Dzień dobry! Welcome to Krakow, a beautiful city that quickly became Poland’s most popular tourist destination. Rich history, fascinating culture, beautiful old town, many green spaces, intriguing legends, and delicious food… Krakow has it all, and more! As Poles, we’ve visited this city multiple times, and today we want to show you an amazing itinerary for 3 days in Krakow. Both well-known attractions and some lesser-known gems await. Let’s go and explore one of the best cities in Poland!
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Krakow, Poland FAQ
Krakow is located in the southern part of Poland on the Vistula River. It’s the capital of Małopolska Voivodeship, one out of 16 Polish administrative divisions. Krakow is also the second biggest city in Poland.
Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland, with the first written record dating back to 965. For hundreds of years, it was also the capital of the country! Nowadays, Krakow is best known for its charming old town and Wawel Royal Castle – both declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is also home to the mighty fire-breathing dragon, Europe’s largest medieval town square, and the oldest Polish university!
Without a doubt! Krakow is a fascinating city where centuries of history blend seamlessly with vibrant modern life. As you wander its streets, you’ll discover magnificent historic landmarks alongside trendy cafés, lively restaurants, and hidden courtyards full of character. No wonder Kraków became a trendy spot in Central Europe for international travelers!
Yes, 3 days in Krakow are great to experience most of attractions that the city has to offer. During that time you’ll discover all the main landmarks, get a good feel of what Krakow is all about, taste a lot of amazing food, and even visit one or two nearby sites like Wieliczka Salt Mine, Auschwitz or Zakopane.
3 Days in Krakow itinerary – Day 1
On the first day, you’ll discover the most important Krakow landmarks. All of them are close to each other, within walking distance, so there will be no need to use public transport (unless you want or have to). Exploring all the mentioned places in Krakow Old Town should take you no more than 8 hours, including time for dinner and dessert.
Krakow Main Square
Krakow Main Square (pl. Rynek) is considered Europe’s largest medieval town square, and exploring it is unquestionably the number one thing to do in Krakow during 3 days itinerary. It dates back to 1257, and since then it’s been the commercial and cultural heart of the city.
It’s surrounded by beautiful buildings and filled with important monuments like Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, Town Hall Tower, and Adam Mickiewicz Monument. The square is also full of restaurants, cafes, and… pigeons (not joking!). There, you’ll also spot characteristic horse carriages – but please don’t use them if you care about animals.
How to enjoy Krakow Main Square the most? Just wander aimlessly around, get awed by its beauty, and maybe even discover some not-so-famous gems, like Bielaka passage or Eros Bendato sculpture.
Cloth Hall
Cloth Hall building (pl. Sukiennice) is one of the brightest stars of the Krakow Main Square. The origins of this place date back to the 13th century, and for many centuries it was a major center of trade where merchants met to discuss business. Over the centuries, Cloth Hall was rebuilt a few times, and the building we can admire today dates back to the late 19th century.
Nowadays, the lower level of Cloth Hall still serves as a market, mostly with tourist souvenirs. On the upper floor, you’ll find a division of the Kraków National Museum that holds the largest permanent exhibit of 19th-century Polish paintings and sculptures. And beneath the Cloth Hall, you’ll find the Underground Museum which will take you on a journey back in time to the medieval Krakow market square.
The doors of the Cloth Hall are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9AM to 6-8PM (depending on the season).
St. Mary’s Basilica
One of the most popular things to do in Krakow is visiting St. Mary’s Basilica (pl. Bazylika Mariacka). It’s a Roman Catholic church dating back to the 14th century that features rich decorations and a wooden altarpiece carved by the famous Wit Stwosz. By many it’s considered as one of the best and mind-blowing examples of Polish Gothic architecture.
Entrance to St. Mary’s Basilica is paid and seeing its interior and altar costs 20zł for a normal donation-ticket and 10zł for reduced (July 2026). For an additional fee, you can also climb the tower, but only at certain times a day and only from April to November. For current prices and opening hours please visit mariacki.com website.
