Four days is an ideal amount of time to avoid rushing, see the main sights of the Old Town and Kazimierz, visit a few museums (including the unique Stained-Glass Museum) and find moments to admire the city from a less obvious perspective — for example, walking a dozen metres under the Main Market Square on the Market Underground tour. This plan accounts for time needed for tickets, reservations and relaxed breaks for coffee or lunch.
The plan is friendly for families, couples and travelers who want to soak up Kraków's atmosphere without hurry. It includes both classic tourist spots and recommended cafés and restaurants that visitors have praised.
The Market Underground is an archaeological and multimedia exhibition beneath the Main Market Square. It reveals layers of the city's history — from early medieval times to the modern era — and often runs tours at fixed times, so it's worth booking tickets in advance.
The Stained-Glass Museum is a small workshop-museum where you can see stained-glass techniques, historical fragments and contemporary works. Visits are guided, start at specific times and for many visitors are a pleasant, less-crowded alternative to larger museums.
Start at the Main Market Square: the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary's Basilica (view from the outside or join a guided visit if you want to see the altarpiece and learn its story). If you plan to visit the Market Underground, schedule it for the morning or early afternoon — the route usually takes 60–90 minutes.
After sightseeing, choose one of the recommended cafés nearby to rest. Good options include classic Old Town cafés or one of the intimate coffee spots around the Square.
In the evening, take a walk through the Planty park or have dinner at a well-rated central restaurant to round off your first day.
Reserve the morning for Wawel: an exterior tour of the castle and the cathedral; if you like, choose one of the exhibitions inside the Royal Castle.
In the afternoon you can visit the Czartoryski area or stroll along the Vistula boulevards. Museum-lovers may want to pop into one of the smaller museum branches — check opening hours first, since some places are closed on Mondays.
For dinner head to Kazimierz — the area comes alive in the evening with many recommended restaurants and bars.
Book a visit to the Stained-Glass Museum (the workshop is located on al. Zygmunta Krasińskiego). The guided tour lasts about 45 minutes; often a minimum number of visitors and fixed start times apply, so booking in advance is advisable.
After the museum, spend the afternoon in Kazimierz: visit synagogues, wander atmospheric streets and explore local museums. Around here you'll find many award-winning restaurants and small art galleries.
In the evening, try one of the recommended cafés or bars in Kazimierz — it's a great place for dinner and a light, local cultural experience.
Keep the fourth day for things you missed: maybe another museum, climbing a church tower, wandering lesser-known streets of the Old Town or buying souvenirs at a local market.
If you fancy something unusual — check out local applied art galleries, craft workshops or book cafés. It's also a good moment for a leisurely lunch and preparing for departure.
Stained-Glass Museum: visits are guided and start at set times; book tickets in advance because the number of places per session is limited. Standard fees for an individual guided visit in Polish usually start around 60 PLN (prices vary by option — check when booking).
Market Underground: tickets are generally sold for specific time slots; prices vary with season and special offers (they are generally affordable). Reserve your slot if you plan a specific time, especially on weekends and during the tourist season.
A few practical tips when buying: buying tickets online saves time and often avoids queues; check if the ticket needs to be picked up at the museum box office; pay attention to closing days (many small institutions are closed on Mondays).
If you travel with people with limited mobility — check availability of lifts and wheelchair-accessible routes, because not all underground routes are fully adapted.
How much time to allocate for the Market Underground and the Stained-Glass Museum? — The Market Underground usually takes 60–90 minutes. The Stained-Glass Museum visit lasts about 45 minutes with a guide.
Do I have to book tickets in advance? — For the Stained-Glass Museum booking is often necessary due to limited guided tours; for the Market Underground it's wise to buy a ticket or reserve a slot in advance, especially in high season.
Do children enjoy these places? — Yes: the Market Underground includes interactive elements and is family-friendly, and the Stained-Glass Museum often runs special workshops for kids.
How to avoid crowds? — The best approach is to come early in the morning or late afternoon, avoid peak-season weekends, and book tickets for less popular time slots.
Choose restaurants and cafés that are highly rated by guests: in the centre good choices are well-established spots near the Market or in Kazimierz.
Suggested types of places: a classic restaurant serving Polish cuisine in a stylish interior (for example historic venues around the Market), atmospheric cafés in side streets and modern bistros in Kazimierz. For accommodation consider hotels in the centre that combine comfort with easy access to attractions — boutique hotels within or just outside the Old Town are convenient options.
If you want specific names of best restaurants or hotels for a particular budget (low / mid / high), I can refine the recommendations according to your preferences — tell me your priorities.
Surprising fact: in some small craft museums like the Stained-Glass Museum you may meet the artists working on site — it's not just a display but a functioning workshop.
Mistakes easy to avoid: not checking opening hours (many small museums have shortened hours or closed days), failing to reserve guided tours in advance, and planning the Market Underground at the last minute on a weekend. Another frequent slip is forgetting comfortable shoes — some routes, especially underground, require good footwear.
When planning four days, leave some room for what makes Kraków most enjoyable: unhurried café breaks, a long afternoon in a Kazimierz coffeehouse, or an evening walk. Book tickets ahead, check tour start times and include breaks: museums and monuments are best enjoyed without haste.
If this article was helpful — share it with friends or on social media. If you would like to tour with an experienced guide, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact and offers are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website. Good luck with your planning and enjoy your stay in Kraków!
