3 Days in Krakow: The Perfect 72 Hours

Three days in Krakow is the perfect amount of time to check off the city’s best sites and have plenty of time to uncover hidden gems. 

While I had an inkling that my husband and I would fall in love with Poland, I had no idea just how much we would adore this incredible country. Krakow in particular stole our hearts! 

From strolling through Europe’s largest medieval square to noshing on zapiekanka in the Jewish Quarter, spending three days in Krakow will no doubt feel short with so many things to do and day trips to take. 

This city (and country) is a wonderland for photographers, too. It felt like I was pulling out my camera constantly to capture the architecture in rainbow shades of pastel or a steaming pile of pierogies (did I mention Polish food is sublime?)

This guide is a detailed itinerary to help you plan the perfect three days in Krakow. 

Shortcut Itinerary for Three Days in Krakow

Day 1: Spend your first day in Krakow getting to know the city through famous sites like Rynek Glowny, the largest medieval square in Europe, and Saint Mary’s Basilica. 

Day 2: On your second day in Krakow, get into the nooks and crannies by exploring the Jewish Quarter, strolling through Planty Park, and visiting Schindler’s Factory. 

Day 3: Spend your final day in Krakow on a day trip outside the city to Auschwitz or the Wieliczka Salt Mines.

Three Days in Krakow Map

How many days do you need in Krakow?

Three days is the perfect amount of time in Krakow. With three days, you have just enough time to see the best sites without rushing, some of the city’s nooks and crannies, and to take a day trip.

I say this as someone who could easily spend at least a week (if not months?) here! It’s truly so fun to explore in Krakow. On the other hand, I realize that most travelers are lucky to get a few weeks of vacation.

If you only have a week in Poland, you can even get by devoting just one day to this magical corner of the world. For those who aren’t dead set on visiting Auschwitz, you can easily fill 24 hours in Krakow and move on without feeling like you’ve missed out on much.

Only have one day? Check out my itinerary for the perfect one day in Krakow.

Getting to Krakow

Kraków is one of the largest cities in Poland (second only to Warsaw). The only direct flight to the city from the U.S. is from Chicago (one of the largest Polish immigrant diasporas in the world!). This means that most flights will have a stopover in Warsaw before continuing on to Krakow. 

While I haven’t been, I think it’s absolutely worth your time to spend a few days in Warsaw instead of heading straight to Krakow! 

Trains run from Warsaw to Krakow several times a day. This is one of Poland’s high-speed train routes, operated by the EIP (Express InterCity Premium), a Pendolino train that takes around 2.5 hours in total. If you’ve traveled by rail in Western Europe, this train will be very familiar, with a small bar car and roomy, modern seats. 

If you happen to be traveling by one of Poland’s classic trains, which also operate between Krakow and Warsaw, the journey will take longer, but you’ll be rewarded with the most charming restaurant cars in Europe (in my humble opinion!).

Train tickets from Warsaw to Krakow are typically between $24 and $54, depending on how fast you want to get there and what time you leave. You can book them through the Polrail Service website. The site is very intuitive and easy to use, so don’t be intimidated!

Tip: When booking train tickets via Polrail Service, you’ll search for their official Polish names. Almost all cities are listed by a name you’ll recognize, like Krakow, but Warsaw, for example, is spelled Warszawa.

For those on a tighter budget, Flixbus also runs this route every hour between 6:00 am and midnight. Tickets are anywhere from $8 to $18, although the route takes a bit over 4 hours.

If your training in from other nearby Polish cities, know that there are direct routes from Wrocław, Gdansk, Katowice, Poznan, Lodz, Czestochowa, and Rzeszów. Other Central European capitals also have direct routes, including Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Berlin, and Bratislava.

My husband and I took a train from Krakow to Budapest. It took all day, but this (and our train from Berlin to Gdansk) was one of my favorite memories of our European travels! Poland is simply meant to be traveled by rail.

