A visit to Krakow can combine many strong emotions: experiencing sites of memory, romantic walks around the Market Square and delicious meals in Kazimierz. Planning two or three days lets you see the most important places without rushing — and if you’re traveling with a partner, it’s worth balancing heavier sites (Auschwitz, Galicia Museum, Schindler’s Factory) with quieter moments over coffee or a relaxed dinner.
In this text you’ll find a sample itinerary, practical tips (tickets, transport, what to bring), sights worth visiting and a list of the most common mistakes and how to avoid them.
Memorial sites and entertainment require different mindsets. When visiting Auschwitz it’s worth reserving at least half a day and preparing for a strong emotional impact; after such an experience it’s good to plan a calm evening — a dinner in a cozy restaurant or a short walk along the Vistula.
The Cloth Hall and Kazimierz can be explored more casually: they’re places to discover flavors, local stories and architecture. A good rhythm is: heavier topics in the morning, an afternoon walk around the Market Square and dinner in Kazimierz.
Day 1: Arrival, walk through the Old Town, the Cloth Hall (the 19th-century art gallery upstairs), the Underground Museum beneath the Market, dinner on the Market Square or nearby (for example Szara Gęś).
Day 2: Early departure to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum (guided visit ~3.5 hours), return to Krakow, evening walk in Kazimierz and dinner at a restaurant serving Jewish/Israeli-inspired cuisine (for example Ariel, Hamsa).
Day 3: Galicia Jewish Museum or Schindler’s Factory (if you want a broader context about Krakow’s Jewish history), time for coffee and a zapiekanka at Plac Nowy, farewell to the city and departure.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial requires booking a specific time in advance. Entries are limited and reservations can fill up well ahead — so buy a ticket/set a visit time as soon as your travel dates are fixed.
When booking you’ll be asked for your full name — make sure it matches your ID. At the entrance there may be ID checks and baggage control; there are rules limiting the size of carry-on bags on the Memorial grounds.
If you plan to visit with a guide, check the duration and format (the main educational part usually lasts about 3.5 hours). Reserving an afternoon visit to Schindler’s Factory or the Galicia Museum helps structure the day.
Access to the Cloth Hall’s ground-level market is free; entry to the National Museum gallery upstairs in the Cloth Hall and to the Market Underground is paid, so check opening hours and tickets in advance.
By car, Krakow to Oświęcim takes about 1–1.5 hours; if you choose organized transport, remember departure times and the operator’s possible changes. If you go independently, allow extra travel time for traffic and arrival formalities.
In central Krakow it’s best to get around on foot or by tram; the Old Town, Cloth Hall and Kazimierz are close to each other. For late evenings or trips from areas outside the center, a taxi or ride-hailing app is convenient.
When choosing accommodation think about location: staying near the Market Square makes short walks easy, but during a long weekend you may find quieter apartments around Kazimierz.
Kazimierz is the former Jewish quarter with several preserved synagogues (for example the Remuh Synagogue with the adjacent Old Jewish Cemetery) and atmospheric streets. Walking along Szeroka, Józefa and Meiselsa you’ll sense the area’s character and find museums, galleries and cafés.
The Galicia Jewish Museum offers exhibitions documenting life, culture and trauma; temporary shows often tell personal stories of local families and the community’s fate. It’s a good place to better understand the historical context.
It’s worth remembering: many scenes from the film 'Schindler’s List' were shot in Kazimierz, but the actual Krakow ghetto was in Podgórze. Schindler’s Factory is therefore an important stop that completes the wartime story of the city.
The Cloth Hall is the heart of the Main Market Square: at ground level you’ll find traditional souvenir stalls, while upstairs is the 19th-century Art Gallery. Beneath the Cloth Hall the interactive Market Underground Museum displays archaeological finds and reconstructions of medieval buildings.
A curiosity: the attic of the Cloth Hall is decorated with many ornamental masks (mascarons) that attract tourists’ attention. The arcades and fragments of old gas lighting give the place a special atmosphere, especially in the evening.
Ariel — a restaurant known for dishes inspired by Jewish cuisine, located in a historic tenement on Szeroka. It’s a place where tradition meets the atmosphere of old Kazimierz.
Hamsa (Hamsa Hummus & Happiness) — a popular spot with modern Israeli cuisine and hummus; a good option if you’re looking for light, shareable dishes in a relaxed setting.
Plac Nowy — the culinary heart of Kazimierz: try the famous zapiekanki by the rotunda. On the Market Square consider places like Szara Gęś for a more elegant dinner.
If you want to try local flavors in a casual setting, avoid peak hours (19:00–21:00) and reserve a table for the weekend in advance.
Not booking Auschwitz in advance — entries are limited and the last days of long weekends fill quickly. Reserve your slot as soon as travel dates are set.
Confusing film locations with historical sites — images from 'Schindler’s List' can mislead: Kazimierz was a film set, while the actual ghetto was in Podgórze. Check locations if historical accuracy matters to you.
Trying to do too much in one day — after visiting a memorial site you need time to reflect; don’t overload the day with additional intensive activities.
Not reserving tables at popular restaurants — during a long weekend tables disappear fast. Book early or plan meals outside peak times.
The Market Underground preserves well-kept fragments of medieval pavement and reconstructions of old merchant stalls — it’s an excellent place to see how the Market looked centuries ago.
Historically the Cloth Hall was one of Europe’s oldest covered marketplaces — merchants traded luxury goods there as early as the Middle Ages.
The Galicia Jewish Museum frequently shows exhibitions documenting individual family stories from the region — these personal perspectives can deepen your understanding of the places you visit.
How much time to allocate for Auschwitz? Plan about 3–4 hours for the guided walk through the camp; add travel time — the whole trip from Krakow will take most of the day.
Is Krakow a good choice for a trip with a partner? Yes — many couples appreciate Krakow for the contrast between sites of memory and the romantic corners of the Old Town. It’s important to plan the day and leave time to rest.
Can you combine Auschwitz and Schindler’s Factory on the same day? It’s possible but intense. Consider visiting Schindler’s Factory on a different day or choosing a shorter visit format to avoid exhaustion.
If this article helped you plan your trip: share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others plan better.
If you want to explore Krakow smoothly and with the care of a local guide, I invite you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Her contact details and offer are available on the guide’s website. With a guide’s support you’ll more easily manage logistics, learn lesser-known curiosities and take care of emotional comfort during visits to memorial sites.
