Krakow is a city easy to fall in love with — history under your feet, lively squares and neighbourhoods with very different characters. If you have a week, it’s worth combining the classic attractions with the quieter, often overlooked Podgórze, visiting key museums and trying a comfortable melex ride that saves time and energy.
This guide gives a day-by-day breakdown, descriptions of the most interesting museums (including Schindler’s Factory and the Underground at the Main Market), practical tips about tickets and opening hours, recommendations for the best cafés and places to eat, plus a few surprising facts and common mistakes tourists make.
If this is your first visit — start at the Main Market Square, Wawel and the nearby streets; seeing these places helps you get your bearings in the city layout.
For museum lovers the essentials are: the Underground under the Main Market Square (an archaeological exhibition beneath the square), Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory (the story of Krakow during World War II) and MOCAK - the Museum of Contemporary Art, housed in Podgórze’s industrial spaces.
If you want to feel the local vibe and a calmer pace — visit Podgórski Market (Rynek Podgórski): elegant townhouses, St. Joseph’s Church, cafés and often local markets and events.
Day 1 - Old Town: Start at the Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. In the afternoon climb up to Wawel and stroll the boulevards along the Vistula. Dinner near Wawel or on the Market Square.
Day 2 - The Underground and museums around the Market: book tickets for the Underground in advance; the visit usually takes 1–1.5 hours. If you have energy, add a visit to the Museum of Krakow branches or the Gallery of Polish Art in the Cloth Hall.
Day 3 - Kazimierz: Jewish history, synagogues, atmospheric cafés and smaller museums full of stories. Dinner in one of the district’s highly rated restaurants.
Day 4 - Podgórze: Schindler’s Factory and MOCAK. In the afternoon stroll around Podgórski Market and Bednarski Park, or walk along the Vistula from Bernatek Footbridge.
Day 5 - Melex trip: a convenient way to see the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze quickly — especially helpful if you’re travelling with older people or children. Booking and routes depend on the operator — arrange in advance.
Day 6 - Themed day: choose what interests you most — art (more galleries), history (a memory route) or nature (the mounds and green hills of Krakow).
Day 7 - Easy day: revisit favourites, do last-minute shopping, enjoy a long coffee in a recommended café and hit a local market if it’s open.
Podgórze used to be a separate town — today it has kept its unique character: smaller squares, intimate streets and many local stories. Podgórski Market is the heart of the district: classical townhouses, the old town hall and a historic church complex.
In Podgórze you’ll find important sites of memory: remnants of the ghetto, areas connected to the Płaszów camp and the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, now one of the key branches of the Museum of Krakow. Book tickets in advance — the permanent exhibition tells the story of the city and its inhabitants during the occupation.
For contemporary art lovers MOCAK is a must — the collections and temporary shows present many currents from recent decades. The museum’s space and its café make for a great break between exhibits.
The Underground under the Main Market Square — a large archaeological exhibition beneath the Main Market: remains of medieval buildings, fragments of old infrastructure and multimedia presentations. Visits are scheduled and it’s wise to buy tickets ahead, especially in high season.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory — the story of Krakow during the occupation; the exhibition interweaves the city’s fate with Schindler’s story and the lives of his workers. This branch often ties into memory routes around Podgórze.
MOCAK - Museum of Contemporary Art — collections, temporary exhibitions and engaging education projects. The museum is located in a revitalised industrial complex, which is an attraction in itself.
Other branches of the Museum of Krakow — the city has several interesting sites and themed exhibitions spread across different locations; if you’re interested in a specific era or topic, check branch offerings before your visit.
A melex is an electric vehicle (similar to a golf cart) offered by several operators — a comfortable way to see several districts quickly, especially if you want to save your legs or have limited time.
Routes usually cover the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze (including the area around Schindler’s Factory). Tours last from about 30 minutes to 2 hours, depending on the route and number of stops.
When booking check passenger limits, whether the route goes across the Market Square surface (there are often restrictions) and whether a short photo stop is included. If you plan to enter museums the same day, allow time to get off the melex and walk to ticket desks.
MOCAK Cafe (Petite France) - a convenient option by MOCAK: baguettes, lunches, cakes and coffee; a pleasant spot for a break after visiting the exhibitions.
Camelot Cafe - an atmospheric café in the centre, known for homemade cakes and an unusual interior; a good choice for a late breakfast or dessert.
If you’re looking for traditional Polish cuisine or highly rated downtown restaurants - choose places with good reviews and book a table for evenings, especially on weekends.
In Podgórze you’ll often find small, intimate bars and cafés; in summer check local stalls and small markets around Podgórski Market for regional treats.
Do I need to reserve museum tickets in advance? - The Underground and Schindler’s Factory can be very busy; booking online or arriving early in the morning is a good idea, particularly in peak season.
Will a melex stop right at every museum? - Melexes run on streets with limited traffic, but they cannot always stop directly at the entrance to every museum branch. Confirm the route with the operator before you go.
How long does it take to visit MOCAK and Schindler’s Factory? - Plan 1.5–2 hours for each if you want to see exhibitions calmly and use multimedia displays.
Is Podgórski Market safe in the evening? - Podgórski Market is a calm, friendly part of the city; as in any tourist area, keep basic precautions and watch your personal belongings.
Mistake: too much in one day. Trying to fit several major museums and long walks into one day often ends in exhaustion. Spread headline attractions over several days and leave time to relax with a coffee.
Mistake: not booking tickets for popular branches. Buy tickets online when possible - it saves time in queues and avoids disappointment.
Mistake: confusing Podgórze with Kazimierz. They are two different districts with distinct atmospheres - give each enough time to really feel them.
Podgórze was once a separate town - its market and urban layout were shaped by trade routes, including the salt route.
The tunnels beneath the Main Market hide fragments of medieval streets and buildings, showing how the city changed over the centuries.
The industrial areas around Lipowa Street have been transformed into modern cultural institutions - a good example of successful revitalisation of post-industrial sites.
Check opening hours and entry rules on museum websites before you arrive - some branches have free days or days with limited entry by reservation.
If you plan a melex for a specific time, book in advance and agree pickup and drop-off points with the operator (for example at your hotel, a museum or a restaurant).
Be prepared for changeable weather: in spring and autumn conditions can shift quickly, so carry a lightweight rain cape or umbrella.
A guide will help you plan time better, skip queues and tell stories you won’t find in guidebooks. If you want a personalised visit - consider booking private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz; details about her offer are available on her site.
Agree the route and priorities before the tour - do you want more history, art or local atmosphere? That will help you make the most of a week.
If this plan was helpful - share the article with friends or on social media. Recommend it to people heading to Krakow who want a practical, friendly guide to museums and Podgórze.
If you want to tour with a guide and tailor the route to your interests - contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz for details and a personalised offer.
