Yes — four days are a great compromise: enough time to see the main sights, visit several museums and still leave room for a good coffee and an evening stroll through Kazimierz. This lets you set a comfortable pace, book tickets for the most popular attractions and really feel the city’s atmosphere instead of rushing from point to point.
In practice it’s useful to split the plan so the first days focus on the Old Town and Wawel, the next on Kazimierz and Podgórze, and the fourth day is reserved for a trip outside the city (for example Wieliczka) or for extra museums that interest you most.
The biggest attractions and museums in Kraków limit the number of daily entries; many museum branches sell tickets online and assign a specific entry time. For guided visits some museums require advance reservations. A good practice is to buy tickets ahead for the most popular places and check museum websites for free-entry days.
If you plan to visit with a guide, ask beforehand whether the tour time includes entry to interiors and whether the guide can assist with booking tickets. For larger groups remember that museums often limit the number of people per tour.
When arranging guided visits to some municipal museum branches, booking guide services may be required several days in advance — include this in your schedule and don’t leave everything to the last minute.
Start the morning at Wawel — as early as possible to avoid crowds. Touring the representative royal chambers, the cathedral and the courtyards usually takes 1.5–3 hours depending on how many interiors you want to visit.
Then walk the Royal Route toward the Main Market Square. On the way stop by St. Adalbert’s Church and enjoy the historic buildings along Grodzka and Floriańska streets.
Spend the afternoon on the Main Market: the Cloth Hall with its museum branches, St. Mary's Basilica (paid entry to the interior), and if the weather is poor — the Rynek Underground is an excellent 60–90 minute option with fascinating stories and exhibits.
Kazimierz is a neighborhood worth spending a full day in. Start on Szeroka Street and visit the synagogues: a walk will introduce you to important historical places and stories about Kraków’s Jewish community.
In Kazimierz you’ll also find many atmospheric cafés and restaurants — it’s an ideal place for a longer lunch break. In the afternoon visit Zabłocie and the Oskar Schindler Factory, remembering to buy tickets for a specific time in advance.
In the evening Kazimierz comes alive — choose one of the recommended restaurants or bars to try local cuisine accompanied by live music and an artistic atmosphere.
Dedicate the third day to the museums that interest you most: the National Museum, branches of the Museum of Kraków (including exhibitions in the Cloth Hall) or specialist displays. Pick no more than 2–3 interiors so you don’t get overwhelmed with information.
If you’re traveling with children or looking for interactive attractions, consider museums with a more playful character (interactive exhibitions, illusion museums) or relax on the Vistula Boulevards.
Save the afternoon for a walk around the Planty or the Botanical Garden — a perfect way to rest between visits.
Use the fourth day for a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine — about 30–40 minutes from the center and one of the most chosen options outside the city. Mine entries usually go in groups, so it’s wise to buy tickets in advance.
An alternative is to explore Podgórze in more depth: Schindler’s Factory, Ghetto Heroes Square and the modern spaces of Zabłocie. These places tell the 20th-century history of the city.
If you prefer to stay in Kraków, reserve the day for extra museums, shopping for regional products at Stary Kleparz, or simply discovering less touristy streets at a relaxed pace.
Kraków’s center is compact and most main attractions can be explored on foot. Walking is the best way to soak up the atmosphere and spot small architectural details.
If you plan longer trips (Wieliczka, Ojców National Park, Auschwitz) check train and bus connections or consider booking a transfer or organized day trip. Allow extra time for travel, especially in high season.
Remember comfortable shoes and layers — Małopolska weather can change quickly, and sightseeing combines walking with standing while waiting for scheduled entry times.
The Rynek Underground, Wawel (representative chambers and the cathedral), the National Museum and Schindler’s Factory are among the most visited. Each has its own ticketing rules and limits — check opening hours and ticket availability before your visit.
The bugle call from St. Mary’s tower plays on the hour — plan a short stop to listen, take photos and experience this city tradition.
Many municipal museums and institutions publish information about free-entry days or special events — these are great opportunities but tend to attract larger crowds.
Kraków has a rich culinary scene — from traditional regional restaurants to modern bistros and cafés. For traditional flavors look for places well recommended locally, especially around the Old Town and Kazimierz.
For breakfast or coffee try atmospheric cafés in the Old Town and Kazimierz, where the vibe and pastries often make a bigger impression than the decor. For dinner consider restaurants serving Polish classics or modern venues with seasonal menus.
If you plan a particular restaurant for the evening, make a reservation — popular places can be fully booked several days in advance.
The best bases are the Old Town or Kazimierz — most attractions are within easy reach and evening walks are safe and pleasant. If you want more quiet, consider hotels or apartments by the Planty or on historic side streets.
If you prefer lower prices, check offers in adjacent neighborhoods with good transport links to the center. Pay attention to reviews about noise and transport access, especially if you plan early starts.
Some of Kraków’s most memorable details are small: tenement houses with hidden courtyards, lesser-known chapels and small thematic museums not always on the main lists. Visit at least one to feel the city in your own way.
Many institutions organize temporary exhibitions and cultural events — check local galleries and museum programs before you travel, you may find a unique display available for a limited time.
Tourists often forget places like university gardens, small contemporary art galleries or viewpoints that offer panoramas of the city from less obvious spots.
Trying to fit “everything” into one day. It’s better to choose fewer museums and spend more time in each than to tick off a long list and remember nothing.
Not booking tickets in advance — many popular sites have limited entries; missing a ticket may mean postponing the visit.
Ignoring transfer and waiting time — leave buffers between reservations so you’re not running from place to place and can enter your chosen museum calmly.
Do I need a guide to see the main sights? It’s not necessary, but a guide can save time, help with ticket bookings and tell stories you won’t find in printed guides.
Is Kraków walkable? Yes, the center is compact and comfortable to explore on foot, but for further trips use public transport or an organized transfer.
How can I save on museum tickets? Check free-entry days and online promotions, but remember free days are often crowded.
Kraków is a city with many faces — historical, artistic and culinary. Four days are ideal to catch these threads and return home feeling you discovered more than just the top photos from the Market Square.
If you’d like a personalized itinerary, help booking tickets or stories tailored to your interests, you can contact the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz via the Zwiedzanie Krakowa website. It’s a convenient way to see what’s really worth visiting in four days without the stress.
If this guide helped you — share it with friends or on social media. Enjoy your visit and see you in Kraków!
