Yes — it’s possible! You do need to plan the day well and let go of trying to “do everything.” In this article I suggest a simple, pleasant route: morning in Podgórze (quieter, local, a bit of history), afternoon on Wawel Hill (the heart of Krakow — tickets and the main sights), and evening with ice cream near the Old Town. Everything is given as practical tips so you return home smiling and with memories, not exhausted.
Plan like this: get up early — Podgórze is at its nicest in the morning; visit Wawel around midday (after the morning crowds); and leave the evening for a relaxed stroll and ice cream. In the text you’ll find estimated visiting times, ticket tips and a subjective list of ice cream shops worth trying.
This guide is meant to help you plan your day independently or with a local guide from the site mentioned — it doesn’t cover offers from other guides or free tours.
Below you’ll find a step-by-step route and practical tips on how to avoid queues and not waste time.
Why start in Podgórze? Because this part of Krakow has a different rhythm than the crowded Old Town: lower tenement houses, a small, intimate market square, industrial history and the memory of the ghetto — plus great viewpoints. If you like photography, older architecture and places that are less busy, you’ll enjoy a pleasant morning here.
What to see (quick plan, 1.5–2 hours): Podgórze Market Square and St. Joseph’s Church as a starting point; Ghetto Heroes Square with its symbolic chairs; fragments of the ghetto wall and the Pharmacy "Under the Eagle" (a small memorial display); Krakus Mound for a viewpoint — the walk up takes some effort but the panorama is nice; Zabłocie with old factory halls and a revitalized atmosphere (from there it’s easy to head toward Wawel or cross the footbridge).
Practical tips: wear comfortable shoes — some of the route is cobbled and hilly; bring a bottle of water; if you’re interested in Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, plan it as a separate visit (it usually requires booking and can take 1–1.5 hours). From Podgórze you can easily cross the Bernatek Footbridge (Kładka Ojca Bernatka) toward Kazimierz/Wawel and connect walks without using public transport.
If you want to save time: treat the morning in Podgórze as a walking route with a few highlights rather than trying to enter every indoor site — you can leave museum interiors for another visit.
Wawel Hill is a must on any visit to Krakow. You’ll need to decide what matters most to you: the Cathedral, the Royal Chambers, the crypts, or rather a short walk around the courtyard and a photo with the castle in the background. Fully visiting all exhibitions can take 2–4 hours; shorter variants take 1–1.5 hours.
Tickets: book in advance. In season and on weekends tickets for specific exhibitions sell out quickly, so the best habit is to buy online on the official ticket site or a trusted ticket platform. Booking helps avoid long lines at the ticket office, but even with a ticket allow time for security checks and possible queues to enter a particular exhibition.
What to choose if you only have an hour or two: prioritize the Cathedral (tombs, chapels, atmosphere) and a walk through the courtyards. If you’re interested in royal interiors — choose the Royal Chambers. For families with children a shorter option can be the Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama) and a walk along the Vistula boulevards.
Free entries and promotions: occasionally some exhibitions are available free (seasonal actions or special days) — then the number of tickets is limited and prior reservation applies. Check the schedule a few days before your trip and plan flexibly.
Practical on-site tips: bring a light jacket — interiors can be cool; large backpacks are usually not allowed and there’s often a cloakroom; if you plan to go up the tower or the bell, be ready for stairs and possible access restrictions for people with mobility issues.
Suggested route — relaxed pace (no rush):
- 9:00 — Start in Podgórze: short walk around Podgórze Market Square, Ghetto Heroes Square and the Pharmacy "Under the Eagle" (approx. 1–1.5 hrs)
- 10:30 — Krakus Mound (short walk/drive) or the streets of Zabłocie (cafés, local atmosphere) (30–45 min)
- 11:30 — Cross the footbridge or take transport to Wawel (tram/short walk)
- 12:00–14:00 — Wawel: Cathedral and/or Royal Chambers (if you have tickets in advance, use this time)
- 14:30 — Light lunch near the Old Town or Kazimierz (I recommend simple, quick places with local cuisine)
- 15:30–17:00 — Walk around the Old Town, quick shopping, then dessert — ice cream (details in the next section)
- evening — relax by the Vistula or in one of the cozy cafés.
This route is flexible — if you want to spend more time at Wawel, move ice cream to later in the evening. If it’s hot, eat ice cream earlier as a quick refreshment.
Krakow has several places that regularly appear in rankings and resident recommendations. Here is a list of ice cream shops to consider, with a short note on style and location:
- Ice cream on Starowiślna (classic) — an iconic spot, often with a long queue, traditional flavors and sentimental appeal for locals. If you want that “old Krakow ice cream” feeling, go here.
- Tiffany (Plac Szczepański) — known for original, aromatic flavors (including Persian-inspired notes), a good place to experiment with tastes you don’t always find elsewhere. Great when you want something special.
- Donizetti (ul. św. Marka) — creamy ice cream praised for ingredient quality; its location near the Old Town makes it a convenient stop.
- Lodowa Huta — a place with distinctive flavors popular with locals; worth visiting if you’re near Nowa Huta or want to try more unusual options.
- Lody Tradycyjne (ul. Zwierzyniecka) — appreciated by people seeking a thin line between creamy texture and intense fruit flavor; close to the center and the Park.
- Good Lood and other smaller artisan outlets — some places appear and quickly gain popularity; small chains or new brands can pleasantly surprise, so check local reviews on the spot.
Tips when choosing: look at texture and smell — natural ice cream often lacks a ‘plastic’ scent; ask about ingredients and try samples if the staff offers them; avoid places where ice cream sits too long in the sun — the best servings are freshly scooped with a spatula.
If you’re short on time: pick one place near Wawel or the Old Town (Starowiślna or Tiffany are convenient). If you want a culinary adventure — head to Tiffany or one of the smaller artisan shops and let the server recommend a flavor.
Tickets and queues: book Wawel tickets in advance — especially for the Royal Chambers and popular exhibitions. Even with a ticket allow 10–20 minutes for entry and security checks. Keep documents for discounts with you if you plan to use them.
Transport: combine walking with short tram rides. Krakow’s center is compact — it’s pleasant to walk. If you’re short on time, use the tram or a taxi for short legs between Podgórze and Wawel.
Wallet and personal items: in very touristy places watch out for petty pickpockets — keep valuables close. It’s handy to have small change for ice cream or quick purchases.
Weather: ice cream is essential in summer, but expect busy places on hot days. In cooler seasons some shops reduce flavor options. Always check opening hours before you go.
Time to rest: plan short breaks by the Vistula or in a local café — Krakow is best enjoyed without rushing.
Don’t try to “tick off” everything — choose three things you want to remember from the day (for example: the view from Krakus Mound, the interior of the Wawel Cathedral and an excellent ice cream on Starowiślna). That will be enough to make the day successful.
If you want to come back: save the addresses of your favourite places — Krakow has more than one outstanding ice cream shop and you’ll probably return. Take a few unfiltered photos: often natural shots of small streets capture the city’s atmosphere best.
If you have private questions about the route or want to adapt the plan to the season, walking pace or your interests — write on the site; I’ll gladly help plan a route tailored to your needs.
Enjoy your visit and delicious ice cream!
Warm regards,
Małgorzata Kasprowicz - zwiedzaniekrakowa.com
