Do you want to spend one full, fun day in Kraków with friends — see the Old Town, visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine and enjoy excellent coffee along the way? It’s totally doable if you plan sensibly and take care of a few details before you set off.
This guide gives a friendly, easy-to-follow plan with café suggestions, transport tips and practical reminders to help you make the most of the day.
Pairing a walk around Kraków’s Market Square with a trip to Wieliczka creates a memorable contrast: open medieval streets and lively cafés by day, and vast underground chambers and salt-carved chapels below. For a group of friends it’s a great way to mix culture, history and different city vibes.
Many cafés in the Old Town and Kazimierz open early, and the ride to Wieliczka takes roughly 20–30 minutes by train or bus, so a well-paced day is perfectly feasible.
If you prefer a slower tempo, consider shifting one part of the plan to another day — but for those who enjoy an active itinerary, a single day delivers a lot of highlights.
07:30–09:00 - Morning meet-up and first coffee. Gather at a cosy café near the Market Square or Kraków Main Station, order coffee and a light breakfast, and map out the day.
09:00–11:30 - Walk the Old Town. Quick stroll across the Market Square, Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica and nearby streets. Stop for photos and a few short stories about the city’s history.
11:30–12:30 - Travel to Wieliczka and lunch/snack (optional). Take the train or bus to Wieliczka and arrive with time to spare before your mine entry. A light lunch near the station is useful on busy days.
12:30–15:00 - Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Book guided tickets in advance, wear comfortable shoes and bring a light layer — underground is cooler and humid.
15:00–16:00 - Return to Kraków. After the mine, head back to the city and relax over coffee or a slice of cake.
16:00–19:00 - Afternoon in Kazimierz or the Planty. This is a great time for specialty coffee, small bites and wandering. Finish with dinner at a well-rated restaurant in Kazimierz or near the Old Town.
Extra tip: build small time buffers between activities for transport or spontaneous stops — this keeps the day relaxed even if something runs late.
Gossip Cafe — known for high-quality coffee and homemade cakes; several locations make it easy to meet up.
Mo-ja Cafe & Bistro — a cosy spot with an interesting menu, perfect for a quick breakfast and coffee before you head out.
Karma Coffee Roastery and MAK Bread & Coffee — great for specialty coffee lovers and people who enjoy lively cafés often used by remote workers.
Jama Michalika and Cafe Noworolski — historic venues in the centre if you want the traditional Kraków café atmosphere from past centuries.
Mozaika, Loch Camelot and Kawiarnia Literacka — smaller, characterful cafés ideal for a relaxed afternoon after your trip to the mine.
In Wieliczka try Kawiarnia Zamkowa — a pleasant local café close to the attraction, handy for a short refreshment after the underground tour.
If your group has mixed tastes, split orders so everyone can try a few different coffees and pastries.
Buy Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets in advance - popular time slots, especially on weekends and in summer, sell out quickly. Advance booking saves long waits.
Dress and shoes - it’s cooler and more humid underground; wear comfortable, non-slip shoes and bring a light jacket or sweater. Avoid very thin sandals for the mine visit.
Transport - trains and buses to Wieliczka are the easiest options; check current timetables and the exact station name (Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia for trains). If you need to be back at a specific time, include extra time for possible delays.
Luggage - if you arrive with large suitcases, check left-luggage options at the station or leave bags at your accommodation. Large luggage is impractical to take into the mine.
Payments - cafés and small shops generally accept cards and cash, but having a small amount of zloty is convenient for small purchases or bus tickets.
Trying to see “everything” in one day. It’s better to pick a few highlights and enjoy them than to rush and remember little.
Failing to book Wieliczka tickets in advance. This is the most frequent issue — book ahead to avoid disappointment and extra waiting time.
Choosing cafés only on the Market Square. These can be pricier and crowded. Explore side streets or Kazimierz for more character and often better coffee.
Wearing uncomfortable shoes. The mine involves long walks and many stairs — comfortable footwear makes a huge difference.
St. Kinga’s Chapel in the Wieliczka Salt Mine is decorated with salt sculptures and carvings — its scale and detail are impressive and unlike most underground attractions.
Kraków has a rich café tradition — alongside modern specialty spots, historic cafés from the late 19th and early 20th centuries still operate and offer a unique atmosphere and a slice of local culture with your coffee.
A short extra: many visitors enjoy pairing a pierogi or a local cake with their coffee — a small culinary detour that adds to the day’s experience.
Is one day enough? For a basic visit to Kraków’s Old Town plus the Wieliczka Salt Mine, one intense day is enough, but it will be a busy schedule. If you prefer a more relaxed pace, split the plan over two days.
Are tickets to the mine expensive? Prices vary by ticket type and season. Compare options and book ahead to secure a convenient entry time.
Is a guide worth it in the mine? Yes — a guide shares stories and details you won’t find on simple information boards, enriching the visit.
Where can I leave luggage? The easiest option is to leave bags at a station luggage storage or your accommodation; plan this ahead if you travel with large suitcases.
Plan the day with a little extra time between activities — transport and visits can take longer than expected. Save pockets of time for spontaneous discoveries, a pastry or a local specialty.
Pick cafés with good reviews — try both historic cafés and specialty places. If the group has varied tastes, share coffees and pastries so everyone samples something new.
Take a group photo in St. Kinga’s Chapel and on the Market Square — those two spots capture the day’s contrast: underground grandeur and open-city charm.
Consider finishing the evening with a relaxed dinner in Kazimierz — it’s a friendly area with many well-rated restaurants and atmospheric streets.
A trip to Kraków and Wieliczka in one day with friends is an excellent option for people who enjoy well-planned, active excursions. With a good plan, booked tickets and a couple of trusted cafés, the day can be full of flavour, history and fun.
If this guide helped you, share it with friends or on social media so more people can discover Kraków the way you want to experience it.
If you’d like to explore with a local private guide, you’re invited to consider services by Małgorzata Kasprowicz — she offers personalised tours and local knowledge to make your visit special.
