You can get to know Kraków well even in three days if you plan the pace, ticketed entries and breaks at the right moments. The main highlights are the Royal Route (Barbican – Floriańska Street – Main Market Square – Grodzka – Wawel), Kazimierz and, optionally, a short trip outside the strict city centre (Zakrzówek or the Wieliczka Salt Mine). In this article you'll find a practical plan for each day, tips on where to sit for a cultured break and how to arrange a visit to the Main Market Square Underground, especially when you travel with a dog.
When planning your days remember: buy tickets online where possible, visit the most popular sites in the morning or late afternoon, and take regular breaks — every 60–90 minutes. That’s not only more comfortable but also a better way to absorb the city’s history and flavors.
Morning: start at the Barbican and St. Florian's Gate, walk down Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square. Spend time on the Square — the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Basilica and the Town Hall Tower are must-sees. If you want to go beneath the city surface, book a visit to the Main Market Square Underground, a museum exhibition that presents Kraków’s history and the life of the medieval market.
Afternoon: after coming up from the underground, take a break in one of the elegant cafés near the Planty or around the Market — this is a good moment for coffee and a snack before walking toward Wawel. At Wawel, see the courtyard and, if you plan to enter the state rooms of the castle or the cathedral, check opening hours and buy tickets in advance.
Evening: dinner in a restaurant serving traditional cuisine and a peaceful walk along the streets between the Market and Kazimierz.
Morning: head to Kazimierz — Nowy Square, the synagogues and the Remuh Jewish Cemetery. Kazimierz is the perfect area for longer breaks in atmospheric cafés and small restaurants.
Afternoon: after lunch relax with coffee or dessert in a spot with a garden; if you travel with a dog — Kazimierz has many outdoor places where four-legged guests are welcome. In the evening consider dinner at a well-reviewed restaurant — a lovely opportunity to taste local dishes served in a refined style.
Morning: take a short trip to the other side of the Vistula — Podgórze, with important memorial sites and attractive views of Wawel. You can include a visit to Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory (a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków) if you are interested in 20th-century history.
Afternoon: for relaxation choose Zakrzówek or walks on the Błonia meadows and in Jordan Park — great spots to rest with your dog. Alternatively, book a half-day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or a themed day (museums, markets, cooking workshops).
Evening: return to the centre, have a last dinner and take souvenir photos at the illuminated Market Square.
The Market Underground is a modern archaeological and museum exhibition that reveals life in medieval Kraków. The displays are located directly under the Main Market Square and the site is one of the most popular attractions in the city centre.
Tickets and organisation: visits are usually ticketed — prices change over time, so check current rates and availability before your trip and consider buying tickets online to avoid queues. Entry is limited by time slots and visitor numbers, so booking makes day planning easier.
Accessibility and restrictions: parts of the underground include stairs and uneven floors — visitors with reduced mobility should check accessibility options in advance. Bringing a dog into the exhibition is usually not allowed — plan pet care or use alternatives (short staggered visits where one person enters while another stays with the dog outside).
In the centre and in Kazimierz you’ll find spots ideal for a restful pause — from elegant cafés with excellent espresso to tea houses and restaurants with carefully crafted menus. Choose places with patios or terraces if you travel with a dog.
Practical tips: reserve a table for busy events or weekends; morning and late afternoon are the best times for a calm coffee without crowds; check reviews and ratings — pick places with consistently high guest feedback.
A few suggestions for different occasions: a classic coffee after sightseeing, an elegant lunch near Wawel or a tasting dinner at a well-reviewed restaurant in the centre. (Remember to check current opening hours and reservation rules.)
Where to walk with your dog: Jordan Park, the Błonia meadows and Zakrzówek are places where a dog walk will be a pleasure; many cafés in the centre offer outdoor seating and welcome dogs. Always carry water and waste bags for your dog.
Transport and rules: public transport rules for carrying dogs vary — small dogs in carriers are sometimes allowed, larger dogs often require a ticket. Check the transport rules before boarding a tram or bus.
Entry to attractions: most museums and underground exhibitions do not allow dogs inside. If you plan museum visits, consider a plan where one person explores while another cares for the pet outside, or look into pet-sitting services in the city.
Getting around: Kraków’s centre is very walkable — many attractions are within a short walk of each other. Trams and buses are useful for reaching more distant places (Nowa Huta, Zakrzówek).
Best times to visit: the quietest times to sightsee are mornings (about 8:00–10:00) and late afternoons — you’ll avoid the biggest crowds. In the high summer season expect more tourists and longer queues.
Tickets and reservations: buy tickets to popular attractions online when possible. This saves time and makes it easier to schedule breaks and meals during the day.
1) Failing to plan entries to paid attractions — this wastes time queuing. Solution: book online before your trip. 2) Trying to see too many places in one day — it’s better to see fewer things more thoroughly. 3) No plan for the dog — before entering a museum decide where to leave your pet or arrange alternating visits between companions.
Additional note: don’t ignore the weather; on rainy days reserve a table in a covered café in advance rather than searching for a place at the last minute.
The Market Underground reveals layers of trade and urban life — it’s not just “cellars” but a carefully curated archaeological exhibition.
The Planty, the ring of green that surrounds the Old Town, is a perfect spot for a quick break — benches, paths and small squares there are less visited by tourists who focus mainly on the Market.
Local tip: if you want to feel the city like a local, plan at least one break in a café away from the Market — flavors tend to be more authentic there and prices often lower.
Can dogs enter the Market Underground? Usually no — museum exhibitions generally do not accept animals. Check the rules for the specific attraction or arrange pet care for the time of the visit.
How much time should I allow for the Market Underground? Usually 60–90 minutes is enough for a relaxed visit, but it depends on your pace and interests.
How to find a classy spot for a break? Look for cafés with gardens or restaurants with terraces around the Planty and in Kazimierz; reservations are recommended on weekends.
Are tickets to popular sites expensive? Ticket prices in Kraków vary and change over time — check current rates online before you go.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan a great stay in Kraków.
If you want to tour with a guide and have a plan perfectly tailored to your needs (including help organising sightseeing with a dog), I encourage you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and contact are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Good luck with your planning and see you in Kraków!
