A new exhibition beneath Wawel Hill and large-scale murals scattered across the city are two different stories about Kraków that - with good planning - fit into a weekend trip. Wawel today offers not only the royal chambers but also archaeological displays and multimedia exhibitions, while Kraków’s streets show the city’s contemporary side through street art.
In this guide you’ll get a ready two-day plan, practical tips (tickets, transport, how much time to allow), a few restaurant and café suggestions and a list of common mistakes - so you return from Kraków full of impressions rather than tired and disappointed.
Start the morning at Wawel - the castle, cathedral and hill area are a must-see. In recent months new displays have appeared that present archaeological discoveries from the space beneath Wawel, which makes the visit slightly different from a typical tour of the royal chambers. Allow at least 2–3 hours for Wawel if you want to see the underground exhibitions and the castle interiors.
After leaving Wawel, walk across the Market Square and the Old Town streets - a great area for lunch and coffee. If you’re looking for atmospheric places nearby, consider restaurants and cafés in Kazimierz and around the Main Market Square. In the afternoon you can visit small galleries or museums, and in the evening head to Kazimierz where social life stays lively late.
Dedicate the second day to street art. The largest murals are concentrated around Zabłocie and Podgórze, but it’s worth venturing to selected spots in Nowa Huta. A practical route can start at Przemysłowa Street (the 'Tolerancja' work by Sebastian Bożek), continue through Zabłocie (including monumental pieces on former factory facades) and finish in Podgórze with the 'Ding Dong Dumb' mural by the Italian artist Blu - one of the city’s most recognizable works.
Walking this route lets you see both festival-approved murals and pieces created as part of social projects. Keep in mind that murals are a changing art form - some fade, are restored or are altered by new interventions, so photos from a few years ago may not show the current appearance.
Nowa Huta Cultural Centre area - a place where new murals regularly appear and where unveilings connected to local art initiatives often take place.
Zabłocie and the former Miraculum factory - a classic stop on Kraków’s street art map with large-scale works on industrial buildings.
MOCAK and its surroundings - the Museum of Contemporary Art is surrounded by smaller artistic interventions; it’s worth stopping here not only for exhibitions but also for coffee in the museum café.
Book tickets for Wawel and popular exhibitions online in advance - on weekends and in the summer ticket lines can be long and some shows have limited entry.
Murals are outdoors, so weather matters. Plan your route flexibly - in rainy weather move parts of the program to museums or cafés.
Kraków is convenient to explore on foot, but for longer trips between districts use trams and buses. Expect to walk about 4–6 km per day depending on how many stops you make.
If you plan to photograph murals with professional equipment and set up a tripod - check beforehand whether the location is private or has restrictions. Respect residents’ privacy and avoid entering fenced or restricted areas.
Kazimierz: Starka - traditional Polish cuisine in a cozy setting; Cafe Camelot - great for coffee and cake after a stroll through the Jewish quarter.
Near Wawel: Pod Wawelem - classic, generous portions of Polish food; the Market and nearby streets offer many places for a quick lunch.
Zabłocie / MOCAK: the museum café is a convenient stop to rest, and the neighborhood has trendy spots serving simple, seasonal dishes.
Forum Przestrzenie (Kazimierz) - a popular venue by the Vistula for lunch or an evening drink with a river view.
Wawel hides layers of history - archaeological displays show that the hill holds traces of settlement going back hundreds of thousands of years, and new exhibitions increasingly combine objects with modern multimedia solutions.
Not all famous murals in Kraków are permanent - some are created for festivals or temporary projects, others are restored or covered by new interventions, so street art routes are a living, changing phenomenon.
Some murals were made as part of social and educational initiatives rather than commercial commissions - that’s an important element of the city’s narrative, connecting art with local stories and memory.
Trying to see 'everything' in 48 hours - it’s better to choose a few priorities and experience them carefully than to rush from point to point.
Not booking Wawel tickets in advance - this leads to long waits or no available slots for your preferred time.
Assuming murals never change - when planning photos and routes check up-to-date sources or maps because the street scene can change.
Forgetting comfortable shoes and protection from sun or rain - most of the mural route is outdoors.
Can I see everything in 2 days? Yes, with a good plan - but pick priorities: Wawel + part of the Old Town on day one, murals and MOCAK/Podgórze on day two.
Where can I find a mural map? Local guides and thematic publications about street art are useful, as are websites and articles that outline routes - it’s wise to have an offline map or screenshots.
Are murals legal? Many large murals were created as part of projects with permission from owners, but graffiti and tags also appear spontaneously - respect the artworks and private property.
Do I need a guide? A guide is not required, but a guide will help you understand the context of works, the history of places and stories that aren’t visible at first glance.
If this article helped you - share it with friends or on your social media. Recommendations from travelers help others plan a successful trip.
If you want to get to know Kraków more deeply and without stress, consider using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz - contact information is available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. With local knowledge you’ll see places and hear stories that won’t appear in an ordinary guidebook.
