Kraków is a city best savored slowly, but even with only one day you can build a beautiful memory — if you plan a route that mixes the must-see spots with moments for coffee and dessert. The May holiday is a great time: the city blooms, the boulevards along the Vistula buzz with life, and the squares every tourist knows gain a special charm.
This plan combines classic Old Town highlights and Wawel with the atmosphere of Kazimierz and the quieter Podgórze, where Ghetto Heroes Square is located — an important place of remembrance worth visiting thoughtfully and respectfully.
Start the day early, ideally with a walk along the Planty toward St. Florian’s Gate. In the morning the Market Square is less crowded and the light is perfect for photos.
If you want a quick, excellent specialty coffee with a good breakfast, pick one of the highly rated cafés near the Market — places known for artisanal roasting and alternative brewing methods. A good breakfast and coffee will give you energy for the next hours of sightseeing.
Morning plan: Planty → St. Florian’s Gate → Main Market Square (a short walk across the square, optional visit to the Cloth Hall or into St. Mary’s Basilica at a chosen time).
After the Market, head down Kanonicza Street toward Wawel — the courtyards and cathedral are a must-see. You don’t need to stand in long queues: enjoy the outer courtyards, take photos and then calmly descend to the Vistula boulevards.
The boulevards are perfect for a short rest after the cobbled streets of the Old Town. Find a bench with a castle view and plan a light lunch or a second coffee break there.
Kazimierz is the heart of atmospheric cafés and dessert discoveries. Walk the streets of Izaaka, Jakuba and Wąska, stopping for specialty coffee in one of the local spots — it’s an ideal place for a slice of cake or a light snack before continuing your walk.
Cross the Bernatek Footbridge toward Podgórze. Ghetto Heroes Square is a space of memory — while standing there it’s worth taking a few moments for reflection and reading the informational panels. Nearby you can also see the Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka pod Orłem), known for its role in helping those confined in the ghetto.
Afternoon route: Kazimierz (cafés, synagogues) → Bernatek Footbridge → Podgórze Market Square → Ghetto Heroes Square.
Kraków has a dynamic coffee scene — from historic cafés to small roasteries using alternative brewing methods. If you appreciate freshly roasted beans and methods like V60 or AeroPress, choose a place with a strong reputation and visible roasting or brewing process.
For dessert, look for spots serving handmade cakes or French-style pastries. Cafés by the Market and in Kazimierz offer a wide selection: from classic cream cakes and cheesecakes to light French croissants and pastéis de nata — choose places highly rated by visitors, where quality often goes hand in hand with atmosphere.
If you want coffee with a view — consider bars on the Vistula or cafés with terraces along the boulevards. These are especially pleasant places for dessert at sunset.
The May holiday is a tourist season: reserve tables for lunch and dessert if you plan specific places, especially in the evening. Many cafés and small venues have limited seating.
Dress in layers — May weather can be changeable. Comfortable shoes are essential: cobbled streets and Wawel’s steps can be tiring.
If you want quiet moments at monuments or memorial sites — visit Ghetto Heroes Square outside peak hours (best in the morning or late afternoon).
Mistake: trying to “tick off” too many attractions in one day. Result: fatigue and no time to enjoy the city. Solution: choose the rhythm “walk — break — coffee” and allow a longer rest by the boulevards.
Mistake: no reservations in popular venues during the May holiday weekend. Solution: book a table in advance or have a plan B — you’ll usually find a well-rated café nearby.
Mistake: ignoring the context of places of remembrance. Solution: approach sites like Ghetto Heroes Square with respect — a short pause and reading the information panels will deepen your visit.
Podgórze and the area around Krakus Mound hide less obvious viewpoints — these are good spots for a quiet moment and a different take on the city than the usual viewing terraces.
Some boat bars and cafés along the Vistula feature seasonal desserts and locally made cakes — these are often short-run menus, so ask the staff about the day’s specialties.
Is one day enough for Wawel, the Market and Kazimierz? Yes, if you focus on the outside views and choose at most one interior or one museum to visit.
Where is best to eat during the May holiday? The safest option is to reserve tables at restaurants by the Market or in Kazimierz; alternatively, lunch on the boulevards is a more relaxed choice.
Is Ghetto Heroes Square easy to reach? Yes, it’s part of Podgórze — walking from Kazimierz across the Bernatek Footbridge takes only a few minutes.
08:30 — morning coffee and a short walk along the Planty. 09:30 — Market Square and a quick look at the Cloth Hall. 11:00 — Wawel and the boulevards, light lunch. 14:00 — Kazimierz: café and wandering the side streets. 16:00 — Bernatek Footbridge and Podgórze: Ghetto Heroes Square. 18:00 — dessert by the Vistula and the golden hour by the Castle.
If this plan helped you arrange a May day in Kraków, share it with friends or on social media — every tip shared helps others plan their time in the city well.
If you’d like someone to accompany you around Kraków and tell the stories behind the townhouses and memorial sites — consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact and offer details are available on the guide’s page.
Enjoy your walk — don’t forget to leave time for ice cream, dessert or simply sitting on a bench with a view of the Vistula.
