Kraków, Poland

Kraków

A vast market square, Wawel Castle and the lively Kazimierz quarter.

  • All year
  • 2 nights
Explore on the map
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Things to do

3 days in Kraków

Day 1

  1. MorningWalk the Main Market Square and see the altarpiece in St. Mary's Basilica.
  2. AfternoonVisit Wawel Castle and Cathedral, then walk along the Vistula.
  3. EveningHave dinner and drinks in the Kazimierz quarter.

Day 2

Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine or the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial.

Day 3

Visit Oskar Schindler's Factory museum in Podgórze, cross the Father Bernatek footbridge, and end with a zapiekanka on Kazimierz's Plac Nowy.

What to eat

Pierogi, obwarzanek bagels and zapiekanka toasted baguette at Plac Nowy.

Local tips

Make the most of Kraków

Beat the crowds

Wawel Castle and the Main Square are busiest midday. Explore early in the morning and save the evenings for Kazimierz.

Best photo spot

The Main Square from the Town Hall Tower, and Wawel Castle from the riverbank at sunset.

Getting there

The old town is compact and best on foot. Trains from the airport take about 20 minutes.

Don't miss nearby

The Wieliczka salt mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial are both easy day trips.

Good to know

Book Auschwitz and the salt mine well ahead in summer. Poland uses złoty. Listen for the trumpet call from St. Mary's tower every hour.

Secret spots

3 secret spots near Kraków

Our most hidden places around Kraków: fewer people, same wow. Unlock them with a route in Google Maps and a PDF guide of Kraków to take with you.

12 km away
18 km away
81 km away
Unlock the secret spots · €2.99+ VAT · one payment, valid for a year

Plan your visit

Getting to Kraków

Getting there

  • Kraków Airport (KRK)11 km away
  • Katowice Airport (KTW)75 km away
  • Łódź190 km away
  • Olomouc200 km away

The centre is best explored on foot. Distances are in a straight line.

At a glance

Best timeAll year
TypeCity
Good forOld towns & architecture, Food
Getting thereCar or public transport
Stay2 nights
CountryPoland

Questions

Kraków: good to know

Is Kraków worth visiting?

Yes, especially if you like historic old towns and food. A vast market square, Wawel Castle and the lively Kazimierz quarter.

How many days do you need in Kraków?

Plan 2 nights. Our free 3-day plan above shows how to spend your time.

When is the best time to visit Kraków?

You can visit all year. Wawel Castle and the Main Square are busiest midday. Explore early in the morning and save the evenings for Kazimierz.

How do you get to Kraków?

The nearest airport is Kraków Airport (KRK), about 11 km away. The old town is compact and best on foot. Trains from the airport take about 20 minutes.

What is there to see near Kraków?

Nearby hidden places include Zakopane (85 km), High Tatras (Štrbské Pleso) (105 km) and Slovak Paradise (129 km).

Day trips from Kraków: 7 hidden places nearby
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