St. Mary’s Trumpet Call
An event that you can’t miss during your 3 days in Krakow is to hear St. Mary’s Trumpet Call played from the tallest watchtowers of the church. It’s played live every hour, even at night, to the four corners of the world.
First towards Wawel Royal Castle – for the kings, second to the Main Square – for the city authorities, third towards the Florian Gate – for tourists, and fourth towards the Small Market Square – for the fire brigade chief. If you wonder why the call stops abruptly – it’s to commemorate a 13th-century trumpeter who was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm before a Tatars attack on the city!
Town Hall Tower
Just a few steps from Cloth Hall, you’ll find Town Hall Tower. It’s the last standing part of the old town hall, which was demolished in 1820 as part of the city plan to open up the main square. Until then, it was the most important building in the city, where the chancellery and treasury were located.
Nowadays, you can visit Town Hall Tower to admire views over the Krakow Market Square from its highest point and learn a bit more about the city’s history as the tower serves as a small museum. The only thing you’ll need to do is climb around 110 steps.
Entrance to Town Hall Tower costs 22zł for a normal ticket and 16zł for reduced (July 2026). For current prices and opening hours visit muzeumkrakowa.pl website.
St. Florian’s Gate & Florianska Street
St. Florian’s Gate (pl. Brama Florianska) is a medieval gate tower dating back to the 14th century. It was built as a part of the city fortification system against Tatar attacks and it became the main entry to the old town. What’s more, St. Florian’s Gate was, and is, part of the Royal Road (a road that leads through the city up to Wawel Castle and once was traversed by royal processions on various occasions and celebrations).
The road between St. Florian’s Gate and St. Mary’s Basilica is called Florianska Street and is one of the most important and busiest streets in Krakow. Expect huge crowds, and many restaurants, bars, and small shops. It’s also an amazing spot for a photo of Basilica.
Also, right next to the gate, you’ll find a small square, – Zaułek Książąt Czartoryskich, which usually is filled with artists selling their beautiful artworks. There’s also the Czartoryski Museum with many artworks and handicrafts, including a famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci – Lady with an Ermine. To learn more about the museum visit mnk.pl website.
Krakow Barbican
A long time ago, Krakow boasted of considerable fortifications around the old town and Barbican was an important part of it. This fortified gateway was built in the late 15th century as an outer defense perimeter connected to the city walls, for defensive purposes of course.
Nowadays, Barbican is a part of Krakow’s Historical Museum where you can learn about the development of city fortifications. Entrance ticket costs 22zł for a normal ticket and 16zł for a reduced one (July 2026). To learn more about current prices and opening hours visit muzeumkrakowa.pl website.
Wawel Royal Castle
Visiting Wawel Royal Castle (pl. Zamek Królewski na Wawelu) is another must-have thing to do during 3 days in Krakow. It sits on a small Wawel Hill, on the banks of the Vistula River. The castle dates back to the 14th century and played both defensive and residential roles. Thanks to numerous fires, looting, and wars, it was expanded, rebuilt, and renovated many times over the years. As a result, we can now observe a mix of many architectural styles there.
Nowadays, Wawel Royal Castle houses several permanent and temporary exhibitions. Among permanent exhibitions, you’ll find State Rooms, Crown Treasury, Armoury, Art of the Orient: Ottoman Turkish Tents, The Lost Wawel, and Wawel Underground. To learn more about each permanent exhibition to choose the best ones for your interests, visit wawel.krakow.pl website.
Entrance to Wawel Royal Castle exhibitions is paid, and tickets can be bought online in advance (recommended option). There is a separate ticket for each exhibition, and they all vary in price. You should also know that most exhibitions are booked for a specific hour, so it’s advised to plan and book in advance. To check out current prices and opening hours, visit the wawel.krakow.pl website. To buy online tickets, visit the bilet.wawel.krakow.pl website.
Also, be sure to wander around Wawel Hill and admire the city, Vistula River, and their surroundings from different angles (it’s totally free!). Even if your time in Krakow is limited, don’t hesitate to visit the hill just to see the castle, cathedral, and views from outside with your own eyes – it’s totally worth it!
