Great choice — it’s doable! In three days you can feel the atmosphere of the Old Town, visit Wawel and still set aside a whole day for Ojcowski National Park — the smallest but very charming national park in Poland. Below you’ll find a friendly sightseeing plan, practical advice on how to get there and — importantly — where to park your car safely and sensibly before heading toward Ojców. Everything is written in plain language so you can quickly plan your day and avoid unnecessary stress. Audience: visitors who prefer a mix of city and nature.
Let’s start with a short plan, then move on to parking details and practical tips.
Remember: in season parking lots in Ojców and at the most popular attractions (Pieskowa Skała, Grota Łokietka) can fill up quickly — it’s best to set off early in the morning.
If you plan to take a car, read the section about parking in Krakow — there are tips on how to avoid paid parking zones and how to use apps to pay for your stay.
Day 1 - Old Town and Wawel: morning coffee at the Main Market Square, visit the Royal Castle on Wawel (the courtyard and cathedral), and a walk along the Vistula. Leave your car in one of the central parking lots or in an underground garage at Galeria Krakowska or Galeria Kazimierz if you arrived by car.
Day 2 - Ojcowski National Park (full day): leave Krakow in the morning, walk through the Prądnik Valley, visit Pieskowa Skała, Grota Łokietka, the Hercules Club (Maczuga Herkulesa), have a short picnic and return to Krakow in the evening.
Day 3 - Kazimierz and surroundings: morning walk through the Jewish quarter, afternoon on the Planty or at the National Museum, dinner in an atmospheric restaurant.
This plan is flexible — if you don’t want to drive, you can change Day 2 to a half-day trip using public transport, but in practice a car gives the most freedom for visiting the Jurassic attractions.
Distance and route: Ojcowski National Park is close to Krakow — roughly 23–25 km depending on your starting point and chosen route. The most popular road goes via national road 94 and local roads northwest of the city; in good conditions the drive takes about 30–45 minutes.
Public transport: there are bus connections (PKS/MPK) to towns near the park — some stops are serviced on request. This is an option for those without a car, but remember that the walk from the stop to specific attractions (for example Grota Łokietka) can take extra time.
Why go early: parking lots near popular entrances (Pieskowa Skała, Ojców under the castle, Złota Góra, Czajowice) fill up quickly, especially on weekends and in high season. Leaving around 8:00–9:00 gives you a better chance of a comfortable spot and quieter walking trails.
Time to explore: plan a full day — walking between main points, visiting a castle or exhibitions and a short meal break will take several hours. If you want to enter Pieskowa Skała castle interiors or visit caves (e.g. Grota Łokietka, Grota Ciemna), check opening hours in advance because availability is seasonal and can be limited.
If you prefer cycling — the park offers bike routes, but be aware of restrictions on some trails and that bikes are not allowed everywhere.
Main parking spots around the most visited attractions are: the parking lot under Ojców castle, the parking areas at Pieskowa Skała (under the castle and by the Hercules Club), the "Złota Góra" parking and parking in Czajowice (near Grota Łokietka). Most of these parking lots are paid, unguarded and open year-round.
Fees and safety: parking fees are charged seasonally and vary by location; parking lots are usually unguarded, so don’t leave valuables visible in the car. Coaches and large vehicles have special rules — there are designated spots for them (for example Złota Góra or the large lot under the castle at Pieskowa Skała).
Weight and size limits: some parking areas (for example under the castle in Ojców) restrict buses and vehicles over a certain weight — check beforehand if you travel in a larger vehicle.
If Pieskowa Skała parking is full: consider parking in neighboring villages (for example Czajowice) and walking or taking a short transfer — often this is faster than circling crowded parking lots.
When planning, note that mobile signal can be weaker in parts of the park, so keep payment confirmations or take a photo of the parking meter if that helps.
Short practical tip: go early, park at the attraction you want to visit first, and plan your route to avoid unnecessary backtracking — you’ll save time and nerves.
The paid parking zone in central Krakow operates at set hours and has subzones with different rates — if you start sightseeing in the Old Town by car, note that fees are usually charged Monday to Saturday (hours and exceptions may vary by year).
Short-term options: in the center it’s best to use official paid parking spaces or parking at shopping centers (for example around Galeria Krakowska or Galeria Kazimierz) — the latter are convenient but sometimes more expensive. If you want a quick visit to the Market Square and then head to Ojców, park in an underground garage or a multi-storey car park — you’ll avoid searching the street zone and the risk of a fine.
Apps and meters: in Krakow you can pay at parking meters (coins, contactless cards) or via mobile apps (for example Mobilet, SkyCash, Pango and others). Before you leave for Ojców, check that your parking payment covers the time you plan to spend in the city.
Alternative - Park & Ride: consider leaving your car at an outer tram or bus terminus and use public transport to reach the center. This is often the cheapest and least stressful option if you plan a longer visit to the Old Town before going outside the city.
If you don’t want to drive in the center — leave the car in a secure garage for the day and use public transport — then set off early by car toward the park the next morning.
Start: Pieskowa Skała or Ojców (depending on where you park). A popular and convenient option is to start at Pieskowa Skała and walk through the main points of the Prądnik valley.
Must-see spots: Pieskowa Skała castle (courtyard and viewpoint), Grota Łokietka (seasonal access — check opening times), the Hercules Club (Maczuga Herkulesa) and the Krakow Gate (Brama Krakowska). The park also has several short, picturesque trails that don’t require long hikes.
Time and breaks: plan 3–5 hours for the main attractions plus a meal break. In season it’s worth reserving tickets or arranging your order of visits so you enter interiors outside peak hours.
For families: if you travel with children, choose shorter stretches and allow for a gentler pace. The park has nice picnic spots and places to rest.
Recommended simple loop: Pieskowa Skała – Maczuga Herkulesa – Brama Krakowska – Ojców (castle and exhibitions) and return along the paths by the Prądnik.
Hours and availability: some sites (for example caves and castle interiors) have seasonal opening times — most attractions are available in spring, summer and early autumn. Always check current opening hours before you go.
Tickets: tickets for caves and some castle interiors can be paid; prices vary between sites. If entering interiors matters to you, plan time and budget for tickets.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, water, light snacks, weather-appropriate clothing (it’s cooler inside caves), a phone powerbank, and payment methods for parking and local services.
Safety: mobile coverage can be limited in some parts of the park, so have a plan for lack of internet — a parking ticket, an offline map or printed route will help. Don’t leave items visible in your car when parking in unguarded lots.
Extra tip: to avoid crowds and high parking fees, consider visiting the park on weekdays or outside the peak season.
Leave early: the first hours of the day bring peace, better light for photos and the best chance of finding a parking spot.
Plan B: have an alternative route — if Pieskowa Skała parking is full, drive to Czajowice or Złota Góra and start your walk from there.
Check restrictions: remember no-entry rules and limits for larger vehicles — coaches and minibuses often have designated parking areas.
Have fun! Ojcowski National Park is a great complement to city sightseeing in Krakow: after a morning of monuments you can breathe Jurassic air and see landscapes you won’t find in the city.
If you want, I can prepare:
- a detailed day plan with times (for example when to leave and where to park first),
- a printable version with a map of parking spots and a short "what to bring" checklist.
Let me know which option you prefer and I will tailor the text to your needs.
