Kraków is a city where many attractions are close to each other — Wawel, the Main Market Square and plenty of small museums and cafés can easily be visited on foot. That saves on transport and lets you spend on one or two paid attractions that make the biggest impression. When you travel in a group, look for group tickets or promotions, because they often significantly reduce the cost of entry to places like the Museum of Illusions.
In practice “less than 100 PLN” means a few compromises: you choose free outdoor sightseeing and one paid attraction, pick sensible food options (a milk bar, an inexpensive lunch or shared portions) and walk instead of taking taxis. It’s realistic and enjoyable — the day is still full of experiences.
Below you’ll find a practical day plan, an example budget, tips on where to eat and advice on avoiding common mistakes when sightseeing with friends.
Start the day with a walk around Wawel Hill — the courtyard, the outer walls and the Vistula panorama are the main attractions you can see without paying for a ticket. It’s a great photo start and an introduction to the city’s history. Then walk toward the Main Market Square, passing the atmospheric streets of the Old Town.
After a short coffee or snack break (inexpensive cafés and small bakeries are scattered along the route) choose one paid attraction — consider the Museum of Illusions as a group experience that brings a lot of fun and great photos. These kinds of museums often offer group tickets or time-limited promotions that lower the per-person cost.
In the evening you can stroll along the Vistula boulevards, sit by a snack bar or have a shared dinner in one of the well-rated restaurants near the Market. To keep the budget, choose one decent dish to share or a milk bar for dinner.
The Museum of Illusions is an interactive attraction that works especially well for groups of friends — optical installations, moving mazes and striking photo spots guarantee fun and shared memories. Many such places are located in the city center, making it easy to combine them with other points on your route.
Ticket prices vary by season and promotion, but there are often concession, family and group options. If you’re going with several people, ask about a group discount — sometimes you can cut the cost considerably compared with the individual price. Buying tickets online can also reveal short-term promotions.
Try to arrive early or a little later outside peak hours to avoid queues and have more time for photos. You’ll typically spend 45–60 minutes there, so plan the rest of the day so that this slot fits smoothly into your route.
Wawel Hill itself is an experience: views of the Vistula, the famous courtyard and the outer walls are elements you can enjoy without a ticket. This is an excellent option for budget-conscious visitors — beautiful scenery and photo spots at no extra cost.
If you want to enter the castle interiors or the cathedral, be prepared for separate fees for individual routes and exhibitions. To stay within budget, choose one paid exhibition or the crypts — this lets you feel the atmosphere without spending a fortune.
Before buying tickets check current opening hours and availability. Some exhibitions have entry limits at specific times, and booking in advance can save stress and time.
Imagine a realistic scenario: a group of 3–4 friends, a morning walk around Wawel (no tickets), entry to the Museum of Illusions with a group promotion, an inexpensive lunch and drinks during the day. Such a day can be planned under 100 PLN per person if you use group discounts and choose economical food options.
Sample expense categories (example): entry to the Museum of Illusions (after group discount) — amount depends on the promotion; inexpensive lunch or a portion to share — 15–30 PLN; coffee/snack — 8–15 PLN; small extras (water, a souvenir) — 5–10 PLN. The key is negotiating group discounts and making prudent food choices.
Remember that ticket prices and promotions change with the season — check current offers before you go and, if possible, book tickets online.
If you want to eat well and relatively cheaply, look for milk bars and small local canteens outside the most touristy part of the Market. Around the Old Town there are also many pleasant cafés and small restaurants with good reviews, ideal for a quick break between attractions.
For those who want to indulge a bit more, consider visiting one of the well-reviewed cafés or restaurants near the Market. Recommended places usually have good reviews and serve local dishes in a pleasant atmosphere, but remember such an outing can raise your total daily cost.
To stay within budget, consider this strategy: morning coffee and pastry, an inexpensive lunch (milk bar or kebab), and for the evening a shared dinner where one person buys a main dish and the others contribute to dessert or drinks.
Book tickets online where possible — you’ll save time and often find promotions. For the Museum of Illusions check group options, and for Wawel decide whether you prefer the free courtyard and views or one paid interior exhibition.
Walk. The Old Town and Wawel are compact and well connected — most routes can be explored on foot. This saves on public transport fares and lets you soak up the city’s atmosphere.
Check opening hours just before your visit — some places have seasonal changes, technical breaks or limits on ticket sales. Keep flexibility in your plan to avoid stress about entry times.
Not booking in advance for popular exhibitions — this leads to queues or no availability at the preferred time. In high season it’s better to plan ahead.
Trying to see everything in one day — Wawel and the Museum of Illusions can be combined, but it’s better to choose one interior exhibition at Wawel and not try to tick off everything. This saves time and money.
Using expensive transport for short distances in the center — most attractions are close enough that walking is the fastest and cheapest option.
Can I access Wawel for free? Yes — the outer parts of the hill and the courtyard are available without a ticket; however, visits to specific exhibitions or the crypts usually require payment.
Is the Museum of Illusions good for adults visiting with friends? Definitely — it’s an interactive format designed for fun and group photos, often recommended as a social activity.
How long should such a day last? Practically, 4–6 hours is enough to unhurriedly see Wawel from the outside, visit the Museum of Illusions and eat a meal. If you plan more interior exhibitions at Wawel, reserve a full day.
In central Kraków many attractions can be combined into a pleasant walk — often the travel between them takes less time than students estimate on a map. This is a big advantage for budget travelers.
Many attraction organizers offer evening discounts, weekend promotions or group packages. It’s worth taking a minute to check options or call the ticket office before you go.
Photos from the Museum of Illusions can be excellent social media material — with the right use of light and perspective you can create a lot of fun shots at no extra cost.
If this text was helpful, share it with your friends — planning a group outing is easier when everyone knows where to save and what’s worth spending on.
If you want to visit Kraków with a guide and have a personalized plan tailored to your expectations, consider booking a private guide — contact Małgorzata Kasprowicz for a tailored tour. It’s a convenient solution if you want to make the most of your time and learn local stories. Have a great trip and take wonderful photos! Clear plans and memorable experiences to all travelers.
