If you’re planning to come to Kraków for three days and want to explore mainly on foot — you’re in the right place. I designed this guide so you can feel the city’s atmosphere, keep costs reasonable and see both Kraków’s icons and a few less obvious spots. The plan includes a walk along the Royal Route, a stroll around Wawel, an afternoon in atmospheric Kazimierz, a reflective moment in Podgórze and — a small entertaining break — the Polonia Wax Museum on Floriańska Street. At the end you’ll also find restaurant recommendations, practical tips and an FAQ. If you’d like, I can help tailor the route to your group’s pace or book a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
Each day is planned so most attractions are reachable on foot; trams and taxis are useful as a backup if the weather changes or feet get tired. Wear comfortable shoes and carry a bottle of water — you’ll see much more and catch the real rhythm of the city. Your pace is our priority. When you’re ready, let’s go!
Morning: start at the Main Market Square — ideally early, when the crowds are just arriving. See St. Mary’s Basilica (it’s worth being there for the trumpet call), visit the Cloth Hall and walk the Royal Route toward Wawel. The walk from the Market to Wawel takes about 10–15 minutes, but stop on the way at St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican.
Midday: Wawel — the outer castle courtyard and the cathedral are a must. If you want to enter the state rooms, book tickets in advance. After sightseeing, take a lunch break nearby (I recommend restaurants serving old-Polish cuisine or a trusted bistro on Grodzka Street).
Afternoon: return via the Bridge of the Wawel Dragons to the center and visit the Polonia Wax Museum (Floriańska Street 32) — it’s a good moment for a short, light indoor stop in the middle of the day. The museum houses more than a hundred figures, has been operating since 2016 and features themed displays spanning different eras. Spend about 45–90 minutes here — a fun, slightly playful interlude, especially with children.
Evening: dinner near the Market. To soak up a historic atmosphere, consider Wierzynek (Main Market Square 16) or Pod Aniołami (Grodzka Street) — both offer traditional dishes and unique interiors, but reserve a table in advance. After dinner, a short night walk around the illuminated Market is a perfect ending to day one.
Morning: breakfast in a café near the Market (for example Camelot Cafe on Św. Tomasza Street or Charlotte on Plac Szczepański) and walk toward Kazimierz. The walk from the center takes 15–25 minutes; along the way you can turn onto Szeroka Street and already feel the atmosphere of the former Jewish quarter.
Midday: explore synagogues, cemeteries and the atmospheric streets of Kazimierz. Visit a few galleries and craft shops. For lunch, try places focused on fresh ingredients and local cuisine — Kazimierz offers everything from modern bistros to traditional pierogi houses.
Afternoon: relax in the garden of Mleczarnia near Plac Nowy — one of the nicest spots for a break, especially on warm days. If contemporary art interests you, check out nearby galleries. In the evening Kazimierz becomes the city’s nightlife hub — Alchemia and other bars offer an informal, artistic and musical vibe.
Morning: walk across Grunwaldzki Bridge or head further to Podgórze — this part of the city has a different energy: disused factories, murals and interesting views of the Vistula. See the Schindler Factory Museum; it’s wise to book tickets in advance because they can sell out.
Midday: visit Zabłocie and its surroundings — you’ll find cafés, galleries and unexpected corners of the city. For lunch, look for places with a good quality-to-price ratio; seasonal menus and spots run by local chefs are common here.
Afternoon: if you have the energy, take a short trip to the Prądnik Valley or one of Kraków’s so-called dolinki (small limestone valleys) for a walk outside the city — if not, save it for your next trip. End the day with a calm evening walk along the Vistula — a perfect place for reflection and to sum up your trip.
Where and when: the museum is right in the center on Floriańska Street 32, so it fits easily into the first day’s itinerary. Opening hours are generous (usually from 10:00 until late; often longer on weekends), so you can plan a visit during the day or in the evening.
What to expect: this is a commercial wax museum with more than a hundred figures, often arranged by theme — from the interwar period, through World War II, to modern times. The exhibition is geared more toward entertainment and photo opportunities than deep historical analysis, so treat it as a curiosity and a way to break up your walk.
Tickets and visiting time: a typical visit takes about 45–90 minutes. Ticket prices vary by category (adult and reduced fares) — check current prices before you go and consider buying online if the museum offers family discounts or weekend promotions.
A small note: visitor opinions are mixed — some people have a great time, others critique the execution of certain figures. Despite that, the museum is popular, especially with families and visitors looking for a lighter city-center attraction.
Wierzynek (Main Market Square 16) — an ideal choice for a special, historic dinner; interiors and menu feel “royal”, so book ahead.
Pod Aniołami (Grodzka Street) — a restaurant in Gothic cellars, known for traditional Polish cuisine and the feel of old Kraków.
Camelot Cafe (Św. Tomasza Street) — great for breakfast or an afternoon coffee; cozy interior and homemade pastries.
Charlotte — Chleb i Wino (Plac Szczepański) — excellent for breakfast/brunch, fresh bread and a French-inspired atmosphere.
Mleczarnia / garden at Plac Nowy — a perfect place to relax with a beer or coffee in Kazimierz; good if you want an informal vibe.
Alchemia (Estery Street) — if you want to feel Kazimierz’s local artistic nightlife in the evening, this is one of the iconic spots.
How to pace yourself: a three-day stay on foot requires planning breaks — schedule 2–3 pauses a day for coffee, a snack and to stretch. Separate attractions that involve standing (exhibitions, churches) from those that are long walks.
Tickets and reservations: for the most popular sights (Wawel state rooms, Schindler Factory Museum) online tickets are a big help; for restaurants like Wierzynek a dinner reservation is essential.
Safety and money: Kraków is generally safe, but keep an eye on your documents and wallet in crowded tourist spots. Many places take cards, but it’s useful to have some cash for smaller cafés and market stalls.
Common tourist mistakes: planning too much in a short time (trying to see everything in two days), booking only late-afternoon visits instead of early entries, and eating exclusively around the Market (often pricier and less authentic). How to avoid these: spread out visits, eat where locals go and ask for local recommendations.
Saving time: use quieter morning hours for sightseeing, avoid afternoon queues and plan lunches off the main tourist streets.
Polonia Wax Museum opened in the context of events from 2016 and has since updated its displays frequently — figures sometimes move between branches (for example to Zakopane) or short thematic exhibitions appear.
In many cafés and restaurants you can order breakfast or brunch late into the morning — it’s a great time to plan your day calmly and avoid crowds.
If you like photography: the best light for monuments is shortly after sunrise and in the evening — if you can, get up early one morning and capture the city without the crowds.
Small hack: on hot days many places offer water to refill your bottle at the entrance — ask instead of buying expensive drinks every few streets.
If you want a stress-free visit rich in local stories, use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — a private tour lets you adjust the pace, themes (history, culture, food) and break locations; it’s especially helpful for families, groups short on time or anyone who wants to see the “real” Kraków.
Finally: if this plan was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — it helps us create better content. If you’d like me to prepare a route tailored to your group (pace, culinary or historical interests), write and I’ll be happy to help. Have a great trip and see you in Kraków!