The Perfect Three Days in Krakow

Trains technically begin arriving in Krakow from Warsaw at 7:50 AM (you’ll have to take the 2:55 AM train for this). Likewise, other Polish cities also have early trains to Krakow. For example, my husband and I took the direct morning train from Wrocław.

If you want a more comfortable wake-up, I highly recommend hopping on the high-speed train that leaves Warsaw at either 7:40 AM (arriving at 10:10 AM) or 8:40 AM (arriving at 11:10 AM). Of course, you can take a later train, but the earlier you arrive, the better. 

In fact, I would arrive the night before to make the most of your time in Krakow!

Day 1: Get to Know Krakow!

Breakdown of Day 1

• Breakfast at Milkbar Tomasza
• Walk the Rynek Glowny
• Visit Saint Mary’s Basilica
• Lunch at Pierogarnia Krakowicy 
• Wawel Hill
• Dinner at Morskie Oko
• Szarlatka at Nowa Prowincja

Morning

Grab breakfast at Milkbar Tomasza

Fuel up for your first day in Krakow with breakfast at a traditional Polish milkbar or bar mleczny. Milkbar Tomasza was one of our first meals in the city. 

While this milk bar does have plenty of traditional dishes on the menu like pierogi, borscht, and nalesniki (Polish sweet pancakes), it definitely caters to tourists (I mean, there’s an Irish breakfast on the menu). But it’s still a very popular spot. They’re also known for their paninis and omelettes! 

Don’t forget to order a glass of kompot. This is a fruity Polish drink made by simmering both fresh and dried fruit. You can get it hot or cold, depending on the season.

For those who want something that’s truly authentic, Bar Mleczny Centralny is a great spot in the heart of Krakow, and Jadłodajnia U Stasi is recommended by Rick Steves himself.

Stroll through Rynek Glowny

After a delicious breakfast, kick off your first day in the city at Rynek Glowny, Europe’s largest medieval square. There are so many fascinating things to see here that really tell the story of Krakow and its history.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Rynek Glowny is lined with historic buildings, including the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). But the most important landmark is Saint Mary’s Basilica (Bazylika Mariacka), dominating the square with her twin spires.

Tip: Don’t miss the Hejnal Mariacki! Every hour, on the hour, a trumpeter appears at the top of Saint Mary’s Basilica’s tower. You’ll notice that their bugling suddenly trails off. This is an homage to the town being sacked by the Mongols!

While most European squares are over-touristed and just a quick stopover on your way to more important spots, Krakow’s Rynek Glowny deserves lingering. Stop off at one of the cafes along the fringes for amazing views and a cappuccino.

Visit Saint Mary’s Basilica

Possibly my favorite cathedral in Europe, Krakow’s Saint Mary’s Basilica is a stunning example of Polish Gothic architecture. While the exterior is truly stunning, the interior takes the cake with brilliant blue ceilings with a sea of golden stars. The entire interior of the church looks like a mosaic.

You’ll need a ticket to enter Saint Mary’s if you don’t go during Mass. You can get them at 7 Mariacki Square, across from the church. Considering the cost is just 20 PLN ($5), it’s well worth it! You’ll enter through the tourist side entrance.

Tip: You can also gain entrance to the cathedral with the Krakow City Card, which gives you access to 40 attractions across the city and unlimited public transportation!

If you happen to be visiting Krakow from April to November, you can take a tour of the tower. I was so sad that my husband and I missed this window by a month. 

Visitors can climb to the top of the tower from 10:10 AM to 5:30 PM, Tuesday through Saturday, and 1:00 to 5:30 PM on Sundays and public holidays. This is included in the cost of your ticket. Be warned that there are almost 300 steps to the top!

Tip: If you can, pop into the basilica during an evening mass. The English mass is held at 10:30 AM on Sundays and holidays, although I liked seeing the mass in Polish. 

Afternoon

Lunch at Pierogarnia Krakowiacy

Okay, hear me out on this one. Pierogarnia Krakowiacy is a chain with several different locations within literal blocks from each other. BUT we fell in love with their duck and apple pierogis. Truly heavenly! 

