Yes — you can get to know the most important faces of Kraków in one day if you plan your route sensibly and choose priorities. A classic plan includes the Old Town (Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Church, Cloth Hall), Wawel and Kazimierz. If you want a modern touch or a bit of street food, finish the day near TAURON Arena, where the Arena Garden zone runs food trucks, artisanal ice cream and the Arena Coffee café. Guided tours of TAURON Arena are also possible but require prior reservation and have limited places.
The plan in this article is built to give you a feel for the city without rushing — with breaks for genuinely good food and sweets. If you prefer to swap part of the centre for a longer stay in Kazimierz, feel free to adapt the route to your interests.
If you want to visit the Royal Chambers on Wawel or other museums, book tickets in advance — this will save valuable time and the stress of queues.
08:30–09:30 — Breakfast in the centre: start the day in a cozy bakery or café (for example popular spots around Plac Szczepański) and fuel up for a walk.
09:30–11:00 — Main Market Square and surroundings: walk the Royal Route from Florian Gate, explore the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall and pause at St. Mary’s Church. A quick visit to the Town Hall or a stroll through the cobbled streets gives a fast overview of the city’s history.
11:15–13:00 — Wawel: walk around the hill, visit the cathedral and the castle courtyard; if you plan to enter the Royal Chambers or climb the tower, allow extra time and buy a ticket.
13:15–14:30 — Lunch: traditional Polish cuisine or something lighter — near Wawel and in Kazimierz you’ll find highly rated restaurants serving local dishes.
15:00–17:00 — Kazimierz: atmospheric streets, synagogues, cafés. This is a good place for coffee and a small dessert if you don’t want to wait until evening.
17:30–19:30 — Travel to the TAURON Arena area and Arena Garden: street food zone, ice cream and Arena Coffee café. Spend the evening on a deckchair in the garden area, try local food trucks and treat yourself to a proper dessert.
Alternative: if there’s an event at TAURON Arena in the evening, consider traveling later and factor in more time for larger crowds and longer waits for trams or taxis.
Arena Garden and Arena Coffee: a seasonal Arena Garden zone operates near TAURON Arena with food trucks serving waffles, artisanal ice cream, topped waffles and other sweets. Arena Coffee in the Small Hall offers coffee, shakes and simple desserts. It’s a convenient, pleasant spot for dessert after sightseeing or an event.
Food trucks in Arena Garden offer quick, varied sweet options: ice cream, crepes, waffles and local snacks — a great choice when you’re traveling with family or want to sample several flavors quickly.
If you prefer a classic café and cake, head back to the centre: around the Market Square and Kazimierz you’ll find bakeries and cafés known for quality pastries and chocolate. Plan a short stop in one of them before heading to the Arena if you prefer a calmer setting than the street food zone.
Breakfast and coffee stops in the centre: choose well-reviewed places — well-known bakeries and cafés on Plac Szczepański or near the Market Square are a convenient way to start the day.
Quick dessert near the Arena: Arena Coffee (Small Hall) and the Arena Garden food truck zone — you’ll find artisanal ice cream, waffles and other sweets there.
If you want to climb Wawel or visit museums, check ticket availability online in advance — this is one of the most common mistakes visitors make.
TAURON Arena — guided visits: the venue is open for tours on scheduled dates, places are limited and entrances can be punctual. Booking in advance (form, phone or email) guarantees your spot. Tour prices are usually symbolic but vary by offer — check current details before you go.
Transport: TAURON Arena lies outside the historic centre — getting there by tram or taxi takes about 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. After major events trams and taxis can be busy, so leave extra time for the return trip.
Seasonality of Arena Garden: some of the offer at the Arena is seasonal and event-based (a summer garden, street food market). If specific food trucks or attractions matter to you, check the programme and opening hours before you go.
Tickets for the most popular attractions: Wawel, the Royal Chambers, some museums and exhibitions — book in advance, especially on weekends and during the tourist season.
Trying to see “everything” in 12 hours — it’s better to choose 2–3 priorities wisely than to squeeze the whole programme and end up disappointed.
Not booking Royal Chambers or Arena tours — if something is important to you, buy the ticket beforehand.
Not planning breaks for food and rest — Kraków tastes best when you allow time for coffee and dessert instead of rushing nonstop.
Ignoring travel time for events at TAURON Arena — factor in longer return times, traffic and queues after concerts or matches.
TAURON Arena is not only a concert hall — it’s one of the largest and most modern venues of its kind in Poland, and sometimes you can tour behind the scenes and see areas usually reserved for organizers and artists.
Near the Arena a concept of an urban garden with food trucks was created — a convenient solution for those who want a relaxed, outdoor vibe without returning to the centre.
If you like local flavors, check which food trucks are in Arena Garden on the day you visit — they often offer interesting, seasonal dessert variations.
Is it worth visiting TAURON Arena on a tour? Yes, if you’re interested in modern architecture and the backstage of a large venue — tours give access to places not available to the public during events.
Does Arena Garden operate year-round? No — it is mainly a seasonal and event-based zone; however, the Arena also has permanent food points such as Arena Coffee.
Where is it better to have dessert: the centre or near the Arena? It depends on the mood: the centre offers classic cafés and elegant cakes, while near the Arena you’ll find a more relaxed form — artisanal ice cream and street food.
How do I get back to the centre from the Arena in the evening? The fastest options are tram or taxi; remember that after big events you should expect bigger crowds and longer waiting times.
If you found this article helpful — share it with friends or on social media. That way more travelers will discover Kraków in a pleasant, unhurried way.
If you want to explore with someone who knows the city well and will show it from a local perspective, feel free to contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — guide contact details are available on the guide’s website. Have a great day in Kraków and enjoy your dessert!