Wawel Cathedral
The other highlight of Wawel Hill is the imposing Wawel Cathedral. This Catholic church dates back to the 14th century and actually is the 4th religious building on the site. For hundreds of years, Wawel Cathedral served as the coronation and burial site of Polish kings and members of their families, as well as chiefs or political leaders.
Inside, you can explore the Royal Tombs, Sigismund’s Bell (pl. Dzwon Zygmunta – the most famous Polish bell), Cathedral Museum, and the Archdiocesan Museum. All are included in one entrance ticket. Normal ticket cost 26zł, reduced one 18zł (July 2026). For current prices, opening hours, and online tickets, visit the katedra-wawelska.pl website.
Dragon’s Den
There’s one more exciting thing to do in Krakow on Wawel Hill – exploring Dragon’s Den! According to the legend, under the castle hill once lived a dragon that terrorized the city! But thankfully, a brave shoemaker Dratewka, outsmarted it by feeding it a lamb stuffed with sulfur. The dragon ate it, became very thirsty, turned to the Vistula River, and drank until it burst!
Entrance to Dragon’s Den costs 15zł for a normal ticket and 9zł for reduced one (July 2026). Site can be visited only from April to November. To learn more about current prices and opening hours, visit the wawel.krakow.pl website.
Also, in front of the Dragon’s Den exit, a metal dragon sculpture that breathes fire every 3 minutes waits for you. If you don’t want to see the den and are interested only in the dragon, you don’t need to buy a ticket. The dragon is available for free, straight from the Vistula boulevards. Still, seeing the dragon is a must during 3 days in Krakow itinerary!
Vistula River Boulevards
Under Wawel Castle, you’ll find the most popular boulevard in Krakow. It’s a place loved both by locals and visitors, perfect for a relaxing break with amazing views. Along it, don’t miss spots like Avenue of Stars, the Wawel Dragon sculpture, and the Dog Dżok statue. From there, you can also choose to go on a leisurely cruise on the Vistula River. It’s a great way to see Krakow from a different perspective!
For awesome photos over Wawel Hill, we recommend going to either Dębnicki or Grunwaldzki Bridge.
Planning to extend your stay in Poland? 🤩
3 Days in Krakow itinerary – Day 2
During your second of 3 days in Krakow, you’ll discover fascinating places located a bit further from the Old Town, yet still within easy walking distance or easily accessible by public transport. Exploring all the mentioned places should take you no more than 8 hours, including time for dinner.
Kazimierz district
Kazimierz district is a fascinating historical area in Krakow. It was established in the 14th century and until the 19th century it was an independent city. Since the end of the 15th century, its northeastern part was inhabited by Jews and for many centuries Kazimierz was a place where Jewish and Polish cultures coexisted in peace.
Everything changed during World War II, in 1941. First, the Nazis relocated most of the Jews to Lubelskie Voivodeship. Later, they created a ghetto in the Podgórze district, and forced the remaining community (around 17k people) to move there. The liquidation of the ghetto in March 1943 led to the annihilation of practically the entire Jewish community.
Over the next few years, despite its sad history, Kazimierz became an important area of cultural life. As you’ll see in a moment, it’s totally different from the old town, with its unique, laid-back vibe. Visiting Kazimierz definitely shouldn’t be missed during your 3 days in Krakow.
Besides some important historical points of interest, Kazimierz is also full of independent galleries, interesting street art, small shops, cafes, and restaurants serving delicious food. In our opinion, there is no better place in Krakow to eat well and in relative peace, and lower prices.
Synagogues in Kazimierz
Once, there were dozens of synagogues in Kazimierz, but during War War II most Jewish monuments were devastated or used as warehouses or stables. Thankfully, 7 of them survived and were restored in the following years.
Old Synagogue is the oldest one in Krakow, dating back to the 15th century. Until the start of World War II, it was the center of the Jewish religious life in Krakow. Now, houses a museum in which you can learn about Jewish history, culture, and heritage.
Remuh Synagogue dates back to the 16th century and is still active. Behind it, you’ll find the cemetery with tombstones dating back even to the 16th century! Remuh Synagogue can be visited. Tempel Synagogue is a fairly new building, built in the 19th century in a Neo-Romanesque style. It’s still active and hosts many celebrations of Jewish holidays and other important events. Tempel Synagogue is also open to the public.