The menu is extensive, with 11 varieties of pierogi, including classic versions like Ruskie (potatoes, cottage cheese, onion) and Chlopskie (potatoes, bacon, onion). They also serve heartier meals, like bigos and seven soups. Drink-wise, they have a variety of tea, lemonade, kompot, beer, and coffee.  Don’t forget to add the garlic sauce! 

You’ll pay and order up at the counter before sitting down to enjoy a delicious Polish meal, surrounded by traditional decor. It will seem kitschy, with waitresses wearing traditional Polish costumes, but it’s a fun atmosphere.

Explore Wawel Hill

Head south of the city center next, towards the Vistula River, to spend the afternoon on Wawel Hill. Both Wawel Castle and Cathedral call this limestone outcrop home. Built by the legendary King Krakus, for whom the town is named, this was once the seat of Poland. 

The Wawel Castle and Cathedral are a pretty maze of brick buildings, steeples, and rotundas. For those interested in Polish history or castle architecture, I highly recommend you consider a guided tour. This 2-hour tour includes a licensed local guide and the chance to touch the Sigismund Bell in the cathedral tower — said to bring good luck!

On the other hand, my husband and I really enjoyed simply walking around the grounds. The hill overlooks the Vistula River, and you can see the real-deal fire-breathing dragon, Smok Wawelski, for free at the foot of the castle. 

Tip: Smok breathes fire every 5-10 minutes!

Speaking of dragons, don’t miss the legendary dragon bones that hang at the castle entrance! They’re actually the bones of either a mammoth or a whale!

Alternative: If you’ve seen your fill of European castles, choose between the Rynek Underground Museum or the Czartoryski Museum. 

The Rynek Underground is located back in Rynek Glowny. In fact, it’s underneath the square. The history of Krakow is told through exhibits featuring artifacts collected during the massive excavation of the square in 2005. You’ll see everything from medieval coins to the remains of a 13th-century market.

For art lovers, the Czartoryski Museum is the most important in Krakow. The famous painting, Lady with an Ermine, created by Leonardo da Vinci, calls this museum home. 

All of these activities are included in the Krakow City Card!

Evening

Dinner at Morskie Oko

Named for a stunning, turquoise lake in Poland’s Zakopane region, Morskie Oko is one of the most popular restaurants in the city! You’ll get a taste of this mountainous area of the country over a candlelit dinner. 

As an alpine-themed restaurant, Morskie Oko focuses on game meat, with specialties like wild boar, veal, duck, and pork knuckle. Kick off the meal with their potato pancakes or the grilled mountain sheep cheese.

They also have a wonderful selection of unique Polish tipples like plum brandy and miodula staropolska, a liquor made from Polish honeydew honey (among others)!

Be sure to book a reservation in advance if you can.

Szarlotka at Nowa Prowincja

I spent a good part of our three-week trip to Poland eating my weight in szartloka. I always think of szarlotka as Polish apple pie, but it’s actually more of an apple cake with a crumb topping. Either way, it’s absolutely delicious.

While you can probably find this on the menu at Morskie Oko, if you still have some energy left, I highly recommend you head over to Nowa Prowincja for a slice. They’re open until 11 PM, and the ambiance is so cozy.

I’m sure you could squeeze even more into your first day in Krakow, but I like a little wiggle room to get off-the-beaten-path and wander!

Timeline:

9:00 AM: Grab breakfast at Milkbar Tomasza
10:00 AM: Explore Rynek Glowny
11:30 AM: Pop into Saint Mary’s Basilica
12:30 PM: Lunch at Pierogrania Krakowicy
2:00 PM: Wawel Hill
5:30-6:00 PM: Dinner at Morskie Oko
8:00 PM: Grab a slice of szarlatka at Nowa Prowincja

Day 2: Get into the Nooks and Crannies of Krakow

Breakdown of Day 2

• Grab breakfast at a local bakery
• Explore the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz)
• Eat zapiekanka in Plac Nowy
• Visit Schindler’s Factory
• Sip pijana wisnia in the Old Town
• Watch the sunset from Krakus Mound

Morning

Grab breakfast at Piekarnia Mojego Taty

I’m being deadly serious when I say that you should RUN to any and every bakery you come across in Poland. That being said, start off your second morning in the city at Piekarnia Mojego Taty.

