If you have three days and want to feel the atmosphere of Krakow, plan them so each day has a main theme: Old Town and Wawel, Kazimierz and Podgórze, and one "special" day — Wieliczka or a pilgrimage route. This split balances historic sights, city atmosphere and one longer trip outside the center.
This article gives a concrete day-by-day plan, options for visitors interested in pilgrimage (Łagiewniki, Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Wadowice) and practical tips — tickets, transport, what to pack and a comfortable pace for sightseeing.
We write plainly and practically — without promoting other guides. Treat this text as a map you can easily adapt to your needs and pace.
Let’s get started! Below you will find the detailed plan and tips.
Day 1: Old Town and Wawel — a classic walk along the Royal Route, Wawel Hill, the Cathedral, Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. This day covers the key landmarks and gives your first taste of Krakow.
Day 2: Kazimierz and Podgórze — atmospheric streets of the historic Jewish district, synagogues, cafes, then a walk along the Vistula and to Podgórze (including the Ghetto Heroes Square, famous murals and views of Wawel from the river). This day is for slowing down and discovering local spots.
Day 3: Wieliczka in one day with a pilgrimage option — a morning trip to the Salt Mine and an afternoon visit to pilgrimage sites (for example the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Łagiewniki), or vice versa depending on service times and reservations. Options: Wieliczka + Łagiewniki in one day, or Wieliczka + Kalwaria/Wadowice for a longer trip outside Krakow.
With this plan it’s wise to reserve tickets in advance (especially for Wieliczka) and leave some flexibility for meals and rest.
Morning: start at Wawel. Walk the courtyard, visit the Cathedral — a place important for tourists and for those interested in pilgrimage threads (site of coronations and burials). Note: at busy times it’s worth buying tickets for chambers or the cathedral in advance.
Afternoon: from Wawel walk the Royal Route (Kanoniczna, Grodzka streets) to the Main Market Square. See the Cloth Hall, the Town Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. If you hear the hejnał (the trumpet call), pause for a moment. Evening: dinner in one of the intimate restaurants around the Market or toward the Planty — a good time to try local dishes and rest before the next days.
Pace: don’t rush. Plan this day as a relaxed walk with breaks — spread museum visits and entry tickets into shorter stops.
Tip: if you are religious and want to attend Mass in historic places, check the Cathedral service times and plan your visit accordingly.
Morning: head to Kazimierz — once the Jewish quarter, now full of cozy cafes, galleries and historic sites. It’s worth seeing the synagogues, cemeteries and walking the Szeroka Street.
Afternoon: cross to Podgórze via a bridge or walk along the river. Here you’ll find places linked to 20th-century history and film locations (for example Ghetto Heroes Square and the former Zabłocie industrial area). End the day relaxing by the Vistula or with dinner in one of Kazimierz’s trendy restaurants.
Food tip: Kazimierz is a great place to try Jewish-Krakow flavors, specialty coffee and evening concerts. Reserve dinner tables on weekends.
For pilgrims: on this route you can also visit the Church on Skałka (St. Stanisław) — check opening hours and service times depending on your schedule.
Wieliczka is a perfect finale for a short stay — a unique UNESCO site well worth visiting. The tourist route goes deep underground and reveals salt chapels, chambers, sculptures and salt brine lakes.
Logistics: from central Krakow you can reach Wieliczka quickly by local train from Kraków Główny to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia — the journey takes about 20–30 minutes. Alternatively take bus line 304 or a taxi (about 25–30 minutes by car, depending on traffic).
Visiting time: allow about 2–3 hours for the mine tour — the route covers several kilometers and includes over 800 steps (counting descent and ascent), so comfortable shoes are essential.
Tickets and reservations: buy tickets through the mine’s official online system and reserve the time slot in advance, especially in high season. Groups and themed tours require early booking.
Pilgrimage option: you can combine Wieliczka with a short pilgrimage to the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Łagiewniki — a good choice if you want a spiritual element alongside the mine visit. Check sanctuary service times and train/bus schedules when planning.
If you plan longer pilgrimages (Kalwaria Zebrzydowska, Wadowice), treat them as separate full-day trips outside Krakow — they need more travel and visiting time.
Tickets: buy Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets through the official online sales and reserve an entry time. In season and on weekends bookings can sell out days in advance.
Getting to Wieliczka: the local train from Kraków Główny is the most convenient option (about 20–30 minutes to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia). The city bus 304 is another frequent option. Taxis are useful if you are short on time or travelling in a group.
What to bring: comfortable shoes, a light jacket or sweater (underground temperature is around 16–18°C), a small backpack (leave large luggage at the hotel — there is a left-luggage facility at the mine entrance), camera, water and ID for group bookings.
Pace and accessibility: remember the stairs — the descent and ascent require decent mobility. If you travel with someone with limited mobility, check accessible options and routes before booking.
Food: there are many lunch and dinner options by the Main Market and in Kazimierz. Wieliczka also has restaurants near the market right by the mine entrance.
If a spiritual dimension is your priority, plan visits to Wawel (the Cathedral), the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Łagiewniki and possibly Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Wadowice. Order the route by priorities and service times.
Łagiewniki has a wide pastoral and museum offer; the sanctuary opens early and often late, but check specific Mass times and exhibitions on the sanctuary’s official page before your visit.
Kalwaria Zebrzydowska and Wadowice require more time — they are outside Krakow and are best visited as a full-day trip. Check bus timetables and parking availability if you drive.
Spiritual souvenirs: if you plan to attend Mass or a service, prepare appropriately — modest clothing and respect for the place. Many sanctuaries offer pilgrim information points or the possibility to book a group guide.
Like photography? The best light on the Market Square is in the morning and late afternoon. Want to feel local life? Sit in a small Kazimierz café and watch people go by.
Travelling with children? Shorten museum routes, plan breaks at playgrounds or visit interactive places such as the Garden of Experiences or the Natural History Museum — short activities help keep a good pace and make the trip enjoyable.
Looking for quiet? Skip the busiest routes and walk the Planty, visit lesser-known churches or stroll along the Vistula outside the center.
Adapt the plan to your interests — Krakow has many faces and everyone can find something for themselves.
Three days in Krakow are enough to see the main sights and get the feel of the city — and one day is enough to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine. The key to a successful trip is good organization: booking tickets (especially for Wieliczka), a realistic pace and flexibility for rest and local discoveries.
If you like, I can prepare a personalized schedule tailored to your arrival time, preferred pace and pilgrimage interests — tell me how much time you have, who is travelling and whether you prefer more walks or more visits to sanctuaries.
I wish you a wonderful stay in Krakow — full of beautiful views, great food and memorable moments.
Warm regards, Małgorzata Kasprowicz — Krakow guide. If needed, I can help refine the route and reservations.