Other still-standing synagogues in Kazimierz Kupa Synagogue, Izaak Synagogue, High Synagogue, Popper Synagogue.
Kazimierz streets & squares
As we’ve already mentioned, Kazimierz has its own unique vibe and the best way to experience it is simply by aimlessly wandering among its streets and squares. Stop in small independent shops and galleries selling beautiful handmade items and buy unique souvenirs from Krakow. Admire street art – sometimes nice, sometimes not so much.
Also, be sure to direct your steps to Plac Nowy Square and buy zapiekanka. It’s probably the most popular Polish street food made of one half of a baguette with various toppings like cheese, champignons, tomato sauce… Simply speaking, zapiekanka is literally a Polish twist on pizza! And the best ones can be bought in Kazimierz!
What streets and squares you can’t miss while in Kazimierz? Mostowa Street, Świętego Wawrzyńca Street, Józefa Street, Szeroka Street, and Wolnica square. If you’re into visiting churches, among Kazimierz street you’ll find two quite popular one: Corpus Christi Basilica and Basilica of St. Michael the Archangel.
There is also something for museum lovers. You can, for example, visit the Galicia Jewish Museum which honors Holocaust victims and celebrates Jewish culture or the Museum of Engineering and Technology where you’ll learn about the development of Polish public transport.
As you can see now, in Kazimierz you’ll be spoiled by the number of possible things to do at every step. It’s a place where you can easily spend one whole day during 3 days in Krakow.
Ghetto Heroes Square
Ghetto Heroes Square is a symbolic place located in Podgorze, a place where in 1941 Nazis created a ghetto and forced the remaining Jewish community to move and live in inhumane conditions. In 1943, the ghetto was liquidated and thousands of Jews died. On the square, you’ll see dozens of empty iron chairs that symbolize what remained of the Jews.
While there, you can also visit Apteka pod Orłem to buy some medicine. Joking, joking! Once, this building indeed was a pharmacy, the only one allowed in the ghetto. An interesting fact is that the owner of the pharmacy voluntarily moved into the ghetto and provided shelter and medicines for its residents. Today, the pharmacy building serves as a museum where you can learn about the history of the Podgórze Jewish Ghetto.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory
Just a few steps from Podgórze, you’ll find one more popular thing to do in Krakow connected to Jewish history – the former Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory. Who was Oskar Schindler? He was a German businessman who saved nearly 1200 Jews from being transported to the camps.
Nowadays, inside the renovated, former administrative office of Schindler, you’ll see a permanent exhibition about Kraków under Nazi occupation 1939-1945. It tells the history of Krakow and its inhabitants during wartime, Jews forced to live in a ghetto, and Oskar Schindler himself.
In case you’re wondering – yes, it’s the same Oscar Schindler as one from the Steven Spielberg award-winning “Schindler’s List” movie!
3 Days in Krakow itinerary – Day 3
Now, when you’ve discovered all the most important places in Krakow center it’s time to explore the area a bit further. For your day 3 in Krakow we’ll leave you with few options.
You can either explore Krakow even more. For example, visit some more museums or churches for which there wasn’t enough time before or just stroll along city streets discovering some gems. You can also choose to visit Kosciuszko Mound or you can go on a day trip and discover some great places near Krakow.
Kosciuszko Mound
There are 5 mounds in Krakow and Kosciuszko Mound (pl. Kopiec Kościuszki) is definitely the most popular one (even if it’s also the youngest one). It’s located about 5km outside the city center and is 32 meters high. It was built between 1820 and 1823 to commemorate a Polish military, Tadeusz Kościuszko.
Nowadays, next to the mound, there is a museum with exhibits about Kosciuszko, a hotel, and a restaurant. From the top of the mound, you can admire wonderful views over Krakow and its surroundings. If you have time to visit Kosciuszko Mound during your 3 days in Krakow, be sure not to skip it – it’s a great thing to do in the city.
