Short and to the point: I’ll suggest which places are worth seeing in Krakow during a weekend, which of them have fixed opening hours, what to watch out for (for example Mondays) and how to plan your route so you don’t waste time in queues. Everything in a friendly tone — so you simply enjoy yourself and leave the city with great memories. I don’t include links — if you want, I can tell you how to check opening hours online by searching the place name.
A few quick facts to keep in mind before you go: many museums shorten their hours or are closed on Mondays, some of the biggest attractions have their own schedules (it’s worth booking tickets online), and some places offer free days — check that before you head out.
If you only have one weekend — below you’ll find a ready-made plan and practical tips.
Remember: opening hours can change seasonally or because of maintenance work, so it’s best to check the official page of any place you plan to visit on the day of your trip.
Enjoy your visit!
Sukiennice - National Museum (Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, Sukiennice): often closed on Mondays; Tuesday–Sunday roughly 10:00–18:00. A great spot for a short dose of Polish art and a central place to start your sightseeing.
Rynek Underground (Historical Museum of the City of Krakow) - Main Market Square Underground: usually open Tuesday–Sunday 10:00–18:00; some days or branches have extended evening hours, and the second Monday of the month can sometimes be a closure day. Visiting time ~1 hour.
St. Mary’s Basilica: for tourists the interior is usually open Monday–Saturday 11:30–18:00, Sundays and holidays 14:00–18:00; entrance “tickets” are purchased at the service desk. The trumpeter’s tower has separate hours — seasonally open, typically May–October Tuesday–Sunday (check exact hours before you go).
Wawel (Royal Castle and Cathedral): the complex consists of several branches; many exhibition rooms and chambers have entry times starting around 9:30, and on weekdays they are often open until late afternoon; on Mondays some branches have shorter hours. Allow 2–3 hours to visit Wawel itself.
Schindler’s Factory (branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow): seasonal scheduling applies - in winter and off-season some Mondays have reduced hours; generally open Tuesday–Sunday around 10:00–18:00; in summer hours may extend into the evening.
Collegium Maius (Jagiellonian University Museum): usually open on weekdays and on Saturday mornings and afternoons; Sunday is often a day off. Hours can vary by day - check before your visit.
Wieliczka Salt Mine (trip from Krakow) - tourist route: morning entrances typically start around 8:00, with the last descents planned for late afternoon; spa and surface facilities have seasonal hours. Expect an intensive but extraordinary half-day or full-day excursion.
Morning - Wawel: start early to avoid crowds. Spend 1.5–3 hours on the Representative Royal Chambers, the Armory and the Cathedral. Check which branches are open that day — on Mondays some have reduced hours.
Late morning - walk to the Main Market Square: see the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and visit the museum inside the Cloth Hall if it’s open — usually from 10:00. A short visit to St. Mary’s Basilica (tourist entry usually begins around 11:30, and the altar is available until 18:00).
Afternoon - Market Underground or the Cloth Hall museum: choose one depending on your interests; the Underground is about an hour beneath the square and is ideal for a rainy afternoon. Most city museums operate Tuesday–Sunday.
Evening - Kazimierz: dinner in one of the atmospheric restaurants, stroll the old Jewish quarter’s streets, visit cafés and small galleries. Kazimierz comes alive in the evening and is great for culinary exploration.
Practical tip: buy tickets online where possible; many attractions limit entries and have fixed time slots, which saves time queuing.
Option A - culture and learning in the city: start at Collegium Maius, then walk along the Planty to the National Museum (Cloth Hall / branches of the National Museum) and spend the afternoon at the Podgórze Museum or Schindler’s Factory on Zabłocie. Schindler’s Factory often has longer hours in season, but check for closed days or reduced winter hours.
Option B - excursion outside the city: Wieliczka Salt Mine. Entrances begin in the morning (for example from around 8:00), and the whole route takes several hours including transfers - a great choice if you want a change of scenery and to see something extraordinary outside the center.
Option C - museum marathon in the city: if you love museums, book entry times in advance for the Market Underground, the Town Hall Tower, and one of the main branches of the National Museum. Remember that many institutions are closed or have reduced hours on Monday.
Tip: if you’re going to Wieliczka, book tickets in advance because popular time slots sell out fast, especially on weekends.
If you want to save time: start the day outside the center (Wieliczka or an off-site attraction) or visit museums right after opening.
Monday - beware: this is the day many museums and some branches are closed or operate reduced hours. If you’re arriving for a weekend trip and staying through Monday — check in advance what will be open.
Tuesday - discount/free days: several institutions have free or reduced-entry days on Tuesday (for example some permanent displays in city or national museums). It’s a great opportunity but expect larger crowds.
Seasonal hours: in summer many places extend their opening hours, while in winter some attractions shorten theirs or have maintenance breaks. Wieliczka and some Wawel venues can have seasonal changes.
Special days and maintenance work: museums sometimes close individual rooms or branches for renovations — always check news updates before you go.
Simple safeguard: if you plan a specific site — check its hours on the official page or call a day before your visit.
Buy tickets online where possible - you save time and often get a specific entry window.
Start early - the biggest crowds arrive around midday and in the afternoon. If you want photos without people, be on site at opening time.
Avoid planning only museums for Monday - this is a common mistake. If you arrive on the weekend, plan museum visits for Saturday/Sunday or Tuesday when there are free days (but more visitors).
Check rules and discounts - students, seniors, city cards and family tickets often give reductions. Bring ID if you want to use a reduced rate.
Weather and clothing - Krakow’s weather can be changeable; bring layers and an umbrella. In Wieliczka it’s cooler and more humid than on the surface - take a warm sweatshirt and comfortable shoes.
Transport - the center of Krakow is very walkable, but for Wieliczka plan to go by suburban train, bus or organized transfer. Trams and buses will get you to most attractions within the center.
If you want to feel Krakow "after work" — in the evening go for a walk along the Vistula and see Wawel’s panorama from the opposite bank. It’s a simple but charming view.
For lunch choose side streets off the Market Square — you’ll find better quality and shorter queues than in the most touristy spots directly on the main square.
Plan short coffee breaks — Krakow has great cafés, and a 20–30 minute stop gives you plenty of energy for the next museum.
If you want a photo without crowds with the Cloth Hall in the background — get up early and go to the Market before breakfast. It’s stunning at sunrise.
Don’t rush — Krakow rewards those who take their time. Allow yourself a leisurely walk around the Planty, stay longer in one museum and soak in the city.
Check opening hours of the places you picked on the day of your visit.
Buy tickets online where possible.
Bring any ID needed for discounts if you plan to use them.
Check the weather and dress accordingly — Wieliczka is cooler.
Plan an alternative (for example a city museum instead of an off-site trip) in case your preferred attraction is closed.
If you’d like — I can create a personalized weekend plan for you (for example family-friendly, an intensive historical route, or a relaxed food-focused itinerary) including suggested entry times — tell me your budget and what you most want to experience. I’ll be happy to help and I keep things practical, Krakow-style!