They’re known for their fresh bread and pastries, which are perfect for taking to go while you start wandering around the Jewish Quarter. 

Explore the Jewish Quarter

Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, known in Polish as the Kazimierz, is a trendy, bohemian neighborhood riddled with historic nooks and crannies that are a patchwork quilt of the city’s history. Most importantly, it tells the story of Krakow’s Jewish residents. 

Before WW2, Poland had the largest Jewish population in Europe, at around 3 million. Krakow was home to 64,000 Jews who lived, worked, and worshipped in the Kazimierz neighborhood. Following the war, only 3,000 to 4,000 Krakówian Jews survived.

This is one of those places that is visually beautiful, but you’ll be left wondering about the historic nooks and crannies without a local guide’s knowledge! 

I highly recommend that you hop on a tour of the Jewish Quarter to understand more about its poignant past. 

There are a couple of amazing options for visiting Krakow’s Jewish Quarter with a guide, including both walking and bike tours. 

On this walking tour, you’ll explore the Jewish Quarter with a local guide, seeing Szeroka Street (lined with Jewish restaurants), four different synagogues, and Plac Nowy, with hidden gems along the way. The tour takes 1.5-2 hours and is offered in nine different languages.

For those who like getting around on two wheels, this Krakow bike tour takes you through the Old Town, as well as the Jewish Quarter and Ghetto. Over 3.5 hours, you’ll visit all of the popular sites in the Old Town, as well as Schindler’s Passage, Plac Nowy, Szeroka Street, the Ghetto Heroes Square, Schindler’s Factory, and so much more. This is one of the most highly rated tours in Krakow!

Afternoon

Eat zapiekanka in Plac Nowy

You can’t come to Krakow without eating zapiekanka! Akin to a French bread pizza with all sorts of toppings, the best place to get it is Plac Nowy in the heart of the Jewish Quarter. 

Zapiekanka was invented in the 1970s and has persisted as a street food favorite among locals. There are several spots in Plac Nowy’s rotunda, located in the center of the plaza, where you can get zapiekanka and other small bites. 

There are about 5 or 6 different zapiekanka stands in this one central rotunda. Based on reviews, I would say they’re all good, but we went to Bar Namaxa for ours. I got mine with chicken, jalapeno, and their Amerykanski sauce, which was slightly spicy, and my husband ordered a ham, cheese, and garlic basil sauce. His was better as usual! 

Plac Nowy is one of the hottest nightlife spots in the city, too. If you’re looking for a night on the town, head back here later in the evening.

Visit Schindler’s Enamel Factory

Made famous by the film Schindler’s List, visiting Schindler’s Enamel Factory is a must on a trip to Krakow. A Nazi stationed in the city during WW2, Oskar Schindler employed Jewish residents at his factory, protecting them from being sent to concentration camps. By the end of the war, he was credited with saving 1,200 Jewish lives. 

There are two museums housed inside the factory today, the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow and the Museum of Contemporary Art. Through 45 exhibits, visitors will learn about the Nazi occupation of Krakow through artifacts, photography, and film.

This is another site that’s included in the Krakow City Card! While you can take a guided tour, the museum has plenty of signage in English and interactive exhibits. 

The factory is located a bit outside the city center, about a 10-minute drive, a 34-minute walk, or 18 minutes on public transportation from Saint Mary’s Basilica in the Old Town.

Evening

Sip cherry liqueur at Pijana Wisnia

Okay, Pijana Wisnia is actually a Ukrainian chain — but my husband and I loved this slightly sweet and tangy concoction. Everything on the menu is centered on cherry liqueur, a special recipe that comes from Western Ukraine. 

You can get cocktails or simply drink the liqueur straight up, which is what we did! In the colder months, they also serve it warm, similar to mulled wine, with real cherries. You’ll find a Pijana Wisnia in both the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter. 

