Three days in Krakow is an ideal compromise: enough to see the most important sights, soak in the atmosphere of the Old Town and Kazimierz, and still find time to relax by the Vistula or take a short trip outside the city. You won’t be racing the clock, yet you won’t miss the city’s most characteristic places. This plan is friendly for families, couples and solo travelers.
In the sections that follow you’ll find a practical plan for each day, food suggestions, practical tips and a short FAQ — everything to make your weekend in Krakow easy to carry out and full of pleasant discoveries. (Prepared with the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz for zwiedzaniekrakowa.com).
It’s worth remembering: Krakow is a walking city – many attractions are close to each other, so you can visit most classic spots on foot.
Old Town and the Main Market Square - the heart of Krakow: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church with the trumpeter’s hejnał played from the tower, and cozy cafés tucked into side streets.
Wawel - the Royal Castle and Cathedral with royal tombs, state rooms and views over the Vistula. A walk up Wawel Hill is a must.
Kazimierz - the former Jewish district full of atmospheric streets, synagogues, small museums and lively venues. A perfect area for an evening stroll and dinner.
Podgórze and Schindler’s Factory - 20th-century history and contemporary art; the area shows the other side of the river and contains thought-provoking museums and sites.
Planty and the Barbican - the green belt encircling the Old Town and surviving fragments of the city’s medieval fortifications like St. Florian’s Gate and the Barbican.
Viewpoints and mounds - Kościuszko Mound, Krakus Mound or the Town Hall tower give great panoramas of the city.
Museums and underground attractions - the Rynek Underground, history museums and modern galleries are perfect when the weather is less favorable.
Nature in the city - Zakrzówek, the Vistula boulevards and several parks are great places to rest between sightseeing.
Day 1 - Old Town and Wawel: Start early at the Main Market Square - stroll the Cloth Hall, visit St. Mary’s Church (try to catch the hejnał) and explore the Rynek Underground if you’re curious about the square’s history. In the afternoon walk to Wawel - the Cathedral, the Royal State Rooms and the Armory. Spend the evening with dinner near the Market or at one of the restaurants below Wawel.
Day 2 - Kazimierz and Podgórze: In the morning visit the synagogues and narrow streets of Kazimierz, and sample local snacks at Plac Nowy. In the afternoon cross the Vistula to Podgórze - Schindler’s Factory and the surrounding area. Finish the day with a walk along the Vistula boulevards or dinner in Kazimierz.
Day 3 - viewpoints and nature, or a trip outside the city: You can go up Kościuszko Mound or Krakus Mound and then head to Zakrzówek for a short reset by the water. Alternatively, plan a half-day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine (about 30 minutes by train or bus) and return for a relaxed evening in Krakow.
Pacing tip - don’t try to tick off too many sights in one day. It’s better to linger in a few places and feel their atmosphere.
Krakow has a rich food scene - from milk bars to fine dining. In the Old Town plan at least one dinner in a place serving local specialties; classic choices include restaurants around the Market offering traditional Polish and modern cuisine.
Kazimierz is an excellent neighborhood for evening meals and nightlife - you’ll find restaurants with Jewish, Polish and international dishes. Recommended types of places: characterful cafés, small snack bars and restaurants with tasting menus.
Some well-known venues visitors often recommend: Wierzynek and Pod Wawelem for traditional experiences, Noworolski Café or Jama Michalika for historic coffeehouse atmosphere, and the zapiekanka stalls on Plac Nowy for a quick local snack. For home-style meals try a milk bar in the center or a pierogi place.
If you want something local and quick - try an obwarzanek (Krakow pretzel), a zapiekanka from Plac Nowy or pastries at a cozy café. Popular spots fill up on weekends, so consider booking a table in advance.
Krakow offers child-friendly attractions - the Zoo, the Garden of Experiences, interactive exhibitions and museums designed for young visitors. Many walking routes are pram-friendly.
On the Old Town children often enjoy the Rynek Underground with its multimedia displays and the legends of the Wawel Dragon. Zakrzówek is a place for active recreation, and the Vistula boulevards are perfect for an evening walk with ice cream.
Practical tip - bring water and snacks for little ones, and plan short breaks in museums so you don’t overload children with a too-intense day.
Getting around: the center of Krakow is best explored on foot. Public transport (trams and buses) connects farther parts of the city and suburban directions. Taxis and ride-hailing services are widely available, but expect traffic in peak hours.
Tickets: popular attractions like Wawel or the Rynek Underground have limited capacities and different admission systems - buying tickets online saves time. Many exhibitions and museums offer discounts for students and families.
Opening hours and seasonality: many places change hours between high season and off-season. Summer weekends are busy, so for a quieter visit consider early mornings or visiting outside the peak season.
Weather: bring comfortable walking shoes, layered clothing and a rain jacket even in warm months - the weather can be changeable.
Safety: Krakow is generally safe for tourists, but like any large city be mindful of your belongings in crowded areas and on public transport.
Comfortable walking shoes - cobbles and long walks are part of the experience.
Light jacket or raincoat - the weather can change quickly.
Charger and powerbank - photos and navigation drain batteries fast.
Documents and tickets - keep printed or app copies of tickets and your ID.
Small daypack - water, snacks, a map or notebook.
Wieliczka Salt Mine - about 30 minutes from Krakow, one of the most popular day trips with underground chambers and salt chapels.
Ojcow National Park - natural rock formations, a castle and beautiful walking trails; a good half-day option.
Mountains and the Tatras - with a full day and an early start you can reach Zakopane and the Tatra peaks, but this requires more planning.
Is 3 days enough to see Krakow? - For the most characteristic sights and to feel the city’s atmosphere, yes. If you want to visit many museums or take several day trips, consider staying longer.
How to save time at popular attractions? - Buy tickets online, arrive early or visit outside peak hours, and group nearby sights together (for example the Market and Wawel).
Is Krakow worth visiting in winter? - Yes. The city has a different, magical feel in winter, although some attractions may have shorter opening hours.
Will I walk a lot? - Yes. The city center is best discovered on foot; bring comfortable shoes and plan coffee breaks.
Sit for a while on the Planty or the Vistula boulevards - simple ways to feel the city’s rhythm and rest between sights.
Plan meals in advance on weekends - reserving a table at popular restaurants reduces stress and lets you focus on the culinary experience.
Ask locals for their favorite spots - often a passerby’s recommendation leads to the nicest discoveries.
Krakow is a city of both famous monuments and intimate corners full of history. Three days is a good amount of time to enjoy the city without rushing, taste local cuisine and take postcard-worthy photos in its charming streets. If you’d like, I can prepare a shortened itinerary tailored to your interests - cultural, culinary or family-focused. Enjoy your visit and see you in Krakow! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz (zwiedzaniekrakowa.com).
If you want a plan matched to specific dates, including current events and opening hours, tell me your travel dates and I’ll prepare a personalized program.
Good luck and have a wonderful weekend in a city rich in history and flavor!
