Krakow is a city best discovered on foot. This text will help you plan a comfortable walk that covers the most beautiful parts of the Old Town and the Planty, explain how to visit Oskar Schindler’s Factory, and suggest where to eat — from a quick snack to an elegant dinner. I write here as a guide, so you’ll find practical tips and a route proposal matched to an average sightseeing pace.
To start: wear comfortable shoes, check the weather, and reserve tickets for any museums you want to visit (Schindler’s Factory limits admissions). Leave some slack in your schedule — Krakow likes surprises: street performances, small cafés and corners that are perfect for a pause. I focus on what will help you, my visitor.
The plan below is a suggestion for a full day with breaks for photos and meals; you can shorten the route to a few points if you prefer a gentler pace.
If you have limited time or want to visit Schindler’s Factory at a specific hour — book your ticket in advance, because daily availability can be limited.
Practical note: museum opening hours may change on holidays and outside the high season — if you plan to travel on specific dates, check current hours on the museum’s site before you leave.
Start: Main Market Square — begin early to avoid the crowds. The Square is the heart of the city: Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica and many atmospheric townhouses. A short round of the Square takes about 45–60 minutes if you want to enter St. Mary’s Basilica and look at the Cloth Hall from the outside.
Planty — circle the Old Town with a green belt: the Planty are a park of about 4 km in circumference, made up of several smaller “gardens” that enclose different parts of the city. Walking the Planty is a relaxing route that’s easy to include in your sightseeing: fountains, monuments and fragments of the old walls are regular points of interest, and completing the whole loop takes roughly 1–1.5 hours at a relaxed pace.
Wawel (optional) — if you haven’t been yet, it’s worth walking up to Wawel for the castle and cathedral. Book separate tickets for the castle interiors and the cathedral — access to the hill is free, but touring the state rooms is a separate attraction.
Kazimierz district — in the afternoon head to Kazimierz: it’s a great place for lunch and further strolling, with many atmospheric restaurants and cafés. Plac Nowy is symbolic for the district — ideal for a quick snack (for example, the local zapiekanki) and a short rest.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory — at the end of the day (or in the afternoon): the museum is located in the historic building at ul. Lipowa 4 in the Zabłocie district. Tram stops nearby include Plac Bohaterów Getta or Zabłocie. Check opening hours in advance and reserve a ticket — the exhibition has timed entries and specific admission rules.
Example schedule (flexible): 9:00–10:00 Main Market Square, 10:00–11:30 Planty (section + photos), 11:30–13:00 Wawel / surroundings, 13:00–14:30 lunch in Kazimierz, 15:30–17:00 Schindler’s Factory (time at the museum depends on ticket).
The Planty were created on the site of the former city walls and moats; it’s a green belt encircling the Old Town. They cover over 20 hectares and consist of several smaller gardens named for example Florianka, Barbakan or Wawel. A walk here is not only pleasant — it’s also a lesson in history and architecture.
What to watch for on your walk: fragments of the walls and towers near St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican, monuments to writers and artists scattered along the alleys, the fountain on the Planty and the so-called Lantern of the Dead. If you have children — there are playgrounds on the Planty (for example “Plantuś”), and the many benches and shade make it a good place to rest on a hot day.
Time: the entire loop is about 4 km — a relaxed walk usually lasts 1–1.5 hours, but you can stay longer at the numerous viewpoints. The Planty are also great for shorter stretches if you prefer to see only parts of the city.
Photo tip: the best light for photos on the Planty is in the morning and late afternoon, when the sun filters through the tree crowns and creates nice contrasts.
The Planty are an open public park (no tickets) — it’s an ideal place for your first encounter with Krakow’s atmosphere.
Location: Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory is a branch of the Museum of Krakow, located at ul. Lipowa 4 in Zabłocie. It’s an important historical site — the exhibition tells the story of Krakow during the 1939–1945 occupation.
Hours (orientation only; check updates before your visit): the museum typically opens Tuesday to Sunday with morning and afternoon shifts; Mondays may have reduced hours and occasionally limited free admission with tickets to be collected in person at the ticket office. The first Monday of the month may be closed at times. The last admission is usually around 1.5 hours before closing, so plan your visit accordingly.
Tickets: the museum operates timed ticket reservations and limits admissions — I strongly recommend buying online through the museum’s official ticketing system. If you plan to visit on a Monday and hope for free entry, remember that the number of tickets available at the box office is limited and must be collected in person the same day.
Time to visit: allow about 1–2 hours for the exhibition depending on your interest and temporary exhibits. The displays are multimedia and content-rich — it’s worth having time for calm reading and reflection.
Getting there: trams stop nearby and it’s a convenient way to reach the museum from the center; walking from the Market Square takes about 25–40 minutes depending on pace. After your visit, take time to stroll around Zabłocie, which now has more cafés and small eateries.
Krakow has a rich gastronomic scene: from classic restaurants serving Polish dishes, through cozy bistros, to modern fine-dining venues. Here are practical tips and examples of what to choose depending on the moment:
For a quick and cheap meal / snack: Kazimierz, especially Plac Nowy, is famous for local snacks and the 'zapiekanka' atmosphere — perfect if you want something to eat while standing and continue sightseeing.
For a family lunch and Polish classics: look for restaurants with traditional menus near the Market Square or Grodzka Street — you’ll find pierogi, żurek, schnitzel and regional dishes served in a pleasant setting.
For brunch or coffee: Krakow has many small bakeries and cafés. Places combining bakery and wine concepts are great for a morning meal and coffee, especially if you want to rest after a morning walk through the Market Square and the Planty.
For something special (dinner): the city also has restaurants recognized by culinary guides — if you plan a special dinner, reserve a table in advance. It’s a lovely way to end a day full of impressions.
When choosing a venue: check kitchen hours (some places stop serving lunch/dinner at fixed times), look for clear English menus if you need them, and read guest reviews. If you want, I can prepare personalized recommendations (e.g., vegetarian, vegan, family-friendly) — tell me your appetite and budget.
Buy your Schindler’s Factory ticket in advance online if you care about a specific entry time. Mondays sometimes offer free entries but that availability is limited and tickets must be collected at the box office — don’t rely on spontaneous availability.
If you plan to visit many museums, check whether there are passes or seasonal promotions. Museums sometimes change opening hours around holidays and outside the high season.
Transport: Krakow’s center is compact and well served by trams and buses. To reach Schindler’s Factory the easiest tram stops are Zabłocie or Plac Bohaterów Getta. From the Market Square it’s less than an hour’s walk if you have time and feel like a stroll.
Timing: plan breaks for coffee and lunch. Even short pauses add to the pleasure and let you soak up the city atmosphere.
Safety and comfort: Krakow is generally safe for tourists, but as everywhere — watch your documents and personal items, especially in crowded places. In summer carry water, in winter bring warm clothing — the weather can be changeable.
If you’d like, I can now prepare a more detailed, hourly itinerary tailored to your arrival date, food preferences and walking pace — tell me when you’re coming and what you most want to see.
