3 Days in Krakow Itinerary
Medieval squares, profound history, and vibrant culture in Poland's former royal capital
Krakow enchants visitors with its perfectly preserved medieval Old Town, its profound yet essential historical sites, and a cultural scene that rivals cities twice its size. Unlike Warsaw, Krakow survived WWII largely intact, leaving a treasure trove of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture. Beyond the beautiful squares and churches, this city demands engagement with difficult history - the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz and the haunting memorial at Auschwitz-Birkenau remind us why we must remember. But Krakow is also joyful - its student population ensures vibrant nightlife, its food scene is booming, and its cultural calendar bursts with music, art, and theatre.
Day 1: Old Town & Wawel Castle
Your first day explores Krakow's UNESCO-listed Old Town and the royal Wawel Castle complex. Both are compact and walkable - the entire historic centre fits within a mile radius.
Day 1: Old Town & Wawel Castle
Breakfast at Nowa Prowincja
Start your day at this beloved cafe near the Main Square. The atmosphere is quintessentially Old Krakow - worn wooden tables, vintage photos, unhurried service. Try placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes) or classic eggs with fresh bread.
Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny)
Europe's largest medieval square is Krakow's beating heart. Take in St Mary's Basilica with its hourly trumpet call, the Renaissance Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the Town Hall Tower, and the constant stream of horse-drawn carriages. Simply being here is the experience.
St Mary's Basilica
Enter this Gothic masterpiece to see Veit Stoss's 15th-century wooden altarpiece - the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world. The blue star-painted ceiling and stained glass are equally stunning. Time your visit to see the altarpiece open (varies seasonally).
Cloth Hall & Underground Museum
Browse the Cloth Hall's souvenir stalls - the quality of amber jewellery, embroidered items, and wooden crafts is genuine. Then descend to the Rynek Underground museum beneath the square, revealing medieval market town foundations.
Lunch at Pod Aniolami
Descend into this atmospheric cellar restaurant for traditional Polish cuisine. Pierogi (dumplings), zurek (sour rye soup), and kotlet schabowy (breaded pork cutlet) are classics. The medieval cellar setting adds to the experience.
Wawel Castle Complex
Walk the Royal Way to this castle and cathedral complex crowning Wawel Hill. Polish kings were crowned and buried here. The State Rooms display royal treasures, the Cathedral holds history, and the Dragon's Den cave exits by the river.
Vistula River Walk
Stroll along the Vistula riverbank below Wawel. Barges serve drinks, joggers pass by, and the castle views are magnificent in evening light. Cross the Bernatek footbridge - its acrobatic sculptures are Instagram gold.
Dinner in Old Town
Try Wierzynek, operating since 1364 (reputedly the oldest restaurant in Europe), or more casual Trzy Rybki for excellent Polish-European food. Many Old Town restaurants have cellars - atmospheric for dining.
Budget-Friendly Krakow
Krakow offers exceptional value - expect to spend 40-50% less than Western European cities. Set lunch menus (menu dnia) cost £5-8 for soup and main. Museums are often free one day per week. Street food like zapiekanka (Polish pizza bread) costs under £3.
Day 2: Kazimierz & Jewish Heritage
Today explores Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter. This neighbourhood holds layers of history - from 500 years as a thriving Jewish centre, through Nazi destruction, to its current resurrection as Krakow's most creative district.
Day 2: Kazimierz & Jewish Heritage
Breakfast at Alchemia
Start in Kazimierz's most atmospheric cafe. The candlelit, cluttered interior feels unchanged since communist times. Strong coffee, simple breakfast, and excellent people-watching in Plac Nowy.
Galicia Jewish Museum
Begin your Jewish heritage exploration here. The photographic exhibition 'Traces of Memory' documents Jewish life in southern Poland without sensationalism - focusing on what survived rather than just what was destroyed.
Synagogue Walk
Walk Kazimierz's seven synagogues. The Old Synagogue (now a museum) dates to the 15th century. The Remuh Synagogue remains active with a moving cemetery behind. Local guides offer excellent context.
Lunch at Plac Nowy
This market square is Kazimierz's heart. The circular hall sells zapiekanka - massive baguettes topped with mushrooms, cheese, and whatever you fancy. Cheap, filling, utterly delicious. Sit on the square's benches to eat.
Schindler's Factory
This former enamelware factory, featured in Spielberg's film, now houses an excellent museum about Krakow under Nazi occupation. The exhibition focuses on daily life during the occupation, making history personal and accessible.
