Kraków is a city that can give you a lot of experiences in a short time: centuries-old monuments, atmospheric streets, interesting cuisine and a rich cultural life. A long weekend is a great opportunity to feel its rhythm — see the most important places, be carried away by the atmosphere of the Main Market Square and the evenings in Kazimierz, and at the same time find time for a short trip outside the city. This guide will help you plan 2–4 days sensibly, without rushing, with practical tips and suggestions for every kind of weather. (Text author: tour guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — practical advice and tried routes.)
If you want to see the "heart" of Kraków in a nutshell — start at the Main Market Square and Wawel. If you prefer an alternative vibe and good food — an evening in Kazimierz will be perfect. And when the weather allows, save some time for the Vistula boulevards, Kościuszko Mound or Zakrzówek.
Below you will find: a 3-day plan (with shorter and longer variants), a "must-see" list, restaurant and cafe recommendations, practical information and an FAQ with the most frequently asked questions.
2 days (short, intense weekend) - Day 1: Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica (listen to the hejnał), Cloth Hall, Market Underground (if you like history), walk to Wawel: Cathedral and courtyard. Evening in Kazimierz: Plac Nowy, bars and cafes. Day 2: option A - Wieliczka Salt Mine or option B - Schindler’s Factory and Podgórze + Zakrzówek.
3 days (the most universal option) - Day 1: Old Town + Wawel + a short museum (e.g., a museum on the Market). Day 2: Wieliczka or Auschwitz-Birkenau (if you plan to visit the memorial site, book time in advance and remember the solemn character of the visit). Day 3: Kazimierz in the morning, MOCAK and Schindler’s Factory, afternoon at Kościuszko Mound or Nowa Huta.
4 days (for those who like a slower pace) - Spread the attractions out: add a Vistula river cruise or a bike ride along the boulevards, a trip to Tyniec, a longer walk around Podgórze and time for several museums. This also leaves room for longer coffee breaks and a relaxed discovery of local cuisine.
Main Market Square and St. Mary’s Basilica - 1.5–3 hours. The heart of Kraków: the Cloth Hall, cafes, the trumpet call from St. Mary’s tower. Allow time to enter the basilica and see Veit Stoss’s altarpiece.
Wawel (Castle and Cathedral) - 2–3 hours. A walk on the hill: Royal Chambers, Cathedral, courtyard and the Dragon’s Den near the riverbank. Keep in mind queues in high season — mornings are usually quieter.
Kazimierz (the former Jewish quarter) - 2–4 hours. Atmospheric streets, synagogues, museums, cafes and Plac Nowy with its famous snack stalls. The neighborhood livens up in the evenings — many good venues and concerts.
Schindler’s Factory and Podgórze - 1.5–2 hours. Visit the museum to understand the city’s 20th-century history, then walk toward Zabłocie and the river boulevards.
Wieliczka (Salt Mine) - 2–3 hours. If you plan a trip, account for travel time — the tour requires ticket reservation and about half a day including transport.
Museums and art galleries - visiting times vary: MOCAK (contemporary art), National Museum (classic collections), Market Underground Museum (multimedia) — perfect for a rainy day.
Mounds and recreational areas - Kościuszko Mound, Krakus Mound, Zakrzówek or the Vistula boulevards — great for an afternoon walk and views outside the center.
Day 1 - Old Town and Wawel: Start at the Main Market Square (St. Mary’s, Cloth Hall, Market Underground). After lunch walk to Wawel, visit the Cathedral and the castle. Evening in Kazimierz - dinner and a stroll around Plac Nowy.
Day 2 - Trip outside the city: choose Wieliczka (salt mine, ~2–3 hours) or a visit to a memorial site (Auschwitz-Birkenau) - the latter requires more time and reservations. Alternative: a longer exploration of Nowa Huta or a Vistula river cruise.
Day 3 - Museums and lesser-known corners: Schindler’s Factory and MOCAK in the morning; afternoon at Zakrzówek or Kościuszko Mound; evening tasting at a local restaurant.
For traditional Polish flavors: Wierzynek (a classic restaurant on the Market) and Restauracja Pod Wawelem - generous portions and regional cuisine.
In Kazimierz: Starka (home-style cooking and cozy interiors), Mleczarnia (a cafe with an artsy atmosphere), and for quick snacks — Plac Nowy and its stalls with zapiekanki (Polish-style open toasted sandwiches).
