Can you combine Krakow’s classic must-see sights with a relaxing visit to Zakrzówek Reservoir during a single weekend day? Yes - but it pays to plan the route and include breaks for food and walking time. This article offers a practical walking itinerary (with public transport options), what to see along the way, the most important rules at Zakrzówek and practical tips to make your day in Krakow easier.
No long digressions - you will get a concrete hourly plan, alternatives for longer distances, suggestions where to eat and a list of common mistakes and FAQ. If you like photography, bring your camera: views from the Zakrzówek cliffs and the sunset over the Vistula are some of the city’s most beautiful shots.
08:30-10:00 - Wawel Hill: start your day at the Royal Castle and Cathedral, then take a short walk along the Vistula boulevards. Early hours help you avoid crowds and give you time for relaxed photos.
10:00-12:00 - Main Market Square and surroundings: walk the Royal Route via Kanonicza Street to the Market Square; see St. Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Hall and the Town Hall Tower. This is a good moment for a short coffee or breakfast in a nearby café.
12:00-14:00 - Kazimierz: stroll along Szeroka Street and the side lanes of Kazimierz, have a quick lunch (for example a zapiekanka at Plac Nowy or a sit-down meal at one of the local cafés). Kazimierz is also a good place for a longer break and rest.
14:00-15:00 - Podgórze and MOCAK (optional) : cross the Bernatek Footbridge to Podgórze, see the Ghetto Heroes Square and the surroundings. A short visit to MOCAK is an option if you enjoy contemporary art and still have time.
15:00-16:00 - walk to Zakrzówek / travel: walking from Podgórze takes about 30-50 minutes depending on your pace; if you prefer to save time, use public transport or a short taxi/ride-hail trip.
16:00-18:00 - Zakrzówek: relax by the water, visit viewpoints and take a short route around the reservoir. In the evening you can return to the Vistula boulevards or head to a mound, for example Krakus Mound, for sunset.
18:00-21:00 - Dinner and evening walk: go back to the centre or stay around Kazimierz/Podgórze for dinner. Krakow at night has a special atmosphere - a great way to end the day.
Zakrzówek is a flooded former limestone quarry with high chalk cliffs and clear water - a place much loved by locals and visitors. It’s ideal for a walk, a picnic and, in season, swimming in designated areas.
The area is partly arranged as a recreational park - you will find designated piers, viewpoints and trails; in season lifeguards are present at selected spots. Remember safety near the cliffs and do not go down into prohibited places.
Several educational and ecological initiatives operate in the area - exhibitions or projects related to nature protection and water management sometimes take place, which makes Zakrzówek interesting also from a natural and educational point of view.
If you prefer public transport, look for stops around Kapelanka, Norymberska, Grota-Roweckiego or Park 'Skały'/Twardowskiego - from there you can walk to Zakrzówek in a few minutes. Buses and trams run regularly and travel from the centre usually takes 15-25 minutes depending on the route.
Walking option: the route through Podgórze passes interesting places and takes longer, but it’s a great way to feel the city. When planning walking sections keep in mind changes in elevation - reaching some viewpoints requires short climbs.
Parking: parking around Zakrzówek is limited - if you come by car, consider parking farther away and walking or using public transport.
- Walk around the reservoir and take photos from the cliffs and piers. - Have a picnic or a short rest in the green pockets between the rocks. - If the swimming season is open - swim only in the designated zones (exercise caution and do not enter the water outside marked areas). - For active visitors: short running routes, workout zones and birdwatching or observing protected plants.
For those interested in history - remember that this area is a former limestone quarry: a modest natural spot in the city that still contains many traces of its industrial past.
Breakfast/morning coffee: Charlotte - a bakery/café known for good croissants and coffee, great for a quick breakfast before sightseeing.
Lunch in Kazimierz: Plac Nowy is a classic (zapiekanki and street snacks), and if you prefer a sit-down meal look for cafés and small restaurants around Szeroka Street and nearby lanes. Recommended relaxed cafés for the afternoon: Café Młynek or Cytat Cafe - good spots for a dessert and coffee break.
Dinner: in the evening choose one of the restaurants in Kazimierz or the centre - Polish and international cuisine are easily available. If you want local flavors try pierogi, zurek or modern takes on regional dishes.
- Zakrzówek is not only a place for swimming - it is also an important nature site with rare plants and amphibians that are sometimes protected.
- Some viewpoints reveal fragments of former fortifications and quarry faces - an interesting contrast between industrial history and urban nature.
- An evening walk along the Vistula after returning from Zakrzówek can be as attractive as the reservoir itself - the Vistula boulevards and bridges offer different but very atmospheric views of the city.
Thinking you can see everything 'on the run' - you will avoid frustration if you plan 1-2 longer breaks (for coffee and lunch) instead of racing between sights every 10 minutes.
Trying to drive 'right to the shore' - this can be problematic due to limited parking and restrictions; consider public transport.
Not preparing for uneven terrain - bring comfortable shoes, especially if you plan to descend to viewpoints or walk on unpaved trails.
Can you swim at Zakrzówek? - In season swimming is allowed only in designated zones; outside the season and outside marked areas it is prohibited for safety reasons.
Is the route doable on foot in one day? - Yes, but it depends on your pace and how much time you want to spend at each attraction; for comfort plan a public transport option for the longest stretch.
Do I need reservations for Wawel? - For some exhibits and tickets to specific exhibitions it is worth booking in advance to avoid queues.
Is Zakrzówek suitable for families with children? - Yes - there are flat, gentle sections of paths and resting spots, but watch the cliffs and water; children should always be supervised.
If you want to feel Krakow in one day and also visit Zakrzówek, plan the day around a natural rhythm: morning monuments, afternoon in the green, and evening with good food and a stroll - this ensures a full experience without burning out.
If you like this plan, share it with friends or on social media - you will help others better plan a day in Krakow.
If you prefer to explore with a local private guide - Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers tailored Krakow tours matched to your expectations; you can find contact details on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Good luck and enjoy your visit!
