Dzień dobry! Welcome to Krakow, a beautiful Polish city that become one of the most popular tourist destinations in the country. Rich history, interesting culture, charming old town, intriguing legends, delicious food… Krakow has all of these things and more! As Poles, we’ve visited the city multiple times on various occasions and we still enjoy coming back. There’s something really cool about Krakow! Believe us, this city deserves at least one full day of your time so keep reading and discover how to spend one day in Krakow, Poland.
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Krakow, Poland FAQ
Krakow is located in the south part of Poland on the Vistula River, not far from the Czech Republic and Slovakia. It’s the capital of Małopolska Voivodeship, one out of 16 Polish administrative divisions. Krakow is the second biggest city in Poland.
Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland and 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, the oldest Polish university, and a tasty cuisine.
Yes, Krakow is a charming city definitely worth visiting. It’s a place where you’ll immerse into history and interesting architecture, where you’ll see how old is intertwined with new and beautiful with shabby. Krakow is also a place where you’ll find a wide choice of great restaurants, pubs, and cafes serving delicious food. No wonder it became somewhat of a trendy spot in Central Europe for international travelers!
One day in Krakow is enough to see most of the main landmarks and get a good feel of what this city is all about. But it’s definitely not enough to see all that Krakow offers. So if you want to experience it more, we recommend staying at least 3 days in Krakow.
Things to do in one day in Krakow
Krakow Main Square
Krakow Main Square (pl. Rynek) is considered Europe’s largest medieval town square. It dates back to 1257 and since then it’s the commercial and cultural heart of the city. It’s surrounded by charming 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 overpriced restaurants and cafes, and… pigeons (not joking!).
How to enjoy it 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. Exploring Main Square and its surroundings definitely can’t be missed during your 1 day in Krakow.
Cloth Hall
Cloth Hall building (pl. Sukiennice) is one of the brightest stars of the Kraków Main Square. Their origins date back to the 13th century, and for many years it was a major center of trade where merchants met to discuss business. Its golden age dates back to the 15th century when it was the import hub of a variety of exotic products like spices, silk, leather, or wax, while Kraków itself exported textiles and salt from the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Over the centuries Cloth Hall was rebuilt a few times and the majestic building we can admire today dates back to the late 19th century. Nowadays, the lower level of Cloth Hall still serves as a market but most of the items you’ll find there are tourist souvenirs.
Beneath the Cloth Hall, you’ll find the Underground Museum which will take you back in time to the Middle Ages and will let you dive into the atmosphere of the medieval Krakow market square. If you find time, it’s a cool place to visit.
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.
The doors of the Cloth Hall are open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 9AM to 6-8PM (depending on the season).
Book now: Krakow Old Town Guided Walking Tour
St. Mary’s Basilica
One of the most popular things to do in Krakow old town 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 15zł for a normal donation-ticket and 8zł for reduced (October 2024). 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.
If you don’t want to pay, you can go on a virtual walk through St. Mary’s Basilica on pajorama.eu website. It’s actually quite fun, with many sounds and explanations!
St. Mary’s Trumpet Call
Trumpet Call (pl. Hejnał Mariacki) is played from the tallest of the church watchtowers. 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. Another interesting fact about the trumpet call is that it has been broadcast daily at noon on Program I of the Polish Radio since 1927!
Town Hall Tower
Just a few steps from Cloth Hall you’ll find Town Hall Tower, the last standing part of Krakow Town Hall (pl. Ratusz). It 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. It was also a place where city authorities received monarchs and other important personas. What’s more, its basement once housed a city prison with a torture chamber and… some taverns!
Nowadays, you can visit Town Hall Tower to admire views over the Krakow Main Market Square from its highest point and learn a bit more about the city’s history as the tower also serves as a small museum. The only thing you’ll need to do is climb around 110 steps.
Entrance to Town Hall Tower costs 18zł for a normal ticket and 14zł for reduced one (October 2024). 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 (pl. Droga Królewska), a road that leads through the city up to Wawel Castle and once was traversed by royal processions going to the Wawel 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. It’s also a nice spot for a great photo of Basilica.
Right next to the gate, you’ll find another charming place – a square called Zaułek Książąt Czartoryskich, which usually is filled with many artists selling their beautiful artworks.
Book now: Sightseeing Bike Tour of Krakow
Krakow Barbican
A long time ago, Krakow boasted of considerable fortifications around the old town and Barbican (pl. Barbakan Krakowski) 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. Krakow Barbican is located just a few steps from St. Florian’s Gate.
Nowadays, Barbican is a part of Krakow’s Historical Museum where you can learn about the development of city fortifications, if that’s something that might interest you.
