Kraków has so many attractions it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. Three days is a great compromise: enough time to calmly visit Wawel and the Cathedral, walk through the Old Town, soak up the atmosphere of Kazimierz and visit one or two museums. This guide gives a practical, friendly plan with notes on Wawel opening hours, ticket reservations and local specialties so you can avoid the common tourist pitfalls.
You’ll also find a short FAQ, a list of trusted places to eat and practical tips to save time — all written plainly so you can quickly prepare a successful trip.
Day 1 – Wawel and the Old Town: morning at Wawel (state rooms, exhibitions or the underground route), afternoon stroll around the Market Square and the Cloth Hall, evening dinner in one of the restaurants near Kazimierz or the Old Town.
Day 2 – Kazimierz and surroundings: a full day in Kazimierz — synagogues, museums, atmospheric streets, Plac Nowy and local food; in the evening enjoy nightlife or a quiet café by the little bridge.
Day 3 – Museums and relaxation: choose one or two museums (for example, Oskar Schindler’s Museum, the National Museum), relax on the Vistula boulevards or in café gardens, time for souvenir shopping and a final dinner.
If your time is limited — shorten day three and focus on the places that interest you most.
Wawel Hill is the heart of Kraków: the Royal Castle and the Cathedral are two separate attractions, each with its own rules and tickets. It’s best to arrive in the morning to avoid crowds and make your scheduled entry time.
Keep in mind that many exhibitions at Wawel have a limited number of daily entries and time‑specific tickets. Booking online is convenient — it guarantees your entry at the preferred time. If you don’t buy a ticket in advance, check the on‑site ticket office — sometimes there are freed-up spots, but don’t rely on that.
Last entries depend on the specific route — generally you should plan to finish 30–60 minutes before the stated closing time for the exhibition. On Mondays some hours or access to certain exhibitions may be reduced, so consider this when planning a visit on that day.
After Wawel it’s pleasant to walk through the Planty parkbelt toward the Main Market Square. At the Market you’ll find the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church and many eateries. Evening is a good time for dinner — choose well‑rated places and reserve a table for weekends.
Avoid restaurants with suspiciously low prices right on the Market Square — some of those rely on tourist volume and quality can be inconsistent. Instead, consider side streets or the Kazimierz area where value for money is often better.
Examples of well‑regarded options (orientation only): restaurants serving traditional Polish cuisine and reputable cafés in the city centre. If you prefer specific suggestions, local favorites near Wawel and the Old Town include Pod Wawelem and several reputable cafés and bistros a short walk away.
Kazimierz is best discovered on foot: synagogues, museums, galleries and cozy eateries form a pleasant walking route. Start at the synagogues and Wolnica Square, then head to Szeroka Street and the area around Plac Nowy.
Plac Nowy is famous for its small stalls and the iconic zapiekanki — a quick, characteristic snack worth trying. Kazimierz also has a great selection of restaurants serving Jewish and Middle Eastern cuisine — you can find both traditional and modern interpretations.
In the evening Kazimierz comes alive — bars and clubs offer different atmospheres, from quiet wine bars to venues with live music. If you prefer a quieter night, choose one of the intimate cafés by the river.
If you want a more contemporary context of Kraków’s history, visit Oskar Schindler’s Museum in Zabłocie — it’s a moving account of the city during the war. After the museum, walk along the Vistula or visit local cafés and restaurants in the area.
Combining Kazimierz and Zabłocie is a natural plan for day two — the two districts are close and can be comfortably linked on foot.
Day three is for one or two museums, depending on your interests: art, history or modern exhibitions. If the weather is good, relax by the Vistula or in one of the parks.
Reserve some time for souvenir shopping and a calm coffee before departure. If your transport schedule allows, leave a time buffer — traffic and queues can extend travel to the airport or train station.
Wawel is a complex with many exhibitions and varied opening hours. In practice, most exhibitions operate Tuesday–Sunday with morning and afternoon sessions, while Mondays can be shortened or limited for selected routes. For this reason, if you plan to visit on a Monday, check availability of the specific exhibition first.
Online tickets often have assigned entry times and are released in advance; during special promotions (for example, free admission days) the ticket pool can sell out very quickly. If you care about a specific hour — book ahead.
Wawel enforces entry limits and may have technical breaks during the day — factor this into your route planning. There is an information point and a ticket office on site, but relying on last‑minute on‑site availability can be risky in high season.
Not planning Wawel tickets: many visitors arrive on the spot and are disappointed when a route is fully booked. Solution: check availability online or pick another time of day.
Trying to see “everything” in one day: this leads to exhaustion and superficial sightseeing. Better to set priorities and leave time to rest.
Eating only at the Market Square: choosing the first restaurant you see at the Market often means higher prices and lower quality. Look for recommendations in side streets or in Kazimierz.
Kraków has a rich food scene: in Kazimierz you’ll find places serving Jewish and Middle Eastern dishes, as well as restaurants with modern Polish cuisine. Booking for weekends is recommended for popular spots.
If you’re after cafés and desserts — choose places with good reviews and fresh pastries, especially away from the main tourist arteries.
Accommodation: the best locations are near the Old Town or in Kazimierz if you want to be close to attractions while enjoying local atmosphere. Check guest reviews for noise levels and walking distance to key points.
Wawel is not only the castle and the cathedral — beneath the hill there are interesting archaeological undergrounds that are sometimes open as special routes.
Kazimierz used to be a separate town and was one of the most important Jewish districts in Galicia — that layer of history is still visible in the architecture and atmosphere.
In November there are sometimes special promotions with free tickets for selected exhibitions — if you visit then you can save money, but remember: you usually still need to reserve a place.
Is it worth booking a Wawel ticket online? Yes — booking ensures entry at your chosen time, especially in season and on weekends.
How much time should I allocate for Wawel? Depending on interest: from 2–3 hours (selected routes) to a full day (if you want to see all exhibitions and the Cathedral).
Is Wawel Cathedral open every day? The Cathedral and the cathedral museum have separate hours — check availability before your visit, especially on holidays and during liturgical ceremonies.
How to avoid queues at Plac Nowy? Visit Plac Nowy in the morning or late afternoon outside peak hours; be patient for popular snacks like zapiekanki.
Is Kazimierz safe at night? Yes — Kazimierz is a popular, lively neighbourhood; as everywhere, use standard precautions, especially in crowded places.
If this guide was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — we help visitors plan better time in Kraków!
If you prefer to tour with someone who knows the city inside out, I recommend booking a private guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and contact are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. It’s a great way to see the city from a local perspective and discover many hidden stories.
Good luck and enjoy your stay in Kraków — use the plan, but leave room for spontaneous discoveries!
