Your Ultimate 2-Day Kraków Itinerary

Kraków packs a lot into a compact space. Two days will provide you a decent shot at experiencing most major sights, but even then you’ll have to keep moving and focused. Thankfully, there are plenty of cafes along the way for an energising cup of coffee or a piece of cake. If you have just a weekend to spend in this fantastic city, follow GoTravelDaily’s guide to making it perfect.

Day One

Main Market Square

There’s no better reward for springing out of bed than the chance to gaze at Kraków’s magnificent Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), Europe’s biggest medieval town square, measuring some 200m by 200m. Stroll the space’s carefully laid-out proportions and admire the elegance of the Renaissance Cloth Hall at the center. A climb up the Town Hall Tower affords an aerial view; or explore the tunnels below to see a high-tech historical rendition of the city at the Rynek Underground.

Set aside at least half an hour to walk through St Mary’s Basilica to take in the Gothic artistry of the interior and especially the church’s fabled carved wooden altarpiece. Once back outside, listen for the hejnał (bugle call) at the top of the hour from the taller of the church’s two towers. Stay on the square for a traditional Polish lunch at Hawełka.

Old Town

Walk off the carbs by exploring the atmospheric back streets that lead off the market square. A short walk to the east brings you to the Gothic Collegium Maius, where Copernicus once studied and now houses an impressive collection of medieval scientific instruments. Stroll north of the square to see the impressive Barbican and remnants of the former Defence Walls. Most of the walls were torn down in the 19th century to make way for the lovely park, the Planty, which encircles the Old Town.

Café Camelot, a local institution, is an inspired choice for a tea or coffee break or a light dinner. For evening fun, there’s no point leaving the Old Town. Check out the Harris Piano Jazz Bar for live music. If you’re searching for that perfect drink, start your quest at Pauza and Spokój.

Day Two

Wawel Hill

Kraków takes pride in its five centuries (until the end of the 16th century) as the seat of the Polish kingdom, and that splendour is showcased at the Wawel Royal Castle. Walk the grounds for free or line up at the visitor centre to buy tickets for the Royal Private Apartments and State Rooms. You’ll need to get an early start, as tickets are limited and sell out quickly. Don’t miss Wawel Cathedral, featuring richly appointed Renaissance chapels and royal crypts, where many Polish kings and leaders were laid to rest.

Sustenance is conveniently located nearby. For lunch, Miód Malina offers a refined take on traditional Polish dishes. Nearby, Restauracja Pod Baranem serves excellent Polish cuisine and stands out with a wide selection catering to food sensitivities or allergies.

Kazimierz

Amble a quarter-hour south of Wawel Hill to find Kazimierz, once a separate town from Kraków but now fully integrated into the city. Kazimierz features a fine collection of old Catholic churches, yet the area is best known as the former Jewish quarter. Start at Plac Nowy and wander the back lanes to visit the still-standing synagogues, such as the Old Synagogue or Remuh Synagogue, learning about centuries of Jewish life that ended with the German occupation in WWII. The Galicia Jewish Museum uses photography to showcase the region’s rich Jewish heritage.

Podgórze

Further south in Podgórze, across the river, the Germans infamously built a sealed ghetto during WWII to hold the city’s Jews; this later served as the backdrop for Steven Spielberg’s film, Schindler’s List (1993). If you have some energy left, tour Nazi industrialist Oskar Schindler’s Factory, now a museum of city life during the German occupation. It is advisable to reserve tickets in advance on the museum website, as this attraction is quite popular.

Return to Kazimierz for dinner in Jewish style at Dawno Temu Na Kazimierzu or enjoy traditional Polish fare at Sąsiedzi. Kazimierz has emerged as Kraków’s premier nightlife quarter, so finish your evening with drinks at atmospheric, candle-lit spots like Singer Café or Alchemia.

This article provides a comprehensive itinerary for exploring Kraków in just two days, ensuring you experience the city’s rich history and culture.