Krakow is a city where history meets everyday life — many attractions and museums are accessed behind doors, tickets or visitor limits. If you want to really see the treasures of Wawel, Wit Stwosz's altarpiece or museum exhibitions, book your entries in advance. That saves time and spares disappointment, especially in the high season. This guide points out which places are worth visiting and how to do it best.
Get ready for walks through the historic centre: many attractions are close to one another, but to enter the interiors you often need a timed ticket. Below you will find the most important spots with practical tips.
The Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is a must-see on any visit. In the center stands the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) — upstairs is the 19th-century art exhibition (ticketed), while the ground floor and side arcades host souvenirs and handicrafts.
St. Mary's Basilica draws visitors for Wit Stwosz's altarpiece — a late Gothic masterpiece worth seeing up close (entry to the interior and towers requires a ticket). Don't forget to listen for the bugle call played every hour from the tower.
Under the Square you can visit the Rynek Underground — an exceptional archaeological museum presenting the layout of the medieval city and finds from excavations. It's a 'beneath the Market Square' experience that gives a broad historical context to Krakow.
The Adam Mickiewicz monument is a convenient meeting point — the area around the Square is full of cafes and restaurants, so plan a break here between visits.
Wawel is the symbol of Krakow: the Royal Castle with its state rooms and the Wawel Cathedral with sarcophagi and chapels are essential stops. Castle entries include different routes: royal chambers, art collections, the armory and the treasury. The Cathedral has separate entrances for the nave, chapels and crypts — allow enough time.
- Book Wawel tickets online for a specific time; in season queues can be long.
- Check temporary exhibitions and look for combined tickets (for example, castle plus treasury).
- Wawel includes many stairs and areas with limited accessibility — if you have mobility restrictions, review options in advance.
- National Museum: extensive collections of Polish and European art, permanent and temporary exhibitions — allow at least 1–2 hours.
- Czartoryski Museum (part of the National Museum collection): famous paintings that attract art lovers. People often reserve tickets in advance.
- MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art (near Oskar Schindler's Factory): an interesting contemporary art program; plan time for temporary exhibitions.
- Podgórze Museum / Schindler's Factory: an exhibition about 20th-century Krakow and residents' fates; a popular site with limited admissions.
- Polish Aviation Museum: for those into technology and aviation history — a large outdoor collection of aircraft, worth leaving time for the open-air displays.
- The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice exhibition of 19th-century Polish art) and Collegium Maius (Jagiellonian University Museum) are additional sites to consider when planning tickets.
Kazimierz is the former Jewish district, full of synagogues, museums and atmospheric streets. Visit the synagogues and smaller museums devoted to Krakow's Jewish history — many of these places have separate entrances and tickets.
Nowy Square (Plac Nowy) and its surroundings are a great spot for a food break — the famous zapiekanki (Polish open-faced baguette pizzas) at Plac Nowy are an essential street-food treat.
Podgórze, across the Vistula, is linked to World War II history — here you'll find Oskar Schindler's Factory and memorial sites. It's an easy walking route that connects history with modern museums.
Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most popular day trips from Krakow — the tourist route shows underground chapels, salt chambers and sculptures. Because of group limits and guided tours, tickets are often booked in advance.
Other suggestions for day trips: Oświęcim (Auschwitz-Birkenau) — a memorial and museum (requires serious preparation before the visit), Ojców and Pieskowa Skała in Ojców National Park, bicycle routes and walks along the Vistula. Factor in travel time and the need to reserve in advance for some sites.
- Practical tip: Wieliczka and Oświęcim have guided-time slots and limited daily visitor numbers, so reserve your place as early as possible, especially during holidays.
1) Book tickets online: Many attractions sell tickets for specific times — buying online guarantees entry and helps avoid long queues.
2) Plan the order: Start with the most popular places (Wawel, Rynek Underground, Schindler's Factory) in the morning, and leave smaller museums or a Kazimierz stroll for the afternoon.
3) How much time to allow: Wawel and the Cathedral - minimum 1.5–2 hours; National Museum or MOCAK - 1–2 hours; Rynek Underground - 1–1.5 hours; Schindler's Factory - about 1–1.5 hours.
4) Combined tickets: Check whether museums offer combo tickets or timed cards — sometimes it's cheaper to buy a single ticket covering several exhibitions.
5) Early hours and weekdays: If you can, visit the most famous sites early in the morning or outside weekends to avoid crowds.
- How to buy tickets? The safest way is through official museum websites or ticket offices. Avoid uncertain 'last minute' offers from third parties.
- Is a tourist card worth it? Not all cards pay off — compare what they include. If you plan to enter several paid sites, a card can be beneficial, but verify it covers the museums you care about.
- What about luggage? Some museums forbid large backpacks; cloakrooms or luggage storage are often available. Check rules before your visit.
- Families with children: Many museums offer discounts for children or family routes; check age categories and educational offers.
- Accessibility: Some heritage sites have limited access for wheelchair users; contact the venue ahead of time if accessibility is important.
1-day short plan: morning at Wawel (state rooms and cathedral), then a walk to the Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, Rynek Underground), afternoon in Kazimierz (synagogues, Plac Nowy).
2-day plan: Day 1 - Wawel + Market + Cloth Hall + Rynek Underground; Day 2 - National Museum or MOCAK and Schindler's Factory, evening in Kazimierz.
3-day plan: add a day trip to Wieliczka or Oświęcim; spread museum visits so you won't rush, leaving time for restaurants and relaxation by the Vistula.
- Pod Aniołami - traditional Polish cuisine in a historic setting, close to the Market Square and Wawel.
- Szara or the restaurant in the Cloth Hall - an elegant option right in the heart of the Main Market Square.
- Massolit Books & Café (Kazimierz) - for book lovers and good coffee.
- Plac Nowy - zapiekanki and local street food; ideal for a quick, inexpensive meal between sightseeing.
- Mleczarnia / Starka (Kazimierz) - atmospheric restaurants serving local dishes and refreshed takes on Jewish cuisine.
- Respect places of memory: in museums and cemeteries maintain a dignified behaviour and appropriate dress where required.
- Photography: many museums allow photos but without flash and only in designated areas. Check rules at the entrance.
- Payments and cash: most places accept cards, but it's useful to carry small change for market stalls and minor purchases.
- Book ahead for major exhibitions and Wawel - this is the most frequent reason visitors are disappointed.
- Leave time for doing nothing: a coffee break in a shaded square or a stroll along the Vistula often yields more memories than rushing through every ticketed entry.
- If you want to focus on museums, make a priority list — that will decide which tickets you buy first.
- Remember that Krakow comes alive after dark: concerts, small galleries and the culinary scene nicely complement a museum-focused programme.
