Krakow is a city where history meets the street and the stone: two days let you see both the main monuments and less obvious corners, and walking gives you time to stop, smell coffee in a small cafe and photograph façade details.
A private tour gives you control of pace and theme: you can focus on art, history, cuisine or on a more reflective experience - a visit to Rakowicki Cemetery, the resting place of many outstanding Krakow residents and a true lesson in history carved in stone.
Rakowicki Cemetery, established at the beginning of the 19th century (the first burials began in 1803), occupies a large area at Rakowicka Street 26 - reserve part of your second day for it so you can walk calmly and read the stories hidden in graves and monuments.
Start in the morning at the Main Market Square: St. Marys Church, the Cloth Hall, and the Town Hall Tower. Stroll unhurriedly through the Old Towns lanes, slipping into courtyards and alcoves that often hide beautiful architectural details.
In the afternoon walk the Royal Route toward Wawel. The Castle and Cathedral can take several hours - if you want to visit museum exhibitions, plan ahead or book tickets to avoid lines.
In the evening head to the Kazimierz district: atmospheric streets, synagogues, galleries and excellent restaurants. Its a perfect place for dinner in one of the well‑rated restaurants serving Polish and international cuisine.
Start the day later and spend the morning walking around the Planty park and Alei Słowackiego - a gentle warmup before the cemetery visit. Walks along the Planty show the city from a less touristy perspective.
Rakowicki Cemetery is the must-see of day two. The oldest part of the necropolis and the military section contain graves of notable figures: painters, poets and social activists. There is a prepared route covering about 22 points in the old section and 8 in the military part - walking it takes around two hours, but allow extra time to stop at interesting monuments.
In the afternoon visit nearby areas: Lubicz Street and the Main Railway Station surroundings have good connections and cafes, and a walk toward Nowa Huta or Salwator will show different faces of Krakow.
Enter through the main gate on Rakowicka Street and choose paths that lead to the oldest quarters - there you will find epitaph panels from the early 19th century and the first sculptural monuments.
Dont miss the chapel dedicated to the Resurrection of Christ the King, the graves of figures such as Piotr Michałowski, Jan Matejko, Lucjan Rydel, and the military quarter by Prandoty Street with the Army of Krakow Monument.
Calm walks through the necropolis reveal details: sculptors signatures, religious and patriotic symbols, and stylistic changes over the centuries. Its also a good place for quiet reflection away from the tourist crowds.
The cemetery has different opening hours depending on season and holidays - before your visit check current opening times, especially around All Saints Day when access and traffic arrangements change significantly.
The Municipal Cemetery Board publishes a brochure describing the walking route with maps and descriptions of the main sites; this is a great help for an independent visit - ask for a copy at the entrance or at city information points.
Observe the place's etiquette - respect silence, avoid loud conversations and watch your step on uneven paths. In rainy seasons wear comfortable, non-slip footwear.
In the Old Town and Kazimierz youll find many highly rated places. For classic Polish dining in an elegant setting consider one of the long‑standing restaurants near the Market Square; for a more intimate vibe the cafes in Kazimierz are ideal, and bakeries and patisseries around Plac Szczepański make perfect dessert stops.
There are many lively bars, popular cafes and well‑reviewed restaurants in the centre - choose a place with good recent reviews and an up‑to‑date menu to ensure quality.
If you plan a dinner after a day of sightseeing, reserve a table - on weekends and in the tourist season top restaurants often have limited availability.
Trying to see everything in one day - its better to spread your pace over two days, leaving time to rest and to linger at lesser‑known spots.
Ignoring opening hours and holiday rules - check in advance whether places you want to visit are open and whether special traffic or access rules apply (especially around cemeteries on November 1).
Not wearing comfortable shoes - Krakow has stone pavements and cobbles; wear stable shoes for longer walks and cemetery visits.
Rakowicki Cemetery is not only a burial ground - many tombs are authentic sculptural works of art, and the artists who created them were often well known. Look for sculptors names or stonemasons on the gravestones.
If youre photographing, the best light is in the morning and late afternoon - shadows then give depth to sculpture and monument details.
If you want a map with a descriptive route covering the key points of the old section and the military necropolis, look for materials published by the Municipal Cemetery Board; they help plan a walk according to your interests.
Can I visit Rakowicki Cemetery on my own? Yes - the necropolis is open to visitors and there are ready routes described in the brochure; bring a map or use a mapping app so you dont get lost in the extensive grounds.
How much time do I need to see the main points? The standard brochure route covering the old quarters and the military part at a relaxed pace takes about 2 hours, but if you like to stop for photos and reflections plan 3 hours or more.
Is there an entrance fee? Entrance to the cemetery is generally free, but special events or guided visits may be paid - check current information before your visit.
Bring water, a light snack, comfortable shoes, a notebook or device for photos, and an umbrella or rain jacket depending on the forecast. A charged phone is handy for maps and quick information searches.
If you liked this plan and would like a tour tailored to your interests, consider a private guiding offer by Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) - more information and contact details are available on the guides website. I also encourage you to share this article with friends or on social profiles so more people can discover a quieter side of Krakow.
