Yes — a week is a great amount of time to get to know Krakow slowly, on foot and with coffee breaks. The city is compact and many of the most interesting places lie close together: the Market Square, the Cloth Hall, the National Museum buildings, Kazimierz and the Vistula boulevards can comfortably be visited on foot. However, remember that one of the sites related to the National Museum in Krakow — the Atma villa, the Karol Szymanowski Museum — is located outside Krakow, in Zakopane. It’s a beautiful destination that requires travel by bus, train or car, not a walk from Krakow’s center.
The plan I describe below keeps a comfortable pace: museum visits in the morning, afternoon walks and evenings in pleasant cafés and restaurants. It’s worth checking current opening hours and free-admission days — the National Museum often has free entry to permanent exhibitions on Tuesdays, and many branches are closed on Mondays.
If you dream of visiting Atma — plan it as a day trip from Krakow to Zakopane. Atma is a villa in the Zakopane style, a branch of the National Museum with a biographical display about Karol Szymanowski and intimate concerts; the name “Atma” comes from Sanskrit and means “soul.”
The National Museum in Krakow is a large institution with many branches — there are more than a dozen, and the most popular for tourists include the Main Building (al. 3 Maja), the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art in the Cloth Hall (Market Square), the Czartoryski Museum (Pijarska Street), the Jan Matejko House (Floriańska) and biographical houses and special collections such as the Arsenal or the Józef Mehoffer House.
Plan your visits so you don’t rush: each venue has its own atmosphere and focus — the Cloth Hall is famous for its 19th-century Polish painting collection, the Main Building houses modern collections and applied arts, and the artists’ houses show the lives and studios of Young Poland masters. Check opening hours for each branch — most operate Tuesday–Sunday and are closed on Mondays.
Atma, as a branch of the National Museum, is special: it is located in Zakopane at Kasprusie 19 and offers a unique display dedicated to Karol Szymanowski, including a reconstruction of his study and personal mementos. It’s an excellent idea for a day trip outside the city.
Day 1 – Market Square and the Cloth Hall: start at the Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall (Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art). This is the heart of Krakow, with lots of art and history within easy reach. I also recommend a short coffee break in one of the atmospheric cafés on the Square.
Day 2 – The National Museum Main Building and the Applied Arts Gallery: al. 3 Maja offers a wide range of collections from applied arts to 20th- and 21st-century art. Reserve half a day for this, plus a walk through the nearby Planty park.
Day 3 – Wawel and surroundings: the castle and cathedral are a must; devote a morning to them, then relax on the Vistula boulevards in the afternoon. (Wawel is one of the city’s highlights — it’s a good idea to buy tickets in advance.)
Day 4 – MNK biographical museums: the Jan Matejko House and the Józef Mehoffer House show the lives and studios of Young Poland creators. These intimate, inspiring interiors are perfect for a calm morning.
Day 5 – Kazimierz: stroll through the former Jewish quarter, visit synagogues, enjoy atmospheric cafés and galleries. On the way, check out contemporary galleries and shops with Polish design.
Day 6 – The Arsenal, Czapski Museum and Szołayscy: several MNK branches are right in the city center and help you understand the broad context of Krakow’s museum collections. In the evening I recommend a concert or show at one of the city’s intimate music clubs.
Day 7 – Option: a trip to Zakopane for Atma or a free day for shopping and revisiting favorite Krakow spots. If you choose Atma — depart Krakow in the morning and return in the afternoon; Atma often hosts chamber concerts, so check the schedule in advance.
Krakow is pedestrian-friendly: the cobbled streets of the Old Town and short distances make it possible to link most attractions with longer walks. When planning the day I suggest the following formula: 2–3 hours of focused museum visiting, then a longer walk with a break for lunch and coffee.
Wear comfortable shoes and dress in layers — Polish weather can be changeable, especially outside summer. On rainy days, museum visits are especially enjoyable, while in good weather leave space for unhurried walks between neighborhoods.
If you have mobility limitations, check accessibility information for specific MNK branches in advance — some buildings have ramps and facilities while others are housed in historic townhouses with narrow stairs.
Before you go to a museum — check current hours and rules for each branch. Most MNK museums operate Tuesday–Sunday, with Monday closures. Tuesday is often a day of free entry to permanent exhibitions — a great opportunity, but also a time when museums can be busier.
Buying tickets online for temporary exhibitions and the most popular displays (for example some shows in the Main Building or the Czartoryski Museum) saves time. When planning a visit to Wawel or attending specific cultural events it's wise to reserve entries in advance.
Remember discounts: students, seniors and families often have reduced tickets — check rules at each branch. For a trip to Atma in Zakopane, check current opening hours and possible free-admission days.
Krakow offers a wide gastronomic selection — from traditional Polish cuisine to modern restaurants. For reliably good experiences, look for long-standing restaurants with positive reviews, especially in the Old Town and Kazimierz. It’s worth reserving a table for evenings, especially on weekends.
For a quick lunch I suggest cafés and bistros in the center that pair good coffee with local bites. After a long day of sightseeing, restaurants serving regional specialties and a good wine list are especially pleasant — ask staff about seasonal recommendations.
For accommodation it’s best to choose a location near the Market Square or Kazimierz if you want to be close to cultural life. If you prefer quiet, consider boutique hotels or guesthouses within the Planty ring.
Trying to see everything in one day — Krakow deserves a relaxed pace. It’s better to focus on a few places and really experience them.
Not realizing where Atma is — remember Atma is a branch of the National Museum but it’s in Zakopane, not Krakow. Plan it as a day trip or a short overnight stay.
Failing to reserve tickets for popular shows or events — for temporary exhibitions, evening concerts or special attractions it’s worth buying tickets in advance.
Atma is the only biographical museum in the world dedicated to Karol Szymanowski — he lived there between 1930 and 1935 and created in the atmosphere of the Tatra Mountains.
The National Museum in Krakow holds several hundred thousand objects — it’s an institution with a long history dating back to the 19th century and many branches scattered across the city.
On Tuesdays many MNK branches offer free entry to permanent exhibitions — a great opportunity, but expect more visitors on that day.
Can you visit Atma on the same day you visit Krakow? - Theoretically yes, but it makes for a long day. Atma is in Zakopane, so I recommend planning it as a separate trip to allow time for visiting and possibly attending a concert.
Are all MNK branches reachable on foot? - Most central branches can indeed be connected by walking, but Atma requires transport. Also check accessibility for visitors with mobility limitations at specific branches.
How to avoid queues at popular exhibitions? - Buy online tickets for temporary shows and arrive early at the most-visited displays. Remember that Tuesdays can be busier due to free admission to permanent exhibitions.
If you liked this plan, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others plan a relaxed, walking week in Krakow.
If you want to explore with someone who knows the city and can tell its culture and history in an approachable way, I encourage you to use the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact details and more information are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. This is an excellent way to see things that are easy to miss when traveling alone.
Good luck on the trail — Krakow is beautiful in every season, and it tastes best when you discover it slowly, on foot and with curiosity.
