Wawel is the heart of historic Krakow and often decides whether your day in the city will feel successful. If you want to visit the Royal Chambers, the Crown Treasury, the Armory and the Cathedral, start in the morning — you will avoid the biggest crowds and make better use of your time.
Recent practice across tourist publications: most exhibitions of the Royal Castle and displays on Wawel are open Tuesday–Sunday in morning and afternoon hours, while Mondays often have shorter opening times. The Cathedral follows a similar pattern, but Mass times and internal access can affect availability. For these reasons I always recommend checking the current opening hours on the institution’s official site before you go — especially if you plan to visit on a holiday or see a temporary exhibition.
Some routes and exhibitions at Wawel have limits on the number of visitors, so if you want to see a specific display (for example the Royal Chambers, the Crown Treasury or the Royal Gardens), it’s best to book tickets online or arrive early at the ticket offices. Even buying a ticket on the day doesn’t always save you from a long morning queue.
Kazimierz works great as the second part of the day: after a morning at Wawel head there for a walk, lunch and further visits to the former Jewish quarter. The main sites are: the Old Synagogue, the Remuh Synagogue with its cemetery, the Tempel Synagogue, Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy.
Visiting hours for individual monuments are often seasonal. In practice: many synagogues and museum branches are open most days of the week, usually from morning to late afternoon (for example roughly 9:00–17:00), while Saturdays and Jewish holidays often mean places of worship are closed (Remuh Synagogue can be closed on Saturdays and holidays), and winter months usually bring shorter opening hours. The Old Synagogue and the Tempel typically follow museum-style opening hours (weekdays and Sundays, with shorter hours in November–February).
Therefore: when planning a visit to Kazimierz that includes specific interiors, check the hours of the synagogues and museums for the same day, because they may differ from the general neighborhood opening times.
08:30–09:00 – Start at Wawel: if you want to enter at a specific time, be at the ticket offices/entrance early. Morning coffee nearby (the café at the Tourist Information Centre or one of the cafés on ul. Grodzka).
09:00–11:30 – Visit the main routes at Wawel: Royal Chambers / Crown Treasury / Armory (time depends on which route you choose). Remember: some temporary exhibitions have separate tickets and visitor limits.
11:30–12:00 – Short walk down the hill, photos by the Vistula, the Dragon monument and a possible visit to the Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama) if it’s open.
12:00–13:30 – Walk to Kazimierz, lunch at Plac Nowy or one of the pleasant local restaurants: recommended options include Hamsa – Hummus & Bowls, Mleczarnia (a cozy spot for light bites and coffee), or Pod Wawelem if you fancy traditional Polish food close to Wawel.
13:30–16:30 – Walk around Kazimierz: the Old Synagogue (part of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow), Remuh Synagogue and cemetery, Tempel Synagogue, Szeroka Street, cafés. Leave time to relax with a coffee and local treats, for example an original zapiekanka at Plac Nowy.
16:30–17:30 – Short stop by the Vistula, optional river cruise (seasonal) or a visit to Kościuszko Mound if you have the energy and time.
18:00–20:00 – Sunset and dinner: dining on Kazimierz is a great option (places serving Jewish and Mediterranean-inspired cuisine or traditional taverns), or return toward the Main Market Square for an evening stroll.
- Buy Wawel tickets online if you plan to visit the Royal Chambers, the Crown Treasury or temporary exhibitions. The number of entries is sometimes limited, especially in high season. - If you don’t have a ticket in advance, come before opening time: mornings are usually the calmest. - In Kazimierz most bars, cafés and market stalls operate without reservations, but for dinner in popular restaurants it’s worth booking a table for the evening. - Take into account occasional technical breaks at some ticket offices/museums (short closures sometimes occur in the middle of the day). - Check for possible closed days: November 1, December 24–25 or January 1, and some religious holidays can affect availability. Always confirm on the official site of an attraction before you leave.
- If you travel with luggage, look for left-luggage facilities (near the train station or private lockers), because visiting Wawel or synagogues with large backpacks can be difficult.
- For larger groups (family, friends) consider group tickets or visiting at set times — some routes require prior group reservations.
