Krakow for the weekend — how to use the Main Market Square as a starting point? If you're visiting the city for only two days, choosing the Main Market Square as your base is a very smart move: everything is close from here, and the square itself is a concentrated lesson in history, architecture and food. Start early in the morning and you'll feel the city's rhythm before the crowds arrive.
The Main Market Square goes back to the Middle Ages and is one of the largest town squares in Europe. A walk around the Cloth Hall, the Town Hall Tower and St. Mary's Basilica already gives a great sense of how important this place was for trade and city life. From the Square you can easily walk to Wawel, to the Kazimierz district, to the Planty park or to many museums — treat it as the starting point for your weekend plan.
The Main Market Square concentrates attractions within a few hundred metres: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica with the Wit Stwosz (Veit Stoss) altarpiece, the Rynek Underground Museum, remains of the old town hall, numerous cafés and good restaurants. It's the ideal place to get your bearings and instantly feel the atmosphere of Krakow.
Walking with a guide or exploring on your own, you can easily create short themed routes: art and monuments (museums and churches), food (restaurants and obwarzanek stalls), everyday life (local shops and craftspeople). Starting your route from the Square makes it easy to adapt the programme depending on the weather and your energy level.
Start the day early: you'll see the Square without crowds and take the nicest photos. Go into St. Mary's Basilica — pay attention to the Wit Stwosz altarpiece and listen for the hejnał from the tower — a Krakow tradition played every hour.
Afterwards visit the Cloth Hall: exhibitions are often held on the upper floor, while on the ground floor you'll find handicrafts and local souvenirs. If you have more time, buy a ticket for the Rynek Underground Museum — a unique archaeological exhibition showing how commercial life in the old city looked beneath the level of today's square.
Next, take a short walk to the Town Hall Tower — the surviving fragments of the old town hall and the view from above give an interesting perspective on the layout of the Old Town. Finish the morning with a coffee and a small bite at one of the cafés by the Square; choose a place in a side street to avoid the loudest noise and the highest prices.
After lunch head towards Wawel — walking along Grodzka Street is part of the historic Royal Route. From the Square you'll reach Wawel in a few minutes if you don't stop at every side alley — and there are many worth visiting.
At Wawel visit the State Rooms and the Cathedral, but if you prefer a shorter experience, focus on the courtyard and the views over the Vistula. If you plan to enter the interiors and museums, buy tickets in advance — in season and at weekends there are queues. Remember that some exhibitions may have limited access due to conservation work or official events.
After sightseeing a good option is dinner at one of the recommended places by the Square or nearby. If you value tradition and formality, consider restaurants with an established reputation. For lovers of home-style dishes, try the bars and taverns serving regional meals and traditional liqueurs.
An evening walk along the Planty is a great way to cool down after a day full of attractions: the greenery, benches and quiet separate the Old Town from the city's bustle. It's also a good time for dessert or a glass of wine in a cosy café.
The Kazimierz district is a natural continuation of a weekend: numerous synagogues, Jewish museums, cafés and an atmosphere very different from the Square. From the Square you can get there on foot across the bridges or by a short public-transport ride.
I recommend a route starting at Plac Nowy, along Szeroka Street to the museums and memorial sites. Kazimierz is also a great place for lunch and for exploring local galleries and antique shops in the afternoon. If you prefer an alternative, choose Podgórze — less touristy but with an equally interesting history and vibe.
If you want to visit the main interiors (Wawel State Rooms, St. Mary's Basilica, the Rynek Underground Museum, the Czartoryski Museum), check opening hours and online booking options. Buying tickets in advance saves time and stress, especially on weekends and during the tourist season.
Also consider your priorities: you can't see everything in two days. If you value deeper stories and anecdotes, consider using the services of a private guide — a guide can tailor the route to your interests and help you skip queues.
Around the Square there are many places to eat at different price and quality levels. If you want to try classics in a historic setting, look for restaurants with a good reputation and long tradition. Places with a direct view of the Square are attractive but often more expensive and crowded — sometimes a better choice is a café on a side street.
Suggested types of places to check and book for the weekend: historic restaurants offering regional dishes (for example Wierzynek or Pod Aniołami), intimate cafés with good coffee and cake, and bars with local drinks. Don't miss a freshly baked obwarzanek from a street cart and keep an eye out for seasonal markets with local products.
To make the most of a weekend, the best choice is accommodation on the Old Town or directly near the Square: everything will be within walking distance. For travellers seeking a quieter atmosphere, Kazimierz or the area around Wawel are excellent options.
Book in advance, especially in the tourist season and during big events. Pay attention to guest reviews about noise (some places near the Square can be loud at night) and to amenities such as an elevator or air conditioning. If you value privacy and peace, choose a smaller guesthouse on a side street.
The most convenient way to reach the centre is on foot from the Main Railway Station (about a 20–30 minute walk) or by tram, which stops near the Old Town. Driving into the centre is possible but parking is difficult and paid — it's usually best to leave the car at one of the car parks outside the very heart of the Old Town.
Keep in mind morning and afternoon rush hours and the time needed to walk between attractions. If you plan to visit several museums, schedule coffee or lunch breaks so you can rest and avoid rushing.
The most common mistake is treating the Square only as a "photo spot" and rushing on. Give yourself time: go inside a few monuments, stop for coffee and try to observe everyday city life.
Avoid choosing a restaurant just because it's located on the main promenade — side streets often hide better food at more reasonable prices. Check reviews, reserve tables for weekends and carry some small cash for purchases from street vendors.
Keep your personal belongings close — crowded places can attract pickpockets. Wear comfortable shoes — the cobbles require stable footwear. Check accessibility for people with limited mobility, as not all historic sites have full facilities.
The level of today's Square is higher than in the Middle Ages — archaeologists have uncovered fragments of earlier buildings below the pavement, so you're literally walking over many layers of history.
St. Adalbert's Church, small and modest, has pre-city roots — it's one of the oldest sacred sites in the Market Square area. Details like this show how a single square hides many stories best discovered with a guide.
How much time do I need to explore the Square? If you want to see the main sights, go down to the Rynek Underground and have lunch, plan 3–4 hours. To calmly visit Wawel and Kazimierz, add another half day or a full day.
Is it worth buying tickets online? Yes — especially for Wawel and popular museums; buying tickets on the spot on weekends can mean long queues.
When is the best time to come to avoid crowds? Early morning and late afternoon off-season are best. In summer evenings can be pleasant too, but restaurants may be full.
If you want to discover Krakow over a weekend without stress and see the most valuable sights at a reasonable pace, you can use the help of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Małgorzata can help plan the route, book tickets, recommend the best places to eat and — if needed — organise logistics, transport, accommodation reservations and restaurant bookings. Contact details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If this article was helpful, share it with friends or on social media — you'll help them plan their trip and discover Krakow's charms together. If you want a personalised weekend itinerary, write to Małgorzata — she will happily prepare an offer tailored to your interests and available time.