Cafes and sweets: Café Camelot (atmospheric interior, close to the Market), plus various local cafes in Kazimierz serving great coffee and cakes.
For modern cuisine and tapas: places around Zabłocie and Józefa Street offer an interesting gastronomic scene - it’s worth wandering and choosing a restaurant to match your mood.
Practical note: in popular restaurants near the Market and in Kazimierz it’s wise to reserve a table for the evening, especially during long weekends.
Kraków’s center is easy to explore on foot — many attractions are close to each other. For farther points, trams and city buses are useful.
Public transport tickets - it’s worth buying a time-based ticket (e.g., 24h/72h) if you plan to use trams and buses frequently. There are ticket machines, kiosks and mobile apps where you can buy tickets. Remember to validate paper tickets when boarding.
Getting to/from the station and airport - the Main Railway Station is close to the Old Town, typically a 10–20 minute walk. Transport to Balice Airport is available by bus and taxi/ride-hailing; allow extra time before departure.
Traveling with luggage - if you arrive for a short stay and plan intensive sightseeing, consider leaving large luggage at your hotel or using left-luggage services at the station. Narrow streets and cobblestones can make maneuvering big suitcases difficult.
High season and long weekends generate queues - book tickets online when possible. This applies especially to: the Royal Chambers on Wawel, Market Underground, Wieliczka Salt Mine and museums with limited capacity.
Best times: morning (opening) — fewer people at popular attractions; afternoon — great for walks along the Vistula and in parks; evening — Kazimierz comes alive, many venues feature live music.
Check opening hours on holidays — some museums and restaurants may have limited or altered hours during long weekends.
Museums: the National Museum, MOCAK (contemporary art), Schindler’s Factory or the Market Underground are great options for a full day. Many places have multimedia exhibits, which makes visiting easier even with children.
Cafes and long lunches: use rainy time for a relaxed meal and visit one of the atmospheric cafes or restaurants in the center or Kazimierz.
Art-house cinemas and theaters: in the evening check the program of local theaters and cinemas, which often offer high-quality screenings and cultural events.
Zakrzówek - a former quarry and natural bathing spot with great views in season - an ideal place for an afternoon relax.
Kościuszko Mound - a good viewpoint and a pleasant walk; it’s worth visiting at sunrise or sunset.
Tyniec - a Benedictine abbey on the Vistula, a peaceful spot with pretty views, suitable for a half-day trip.
Nowa Huta - surprising, austere PRL-era architecture; a themed trip for those interested in 20th-century history.
Currency: Polish złoty (PLN). Cards are widely accepted in the center, but for small purchases (street stalls, some cafes) it’s good to have cash.
Safety: Kraków is generally safe, but as in any tourist city — watch out for petty theft in crowded places. Keep valuables close and be cautious with cheap souvenirs bought hastily.
Tipping: leaving around 10% in a restaurant is common for good service; in cafes rounding up the bill is acceptable.
Is 1 day enough for Kraków? - One day allows you to see the main highlights (Market, Wawel), but the pace will be very quick. For a calmer discovery of the city we recommend 2–3 days.
Do I need to book tickets in advance? - For popular attractions in season or during long weekends, definitely yes. Booking saves time in queues.
How to get to Wieliczka? - The salt mine is well connected by train and bus from Kraków; plan at least 2–3 hours for the visit plus travel time.
Is Kraków suitable for families with small children? - Yes — many attractions are family-friendly, but expect a lot of walking and cobblestone streets. Plan breaks and places to rest.
Pack comfortable shoes — most attractions are explored on foot. Dress in layers — the weather can change, especially in spring and autumn.
Allow time to rest — a good cafe stop and a chat often make travel memories better than rushing from one point to the next.
If you plan to visit sites of historical remembrance, remember respect and preparation: these visits are solemn and require appropriate attitude.
A long weekend in Kraków is a great chance to combine classic sightseeing with local flavor and a break from everyday life. With sensible planning: mornings for monuments, afternoons for cafes and walks by the Vistula, and evenings in Kazimierz or at a concert — you will return home full of memories.
If you want, I can prepare a personalized long-weekend plan for you — tell me how many days you have, what kind of sightseeing you prefer (museums, food, nature walks) and whether you are traveling with children. I’ll gladly help refine the route. Enjoy Kraków — and remember: leave yourself a moment to do nothing with a cup of good coffee.
