Kraków is a city easy to fall for, but hard to “do” in a hurry. Four days strike a great balance: enough time to see the Old Town with St. Mary's Basilica and Wawel, get to know Kazimierz and Podgórze, visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine or explore Nowa Huta — while still leaving time to relax and enjoy good food. If you like being active, a full day by bike will show you the city from a different perspective — the Vistula boulevards, the Planty, the wide avenues of Nowa Huta and the atmospheric streets of Kazimierz. Below is a practical 4-day plan, dedicated advice for visiting St. Mary’s Church and tips for organizing a comfortable, safe cycling day.
I include practical notes about tickets (the so-called “cegiełki”) for St. Mary’s Basilica, access to the tower and changes to ticketing at some museums in recent years — so check opening hours and availability before you travel.
Start the morning from the Planty or Floriańska Gate and step into the Main Market Square — it’s the best way to feel the city’s rhythm. St. Mary’s Basilica draws visitors mainly for the Wit Stwosz (Veit Stoss) altarpiece — go inside during visitor hours to admire the carved details. Remember that part of the church remains an active place of worship and is freely accessible, while another part is organized as paid visits; the small-ticket donations (so-called cegiełki) are sold at the service point at Mariacki Square 7.
If you want to climb St. Mary’s Tower, plan to do it in the morning or reserve time — tower visits run in limited groups and places may be restricted. After a morning around the Square, walk the Royal Route to Wawel, take in the cathedral and the castle courtyard. Depending on your pace you can visit the castle interiors now or save them for another day.
Kazimierz is a district best explored at a relaxed pace — synagogues, the charming Szeroka and Izaaka streets and atmospheric cafés. In the afternoon cross the Bernatek Footbridge to Podgórze, where Oskar Schindler’s Factory is located — the exhibition usually takes about 1.5–2 hours. When planning a visit, check ticket availability and any limits on sales.
If you prefer to cycle, the second half of the day is a great time for a ride along the Vistula boulevards, discovering less touristy corners and ending with dinner in Kazimierz — Plac Nowy offers quick local snacks (famous zapiekanki), and near the Main Square you’ll find well-reviewed restaurants such as Wierzynek or Szara. For coffee, Café Camelot is a cozy choice.
If you want to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, reserve half a day or a full day — the trip takes some energy and time but creates unique memories. Alternatively, plan a full cycling day outside the strict centre: a route along the Vistula, the Nowa Huta meadows and the area around the Błonia are places where you can breathe and see another side of Kraków.
A cycling day outside the centre is also perfect for avoiding crowds. Routes vary from paved boulevards to hardened tracks. Bring extra water, a fully charged phone and an offline map — mobile signal can be patchy out in the fields.
Keep the fourth day for anything you missed earlier: Nowa Huta tells a completely different story about Kraków — wide avenues, socialist-realist architecture and interesting urban layouts. You can also visit museums you skipped or simply enjoy a relaxed afternoon in a café or park.
In the evening return to the Market Square for dinner or choose Kazimierz for more evening options. If you have a flight or train to catch, allow extra time for transport and possible delays.
A cycling day in Kraków can be one of the best experiences: the city has many bike paths, boulevards and bike-friendly places. Suggested full-day route: start in the morning near the Planty, a short stop at the Market Square, ride the Vistula boulevards toward Podgórze, visit Schindler’s Factory, continue south along the Vistula (with optional short detours to Zielonki or the Błonia), return via the avenues of Nowa Huta or head toward Kamionka/depending on your preference.
Practical tips: choose a comfortable bike (for a full day an e-bike or a bike with suspension is more comfortable), bring a sturdy lock — in the centre you may leave your bike for short periods — and a charged powerbank. Watch for pedestrians and cobblestones in the Old Town — slow down in crowded places. Take regular café or boulevard breaks so you don’t overdo the pace.
For St. Mary’s Basilica, buy the cegiełki at the service point on Mariacki Square 7 — it’s a convenient way to access the tourist part and a symbolic way to support the monument. Tower entries run in small groups and are often limited, so plan ahead and come early if you want the panorama.
For the most popular sites, such as Schindler’s Factory, it’s wise to buy tickets in advance. In recent years institutions have introduced measures to limit mass ticket reselling — be prepared that available slots may be limited and that some solutions (for example named online tickets) may be in use. Avoid offers from private resellers — they are often more expensive and unreliable.
Kraków’s culinary range is wide — from street zapiekanki on Plac Nowy, through cafés, to good restaurants in the centre. If you want a historic atmosphere, restaurants like Wierzynek and Szara have a long-standing reputation and high ratings; for a calm coffee and cake try Café Camelot. In Kazimierz you’ll find many small, exceptional bars and bistros with excellent guest reviews.
For accommodation, it’s best to choose a location near the Old Town or Kazimierz — you’ll save time on commuting. If you travel with a bike, look for guesthouses and hotels offering bike storage or secure racks. Book ahead in the high season.
Surprising fact: St. Mary’s Basilica is not only Wit Stwosz’s altarpiece and the trumpet call — part of the church is available free of charge to worshippers all day, which means a visitor who approaches respectfully can feel the authentic atmosphere of the place. Another curiosity: the hejnał is a short, abruptly cut melody — a city symbol recognised by many visitors.
Common mistakes include buying tickets from private resellers, trying to climb the tower without checking time limits, and attempting to cycle across the entire Old Town during peak pedestrian hours. How to avoid them: plan visits for early morning or late afternoon, buy tickets from official points and set a realistic pace for a cycling day.
Can I take photos inside St. Mary’s Basilica? Generally, photography is allowed in the tourist part, but respect people at prayer. Some museum areas and exhibits may have additional restrictions.
When is the best time to hear the hejnał? The hejnał sounds on the hour; to enjoy it with fewer crowds, come slightly earlier in the morning or later in the evening outside peak tourist times.
Where can I rent a bike for the whole day? Kraków has many city and private bike rental options — choose a rental with good reviews, check that the bike comes with a lock and lights and that the company offers roadside help in case of a breakdown. If you plan a longer route or want to save energy, consider an e-bike.
Bring comfortable shoes, a charged phone and a bottle of water — basics for a successful visit. Book tickets for the most popular attractions in advance, avoid almost always more expensive offers from intermediaries and plan your cycling day with breaks. If you found this article helpful, share it with friends or on social media to help others plan their trip.
If you’d like to explore with a local private guide, consider touring with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on the guide’s page. Good luck and enjoy your stay in Kraków!
