Kraków is a city where you can experience “the essentials” in one day — if you plan your route well and start early you can see Wawel, the Market Square, parts of the Royal Route and the atmospheric Kazimierz. The May holiday usually brings nice spring weather but also larger crowds and city events, so factor that into your plan.
- try to start before the crowds build up, e.g. around 8:30–9:00.
- the walking distance between main attractions in the centre is usually 3–5 km, which makes for a comfortable day of sightseeing with breaks.
Plan with crowds in mind and book tickets where possible — especially for the Royal Castle on Wawel, the Market Square Underground, and Schindler’s Factory. On holiday days (May 1 and May 3) Kraków often hosts extra events, and paid parking zones may operate differently than on a normal weekend, so check local rules the day before.
If you want to avoid long lines — choose an early start, save museum visits for less busy afternoon hours or reserve online. Keep a flexible plan — if a site has a long queue, swap it for a walk along the Vistula boulevards or a coffee break.
- have a plan B: a walk around the Planty park and a stroll through Kazimierz make a great alternative on busy days.
08:30 - 09:00 - Start: Matejko Square or the Barbican. Short orientation and walk through St. Florian's Gate toward the Old Town. - 09:00 - 10:30 - Floriańska Street and the Main Market Square: walk, take photos, visit St. Mary’s Basilica or browse the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). - 10:30 - 12:00 - Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets, walk up to Wawel: castle courtyard, Cathedral, optional visits to selected exhibitions. - 12:00 - 13:00 - Lunch near Wawel or at the Market Square. - 13:00 - 16:30 - Kazimierz: synagogues, the Old Jewish Cemetery, Plac Nowy with its zapiekanki, cafes and atmospheric streets. - 16:30 - 18:00 - Optional Podgórze and Schindler’s Factory (Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory) or a walk along the Vistula boulevards and sunset by Wawel. - Evening - dinner in Kazimierz or near the Market Square and a night walk through the illuminated Old Town.
This plan is intensive but doable at a brisk pace with minimal breaks. If you prefer a quieter tempo, spread the route over two days and make one district the main focus for the May holiday.
- remember to schedule a break every 60–90 minutes — cafes and benches in the Planty are ideal.
Matejko Square and the Barbican - a good starting point for a quick intro to Kraków’s medieval defensive walls. - Floriańska Street - walk this representative street: Jan Matejko’s house, cafes and the characteristic atmosphere. - Main Market Square - the heart of the city: the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica with the Veit Stoss altarpiece and the trumpet call (hejnał) from the tower. Allow time for a short interior visit. - Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets - usually quiet, beautiful lanes leading to Wawel. - Wawel Hill - courtyards of the Royal Castle and the Cathedral with royal crypts. Don’t forget the Wawel Dragon on the south slope. - Kazimierz - the former Jewish quarter with synagogues, the Old Cemetery and Plac Nowy with stalls and zapiekanki. - Podgórze - sites of WWII memory and Schindler’s Factory as an important exhibition.
At each stop allow an extra 20–60 minutes if you plan to enter museums. Decide in advance which places you want to see “from the outside” and which you must see “from the inside” — that makes the day’s logistics easier.
- if you want calm photos, choose morning hours at Wawel and on the Planty.
For a quick local bite - Plac Nowy in Kazimierz: the famous zapiekanki stalls or a few nearby food trucks. - For a coffee with Market Square atmosphere - Café Camelot or cafes on Grodzka Street. - For lunch near Wawel - Restauracja Pod Wawelem: classic Polish portions in a tourist-friendly setting. - For dinner in Kazimierz - Starka or Miód Malina offer local flavors in a cozier atmosphere. - For a more formal experience - Restaurant Wierzynek on the Market Square (book ahead).
The May holiday brings many visitors, so if you have a specific restaurant in mind — reserve in advance. If you prefer improvising, choose places off the main route or look for seasonal food truck zones and markets.
- remember a small snack in your backpack and a bottle of water for longer walks.
Schindler’s Factory (Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory) - an important and moving exhibition about Kraków during WWII; book tickets in advance. - Market Square Underground - a modern archaeological museum beneath the Main Market Square, a great quick and interesting complement. - Wieliczka Salt Mine - if you have a half day extra, this classic trip outside the city is a popular option. - Kościuszko Mound or Zakrzówek - if you want to escape the tourist hustle and see a panorama of the city.
If the May weather is pleasant, consider an evening river cruise on the Vistula or a walk along the boulevards — the sunset view of Wawel is especially beautiful.
- remember that a trip to Wieliczka requires transport and at least about 3 hours including travel; treat it as a half-day plan.
Tickets and reservations - buy tickets online for the most popular attractions to shorten queue time. - Parking and arrival - Kraków is much busier in May; paid parking zones may operate on holiday days, so check rules before you travel. - Public transport - trams and buses link the centre with further points well; for a short visit it’s usually better to leave the car and move on foot or by public transport. - Clothing and footwear - comfortable shoes for cobblestones, a light layer for cooler evenings and an umbrella for possible May showers. - Safety - Kraków is generally safe, but in crowded places keep your documents close and watch out for petty theft.
- public toilets are available near main attractions, but it’s useful to have a few zloty for pay-to-use facilities.
- if traveling with children, plan shorter stages and pick attractions with interactive elements.
Can you really see Kraków in one day? - Yes, you can see “the essentials” in a single day with a well-planned rhythm and by skipping long museum visits. If you want to explore many museum interiors, consider a 2-day plan. How long does walking the Royal Route take? - The external walk itself takes about 2–2.5 hours. With visits to the main interiors count 4–6 hours. What about the weather for the May holiday? - May is often kind, but there can be occasional showers and cooler evenings — bring a light jacket or thin raincoat. Where to leave luggage for a day? - There are luggage storages at stations and in some central locations; hotels will often store a suitcase for a few hours after check-out. Is parking paid on May holidays? - Often yes; in some years fees apply on May 1 and May 3 as well, so check local information before arrival.
- it’s best to plan the day for walking — the centre is compact and comfortable for strolls.
- keep a tram schedule app handy to return to your hotel or reach farther points easily.
Comfortable shoes - the most important item. - A bottle of water and a small snack. - A light rain jacket or thin sweater for the evening. - A charged phone with an offline map and a public transport app. - Cash and card - most places accept cards, but some food stalls prefer cash. - ID and copies of ticket confirmations.
- if you plan museum visits, bring printed tickets or confirmations on your phone.
- a small first-aid kit with plasters can save the day for blisters from walking on cobblestones.
Kraków in one day during the May holiday is a wonderful experience — intense, colorful and full of contrasts. Prepare a plan, reserve entries when possible and stay flexible. The must-see places: the Royal Route, Main Market Square, Wawel and Kazimierz. If you have more time, add Podgórze or a trip to Wieliczka. Before you leave, check opening hours, book tickets and confirm parking rules for holiday days. Have a great stay and enjoy your May-holiday adventure in Kraków — wishes guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz).
- short pre-departure checklist: reservations, comfortable shoes, water, power bank, plan B in case of long queues.
- would you like a personalized May-holiday route? Contact us at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — we’ll help tailor the plan to your pace and interests.