Entrance to Kosciuszko Mound costs 34zł for a normal ticket and 26zł for a reduced one (July 2026). To learn more about current prices and opening hours, visit kopieckosciuszki.pl website.
Day trip ideas from Krakow
Auschwitz
Auschwitz is located about 70km from Krakow. We guess that it’s a place that needs no introduction but for those who don’t know it, it’s a former concentration camp that was created by Nazis during World War II. During less than 5 years of its existence, 1-1.5 million people died there, and the majority of them were Jews, approximately 1.35 million. Nowadays, Auschwitz is the symbol of the war’s cruelty that should never be repeated. It’s not an easy or pleasant trip but we believe that it should be done by everybody. To learn more visit auschwitz.org website.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Wieliczka Salt Mine is located only about 15km from Krakow. It’s one of the oldest operating salt mines in the world where salt was mined continuously from the 13th century to 2007. In 1978 Wieliczka Salt Mine was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It’s a truly beautiful place with many chambers, chapels, underground lakes, and even sculptures carved from salt. To learn more visit the wieliczka-saltmine.com website.
Ojców National Park
Ojców National Park is located only about 20km from Kraków. It’s a beautiful and peaceful green area with mountains, valleys, caves, and strange rock formations. There you’ll also find two castles and small churches. Just choose one of many trails and enjoy time in nature in one of the best places to visit near Krakow.
Zakopane
Zakopane is located about 100km from Krakow. It’s a small scenic town surrounded by the Tatra Mountains. To be honest, for us it’s more about the mountain trails than the town itself. But it also has its charm with traditional houses and tasty regional food (don’t miss oscypki). In one day you can for example take a cable car to Kasprowy Wierch, visit Gubałówka, or go to Morskie Oko. If you love mountains, you’ll love the area!
Explore local attractions
How to get to Kraków, Poland?
Krakow is located about 300km from Warsaw, 270km from Wroclaw, and 80km from Katowice. The most convenient way to get to Krakow is by car, bus, or train.
Airports near Krakow
The closest airport to Krakow is located in Balice, only about 15km from the city center. The easiest way to get from Krakow airport to the city center is to take a bus (line 209, 300 or 902 during the night). To check current timetable visit rozklady.mpk.krakow.pl website.
Where to park in Krakow?
If you choose to travel by car you need to know that it isn’t very easy to find a parking place for a car. Your best option is probably to find accommodation with parking space and then travel by bus/tram in the city center.
You can also reserve a spot in one of some underground/secured parking lots, like Parking Wawel. For a few hours we recommend leaving the car in Galeria Krakowska shopping mall.
To Krakow by bus
You can easily get to Krakow by bus, especially from other bigger cities. For example, the trip from Warsaw will take about 4 hours, 1.5 hours from Katowice, and 3.5 hours from Wroclaw. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
To Krakow by train
You can also get to Krakow by train, as Poland is quite well connected by trains. However, we feel obligated to warn you that trains are often unreliable and delayed. To learn more about connections that might interest you visit PKP’s official website.
How to spend 3 days in Krakow? – Summing up
Krakow is a very beautiful Polish city, isn’t it? No matter if you just want to aimlessly wander among Krakow streets, visit its museums and learn about history, pray in its many churches, or just do a rendez-vous in restaurants and cafes… Krakow is a place with countless things to do that will satisfy every traveler’s taste.
And now, with our guide, you’re ready to explore Krakow in the best possible way! We’re sure that after 3 days in Krakow you’ll understand why this city is so loved by many. Enjoy your time!
Our opinion about Krakow
As we mentioned at the beginning, over the years we visited Krakow on many occasions and until today we enjoy coming back. Out of all the big Polish cities, Krakow is one of those we know best. We like its vibe, importance, uniqueness, and its food.
What we don’t like about Krakow? Well, it’s a big and usually busy city that can be overwhelming, especially during summer months and weekends. Pollution/smog is also a huge drawback but thankfully it’s noticeable almost exclusively during the autumn/winter months. Overall, we think it’s a must-see destination in Poland, don’t miss it!
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Krakow?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Krakow:
