Only have a weekend? Great — Krakow is perfect for a short, intensive trip. Before you hop on the train or plane, take 10–20 minutes to make a few basic decisions: where you’ll sleep, whether you want a day trip outside the city (Wieliczka, Ojcow National Park or Auschwitz-Birkenau), and which of the ‘must-see’ sights are most important to you.
Booking accommodation near the Old Town or Kazimierz will save travel time. If you plan to visit Wawel, the Rynek Underground or the Wieliczka Salt Mine, buy tickets in advance — especially in peak season and on weekends.
Plan some meals ahead too — popular cafés and restaurants in Kazimierz and around the Market Square fill up in the evenings. Have a few backup options and check whether your chosen places require reservations.
Below is a simple, realistic 2-day plan. It leaves some breathing room for rest and pleasant surprises.
Day 1 (Saturday) - Old Town and Wawel: morning - walk the Royal Route: the Barbican, St. Florian’s Gate, Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica); afternoon - Wawel (Royal Castle, Cathedral). Evening - stroll and dinner in Kazimierz or along the Vistula.
Day 2 (Sunday) - Kazimierz and Podgórze / option: Wieliczka or museums: morning - explore Kazimierz (synagogues, Plac Nowy, local cafés); late morning - Schindler’s Factory or a walk on the Vistula boulevards; optional afternoon trip to Wieliczka (about 1 hour from the center) or a calmer discovery of Podgórze and Krakus Mound.
Start early — mornings are nicest before the crowds arrive. Enter the Main Market Square from St. Florian’s Gate and take time to admire the Cloth Hall and the old town atmosphere. If you want to visit St. Mary’s Basilica, check service times and visiting hours; if you want to hear the trumpet call (hejnał), be there at noon.
Allow at least 2–3 hours for Wawel. Visit the castle courtyards and the Cathedral with its treasury and royal necropolis. If the royal apartments are a priority, buy a timed ticket — it saves waiting in line.
Take a break for lunch between sights — head to quieter side streets next to the Market Square for more local flavours. In the evening, head to Kazimierz — it’s ideal for dinner and a mood-lit walk.
Kazimierz is a district you can’t miss. Start at Plac Nowy — try a local zapiekanka or grab a morning coffee at a cosy café. Visit the synagogues and Jewish heritage sites, then enjoy wandering the side streets with small galleries and craft shops.
If 20th-century history interests you, consider Schindler’s Factory (check hours and ticket availability). Alternatively, walk along the Vistula boulevards and cross to Podgórze via the Father Bernatek Footbridge for a pleasant view of Wawel.
Afternoon option: Wieliczka Salt Mine — roughly one hour from the centre. It’s a longer excursion, so factor in transport and the underground tour time. Another option is a relaxed afternoon in Podgórze — quieter and full of interesting spots away from the busiest areas.
For couples - a romantic evening in Kazimierz, a walk along the Vistula boulevards and a sunset view of Wawel. Finish with dinner in an intimate restaurant serving regional dishes.
For families with children - pick shorter attractions and more breaks: Old Town in the morning (a short walk-through), an afternoon at the Krakow Science Garden or the zoo in Lasek Wolski, and a calm evening walk and rest.
For history lovers - beyond Wawel visit Schindler’s Factory and, if you have time, plan trips to museums or memorial sites outside the city. Reserve tickets and allow enough time at each place.
Getting around: Krakow’s centre is best explored on foot — sights are close together. For longer distances use trams and buses. Install a local transport app for timetables and have change for single tickets or use a city travel card.
Tickets: buy online in advance for the most popular attractions (Wawel Royal Castle, Rynek Underground, Wieliczka Salt Mine). This saves time and often guarantees an entry time slot.
Pace: don’t plan too much — it’s better to see a few places well than to rush through everything. Schedule one longer break for coffee and cake to rest and soak up the city’s atmosphere.
Krakow’s food scene ranges from street snacks to traditional cuisine. Quick bites to try: obwarzanek krakowski (a ring-shaped bread) and zapiekanka at Plac Nowy. For traditional meals, look for pierogi and żurek in local restaurants.
Look for places with local character — small cafés and family-run diners often serve tastier and cheaper food than venues right on the Market Square. In the evening Kazimierz offers many atmospheric restaurants and bars.
If you have allergies or special dietary needs, check menus online or call ahead. Many places are flexible and will help adapt dishes to your needs.
Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Historic streets and cobblestones can be tiring on your feet after a long day of walking.
Check the weather before you travel and wear layers — mornings and evenings can be cooler even in summer. If you plan to visit Wieliczka, remember the mine is cool and damp — bring a light sweater.
Bring a water bottle, a phone power bank and a charger. It’s also smart to have an offline map or saved route images in case of poor signal.
Expect queues in peak season and on weekends at the most popular sites — plan visits early in the morning or late afternoon to avoid the biggest crowds.
Leave room for improvisation — often the best discoveries are small cafés, local galleries and hidden corners off the main ‘must-see’ route. Krakow rewards wandering, so save time for aimless strolling.
If you visit memorial sites or historical museums, give them the time they deserve and respect their nature — they are important parts of the region’s history.
You can plan a weekend in Krakow to see the main attractions, soak up the atmosphere and still avoid running yourself ragged. The key is to choose a few priorities, reserve where needed and leave space for rest and chance discoveries.
If you like, tell me what you plan to see — I’ll gladly help fine-tune your route so your weekend is the best it can be. Enjoy your visit and see you in Krakow!
Emergency numbers: in Poland dial 112 for emergencies. Keep a copy of your accommodation address handy when exploring.
Currency and payments: Poland uses the złoty (PLN). Cards are widely accepted, but it’s useful to carry some cash for small stalls, market sellers and some smaller cafés.
Language: Polish is the local language; many people in tourist areas speak English. Learning a few basic Polish phrases (hello - 'dzień dobry', please - 'proszę', thank you - 'dziękuję') is appreciated by locals.
Transport to/from the airport: from John Paul II Kraków-Balice Airport you can take the train to Krakow Główny station or use airport buses and taxis. Factor travel time to/from your accommodation when planning arrival and departure.
