Wawel is the heart of historic Krakow and one of the country’s most visited sites. If you want to feel its special atmosphere without the crowds, the best idea is to come early, right after opening. Morning brings quiet courtyards, better light for photos and shorter lines at ticket offices and exhibition entrances.
A morning visit also gives you flexibility for the rest of the day: after a few calm hours on the hill you can walk down to the Old Town and only then look for lunch or visit museum interiors. Many people discover that Wawel “after a morning stroll” feels completely different than at noon when the place is busy.
Remember that Wawel Hill operates with several separate tickets and exhibitions: the Cathedral, the crypts, the bell tower and the different castle displays are often ticketed separately. So — if specific interiors matter to you — buy tickets in advance online or come with enough time to queue.
If you want a truly peaceful experience, arrive even earlier than most tourists — some days and seasons have so-called “quiet hours,” but the rule is simple: the earlier, the better. If you plan to enter several castle exhibitions and the Cathedral with its tower or crypts, reserve the whole morning or even half a day for Wawel. (In practice Wawel can take a whole day — think about priorities.)
A small practical tip: a morning walk around the hill and a short visit to the Cathedral without entering every paid exhibition is a great option for those who want to feel the place’s atmosphere without spending hours in queues.
You have 72 hours — great! Here’s a suggested plan that mixes the must-sees with some local highlights. Day 1 is for Wawel and the Old Town, Day 2 for Kazimierz and Podgórze, and Day 3 you can use for a museum, a trip outside the city or slow exploration of lesser-known corners.
Adjust the pace to your liking: you can shorten or extend any stop. This plan is flexible and designed to avoid too much rushing while still seeing the essentials. If you want, I can help adapt it to your interests (art, history, food, cycling, etc.).
Practical notes: buy tickets for the exhibitions that matter to you (e.g., castle displays, the tower, crypts) in advance, check opening hours for the day and allow time for lunch breaks and rest. Comfortable shoes are a must — historic cobbles and the hill involve a fair bit of walking.
If you travel in high season (spring–summer) or on a long weekend, book ahead and expect larger crowds in the mornings; off-season mornings are much calmer and more pleasant.
Ready? Let’s go into the day-by-day details.
Morning: Wawel. Start the day on the hill — come in the morning to see the courtyard, the cathedral façades and choose one of the ticketed routes if you wish. If your priority is the view and the atmosphere, a walk around the hill and a visit to the Cathedral will be enough. If you want to enter the representative castle rooms or the Treasury, plan these first and expect each exhibition to take 30–90 minutes.
Afternoon: Main Market Square. From Wawel, walk along the Royal Route toward the Main Market Square. See the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), St. Mary’s Basilica (it’s worth going inside and, if you like, climbing the tower), then cross the Planty or side streets to discover cafés and craft shops.
Evening: dinner and Krakow flavours. After a day full of history, relax in one of the restaurants near the Square or around Kazimierz. If you have energy left, a short walk along the Vistula — the riverside boulevards and Father Bernatek Footbridge are charming in the evening.
Suggested timing (approximate): 08:00–11:30 Wawel and Cathedral; 12:00–15:00 Market Square, Cloth Hall, lunch; 15:00–17:00 small museums or rest; 18:00 dinner.
Budget tip: many parts of Wawel are free to access (the courtyard, parts of the Cathedral), but selected exhibitions are ticketed separately — choose carefully so you don’t spend on things that interest you less.
Kazimierz is one of Krakow’s most enjoyable neighborhoods — narrow streets, old synagogues, atmospheric cafés and interesting small restaurants. Start with a walk around Plac Wolnica and the synagogue quarter; it’s worth popping into a ceramics workshop or a gallery.
At midday head to Plac Nowy — a good spot for a snack and to watch local life (the famous Krakow “zapiekanki” are often found here). After lunch, walk toward Podgórze: Dębnicki Bridge or Father Bernatek Footbridge will take you across the Vistula.
