Are you coming to Krakow with limited time and want to see Wawel, stroll the Planty, visit Schindler's Factory and still have a tasty, inexpensive lunch? Great — here’s a compact itinerary to fit everything in without making the day stressful. Below you’ll find a practical plan, opening hours guidance, ticket tips and places where you can eat cheaply without losing the city’s atmosphere. All written plainly and checked in practice.
Suggested morning plan:
- Start early at Wawel — the hill and courtyards look their best before the crowds arrive.
- Visit the selected route in the Castle or the Cathedral (plan 1.5–3 hours depending on how many exhibitions you choose).
- Walk through the Planty toward the Main Square for a short rest after sightseeing.
- In the afternoon visit Schindler's Factory Museum — a good historical complement after walking around the Old Town.
- At the end of the day: a cheap lunch in one of the traditional 'milk bars' or lunch bars — hearty portions for little money.
Wawel is several attractions in one: the courtyard, the exhibition chambers of the Royal Castle and the Cathedral with its chapels and treasury. Not all parts share the same opening hours, so when planning your visit decide in advance which routes you want to see. In practice most exhibitions and routes are available in the morning and afternoon; typical castle visiting hours in season often start around 9:00 and close between 16:00 and 19:00 depending on the time of year. The Cathedral has separate visitor hours and sometimes operates on a different seasonal schedule than the castle exhibitions.
Practical tips for visiting Wawel:
- Book tickets in advance, especially in the tourist season — this helps avoid queues and lets you pick a convenient time slot.
- Don’t try to do every route in one day — choose 2–3 exhibitions so you don't rush and can stop at interesting details.
- The hill has many stairs and cobbled surfaces — if you have mobility limits, check accessibility options before your visit.
- Prices and exact hours may vary with season and temporary exhibitions, so if you plan a specific day it’s best to check current information before you come.
The Cathedral is a separate point of interest: different entrances, different hours and visiting rules than the rest of the castle. Usually in the spring-summer season visiting hours are a bit longer, and off-season they are shortened. On Sundays and public holidays some parts of the exhibition may be unavailable because of religious ceremonies.
Practical advice for the Cathedral:
- Arrive early if you want a quieter visit of the chapels and the tombs of famous Poles.
- Check whether a ceremony is scheduled on your visit day because visiting may be limited or impossible then.
- On certain weekdays and outside the peak season hours can be shorter — keep that in mind when planning your route.
The Schindler's Factory Museum is an important place for those interested in World War II history and Krakow’s experience under occupation. It is an indoor exhibition where you usually spend about 1–2 hours depending on your pace.
A few practical facts and tips:
- The museum is typically open from Tuesday to Sunday in morning and afternoon hours; Mondays can have reduced opening and sometimes ticketing on-site without reservation is possible but limited.
- On certain days (e.g., selected Mondays or other organizational dates) entries may be limited — check rules before you travel.
- The last admission is usually about 1.5 hours before closing, so plan your visit to allow at least 90 minutes for a calm experience.
- Due to the difficult nature of the exhibition, the visit is recommended for older teenagers and adults.
Planty is the green belt that surrounds the Old Town and is one of the nicest places for a short rest between attractions. It’s a public park with free entry — ideal for a walk, a coffee break or a short breath of fresh air.
What you can do in the Planty:
- Start or finish a walk from Wawel, heading toward the Main Market Square.
- Use benches and shady alleys on a hot day to rest after intense sightseeing.
- Observe historic gates, monuments and plaques that recall the old city walls — a green “ring” around the old town.
- Planty is open 24/7 and free to enter, so you can visit any time. The nicest moments are early morning or late afternoon when there are fewer tourists.
If you want tasty and cheap food, Krakow has many classic solutions. The most known and cheapest options are milk bars and local canteens where a two-course meal often costs much less than in tourist restaurants. In practice a solid meal in such places is often in the 10–25 PLN range, depending on the place and the daily set.
Practical tips and types of places:
- Milk bars — traditional cafeterias offering soup and a main dish at very reasonable prices. It's worth choosing ones slightly outside the absolute center or those recommended by locals.
- Lunch bars and canteens — around Kazimierz and Plac Nowy you'll find places offering daily sets at affordable prices and longer opening hours.
- Look for 'daily lunch' or 'set of the day' — usually the best price-to-quality ratio.
- Beware of overpriced venues right at the Main Market Square — prices in the most touristy spots will be considerably higher.
- For example, in well-known milk bars you can often find a soup for a few zlotys and a two-course set for about 10–15 PLN in places popular with local customers.
- Tickets: buy online if you want a guaranteed slot — especially for the Castle and Schindler's Factory. Some days sell out and it’s good to secure them early.
- Hours: check specific opening times a few days before your visit — museum schedules can change seasonally or because of special events.
- Queues: Wawel and Schindler's Factory can be crowded — the calmest times are mornings or weekdays outside the weekend.
- Comfort: wear comfortable shoes, bring a water bottle and dress in layers — some interiors are cooler than outside.
- Transport: Krakow city center is easy to explore on foot; public transport will quickly get you to farther points if you plan fast transfers.
- Wawel — choose 1–2 exhibitions and a short visit to the Cathedral if time allows.
- Walk the Planty — relax and take great photos of the Old Town from another angle.
- Main Market Square — a short walk and a coffee if you want to feel the city's atmosphere.
- Schindler's Factory — if you're interested in 20th-century history, plan 1.5–2 hours for it.
This short plan is realistic for one intensive day and lets you feel Krakow’s atmosphere without running around.
Krakow is a city where history meets everyday urban life. A bit of planning and a few simple decisions — booking tickets, choosing a time to visit, picking a local milk bar instead of an expensive restaurant by the Market — will make your day full, pleasant and stress-free. If you want, I can help build a detailed plan for a specific day with opening hours and budget-friendly lunch suggestions — just tell me which day you'll be in Krakow and how much time you have. Good luck and enjoy your visit!
- Małgorzata Kasprowicz, Krakow guide. (zwiedzaniekrakowa.com)
If you want to refine the route or need a map with a suggested walking route — write and I’ll gladly help!
