good plan, booking tickets in advance and realistic expectations: it’s better to see less but properly than to rush and remember nothing.
In this guide you’ll find a ready-made 2-day plan, practical tips on buying tickets (and how to skip queues), information about the Podziemna Nowa Huta (Nowa Huta underground) route and recommended places for food and coffee. Everything is written so you can grab your walking shoes and head out into the city.
Day 1: Old Town — Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica, Floriańska Street, walk to Wawel (visit the Cathedral and selected exhibitions). Book Wawel tickets in advance and choose specific entry times.
Day 2: Nowa Huta — Central Square (Plac Centralny), Aleja Róż, a stroll through the housing estates, then the Podziemna Nowa Huta (shelter at Osiedle Szkolne 37). In the evening, have dinner at one of the recommended restaurants in Kazimierz or near the Market Square.
If your time is limited, consider focusing on Wawel in the morning (fewer people) and Nowa Huta in the afternoon — this evens out your energy and helps avoid crowds.
Wawel is a must-see, but its popularity means limited ticket availability and timed entries. Plan 2–3 hours for Wawel Hill if you want to see the Cathedral, the representative chambers and one or two exhibitions. Remember that tickets for specific exhibitions are sometimes limited — book online in advance.
To avoid long lines: buy e‑tickets with a chosen entry time; in season the best times are early morning or late afternoon. If you’re interested in a guided tour, booking a guided visit often allows smoother access to selected routes.
A common mistake: trying to do too many routes on a single ticket. It’s better to choose 2–3 exhibitions and explore them calmly than to try to "tick everything off" in a rush.
In practice: check in advance when online tickets are released (pools are often made available ahead of time), make sure you have a printed or mobile e‑ticket before you leave, and arrive 10–15 minutes before your entry time.
Nowa Huta is a different Kraków — a planned district from the PRL era, today a place with interesting architecture, history and local stories. Start at Central Square, walk along Aleja Róż and peek into neighborhood corners that show everyday life of the residents.
A special attraction is Podziemna Nowa Huta — the open shelter at Osiedle Szkolne 37. The route and the exhibition "Stan zagrożenia" (State of Threat) tell the story of 1950s shelters and their role in collective memory. Entries are limited (in some places to around 20 people), so buy your ticket in advance, especially on weekends.
Practical info: check the exhibition’s opening days and hours because they can be limited; individual visitor entries happen at set times. Expect narrow passages and some low ceilings on site — comfortable shoes and a light jacket are a good choice.
Kraków has a convenient tram and bus system — use public transport to avoid parking problems in the center. When planning your route, leave time for transfers and a coffee stop.
If you want to save the most time: 1) book tickets online for Wawel and Podziemna Nowa Huta; 2) visit the most popular places outside peak hours (early morning or late afternoon); 3) choose specific exhibitions instead of a long "everything at once" list.
A tourist transport pass pays off if you plan several trips in a day — check available time options in the carrier’s app or at a ticket machine.
In the Old Town and Kazimierz you’ll find many well-rated restaurants and cafés. For breakfast we recommend places with good coffee and fresh pastries — Charlotte Bakery and Café Camelot are classics praised by both locals and visitors.
For lunch or dinner pick restaurants specializing in Polish and regional cuisine — Starka in Kazimierz is often recommended for authentic flavors, and around Wawel you’ll find traditional menus in venues near the Market Square. In the evening consider one of the top restaurants serving modern Polish cuisine.
In Nowa Huta try local bars and milk-bar-style places — a great way to experience everyday Kraków cuisine and enjoy a tasty, often inexpensive meal. If you’re looking for something special after a day of sightseeing, choose a highly rated restaurant and book a table in advance.
Nowa Huta was created as a model industrial city and had a network of shelters around it — more than 250 were built in the area, which sounds surprising when we now visit some of them as tourist attractions.
Many exhibitions at Podziemna Nowa Huta use a narrative that mixes historical facts with personal stories of residents — it’s not just dry facts but stories about daily life, fear and hope from the era.
At Wawel pay attention not only to the chambers and tapestries but also to small details: fragments of medieval walls, sculptures and spots often overlooked in the courtyard bustle. Sometimes minor elements leave the most lasting impression.
Trying to see "everything" in one day leads to exhaustion and the feeling of having experienced nothing. Choose consciously 2–3 places to visit each day.
Not booking tickets online — this is the most frequent mistake in high season. Arriving too late at Wawel or the Podziemna route can mean waiting in line or no available spots.
Not planning breaks for food and rest. Kraków is a city to sit down for coffee and watch daily life. Schedule time for a pause and your sightseeing will be more enjoyable.
How do I buy tickets for Wawel? The most reliable way is online — choose a date and entry time. Tickets are often available in advance, so reserve your spot before arrival.
Can I avoid queues? Buying an online ticket with a specific entry time or choosing a guided tour reduces the risk of long queues. Arrive a few minutes before your entry time.
How much time do I need at Wawel? Plan 2–3 hours if you want to see the Cathedral and one or two exhibitions. If you’re especially interested in art history, allow more time.
How should I prepare for Podziemna Nowa Huta? Check opening hours and buy your ticket in advance. The route goes through shelters, so bring comfortable shoes and a light layer — it can be cooler underground.
Are Wawel and Podziemna Nowa Huta accessible for people with limited mobility? Some parts may have spatial limitations; if you have specific needs, check current accessibility information with the organizer before your visit.
Kraków in 2 days is a challenge, but with a good plan and reservations it’s a pleasant, intense adventure combining history, architecture and local color. Remember: book tickets early, plan breaks and leave room for surprises — those are the moments that stay with you.
If you’d like a personalized route, help with reservations or a private guided tour, consider the services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on the guide’s page. Feel free to share this article with friends or on social media so others can plan their 48 hours in Kraków!
