Do you want to see Kraków's top sights in three days while avoiding long lines, ticket resellers and tourist traps? This guide explains how to sensibly spread out visits to the Main Market, enter St. Mary's Basilica and plan a visit to Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory — with practical tips on tickets, time needed and good places to rest.
You will find a suggested daily schedule, clear advice on when to buy tickets and how to reserve good time slots, plus recommendations for tried-and-true places to eat after a long day on foot. The article is written from the perspective of a local guide — straightforward, honest and friendly.
If you're short on time, the essentials: reserve a time slot for St. Mary's Basilica if you want to see Veit Stoss's altarpiece and go up the tower; allow 1.5–2 hours for Schindler’s Factory; buy tickets in advance to avoid overpriced resellers.
Start at the Main Market — it’s the best place to feel Kraków’s rhythm. The highlight is St. Mary's Basilica with Veit Stoss’s altarpiece, one of Poland’s most precious works of sacred art. It’s worth being there around opening time to calmly view the altarpiece, chapels and historic interiors.
Remember the hejnał (trumpet tune) sounded every hour from St. Mary's tower — a short, distinctive melody that visitors often miss while taking photos. Parts of the church interior remain in use for services, so tourist access is limited to designated areas — small entrance contributions are bought at the visitor service point near Plac Mariacki 7.
If you want to climb the tower for city views, allow extra time. Tower visits run in limited groups and can queue; better to go earlier than plan it for the busiest part of the day. Respect the place — no flash photography, keep quiet and be mindful of people praying.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory presents Kraków during the 1939–1945 occupation. The exhibition uses multimedia and spatial reconstructions, so the visit is engaging and often emotional. With a well-paced visit you’ll need about 1.5–2 hours to take in the exhibition.
The museum is located on the site of the former factory and is part of a broader story about Podgórze and the area of the former ghetto. After the visit it’s worth pausing for a moment to rest and process the experience — the exhibition can be moving, especially for visitors less accustomed to museum environments.
Because of its popularity, the best experience comes from choosing a time outside peak hours (morning or late afternoon) and buying tickets in advance when possible.
In recent months the museum changed ticketing rules in response to growing demand and ticket reselling. Practically, this means limits on the number of tickets purchasable per person at the box office and changes to online availability.
Further measures are planned to counter mass reselling — for example named tickets and longer advance online sales windows. The most reliable approach is to buy tickets from the museum’s official channel as early as possible; if online availability is gone, consider arriving early at the museum ticket office, keeping in mind per-person limits.
Avoid private resellers and resale platforms charging inflated prices. If you can’t buy ahead, be prepared to wait or to use a backup plan for the day.
Always look for the museum’s official sales point. If online tickets are sold out, try arriving in the morning to buy at the box office — remember there may be per-person purchase limits during peak season or under new regulations.
Check opening hours and any temporary closures before you buy. Also note reduced fares and family tickets — have documents ready if you want to use discounts.
If you need a specific time slot, buy in presale. If no slots are available, make a plan B: explore Podgórze and Kazimierz, book a later date, or visit another historically significant site that day.
Day 1 — Main Market and surroundings: morning at St. Mary's Basilica (Veit Stoss altarpiece, tower), stroll through the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and the Rynek Underground. Afternoon on Wawel Hill or a temporary exhibition at the National Museum. Dinner near the Market or at one of the cozy cafés.
Day 2 — Kazimierz and Podgórze: morning walk in Kazimierz (ul. Szeroka, synagogues, Plac Nowy), stop for a zapiekanka and coffee. Afternoon head to Podgórze and visit Schindler’s Factory (reserve 1.5–2 hours). In the evening enjoy dinner in Kazimierz — the neighborhood has the best selection of restaurants and bars in town.
Day 3 — themed choices: consider a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a visit to the Czartoryski Museum or a walk through Nowa Huta depending on your interests. If you’re still energetic, explore lesser-known corners of the Old Town and seek out local eateries off the main tourist routes.
For a quick snack, Plac Nowy in Kazimierz is famous for classic Kraków zapiekanki. If you want a restaurant with history and solid cuisine, consider places around the Market such as Wierzynek or Szara. For coffee and dessert try cozy spots near the Old Town, like Café Camelot.
To avoid crowds and find better value, look for highly rated bistros and cafés a few streets from the Market — locals often recommend small, unassuming places with authentic food. For accommodation: the center is convenient, but if you prefer quietness choose an area a bit further from the Market or Kazimierz with good transport links.
Recommended options include small apartments in historic townhouses or three-star hotels with good locations. When booking, check reviews and photos, especially if you care about a good breakfast and quiet nights.
Some visitors don’t realize that parts of St. Mary's Basilica remain open to worshippers without an entrance fee — the tourist ‘zone’ is the area around the altarpiece and chapels. In practice, buying the small entrance contribution supports the church’s upkeep but doesn’t always give access to the entire interior.
A frequent mistake is buying tickets from private sellers at inflated prices. In recent years there have been cases of bulk ticket purchases and resales; the museum responds with sales limits and new rules, but the safest method is to buy through the official channel.
Another common error is planning an overly tight schedule. Remember that emotionally heavy exhibitions (like Schindler’s Factory) require breaks. Plan a lunch or coffee after such visits to give yourself time to rest.
Can I take photos at Schindler’s Factory? Usually non-flash photography is allowed, but always check the rules on site and respect any bans in specific rooms.
How far in advance should I buy a ticket to Schindler’s Factory? If you have a specific day and time in mind, buy the ticket as early as possible. The museum has been introducing sales limits and popular slots sell out in season.
Is the climb up St. Mary's tower safe for children? The tower can be visited, but access is in limited groups and requires climbing stairs. If you’re traveling with small children or people with limited mobility, consider an alternative viewpoint.
Bring comfortable shoes and a water bottle — the Old Town and Kazimierz are best explored on foot, often on cobblestones. Schedule breaks and don’t pack too many attractions into one day.
Check opening hours of museums and churches and look out for possible technical closures. In season, popular attractions limit the number of visits per day — prebooking brings comfort and saves time.
Carry documents for reduced fares (student, pupil, senior) if you want discounted tickets. Prepare an alternative plan in case your chosen attraction has no available entry.
If you found this guide useful, share it with friends or on social media. Recommending reliable information helps other visitors plan better and avoid disappointments.
If you’d like to explore with a local private guide, consider booking with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — a personal guide who offers tailored tours through Kraków. Individual guiding saves time, highlights the most important places and reveals real, unexpected city stories. Enjoy your stay in Kraków!
