Yes — it’s completely doable and very enjoyable, provided you approach the plan with some sense: comfortable shoes, a sensible division of attractions and a little slack for café breaks. The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and the Main Market Square can be seen in a few hours, while Kazimierz has so many atmospheric streets, synagogues and eateries that it’s worth reserving several good hours on the second day or an afternoon of the first day. This guide shows a simple 48-hour walking route plus practical tips, local curiosities and a list of recommended restaurants.
If you care about indoor museum visits (for example the Wawel chambers or exhibitions in the Cloth Hall), set priorities and buy tickets in advance — it will save you time and stress.
The Cloth Hall and Kazimierz are two different faces of Krakow that lie very close to each other and complement one another beautifully. The Cloth Hall is the heart of historic trade and a spot from which you can easily start the royal route toward Wawel; Kazimierz, by contrast, is an intimate, artistic neighborhood full of cafés, synagogues and hidden corners with deep history. Walking between them gives the best sense of the city’s contrasts: the grand open space of the Market and the cozy nooks of the Jewish quarter.
Combining both on foot saves time and adds small pleasures along the way: handsome tenement houses, cafés, street performers and viewpoints over the Vistula — all of which can make 48 hours very satisfying.
Day 1: Old Town, the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Wawel and an evening in Kazimierz. Start in the morning at St. Florian’s Gate, walk the Royal Route to the Main Market Square, take a look at the Cloth Hall from the outside and, if you like, visit the Cloth Hall gallery terrace for a view over the Square. After a short break, head to Wawel — the courtyards and the Cathedral need at least 2–3 hours. In the evening cross to Kazimierz for dinner and a short stroll along Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy.
Day 2: In‑depth Kazimierz. Begin with the synagogues (check opening hours if you plan to go inside), visit Plac Nowy with its characteristic Okrąglak (the round kiosk), walk along Estery and Józefa streets and stop for coffee in a charming spot. Spend the afternoon on a museum visit (for example a contemporary art space nearby) or walk the Vistula boulevards toward Podgórze.
Leave free time for spontaneous discoveries — small galleries, craft shops and street markets can be the real highlights of the trip.
From St. Florian’s Gate to the Market Square is just a few minutes on foot; the walk from the Square to Wawel takes about 10–15 minutes. Walking from Wawel to Kazimierz is 20–30 minutes depending on whether you go along the Vistula boulevards or cross bridges and wind through streets. A typical loop around Kazimierz covering Plac Nowy, Szeroka and the synagogues takes 2–4 hours if you plan to enter a few sites and stop for food.
When planning your day, allow time for queues at popular interiors (Wawel, some synagogues, exhibitions). It’s best to be at the entrance just before opening or to buy a timed ticket. Kazimierz has its best atmosphere in the late afternoon and evening — a great time for dinner and small concerts in intimate venues.
Check opening hours of chosen sites before you go — some synagogues and museums close on certain days or have reduced hours at weekends and holidays. If you plan to visit popular exhibitions or Wawel’s chambers, buy tickets online in advance to avoid long lines. The Cloth Hall hosts permanent and temporary exhibitions; it’s worth checking if there are special events on the day of your visit.
If you’re interested in particular concerts, get up early for the Hejnał Mariacki (the bugle call) or look for information about evening events in churches and Kazimierz clubs — these attractions are seasonal and sometimes sell out.
Kazimierz is a paradise for food lovers: if you like Middle Eastern flavors, consider Hamsa (Szeroka) or Cheder; Plac Nowy is the classic spot for zapiekanki — don’t miss trying one of the legendary mushroom or topped baguettes from local vendors. On the Old Town, Restaurant Wierzynek is an option for a more formal dinner, and near Wawel there are places serving hearty Polish dishes such as Pod Wawelem. Choose restaurants with good reviews and reserve a table for the evening when tourist traffic grows.
For accommodation, the best bases are near the Market or in Kazimierz so you can walk to most attractions. Look for small, well‑rated guesthouses or boutique hotels that provide a good breakfast and easy returns after evening walks.
The Cloth Hall is not just a souvenir market: it’s a historic trading center dating back centuries, and upstairs there’s an art gallery whose vantage points give an unusual view over the Market. The Cloth Hall terrace is a worthwhile viewpoint for the whole Square.
Kazimierz used to be a separate royal town and, for centuries, the center of Jewish life in Krakow — many buildings still carry traces of that history and the district has reborn as a cultural and culinary heart of the city. Plac Nowy once served commercial purposes and still pulses with local street life.
On the other side of the Vistula, near Kazimierz, is Podgórze which has its own curiosities — a good extension to your plan if you have extra time.
Trying to “check off” too many museums in one day — it’s better to choose a few priorities and experience them well than to run between entrances and learn little. Plan realistically and reserve tickets where possible.
Eating in the first restaurant you see near main attractions often leads to disappointment. Read reviews, ask locals and pick places with good reputations; in Kazimierz it’s easy to find authentic and highly rated spots.
Ignoring the weather and wearing the wrong shoes — Krakow’s streets are mostly stone and there’s a lot of walking. Pick comfortable footwear and carry a light coat or umbrella in rainy seasons.
Is walking safe? Yes — the Market, Wawel and Kazimierz are safe for tourists, but as in any large city watch out for pickpocketing and keep personal items close. At night be cautious in less‑traveled alleys.
Can you see everything on foot? Most attractions in the Old Town, Wawel and Kazimierz are walkable. If you plan farther trips (for example to Wieliczka), consider public transport or a short taxi ride.
Are there public toilets? Yes — in the city centre and by the main attractions there are sanitary points; it’s useful to have a small amount of cash for some facilities.
Do I need to reserve a table? In popular restaurants in the evening and on weekends — yes, it’s sensible. A reservation removes stress and long waiting times.
Bring comfortable shoes, plan to walk but also to take coffee breaks and watch the city. Allow yourself unexpected discoveries: small galleries, craft shops and concerts in Kazimierz clubs are often what you remember most. If you want, note a few favorite spots before you leave but keep room for improvisation.
If this article helped you, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan well. If you prefer touring with a guide, consider booking a private guide with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and more information are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa website. Good luck and enjoy your walks in Krakow!
