1. Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral - the heart of Polish history, now with newly opened underground spaces and the “Międzymurze” exhibition. A must-see — allow at least 2–3 hours.
2. Main Market Square and St. Mary’s Basilica - a vast square with the Cloth Hall, the hejnał trumpet call and rich architecture. Climbing the Town Hall tower gives a nice viewpoint.
3. Kazimierz district - Jewish heritage, atmospheric cafés and bars, and Plac Nowy famous for its zapiekanki (open-faced baguette pizzas).
4. Oskar Schindler’s Factory (Museum of Memory) and Podgórze - a moving exhibit on wartime Krakow and surrounding areas steeped in 20th-century history.
5. Rynek Underground and the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow - an excellent, interactive introduction to the city’s past.
6. Planty Park and the Florian Gate - the city’s green belt, perfect for relaxing walks between visits.
7. Art museums: the National Museum / MOCAK - choose classical or contemporary art depending on your interests.
8. Wawel Gardens and outdoor sculptures - recent sculpture installations enrich the walk around the castle and add an interesting dialogue between art and public space.
9. Wieliczka Salt Mine (optional) - a classic full-day excursion outside the city, worth doing if you have the third day free.
10. Walk along Grodzka Street, Kazimierz by night and local cafés - simple Krakow pleasures: good food, bookish cafés and atmospheric taverns.
Day 1 — Old Town and Wawel: Start in the morning at the Main Market Square (brief walk and St. Mary’s Basilica). Book Wawel tickets in advance to visit the State Rooms, the Cathedral and the newly opened ‘Międzymurze’ underground route. In the afternoon, take a melex tour around the Old Town and under Wawel — it saves energy and shows key spots comfortably. Dinner near the square in the evening.
Day 2 — Kazimierz and Podgórze: In the morning take a melex to Kazimierz, stroll among the synagogues, visit Plac Nowy and enjoy cafés. In the afternoon visit Schindler’s Factory and explore Podgórze. Use the melex for short transfers between sites, but spend time walking Kazimierz on foot to feel the neighborhood’s atmosphere. Kazimierz is lively at night — great for dinner at places like Starka or restaurants around the square.
Day 3 — Museums or an excursion outside the city: Option A — spend the day at MOCAK or the National Museum and discover lesser-known corners of Krakow; Option B — take a full-day trip to Wieliczka Salt Mine. If you return to the center, use a melex for transfers from the station or your hotel to save time and legs.
The biggest recent addition is the newly opened underground spaces at Wawel — the “Międzymurze” exhibition showcases archaeological research and fragments of fortifications from the 11th to the 19th century. The route combines artifacts with multimedia and lets visitors enter parts of the hill that were previously closed to the public.
Outside the underground route, temporary sculpture installations and outdoor exhibitions in the Castle Gardens periodically appear, enlivening the area between the state rooms and the viewing terrace. In spring and summer you’ll often encounter fresh artistic arrangements worth including in your walking plan.
When planning your visit: check opening hours for the different Wawel departments and buy tickets in advance — especially for popular routes to avoid queues. Leave a little flexibility in your schedule for micro-exhibits and cultural events that frequently happen in castle spaces.
Pros: a melex is a comfortable and eco-friendly way to quickly see key city points without long walks; ideal for visitors with limited mobility, families with small children, or anyone short on time. Drivers often act as local guides, pointing out curiosities and photo spots.
Cons: a melex can’t reach everywhere (narrow pedestrian alleys must be explored on foot), and in high season there may be restrictions due to pedestrian traffic. Tourist routes can be shortened and road traffic may affect travel smoothness — plan rides outside rush hours when possible.
Practical tip: combine melex rides with walking — you’ll gain comfort and save time, but still have the chance to notice the details you’d miss when passing by quickly.
For breakfast and coffee: Charlotte (breads and breakfasts), Massolit Books & Café (breakfasts and a bookish atmosphere).
For lunch / traditional Polish food: Pod Aniołami (Polish cuisine in atmospheric cellars), Wierzynek (historic dining room and classic dishes), Starka (Kazimierz — Polish food and homemade liqueurs).
Evening snacks and bites: Plac Nowy in Kazimierz is famous for its zapiekanki; for something more refined choose restaurants around the Market Square with seasonal menus. Many places are busy at peak hours — reserving a table for dinner is recommended.
Tickets and reservations: buy Wawel and popular museum tickets online in advance — it saves time and stress. Check opening hours for holidays and seasonal changes.
Transport: melexes operate commercially and typically offer short sightseeing routes and transfers; confirm prices and routes ahead of time. Krakow also has an efficient tram and bus network, and walking across the city center is often the fastest option.
Weather and clothing: bring comfortable shoes — cobbled streets and uneven sidewalks are common. In cooler months, dress in layers and carry an umbrella.
Currency and payments: card payments are widely accepted, but for small stalls, taxis or the zapiekanki at Plac Nowy it’s useful to have some Polish złoty in small denominations.
Accessibility: if you travel with mobility limitations, ask the melex operator about accessible vehicles and pick-up points — often transfers can be arranged from your hotel.
1) Trying to see “everything” in a single day — better set priorities and leave time for rest and meals.
2) Not booking Wawel or major museum tickets in advance — this can mean long lines and ruined plans.
3) Wearing inappropriate footwear — result: tired feet and less enjoyment; pack comfortable, slip-resistant shoes.
4) Relying solely on the melex — some corners, cafés and photo spots are only discovered on foot.
How to avoid them: book in advance, plan themed days (e.g., Old Town + Wawel; Kazimierz + Podgórze), and mix public transport, walking and short melex transfers.
Is a combined Wawel ticket worth it? - If you plan to visit the state rooms, the Treasury and the underground route, a combined ticket can be economical; check available packages before your visit.
Do melexes run throughout the city? - No; melexes serve selected routes in the center, Kazimierz and Podgórze. For longer distances and trips to Wieliczka you’ll need other transport.
How long does it take to see Wawel? - Typically 2–3 hours for the main attractions, more if you include the underground route and temporary exhibitions.
Do I need a guide? - A guide adds great value if you want deeper historical context; melex drivers often share commentary, but a private guide can tailor the route to your interests.
Is Krakow safe at night? - The Old Town and Kazimierz are usually safe in the evening; as in any city, keep basic precautions and watch your belongings.
Surprise 1: Under Wawel you can find remains of settlements going back thousands of years — the newly opened underground route reveals layers of history invisible from the hilltop.
Surprise 2: Contemporary sculptures often appear in the Castle Gardens — a great opportunity to see modern art in a historic setting.
Local tip: the best photos of Wawel are taken just before sunset from the Vistula boulevards; early morning is the quietest time to visit the Market Square without crowds.
If you liked this plan — share it with friends or on social media to help them better plan their Krakow visit.
If you’d like to explore with someone who will show the city from a local perspective and adapt the route to your expectations, consider booking a private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details are available on the guide’s website (contact section).