Podgórze has its own history and several strong points: museum spaces, modern galleries and places of memory and post-war reconstructions. If 20th-century history interests you, allocate time for one of the museums in this part of the city. In the evening return to Kazimierz — the district buzzes with life, live music and cozy bars.
If you want a touch of contemporary art, consider a short visit to the modern art museums or galleries around Podgórze; the choice depends on your tastes and time.
Timing (approximate): 09:00–12:00 Kazimierz; 12:00–14:00 lunch at Plac Nowy; 14:00–17:00 Podgórze and museums; 18:00 evening in Kazimierz.
Leave the third day for what interests you most. A few popular options:
- Trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine (outside Krakow): a classic that takes half a day or a full day — a great choice if you want something very different from city sights.
- Visit a chosen museum: if you’re into art, choose the National Museum or contemporary art museums; for 20th-century history consider local exhibitions around Podgórze.
- Nowa Huta: if you’re curious about the PRL era and planned cities — spend a few hours walking Aleja Róż, visit local cultural spots and feel a different side of Krakow.
- Relax and off-the-beaten-path places: Zakrzówek, Tyniec (the abbey on the city edge) or an afternoon Vistula cruise. Or simply take a quiet day of cafés, markets and souvenir shopping.
Tickets and reservations: many popular attractions sell timed tickets online. If access to castle interiors, the cathedral tower, crypts or popular exhibitions matters to you — buy tickets in advance. This saves time and stress.
Opening hours: they change seasonally — in some months sites operate shorter hours. Always check current opening times before you set out. If you plan to be on Wawel in the morning, check when ticket sales start that day.
Transport and getting around: Krakow’s center is best explored on foot — many attractions are close to each other. For longer trips use trams or taxis. In season consider booking transfers ahead for excursions outside the city (for example Wieliczka).
Time for coffee and breaks: plan pauses — cafés in the center and in Kazimierz offer great local pastries and a chance to rest before the next round of sightseeing.
Safety and health: comfortable shoes and layered clothing are essential. In summer carry water; in winter check the forecast and dress warmly.
Wawel is not just one place but several to visit: the courtyard, the Cathedral (with royal tombs and crypts), the bell tower, the castle chambers and several museum exhibitions. Not all are included on one ticket — plan your selection in advance.
How much time do you need? If you only want to see the most characteristic spots — 2–4 hours will be enough. If you plan to visit several castle exhibitions and climb the tower, reserve a whole morning or day. In bad weather or high season be prepared for longer queues.
Photography: morning gives the best light and fewer people in the frame. Also take a look at Wawel from the Vistula boulevards — the hill and city panorama are beautiful at different times of the day.
Souvenirs and local flavours: if you’re looking for souvenirs or regional dishes, the Market and Kazimierz areas offer many options — from artisan shops to cozy restaurants. Try local pastries or Polish dishes in a small friendly restaurant.
A short priority list for Wawel: the Cathedral (inside), a walk around the courtyard, and choosing one paid castle exhibition or a viewpoint to climb.
- Plan flexibly: reserve key attractions but leave room for spontaneous discoveries — the best moments in Krakow often happen off-plan.
- Mornings are magical: if you can, get up earlier at least one day — the quiet Old Town and Wawel Hill feel completely different than the afternoon buzz.
- Eat locally: instead of dining in tourist traps, look for small places off the Market Square — they’re often cheaper and tastier.
- Make reservations for Wieliczka and some exhibitions — places can sell out, especially on weekends and in summer.
If you come with specific interests (art, photography, military history, food), I’m happy to help craft a tailor-made route.
Three days in Krakow is a beautiful start to an adventure: you’ll see the major sights, feel the city’s atmosphere and — if you leave time to observe — get to know its everyday side. A morning at Wawel is a great beginning: a peaceful hill, good light and lots of history within a short walk.
If you want, I can help refine the route to fit your pace and interests — tell me what you like and I’ll prepare a plan that helps you make the most of those 72 hours in Krakow. Happy planning and see you in the city!
Warm regards,
Małgorzata Kasprowicz (zwiedzaniekrakowa.com)