Kazimierz is a great place for lunch and snacks: - Plac Nowy — the legendary zapiekanka stall (the classic mushroom-and-cheese zapiekanka is a must). - Hamsa Hummus & Happiness – tasty dishes inspired by Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine. - Mleczarnia — a cozy place, good for light bites and coffee. Near the Market and Wawel: - Restauracja Szara (Market Square) — an elegant option close to the Main Market. - Pod Wawelem Kompania Kuflowa — traditional Polish food in a relaxed atmosphere, popular with visitors.
If you want local desserts and coffee, look for small cafés in Kazimierz and the city centre — many have a pleasant atmosphere and good cakes. Remember that in summer outdoor seats fill quickly, so sit earlier or reserve a spot for the evening.
- For vegetarians and people looking for lighter options, Kazimierz offers a number of places with hummus, falafel and vegetarian dishes.
- The best way to explore Krakow’s centre is on foot. From Wawel to Kazimierz you’ll walk in 10–20 minutes at a relaxed pace. - Public transport: trams and buses connect the main points of the city; check timetables if you plan to travel beyond the centre. - Clothing and shoes: comfortable shoes are essential — cobbled streets and the gentle climb up Wawel can be tiring. - Toilets: available in cafés, tourist information centres and larger museums; there are often paid public toilets in the centre. - Photos: photography in courtyards is allowed, but in some museum interiors use of flash and tripods is forbidden. - Payments: cards are widely accepted, but for stalls at Plac Nowy it’s useful to have some cash. - Safety: Krakow is relatively safe for tourists, but as everywhere watch small valuables, documents and luggage.
- For families with children: pack small snacks and plan breaks; many attractions have shorter routes suitable for little ones.
- For visitors with reduced mobility: Wawel Hill includes steep sections, but many institutions try to provide access; check availability of lifts and barrier-free routes before your visit.
- Opening hours change with the season and special events; temporary exhibitions may have different hours than permanent displays. - Events (festivals, Masses, state ceremonies) can temporarily limit access to parts of Wawel or the Cathedral. - If you have only one afternoon and want to avoid disappointment, choose priorities: visiting Wawel’s interiors requires the most time; Kazimierz is an area for a relaxed walk and soaking up atmosphere. - Always have a plan B: if Wawel has no available entry time, enjoy a leisurely lunch, walk the Planty, or visit one of the museums by the Market.
- Best times for photos: the golden hour just after sunrise and just before sunset — Wawel looks beautiful in the evening, while Kazimierz is calmer in the morning. - Weather: dress in layers; Polish weather can change during the day.
Can you see Wawel and Kazimierz in one day? - Yes, in the sense of sampling both places: a morning at Wawel (outdoor areas and one chosen interior route) and an afternoon in Kazimierz with lunch and visits to the main synagogues. If you want to see all interior spaces of Wawel thoroughly, you’ll need more time.
Do I need to buy tickets in advance? - I strongly recommend buying Wawel tickets for specific routes in advance during the high season; in Kazimierz most places can be visited without prebooking, though some synagogues and museums may require group reservations.
Is there a dress code for the Cathedral? - Appropriate dress is required at the Cathedral (avoid bare shoulders and very short shorts). During services access to the interior may be limited.
Are synagogues open on Saturdays? - Many places of worship in Kazimierz are closed on Saturdays and during Jewish holidays — plan to visit interiors outside the Sabbath.
Is the Dragon’s Den worth visiting? - It’s a short, pleasant attraction for families; check whether it’s open that day. If you enjoy legends and photos, the Dragon monument by the Vistula is worth a look.
- Be curious but patient: Krakow has its own rhythm — the more time you spend lingering at a café table, the more you’ll remember the city. - Leave buffer time: trams, queues and technical breaks can happen. - Support local places: buying souvenirs from Kazimierz artisans or having lunch in a small restaurant makes for better memories. - Check up-to-date opening hours and availability of chosen exhibitions on the day you plan to go — this is the simplest way to avoid disappointment. - If you’d like, I can prepare a personalized itinerary for you (pace, food preferences, accommodation location) — tell me how you like to travel and I’ll tailor a schedule for you. I wish you a wonderful day in Krakow — may it be full of discoveries and good food!
Warm regards, Małgorzata (zwiedzaniekrakowa.com)
P.S. If you’re planning a visit on a specific holiday or want to enter a particular exhibition at Wawel — let me know and I’ll check the details and include them in the suggested route.
