Krakow is a city where history meets everyday life — in a single trip you can admire a Renaissance masterpiece, a section of medieval fortifications and an incredible underground world of salt. The Czartoryski Princes' Museum houses some of Poland's best-known collections, the Barbican is an icon of medieval city walls, and the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a world-class attraction that requires slightly different preparation than sightseeing in the city centre.
A well-planned day helps you avoid queues, find parking, and leaves time for relaxed visits and a coffee or lunch break. This guide gives practical tips: how and when to buy tickets, where to park, how much time to allow for each attraction, and useful advice about clothing and transport.
If you prefer to spread these highlights over two days, that works well too. Wieliczka often takes half a day (sometimes more), while the Czartoryski Museum and a stroll through the Old Town are perfect at a calmer pace on a separate day.
The Czartoryski Princes' Museum sells timed tickets for specific days and hours; it’s worth booking in advance, especially on weekends and in high season. A standard full-price ticket typically costs around 60–70 zł; reduced and family tickets are available, and special rates are often offered for youth (sometimes symbolic). Many exhibitions offer free admission on Tuesdays — if your schedule is flexible, this can be an option to consider.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine operates on set routes: the Tourist Route and special routes (for example, the Miners' Route). Visits last about 2 to 4 hours depending on the chosen route. Tickets for Wieliczka are easiest to reserve online — in season early booking is very helpful. Remember that underground there are limits on group sizes and visits start at scheduled times.
The Barbican and parts of the city walls can be viewed from the outside free of charge. Some sections of the walls or towers are opened seasonally and may be ticketed in spring and summer. If you plan to walk the walls, check dates and availability for the season.
Option A - a 'city' day with a short trip to Wieliczka: morning at the Czartoryski Museum (book a start time so you are in the centre before midday), then walk the Royal Route — the Barbican, St. Florian's Gate and the Main Market Square. If you have the afternoon free and an afternoon Wieliczka booking, travel by train or car (about 20–30 minutes) and visit the mine later in the day.
Option B - Wieliczka as a separate item: reserve half a day for the Salt Mine (morning or late-morning slots are recommended to avoid crowds), then return to Krakow and spend the afternoon in the Old Town. This is a good choice if you are travelling with children or prefer a relaxed pace.
Option C - a morning walk on the walls and the Barbican + afternoon at the museum: if the wall route is open in season you can start with views from the towers, then enjoy coffee and the museum, finishing the day with dinner at one of the Market Square restaurants. Choose the option that best matches your pace and the weather.
If you drive, remember Krakow's centre has a paid parking zone — charges usually apply Monday to Saturday during daytime hours. Zones have different rates (A/B/C) — you will pay more per hour in the central area than in outer subzones. The fastest way to pay is via a mobile app or a parking meter — popular apps include Mobilet, SkyCash, Pango and ElectronicParking.
Near the Barbican and the Old Town it’s most convenient to look for spaces around Plac Matejki, Stary Kleparz, or to use multi-storey car parks on the edges of the Old Town. Parking directly by the Barbican is limited — it’s better to park on the nearer rim and walk in.
You can reach Wieliczka by car (a short drive from Krakow), and the Salt Mine has large paid car parks by the entrances (different lots near Danilowicz and Dembowski shafts, etc.). In season staff direct traffic and manage spaces, so if you arrive by coach or with a larger group it’s wise to contact the site in advance. An alternative is the train: services from Krakow Glowny to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia take just a few minutes and are very convenient.
Wieliczka: underground the temperature is steady and cooler (usually around 14–18°C) — even in summer bring a light jacket or sweater. The route includes many stairs (in total hundreds up and down) — wear comfortable closed shoes. The Tourist Route can be humid, so slip-resistant soles are an advantage.
Museum: the museum has rules about cloakrooms and luggage — larger suitcases are usually left out of the exhibition (cloakroom or left-luggage), while smaller backpacks often must be kept with you or placed in available lockers. Check ahead for audio guides, thematic routes and any photography restrictions.
Phone and tickets: keep your booking confirmation with you (printout or email on your phone). In Krakow and Wieliczka it’s useful to have a parking payment app and an offline map if you plan to walk between attractions without constant internet access.
The Old Town offers many places for coffee and meals — to feel Krakow’s atmosphere after sightseeing you can visit one of the traditional restaurants on the Market Square or choose a cosy café on a side street. The area has classic Polish restaurants and intimate cafés for a quick dessert.
Around Wieliczka, after the visit look for local inns and bistros by Wieliczka Market — good spots for a home-style lunch and a rest after your underground walk. At the Salt Mine information point you can ask for recommended nearby places; local eateries often serve regional dishes.
If you plan to visit the Czartoryski Museum and stroll the Old Town, schedule a break at one of the cafés on Grodzka Street or on the Market — many offer quick lunches and sweets that are perfect between attractions.
Do I have to reserve tickets for the Czartoryski Museum? - It’s recommended to buy a timed ticket, especially on weekends and during tourist season. Some exhibitions may be free on Tuesdays, but entries can still be limited.
How much time should I set aside for the Wieliczka Salt Mine? - For the Tourist Route plan about 2–4 hours (entrance, visit and possible stop at the graduation tower or surface museum). Add travel time and possible queues.
Is the Barbican paid? - The Barbican can be viewed from the outside for free. Seasonal sections of the walls and towers may be ticketed — if you want to walk the walls, check current ticketing information.
How do I park near the Old Town? - Look for spaces at Plac Matejki, Stary Kleparz or parking facilities on the Old Town’s edge. Remember the paid parking zone and its hours — parking outside the strict centre and walking in is often most comfortable.
Is the mine suitable for children and people with limited mobility? - For children the full route is a great adventure, though keep the stairs in mind. Visitors with significant mobility limitations should check route accessibility in advance: some parts have restricted access, but there are facilities in some areas of the site.
Plan ahead but stay flexible — short adjustments to your plan work well in Krakow depending on weather and tourist flow. Book museum and mine tickets when you need specific times.
Start early if you want to avoid crowds at popular spots. Walk the side streets — many atmospheric cafés and little corners hide away from the main route.
If you’d like, I can help create a detailed day plan tailored to your pace, arrival time and preferences — tell me how much time you have, how many people are in your group and whether you’ll be driving, and I’ll prepare a suggested itinerary.