Podgorze & Ghetto Heroes Square
Cross to the former Jewish ghetto in Podgorze. The square with its 70 empty bronze chairs (representing 70,000 murdered Krakow Jews) is powerfully moving. Walk the ghetto boundary marked by fragments of the wall.
Return to Kazimierz
Walk back through Kazimierz as evening descends. The neighbourhood transforms at night - bars fill, music spills out, the creative energy that defines modern Kazimierz comes alive.
Jewish-Style Dinner
Try Hamsa for modern Israeli cuisine or Ariel for traditional Jewish-Polish dishes (gefilte fish, cholent, Jewish-style carp). Live klezmer music plays at several restaurants nightly.
Understanding Kazimierz
Kazimierz was a separate city until 1800, home to one of Europe's largest Jewish communities. The Holocaust destroyed 65,000 of Krakow's 68,000 Jews. The neighbourhood fell into neglect until the 1990s when artists and students revived it. This context enriches your visit.
Day 3: Wieliczka Salt Mines Day Trip
Today ventures outside Krakow to the extraordinary Wieliczka Salt Mine - 700 years of mining history, underground chapels, and lakes in a UNESCO World Heritage Site just 30 minutes from the city.
Day 3: Wieliczka Salt Mines Day Trip
Early Departure
Book the earliest English-language tour (usually 8:30 or 9:00). Trains and buses leave from Krakow Glowny station every 20 minutes to Wieliczka (25 minutes, £1.50). Alternatively, organised tours include transport.
Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour
Descend 135 metres and walk 3.5 kilometres through this underground wonderland. Highlights include the stunning Chapel of St Kinga (entirely carved from salt), underground lakes, and the scale of medieval engineering. Tours take 2-3 hours.
Lunch in Wieliczka
Eat at the mine's underground restaurant for the unique experience, or head into Wieliczka town for cheaper options. Karczma Halit near the mine serves traditional Polish food at fair prices.
Return to Krakow
Take the train back to Krakow. Use the journey to rest before afternoon activities.
Gelato & Old Town Wandering
Return to the Main Square for final explorations. Climb the Town Hall Tower for aerial views, browse the Cloth Hall for last souvenirs, and get gelato from Good Lood or Blikle.
Planty Gardens Circuit
Walk some or all of the Planty - the ring of gardens replacing Krakow's medieval walls. Benches, fountains, and green space encircle the Old Town. A perfect way to absorb the city's beauty.
Farewell Dinner at Zielona Kuchnia
End your Krakow visit at this farm-to-table restaurant in Kazimierz. Creative Polish cuisine using local ingredients, reasonable prices, and a cosy atmosphere. Book ahead for dinner.
Auschwitz-Birkenau
Many visitors combine Krakow with Auschwitz-Birkenau (70km away). This is essential history but emotionally demanding. Children under 14 are not recommended; for older teens, prepare them beforehand. Allow a full day and arrange transport via organised tour or bus.
Where to Stay in Krakow
The Old Town is central but can be noisy and pricey. Kazimierz offers better value, more character, and excellent restaurants. Podgorze is emerging as a quieter alternative with good Schindler's Factory access. All areas are walkable to main sights.
Family Accommodation
Hotel Copernicus in Old Town has family suites and a quiet courtyard. Aparthotel Stare Miasto offers apartments with kitchens near the square. In Kazimierz, Metropolitan Boutique Hotel is family-friendly with good-sized rooms.
Getting Around Krakow
Krakow's centre is compact and walkable. Trams are useful for reaching Kazimierz and Podgorze if legs tire. Taxis are cheap and safe - use apps like Bolt or iTaxi. For day trips, trains are efficient and comfortable.
Best Time to Visit
May-June and September-October offer ideal weather and manageable crowds. Summer is busy but festive. Winter is cold but magical with Christmas markets. Avoid Easter and August bank holiday when domestic tourism peaks.
Extra Day Options
With a fourth day, consider the Tatra Mountains at Zakopane (2 hours), the Ojcow National Park with castle ruins, or deeper exploration of Nowa Huta - the communist-planned 'ideal city' suburb with its socialist realist architecture.
Krakow temperatures vary dramatically by season. Pack layers, comfortable walking shoes for cobblestones, and modest clothing for churches. Our Poland packing list ensures you're prepared.
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