Kraków is a city that tempts you with sights at every turn — from Wawel through the Main Market Square to the atmospheric streets of Kazimierz. Four days is enough to see the key places and soak up the city’s atmosphere if you plan your days wisely: combining walking with one or two shorter rides (for example by melex) lets you discover both the must‑see highlights and a few less obvious attractions. This plan gives you a day‑by‑day outline, practical tips and information about MuFo (the Photography Museum) and how to organize a comfortable melex trip.
The text also includes recommended, highly rated places for meals and coffee as well as a list of common tourist mistakes and how to avoid them. You can treat this plan as a sketch and adapt it to your interests and pace. Let’s get started!
Day 1: Old Town and Wawel — a walk around the Market Square, Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Town Hall Tower and St. Mary’s Basilica, then Wawel Hill. Evening near the Planty.
Day 2: Kazimierz and Podgórze — synagogues, atmospheric cafés, Szeroka Street, Plac Nowy; in the afternoon cross to Podgórze: Ghetto Heroes Square and Oskar Schindler’s Factory. Option for a short melex ride around the district.
Day 3: MuFo and museum day — visit MuFo Józefitów (guided tour), MuFo Rakowicka or other temporary exhibitions; afternoon on the Vistula Boulevards or in a garden.
Day 4: options — Wieliczka Salt Mine (half day), or Nowa Huta, or extra museums and shopping at Stary Kleparz. Evening: farewell dinner at one of the city’s best‑rated restaurants.
Start at Wawel Hill — the castle and cathedral are must‑see sights. Walk the courtyard, visit the cathedral and, if you wish, book tickets in advance for selected state rooms. Then head to the Market Square: the Cloth Hall, the Town Hall Tower and St. Mary’s Basilica with the altarpiece by Wit Stwosz.
Lunchtime is a good opportunity to pause at one of the well‑rated restaurants near the square — look for places known for quality and positive guest reviews: restaurants serving Polish and European dishes with a good price‑quality ratio and a pleasant interior. In the afternoon take a relaxing walk along the Planty or visit the Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden to escape the city center buzz.
In the evening consider dinner in Kazimierz or a calm stroll along the Vistula Boulevards — a lovely way to feel Kraków’s atmosphere after sunset.
Kazimierz charms with cafes, synagogues and narrow streets full of atmosphere. Begin your morning at Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy, visit locally recommended venues and check out any local markets if they are taking place.
In the afternoon cross to Podgórze — here it’s worth visiting sites connected to the history of the ghetto and Oskar Schindler’s Factory. Alternatively, take a short melex tour that conveniently links points of interest and saves energy for evening explorations.
In the evening I recommend dining at one of Kazimierz’s well‑rated restaurants — the district is known for authentic flavors and atmospheric interiors. Suggested names to consider include Starka in Kazimierz for Polish dishes and flavored vodkas, Pod Aniołami near the Royal Route for traditional cuisine, and cozy cafés like Café Camelot or Mleczarnia when you need a relaxed coffee break.
The Museum of Photography in Kraków (MuFo) is a unique institution dedicated to photography as a medium. The Józefitów branch offers a different experience than a traditional gallery: you’ll see collections, conservation workshops and storage facilities with historic cameras. It’s worth booking a guided tour — MuFo runs tours in limited groups and during them staff show conservation workshops and explain photographic techniques from the last two centuries.
In practice: check opening hours before you go and reserve places for guided tours, especially if your visit falls on a weekend; some Saturday slots require advance booking. During a visit you’ll learn how cameras and photographic materials changed, see unique items from the collection and learn about the digitization and preservation processes. This is an excellent visit for photography lovers and anyone curious about the museum’s behind‑the‑scenes work.
MuFo also has other branches and temporary exhibitions — if you enjoy photography, allow a relaxed afternoon to explore the displays.
If you want to add a half‑day trip outside the city, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a great option (about 30–40 minutes from the center). Remember to book tickets for the tourist route in advance because places fill up in high season. Alternatively, explore Nowa Huta — a unique example of a socialist‑realist town with a markedly different atmosphere and interesting architecture.
For many visitors the best fourth day is an unhurried one: a leisurely breakfast, a walk through less touristy streets, shopping at Stary Kleparz and a visit to one of the smaller museums or galleries. Allow yourself a slower pace before the journey home.
Melexes (small electric tourist vehicles) are a quick and convenient way to see parts of the city without long walks. Typical routes last 30–60 minutes and focus on the Old Town, Kazimierz and Podgórze; some operators offer combined routes covering these districts. A melex is a good introduction to the city or a handy option when time is limited and you want to save energy.
Practical tips: book in advance during the high season, ask about the commentary language (many companies offer audio in several languages) and agree on start/finish locations — some operators pick visitors up from hotels. For flexibility, schedule the ride at a specific time and let the operator know about any mobility limitations in the group.
Melexes have restrictions in very narrow parts of the center and near some monuments — always check the exact route and photo stop locations with the operator.
Kraków has a rich food scene — from traditional taverns to modern restaurants and cozy cafés. When choosing where to eat, rely on recent reviews and visible ingredient quality. In the Old Town and Kazimierz you’ll find many highly rated places serving Polish and international cuisine. Look for restaurants with strong reputations and menus based on fresh produce.
For a coffee break, pick cafés known for good brewing and a pleasant atmosphere — great for resting between attractions. In Kazimierz you might try Starka for traditional Polish dishes and home‑made flavored vodkas, Pod Aniołami near the Royal Route for classic Polish fare in a historic setting, Café Camelot or Mleczarnia for a charming coffee or cake, and Wierzynek if you are looking for a historic dining experience. If you’d like specific names and reservations, I’ll gladly help match places to your taste and budget.
Trying to do too much in one day — packing too many attractions into one day leads to stress. Leave at least one unscheduled hour for pleasant surprises.
Not booking popular attractions in advance — some museums, Wawel or Wieliczka should be reserved ahead, especially in high season. MuFo also has limits and some guided tour slots need advance booking.
Wearing inappropriate shoes — Kraków’s center has lots of walking on cobblestones; comfortable shoes considerably improve your sightseeing comfort.
Ignoring public transport — trams and buses are efficient and useful for trips outside the center; check apps and tickets before you travel.
Do I need to buy MuFo tickets in advance? Yes — for guided tours it’s best to sign up in advance; some Saturday groups require booking a few days ahead.
Do melexes run year‑round? Most operators work mainly in the tourist season, but some offer rides for much of the year — check availability and conditions with the operator.
Is Kraków accessible for people with limited mobility? Many main attractions have accessibility features, but some historic sites may present architectural barriers. When planning a visit for someone with mobility needs, check the accessibility of each specific site in advance.
How can I avoid crowds? Visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon, and try to see popular museums outside weekends.
MuFo Józefitów holds a large collection of photographic objects and shows its behind‑the‑scenes operations — it’s not just a traditional exhibition but also a look into the museum staff’s and conservators’ work.
Melexes are very useful when walking becomes tiring — they let you see more in less time, but they cannot replace the charm of strolling the narrow streets of Kazimierz.
Wieliczka is not only chambers and chapels — underground you’ll find sculptures and traces of local history that often surprise visitors.
Plan the backbone of your days but leave room for improvisation — that’s often the best way to discover special places. Check opening hours and booking rules before you travel, and if you plan visits to popular sites (Wawel, Wieliczka, MuFo) reserve tickets in advance.
If you like practical, friendly tips — share this article with friends or on social media to help them plan a trip to Kraków. If you’d like to explore the city with a private guide, I invite you to use the services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz (a private guide) — contact details are available on the site. Best of luck discovering Kraków and enjoy your time!
