Planning a short trip to Kraków with a visit to Wawel and a quick weekend escape to Zakopane? Great idea — Wawel delivers a solid dose of history, while the Tatra Mountains offer stunning scenery and time outdoors. In this text I’ll explain clearly and practically what’s worth booking in advance, how to “skip the lines” and how to plan two days so you don’t have to rush like crazy.
I won’t promote any competing guides — here you’ll find proven tips and ideas you can use on your own or in contact with me at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Learn simple tricks that will make your weekend a success.
Quick overview of what you’ll find here: - practical tips for buying Wawel tickets, - advice on avoiding crowds in Zakopane (especially on the route to Morskie Oko and at cable car queues), - a suggested weekend schedule, - a checklist of things to do before you go.
All advice is based on experience and current booking practices — however, always check opening hours and ticket availability a few days before your trip.
Wawel is one of Kraków’s most popular attractions — in season and on long holiday weekends visitor numbers are very high. Buying tickets online in advance guarantees entry at your chosen time and saves time because you don’t have to queue at the ticket office. Priority-entry options (so‑called “skip-the-line”) let you enter selected exhibitions without waiting in the main queue — handy if your time is limited.
Booking ahead is especially important if you want to see specific exhibitions or enter the Cathedral and the crypts — popular time slots sell out quickly. If you arrive at the weekend, buy tickets at least a few days ahead; at the peak of the season it’s best to book earlier.
Note: some exhibitions have a daily limit on admissions. Planning and early reservation are the safest way to avoid missing anything.
If you plan to visit Wawel at a particular time window (for example, in the morning before driving to Zakopane), make sure your ticket includes the parts you want to see (Private Apartments, Representative Chambers, the Undercroft, Treasure Room).
If you have 2–3 hours, choose your priorities. I usually recommend: - Private Apartments and Representative Chambers — feel the royal atmosphere and see tapestries, period furniture and historical interiors; - Wawel Cathedral — the site of coronations and burials of important figures; the crypts and the Zygmunt Bell are highlights; - The Undercroft and the Treasure Room — great for fans of archaeology and material history.
Don’t try to do too much at once — it’s more enjoyable to see selected places calmly than to race through the whole complex worrying about your next train. If certain parts are important to you, check at booking whether your ticket covers them.
Visiting time: allow 2–3 hours for Wawel if you want to see the Cathedral plus one or two exhibitions; allow more time for longer routes or a bell‑tower visit.
Remember rules about photography indoors and that some areas may have limited access for visitors with large luggage.
When buying tickets online check: - whether the ticket covers the exhibition or the Cathedral you want to visit; - whether it is a timed ticket (you must enter at a specified time); - whether the option offers priority entry to the ticket desk/exhibition (so‑called skip‑the‑line).
On site: arrive a few minutes before your ticketed time — this helps avoid stress, especially when there are entry checks. In season, try to avoid late afternoon hours, when crowds arriving after lunch can peak.
Remember reduced‑price tickets and required documents (for example, student ID) and that some exhibitions may not be fully accessible for people with mobility limitations. If you plan to climb the bell tower or enter crypts, check additional requirements when booking.
If you want to save money and have a flexible schedule, on some Mondays a limited number of free entries to selected exhibitions are sometimes available — but this is for people ready to come and try to get a place on the spot, not for those who need a guaranteed entry.
Zakopane’s crowds concentrate at specific points — mainly on the road to Morskie Oko and at cable cars (for example, Kasprowy Wierch), and also along the main street, Krupówki. The key rules are: reserve in advance what has limited spots (parking, cable cars), arrive early and consider alternatives off the busiest trails.
Parking and access to trails: on popular parking lots (for example, Palenica Białczańska on the route to Morskie Oko) there is an online reservation system and parking e‑tickets. If you don’t buy a space in advance you may not be allowed onto the parking area or you may be redirected to a distant lot. Therefore — buy the parking ticket online or use public transport from Zakopane.
Cable cars: if you plan to go up Kasprowy Wierch or use other cable cars, buy tickets online in advance — weekends and high season often mean long queues. It’s a small investment that saves a lot of time.
In practice: if you want to visit Morskie Oko and also take the cable car to Kasprowy on the same day, book both tickets ahead and plan an early start — you’ll avoid the heaviest crowds.
Early start — arrive at the parking before 8:00 or choose public transport from Zakopane; outside peak hours the trail will be much quieter.
Pay and book online — parking and cable car tickets are often available through official reservation systems; buying ahead avoids wasting time in traffic or at queues.
Choose alternative routes — if the Tatras are your main goal but you want to avoid crowds, consider lesser‑known valleys and trails or visit popular spots outside the weekend.
Plan B — have an alternative plan for the day in case parking is full. Around Zakopane there are several equally beautiful places that are less crowded.
Day 1 - Kraków: arrive in the morning, visit Wawel — book online for an early time slot; after sightseeing, stroll the Old Town, have lunch and a short rest before more sightseeing. In the evening choose a light cultural program or dinner at the Market Square.
Day 2 - Zakopane: leave very early (if driving, depart about 6:00–7:00) to reach the reserved parking or an early bus; plan: Morskie Oko (parking with reservation) or Kasprowy Wierch (cable car with online ticket). Alternatively pick shorter walks around Zakopane. Return to Kraków in the evening or stay overnight in Zakopane if you prefer a slower pace.
If you only have one full day, choose a priority — either Wawel and Kraków, or the Tatras. Both are doable but offer very different experiences — historic city vs nature.
- Check Wawel ticket availability online and book the exhibitions you want. - If you plan to visit Morskie Oko, buy a parking ticket for Palenica Białczańska in advance. - For cable cars (Kasprowy and others) reserve spots online for weekends. - Bring documents entitling you to reduced tickets (if applicable). - Check the weather forecast and pack suitable shoes — mountain conditions can change quickly. - Prepare a Plan B in case parking is full or some trails are closed.
Small tip: save the phone number of the local tourist information and note the address where you can pick up tickets or get quick on‑site information.
Respect the place: in monuments and national parks follow the rules — don’t cross tapes, don’t touch exhibits, turn off flash when photographing indoors.
Use common sense in the mountains: stay on marked trails, take a map and a charged phone; when in doubt check information with the local national park offices.
Be patient in season — crowds are part of tourism, but with a good plan you can minimise discomfort and make the most of your time.
In short: book Wawel tickets and important Zakopane services early, arrive in the morning, have an alternative plan and don’t pack too many things into one day. This way the weekend will be pleasant, not exhausting.
If you’d like, I can help personalise a plan to your time and pace — contact me through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. I wish you a great trip and many lovely memories from Wawel and the Tatras!
See you in Kraków and on the trail! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz
