Kraków is a city that blends royal history, Jewish heritage and a lively cultural scene. If you have only a few days, it’s worth planning your sightseeing so you can visit the most important places without spending a fortune on tickets and standing in long lines. In this article you’ll find a top-10 list, practical ticket tips (including how to visit Wawel more cheaply), food recommendations and the most common tourist mistakes — all in one friendly guide.
Read on and you’ll also discover a few little-known curiosities that will make your visit more interesting. If you’d like a deeper, personalised exploration, you can contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz for tours and more information on her guide page.
Wawel and Kazimierz are symbols of Kraków: Wawel is the heart of the city’s royal past, while Kazimierz is a district with a unique atmosphere and historical layer that for centuries was the centre of Jewish life in the city. Both places are close to each other, which makes planning a walk that connects the highlights very easy.
Visiting Wawel offers views over the Vistula and the Old Town as well as access to art collections and royal chambers. Kazimierz is best explored on foot, stopping at synagogues, Plac Nowy and the intimate cafés and restaurants along its streets.
1. Wawel Royal Castle and the Cathedral — royal chambers, the treasury, the Sigismund Bell and royal crypts.
2. Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) — the heart of the city, stroll around historic townhouses and the underground museum beneath the square.
3. St. Mary’s Church — the Veit Stoss (Wit Stwosz) altarpiece and the daily trumpeter’s hejnał from the tower.
4. Kazimierz — synagogues, Plac Nowy and atmospheric streets full of cafés and restaurants.
5. Oskar Schindler’s Factory — a museum telling the story of Kraków during World War II.
6. The Rynek Undercroft (Market Underground) — a multimedia journey into medieval Kraków.
7. Wieliczka Salt Mine (nearby) — a unique underground tourist route.
8. The Planty and the Florian Gate with the Barbican — a walk along the green ring around the Old Town.
9. Kraków’s mounds (e.g. Kościuszko Mound) — viewpoints and short trips outside the centre.
10. Museums: the National Museum or seasonal exhibitions — choose depending on your interests.
Because exhibitions at Wawel are divided into separate routes, you need tickets for specific exhibitions. It’s a good idea to reserve online for the most popular routes and to visit less-crowded exhibitions outside the high season.
Plan your visit outside the busiest hours: early morning right after opening or late afternoon. Sometimes there are days or hours when selected exhibitions are available free of charge — check current information before you arrive and collect free tickets at the ticket office when promotions apply.
Practical reminder: the Wawel grounds (the hill and courtyards) are open year-round and free to walk, but entering the museums and chambers requires a ticket.
Buy tickets online when possible — you’ll save time queuing and be sure of availability. If you plan to visit several paid sites, check whether combination tickets or city tourist cards offer discounts.
Plan the order of visits to minimise walking: Wawel and then a short walk across the footbridge to Kazimierz, or the other way around. During peak hours avoid the most crowded routes (royal chambers, market underground) — it’s often best to start with them right after opening.
If your budget is limited, pick free attractions (the Planty, walking the districts, viewing the cathedral from outside) and postpone one expensive attraction, like Wieliczka or a specially ticketed exhibition at Wawel.
Kazimierz and the area around the Market Square are full of great restaurants and cafés with strong reviews. In Kazimierz it’s worth trying local specialties and Mediterranean dishes in well-rated venues.
Recommended examples: cosy cafés on the Old Town for a coffee break; trusted restaurants in Kazimierz serving Jewish-inspired dishes and Mediterranean cuisine. On Plac Nowy the iconic zapiekanki are a quick and cheap snack for visitors.
Always check up-to-date reviews on independent services before booking. During the high season popular places often have queues, so reserving a table for the evening is a good idea.
The most convenient locations for a first visit are the Old Town and Kazimierz — both neighbourhoods allow you to walk to most attractions and offer a wide range of accommodation: from hostels to boutique hotels. If you prefer quiet, choose a place a few streets away from the Market Square but with good connections to the centre.
Budget travellers often find hostels and small guesthouses in Kazimierz a great choice — they usually have a nice atmosphere and are close to local eateries. If you value comfort and history, consider staying in one of the historic buildings near the Market Square.
Trying to visit all paid exhibitions at Wawel without booking in advance — the result is long waits or no available places. Reserve the key routes ahead of time.
Entering synagogues or places of worship without checking service times and rules — especially on Friday and Saturday access may be limited. Always respect religious rules and local customs.
Buying souvenirs and food right next to major attractions without comparing prices — take a short walk into side streets where quality is often better and prices lower.
The trumpet call (hejnał) from St. Mary’s Church tower breaks off mid‑melody to commemorate the legendary trumpeter who was shot while sounding the alarm to warn the town of an invasion.
For centuries Kazimierz was a separate town and it preserved a unique urban layout and historic synagogues, making it one of the most interesting examples of Jewish urban heritage in Europe.
At Wawel you can admire collections connected to Poland’s history, and walks around the courtyards offer beautiful views of the Vistula — the hill area is accessible year‑round free of charge.
Is entry to Wawel free? The Wawel grounds and courtyards are free to enter, but visiting specific exhibitions and chambers requires a ticket.
Are the synagogues in Kazimierz open every day? Accessibility of synagogues may depend on the day of the week and religious events; on Fridays and Saturdays access can be limited because of Shabbat and services.
How do I get to the Wieliczka Salt Mine? The fastest ways are by regional train or an organised tour; the trip usually takes about 20–30 minutes from central Kraków.
How do I avoid queues at attractions? Arrive early right after opening, buy tickets online and consider visiting less popular exhibitions during the day.
Kraków is a city where it’s easy to combine sightseeing of the main attractions with relaxing in charming cafés and restaurants. By planning sensibly — choosing early time slots, buying tickets in advance and limiting paid visits to the most important spots — you’ll see more and spend less.
If this guide helped you, share it with friends or on social media. If you want to discover Kraków’s most interesting and less obvious sides, consider booking a tour with private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and more information are available on the guide’s page. Thank you for reading and enjoy your trip to Kraków!