Wawel Royal Castle
Visiting Wawel Royal Castle (pl. Zamek Królewski na Wawelu) is another must-have place to see during your one day in Krakow. It sits on Wawel Hill, on the Vistula River banks. The castle dates back to the 14th century and over the years played both defensive and residential roles. For centuries it was the residence of the kings of Poland. Due to numerous fires, looting and wars, over the years it was expanded, rebuilt and renovated many times.
Nowadays, Wawel Royal Castle houses several permanent and temporary exhibitions. Among permanent ones, 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 exhibitions visit wawel.krakow.pl website.
We know that your time in Krakow is limited but 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 and free!
If you wish to visit some parts of Wawel Royal Castle, we advise you to buy tickets online in advance. There is a separate ticket for each exhibition and they all vary in price. Also, most exhibitions are booked for specific hours. To learn more about the tickets, prices, and opening hours visit wawel.krakow.pl website.
Book now: Old Town Krakow & Wawel Castle Walking Tour
Wawel Cathedral
Wawel Royal Castle isn’t the only highlight of Wawel Hill – the second one is the imposing Wawel Cathedral (pl. Katedra Wawelska). This Catholic church dates back to the 14th century and for hundreds of years it served as the coronation and burial site of Polish kings and members of their families, as well as chiefs or political leaders. Among popular names you might be familiar with are Tadeusz Kościuszko, Józef Piłsudski, Adam Mickiewicz, Juliusz Słowacki, or even one of the latest Polish presidents – Lech Kaczyński.
Inside Wawel Cathedral you can explore the Royal Tombs, Sigismund’s Bell (pl. Dzwon Zygmunta – the most famous Polish bell), Cathedral Museum, and the Archdiocesan Museum. Normal ticket cost 23zł, reduced one 16zł (October 2024). For current prices, online tickets and opening hours visit katedra-wawelska.pl website.
Book now: Krakow: Wawel Castle & Cathedral Guided Tour
Explore local attractions
Dragon’s Den
There’s one more thing to do on Wawel Hill – explore Dragon’s Den (pl. Smocza Jama). Yes, you’ve read right! You might not know that but… according to the legend under the castle hill once lived a dragon that terrorized the city! But thankfully a brave young shoemaker Dratewka outsmarted it by feeding it with a lamb stuffed with sulfur. The dragon ate it, became very thirsty, turned to the Vistula River, and drank until he burst…
Ok, we’ll be honest here – it’s nothing special but if you travel with kids they’ll probably love it. Dragon’s Den can be visited only from April to November, and entrance costs 9zł for a normal ticket and 7zł for a reduced one (October 2024). To learn more about current prices and opening hours visit wawel.krakow.pl website.
In front of the Dragon’s Den exit, a metal dragon sculpture that breathes fire every 3 minutes will be waiting for you. Prepare yourself and be brave! 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 Vistula boulevards.
Vistula River Boulevards
Under Wawel Castle, between the Dębnicki and Grunwaldzki bridges, you’ll find the most popular boulevard in Kraków – Czerwieński boulevard. It’s a place loved both by locals and visitors, perfect for a relaxing break with great views. Along it don’t miss spots like Avenue of Stars, the Wawel Dragon sculpture (take a good look at it and spot how many heads it has!), and the Dog Dżok statue.
For awesome photos over Wawel Hill, we recommend going to either Dębnicki or Grunwaldzki Bridge.
Discover: Accommodation options in Krakow
Krakow’s old town streets
While exploring all the popular attractions in Krakow’s old town, don’t forget to get lost in its labyrinth of streets and take a look into less touristy corners. Maybe you’ll discover some hidden gems that will resonate with you? Who knows!
We recommend visiting Mały Rynek which is located just behind Krakow Main Square, as well as Kanonicza and Grodzka streets. These two streets run parallel to each other (although Grodzka is much longer) and both finally lead to Wawel Castle. They are filled with beautifully restored buildings, churches, museums, restaurants, and cafes.
Near Grodzka Street be sure to stop for a minute at Maria Magdalena Square and take a good look at Saints Peter and Paul Church (pl. Kościół św. Piotra i Pawła). In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful churches in Krakow, at least from the outside.
Planty
If you’re in need of a green space, direct your step to Planty City Park which surrounds Kraków’s old town. It was created between 1822 and 1830 on the site of the demolished fortifications surrounding the city. Planty Park is approximately 4 km long and filled with gardens, walkways, benches, trees, and monuments. Visiting it’s a perfect getaway from all the hustle and bustle of Krakow center.
Kazimierz district
If you still have some time after exploring Krakow’s Old Town, you should direct your steps to Kazimierz District, an interesting historical area in Krakow.
