Krakow is compact — many of the most important sights are within a short walk of each other. Wawel is the heart of Polish history, the Royal Route gives a sense of the ceremonial journey from the Middle Ages to the castle, and Schindler's Factory tells a moving story of the city during World War II. In two days you can comfortably see the essentials if you plan your tickets and spread out visits to avoid peak times.
A well-planned two-day schedule lets you see Wawel from the outside and inside (the cathedral and royal chambers), walk the Royal Route (Florian Gate - Floriańska Street - Main Square - Grodzka Street - Kanonicza Street - Wawel) and visit Schindler's Factory in Zabłocie — without rushing, with time for good coffee and a relaxed lunch. This article will help with tickets, opening hours and practical tips so your two-day stay is pleasant and efficient.
If you prefer a slower pace, split the attractions differently and leave most of the second day for Kazimierz and the area around Schindler's Factory — you can spend time in the museum, cafés and soaking up the district's atmosphere.
Day 1 - Classics: Royal Route + Wawel (outside and inside): - Morning: start at the Florian Gate, walk down Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square. Pop into St. Mary’s Basilica (you may attend a short organ concert if available). - Late morning: Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and a coffee break (for example Café Camelot or one of the popular cafés around the Main Square). - Afternoon: walk along Grodzka Street and Kanonicza Street to Wawel. Visit the castle courtyard, and if you have tickets, the royal chambers and the cathedral (check exactly which tickets you bought). - Evening: dinner nearby (suggestions later).
Day 2 - Schindler's Factory and Kazimierz: - Morning: Schindler's Factory (best with a planned entry time — the museum operates on timed tickets). Book an entrance time online. - After the museum: stroll through Kazimierz — Szeroka Street, Nowy Square, the synagogues and cosy cafés. Kazimierz is a great place for a meal — restaurants and bars serve Jewish-inspired and international dishes. - Afternoon alternative: visit Podgórze, Kościuszko Mound or take a Vistula river cruise. Finish the day with dinner and relaxation.
Estimated visit times: Wawel — from 1 to 2.5 hours (depending on the route), Schindler's Factory — about 1.5–2 hours, walking the Royal Route with short stops — 2–3 hours.
Wawel - what to know: - Wawel has several separate entrances and routes: there are usually the "Private Royal Apartments" (Castle I), the "Chambers" (Castle II), the Cathedral with crypts and the bell tower with the Sigismund Bell. Tickets for these routes are bought separately or occasionally combined in limited joint tickets — check what your ticket includes before purchase. - Buy tickets in advance for a specific time — in season morning and late-afternoon slots fill up quickly. Without a reservation you may face long queues. - Consider restrictions — large backpacks and strollers usually need to be left in a cloakroom, and some routes may not be accessible for visitors with limited mobility.
Schindler's Factory - practical tips: - The Museum of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory works with timed entries; it's best to book an online ticket for a specific time. - The museum occasionally has days with limited or free admission (free allocations are normally available at the ticket office on the day and are limited in number) — if you aim for free entry be prepared for a queue at the ticket office. - Allow about 1.5–2 hours for the museum; the exhibition is multimedia and emotionally engaging — give yourself time to reflect.
Where to buy tickets - short: - Buy on official museum websites or through trusted ticket sellers (verify that availability is current before purchase). - Avoid reseller offers that look like scalped tickets at inflated prices. - If you have limited time, booking in advance saves stress and time.
What to see at Wawel - priority list: - The Royal Castle courtyard — a short walk for photos and atmosphere. - Private Royal Apartments (Castle I) — tapestries, royal chambers, art and ceramics. - Wawel Cathedral — royal tombs, chapels, and the option to climb the tower with the Sigismund Bell (usually paid and requires a separate reservation). - The crypts and underground — for lovers of history and archaeology. - Remember: different routes have different limits and opening hours — check before your visit.
When to go: - Best early in the morning (when museums open) or late afternoon, outside peak visitor hours. - If you plan indoor visits on a weekend, reserve in advance — especially in summer and holiday periods.
Practical rules on site: - Check baggage rules — larger backpacks are usually stored in a cloakroom. - Keep a quiet, respectful behaviour in historic interiors — photography may be restricted in some rooms. - Specific exhibitions have scheduled entry times — your ticket’s exact time matters when planning the day.
What the exhibition is like: - The display is modern and multimedia — lots of audio-visual materials, archival photos and personal testimonies. The exhibition is time- and emotion-demanding — allow 1.5–2 hours. - It tells the story of Krakow’s residents during the German occupation, the history of the factory itself and the fate of those saved by Schindler.
Hours and tickets - practical notes: - The museum operates timed entry; buy a ticket online for a chosen entry time. - If you try for a last-minute visit without a booking — on free or limited-admission days expect a queue at the ticket office. - When purchasing online, pay attention to the exact entry time — entrances are often organized within a specific 10-minute window. - Location: the Podgórze district — Zabłocie. Easy to reach by public transport or a walk from Kazimierz. - After visiting, stroll around Zabłocie and Kazimierz — you'll find many pleasant cafés and restaurants.
Important ethical note: - Schindler's Factory is a place of remembrance — show appropriate respect during your visit.
Route and key points: - The Royal Route starts beyond the Barbican and Florian Gate, leads along Floriańska Street to the Main Market Square, through the Cloth Hall and then along Grodzka and Kanonicza Streets to Wawel. This is the historic coronation path of Polish kings. - Along the route you will see: Florian Gate, St. Mary's Basilica, the Cloth Hall, the Adam Mickiewicz Monument, historic tenement houses with beautiful façades, churches and old townhouses. Kanonicza Street and the houses along it are among Krakow’s oldest streets with picturesque canon houses.
Where to stop for coffee or lunch: - The Main Square and nearby streets are full of cafés and restaurants — a good place for a break. For a less touristy option, turn into the side streets around Grodzka or head toward Kazimierz.
Photo stops: - The view from Wawel over the Vistula and the city skyline is a must-capture. - Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica — shots from the Main Square. - Kanonicza Street and the houses by Wawel — a special historic atmosphere.
Near the Main Square and surroundings (a bit more touristy but reliable): - Pod Aniołami (Grodzka Street) — traditional Polish cuisine in historic interiors, a good place for lunch after visiting Wawel. - Café Camelot (near the Main Square) — a cosy café ideal for a coffee break.
Kazimierz - atmosphere and variety: - Hamsa — a well-known restaurant with Middle Eastern cuisine, a pleasant dinner spot in Kazimierz. - Mleczarnia — a café/bar with a relaxed atmosphere, good for dessert and coffee after visiting synagogues.
Local and more informal options: - Nowy Square — here you can find popular zapiekanki and street snacks — a good quick lunch while exploring Kazimierz. - Massolit Books & Cafe (Kazimierz) — a bookstore with a café, a great place to relax with light snacks.
How to get around: - Krakow’s centre is comfortable to explore on foot — the Main Square, Wawel and Kazimierz are close to each other. - To reach Schindler's Factory (Zabłocie) from the Main Square you can walk in about 20–30 minutes or go faster by tram or bus. - Public transport (trams and buses) is well developed — buy tickets at machines, kiosks or via mobile apps. - If you stay only in the centre, a car is more trouble than help (parking zones, paid spaces). I recommend leaving the car at the hotel or a long-term car park and moving on foot or by public transport.
Approximate walking times: - Main Square → Wawel: 10–20 minutes on foot (depending on pace and stops). - Main Square → Schindler's Factory (Zabłocie): 20–30 minutes on foot; by tram about 10–15 minutes. - Wear comfortable shoes — cobbled streets and a lot of walking.
Remember to validate public transport tickets (or buy via app) — inspections are frequent.
Don't forget: - Comfortable shoes — lots of walking on cobbled streets. - A jacket or umbrella — Krakow's weather can change quickly, especially outside of summer. - ID for reduced-price tickets — many places require a student card or discount card to prove eligibility. - A small daypack rather than a suitcase — it's easier to move around; larger luggage is not allowed in many interiors.
For travelers with limited mobility: - Check route accessibility and possible restrictions — not all parts of historic sites are fully accessible. - Call or check the chosen places’ websites in advance — museums often publish information about facilities.
Safety and respect: - In places of remembrance (Schindler's Factory, cemeteries, war-related sites) keep quiet and act respectfully.
How long will the queue be for Schindler's Factory if I don't have an online ticket? - On busy days queues at the ticket office can be long. If you plan for free admission on a special day or want to buy at the desk, be prepared to wait — alternatively, buying an online ticket for a set time is best.
Can I touch the Sigismund Bell? - Access to the tower and the possibility of touching the bell are regulated and often require a separate ticket with limited spots. Usually you need a separate booking to visit the tower.
Do I have to reserve a specific time for Wawel? - It's recommended to reserve tickets for specific routes in advance, especially in high season and on weekends. Not all exhibitions always require reservations, but check before you arrive.
Do all Krakow museums accept cards? - Most museums and food places accept cards, but at some small stalls or kiosks near attractions it's good to have a little cash on hand.
Is a combined ticket for several attractions worth it? - If you plan to visit many museums in a short time, a combined ticket can be economical — compare the package offers with single tickets to be sure.
- The city is especially beautiful and less crowded in the early morning or late afternoon — plan Wawel or a Royal Route walk for those times if possible. - For a more local feel after sightseeing, have dinner in Kazimierz rather than near the Main Square. - When buying tickets online check cancellation terms and any requirements about personal data — some museums issue named tickets. - Have a backup plan — if it rains, swap a walk for a museum visit or a long coffee break. - If you have more time consider a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Ojcow National Park — both are popular and worth a visit.
Wishing you a wonderful stay in Krakow — may these two days be full of interesting stories, tasty breaks with local food and lasting memories. If you’d like, I can prepare a personalized walking plan through the city streets or a restaurant list tailored to your food preferences. Let me know!
Warm regards, Małgorzata Kasprowicz - guide (text prepared for zwiedzaniekrakowa.com)
