Yes — five days is a great amount of time to visit Wawel and Schindler's Factory without rushing, and at the same time to get to know the Old Town, Kazimierz and a few less obvious spots. If you enjoy walking and prefer soaking up atmosphere rather than rushing through a“must-see” checklist, this plan leaves room for breaks, coffee and longer stops in museums.
Practically, it’s good to organize the sightseeing thematically: dedicate one day to Wawel and the surrounding area, one day to Schindler’s Factory and Podgórze, and keep the remaining days for the Market Square, Kazimierz, selected museums and slow discovery of the city. That way you’ll avoid overload and have time for authentic moments — relaxing by the Vistula, a nice dinner or a visit to a favorite café.
Start your day at the Main Market Square: take a quick look at the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the Adam Mickiewicz Monument and St. Mary’s Basilica. The interior of St. Mary’s is worth seeing for the Veit Stoss altar — try to time your visit to see the altar’s opening (usually around noon) and remember that short services may limit access to some parts of the church.
Walk to Wawel along the Royal Route. The cathedral and the courtyard need time — allow about 1–1.5 hours for the cathedral and royal tombs, and another 1–1.5 hours if you plan to visit the state rooms or the Wawel Castle Museum. A comfortable pace means spending 2–3 hours on the hill itself, with a break for coffee or ice cream at one of the nearby cafés.
The Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory exhibition tells the story of Kraków between 1939 and 1945; a typical visit takes about 1.5–2 hours. The exhibition is multimedia and requires concentration, so it’s best scheduled for the morning when galleries are less crowded.
The Memory Trail (Trasa Pamięci) of the Museum of Kraków links several places connected to the occupation era — besides Schindler’s Factory it includes, for example, the Pharmacy under the Eagle and other points related to the ghetto. If you want to go deeper, leave time to visit one of the Memory Trail branches.
In recent years there have been limits on ticket numbers and changes to the sales system, so check ticket availability before your trip. If you can’t buy a ticket online, arrive early and try to purchase one at the museum ticket office — be aware there may be per-person limits on tickets.
Kazimierz is a district to explore slowly: synagogues, atmospheric courtyards and galleries mix here with trendy cafés and clubs. Walk from Plac Nowy toward Szeroka Street, popping into synagogue interiors and local craft shops.
For lunch try places highly rated by locals — classic zapiekanki at Plac Nowy are a quick, iconic choice; if you prefer a longer meal, pick a restaurant with good reviews and local specialties. In the evening Kazimierz offers plenty of options for dinner and live music.
Reserve the fourth day for relaxed visits to museums that interest you: the Market Underground (Rynek Podziemny), MOCAK or Collegium Maius are good choices for a few calm hours. If you like contrasts, consider an afternoon trip to Nowa Huta — a different side of Kraków, full of socialist-realist architecture and industrial history.
Plan breaks: exhibitions often require concentration, and museum rooms can be emotionally intense, especially displays related to World War II. Allow time to rest with coffee or a walk along the Vistula.
Use your last day to return to favorite spots or to buy small souvenirs. You can also keep a short walking route along the Vistula, relax on the Vistula Boulevards or visit local stalls and cafés you didn’t get to earlier.
This is a good moment to check whether you want to see Wawel again from a different perspective or visit any spots you missed on the first day. A lighter pace helps you leave Kraków without feeling like something was missing.
Buy tickets through official channels: for Schindler’s Factory use the Museum of Kraków’s ticketing, and for other attractions consult official websites or tourist information points. In recent years there have been cases of resold tickets with inflated prices — avoid private resellers.
Pay attention to limits on walk-in tickets and possible free-entry days at some branches. If you plan to climb the St. Mary’s tower or enter specific rooms on Wawel, reserve time slots and arrive with some buffer time.
After an intense day, eat at places that locals rate highly. In the center consider established restaurants with good reputations — a safe choice for your first dinner in Kraków. For coffee and cake choose atmospheric cafés around the Market Square and in Kazimierz.
If you want authentic, tried-and-true flavors, go for classic zapiekanki at Plac Nowy; for dinner, pick a restaurant with comments praising food quality and service. Remember that in high season it’s wise to book tables in advance.
Mistake 1: trying to see everything at once — result: exhaustion and less enjoyable memories. Break your plan into shorter stages and leave time for breaks.
Mistake 2: buying tickets from private sellers — this can lead to overpaying and reservations that don’t match your plan. Always check official sales channels.
Mistake 3: not being flexible about museum hours and services — before choosing a day for an attraction check current opening times and special events.
The hejnał (trumpet call) from St. Mary’s tower is a sound of the city heard for centuries — not everyone realizes that part of the church interior remains an active place of worship and not all corners are open to tourists.
Schindler’s Factory is not just the exhibition in the building itself — it’s part of a larger Memory Trail that connects several sites linked to residents’ lives during the occupation. Check which branches are open on the day you visit and consider combined tickets.
Can I take photos? In most museums photos are allowed without flash, but always follow the rules set by the venue. In places of memory, treat exhibitions with respect.
How far in advance should I buy tickets? If you plan to visit during the high season or on a specific weekday, buy tickets as early as possible; some allocations sell out well in advance. If online purchase isn’t possible, arrive early at the ticket office, remembering there may be per-person limits.
Is everything walkable? Kraków’s center is very pedestrian-friendly. Wawel, the Market Square and Kazimierz are within walking distance of each other; trams can speed up reaching more distant points, but if you enjoy walking most attractions can be connected on foot.
If this plan helps you organize your trip, share it with friends or on social media — simple tips save time and make your stay more enjoyable.
If you want to explore with a local, private guide and need a personalized itinerary, consider touring with Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details are available on her website; she will happily tailor the pace and places to your expectations so that five days in Kraków become an unhurried memory.