It was established in the 14th century and until the 19th century, when it was incorporated into Krakow, 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 living in Krakow to Lubelskie Voivodeship. Later they created a ghetto in the Podgórze district and forced the remaining Jewish 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.
Nowadays, visiting Kazimierz is one of the best places to explore in Krakow. Over the years, despite its sad history, it became an important area of cultural life. With its own unique, laid-back vibe it’s totally different from the old town.
Kazimierz is full of independent galleries, interesting street art, small shops selling beautiful handmade items, cafes, and restaurants serving delicious food. It’s a great place to buy unique souvenirs from Krakow. There are also a few old synagogues. Oh, and we think that there is no better place in Krakow to eat really, really well!
Book now: Krakow Jewish Quarter Guided Walking Tour
Food in Krakow
Krakow is a heaven for food lovers. No matter what you like, you’ll find it there! From typical Polish dishes to a wide choice of international cuisine. We already tried several restaurants and none of them disappointed. But we recommend checking out some options and reviews earlier – to avoid falling into some tourist traps. Oh, and be sure not to miss pierogi and zapiekanka!
While in Krakow also try Krakow specialty – obwarzanek krakowski. It’s a braided ring-shaped bread that is sprinkled with salt and sesame or poppy seeds. You can find small mobile carts selling it in many places around the city. Don’t miss this delicious Polish quick bite!
Book now: Krakow Food Tasting Tour with Delicious Poland
Take advantage of guided tours
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. During your 1 day in Krakow, you can for example take part in this Wawel Castle & Cathedral Guided Tour or if you’re a foodie this Krakow Food Tasting Tour might be a great choice for you.
For a wide selection and many more well-reviewed tour options be sure to visit GetYourGuide or Viator website.
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, a small village located only about 15km from the city center. The next closest ones are in Katowice (105km away), Rzeszów (165km away) and Wrocław/Warsaw (280km away).
The easiest way to get from Krakow airport to the city center from Balice is to take a bus (line 209, 300 or 902 during the night). To check the current timetable visit rozklady.mpk.krakow.pl website. You can also take a taxi (30-150zł).
From other airports, you can take direct buses/buses+trains to Krakow. To learn more about connections that might interest you visit rome2rio.com website.
Book now: Krakow Airport Private Transfer
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 journey from Warsaw will take about 4h (€15-21), 1h from Katowice (€6-55) and 3.5h from Wroclaw (€16-46). 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.
For great train ticket deals visit Trainline website.
How to spend one day in Krakow? – Summing up
Krakow is a very beautiful Polish city, isn’t it? It’s charming, interesting, and very tasty. It’s a place with many things to do that will satisfy every traveler’s taste. And we’re sure that even after only one day you’ll understand why this city is loved by many.
Now, with our guide, you’re ready to explore Krakow in the best possible way. We showed you the minimum, the most important landmarks that can be seen in just a few hours. Enjoy your one day in Krakow!
Pss. Do you have more time to spare or are already planning your second trip to Krakow? Awesome! Be sure to check out our post with things to do in Krakow in 3 days!
Our opinion about Krakow
As we mentioned at the beginning, over the years we visited Krakow on many occasions and until today we really enjoy coming back there. Out of all the big Polish cities, after Wrocław, Krakow is the next one 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. Overall, we think it’s a must-see destination in Poland.
Book now: Polish Folk Show with All-You-Can-Eat Dinner
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in 1 Day in Krakow?
Here are your best, high-rated options in 1 Day in Krakow:
Where to sleep in 1 Day in Krakow?
Aparthotel Stare Miasto
Aparthotel Stare Miasto in Krakow offers a delightful stay in the heart of the city's historic Old Town. The accommodation provides a blend of modern comfort and traditional charm, with well-appointed apartments that feature contemporary amenities. Its central location allows guests easy access to Krakow's iconic attractions, including the Main Market Square, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a convenient and memorable stay in this vibrant city.
Hotel Betmanowska (Adults Only)
Hotel Betmanowska in Krakow is a boutique accommodation situated in the heart of the city's historic district. With a prime location just steps away from the Main Market Square, guests can enjoy easy access to Krakow's cultural treasures and landmarks. The hotel boasts a blend of modern luxury and historic charm, providing a comfortable and stylish retreat for adult travelers exploring this enchanting city.
Hotel Indigo
Hotel Indigo combines modern luxury with historical charm. It's situated in a beautifully restored building in the city center. The hotel's design reflects the local neighborhood, with stylish interiors inspired by the nearby Wawel Castle and the city's cultural heritage. Guests can experience a blend of contemporary comfort and Polish tradition, making Hotel Indigo a unique and immersive choice for a stay in the heart of Krakow.
Accommodations photos source: booking.com