Of course, there are dozens of awesome bars in the Jewish Quarter that offer craft beer and cocktails, too.

Grab dinner at Starka

Complete your day in Krakow’s Kazimierz neighborhood at Hevre, a Jewish-Polish fusion restaurant. The restaurant itself is stunning, tucked inside an old synagogue. Floors are covered in antique rugs, and bespoke light fixtures dangle from the ceiling, illuminating the cracking walls. 

They have an extensive drink menu with specialty coffee, juice, tea, beer, wine, and cocktails. While they do serve breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the stars of the show are dishes like Jewish-style caviar, falafel, gnocchi, grilled halloumi burgers, and sous-vide roast beef. The menu definitely caters to vegans and vegetarians, but does have meat options.

For those who want to continue their pursuit of traditional Polish cuisine, Starka is another great option in the Jewish Quarter. Named for the Polish vodka brand, you’ll find dishes like pork knuckle and beef cheeks, alongside homemade, infused vodkas.

If you want something more off-the-beaten path and inexpensive, I can’t recommend Restauracja Mazaya enough for delicious falafel and other Mediterranean food! It’s located in the opposite direction, but you should definitely add it to your list if you’ll be in Krakow for more than a few days.

Watch the sunset from Krakus Mound

Tucked on the outskirts of town, Krakus Mound is a prehistoric, man-made mound and the rumored burial site of King Krakus himself. The best part about this grassy hill is that it offers panoramic views of Krakow and the Vistula River — perfect for sunset!

Depending on the time of year, you should have extra time after dinner to make it out to Krakus Mound for sunset. For reference, the sun sets as early as 4:00 PM in December, but as late as 9:00 PM in June. If you’re visiting in the winter, simply head here before dinner instead.

If you have dinner in the Jewish Quarter, getting out to Krakus Mound is a smidge quicker than from the Old Town (about 10 minutes by car or a 30-minute walk).

Timeline:

9:00 AM: Grab breakfast at Piekarnia Mojego Taty
10:00 AM: Explore the Jewish Quarter / Kazimierz
12:30 PM: Eat zapiekanka in Plac Nowy
2:00 PM: Visit Schindler’s Factory
5:00 PM: Sip pijana wisnia in Krakow’s Old Town
6:00 PM: Grab dinner in the Old Town
7:00 PM: Watch sunset from Krakus Mound (this will change depending on what time of year you’re visiting – the sun sets as early as 4:00 PM in December and as late as 9:00 PM in June)

Day 3: Take a Day Trip From Krakow

Breakdown of Day 3

• Grab breakfast somewhere in the city
• Take a day trip to either the Wieliczka Salt Mines or Auschwitz
• Dinner back in Krakow

On your third day in Krakow, I would recommend heading outside the city to one of two day trips: Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Wieliczka Salt Mines. 

Where you decide to go will largely depend on your tolerance of macabre and somber sights. Kraków is the closest large city to Auschwitz in Poland, which makes it a popular day trip, but the Wieliczka Salt Mines are well worth a visit!

Auschwitz

• All-day tour (12:00 AM to 7:30 PM) (about 7-8 hours)
• Choose between guided or self-guided

To put it simply, a visit to Auschwitz is harrowing and a trip that shouldn’t be taken lightly. I felt conflicted even being at the site, where over a million people died. That being said, I do believe in the adage that if we forget history, we’re doomed to repeat it. 

This tour is the one my husband and I went on. We decided we didn’t want to take a guided tour and opted for a self-guided tour instead. You can also choose a guided option with this tour and, in hindsight, I think we would’ve learned more and navigated the expansive grounds better with a guide. We felt that we didn’t want to be tied down to a tour.

That being said, the self-guided tour was still very informational and you have plenty of time to see everything. You’ll have access to the buildings and grounds of both Auschwitz and Birkenau, including the train tracks, gas chambers, and administrative buildings. 

Book your tour here!

Wieliczka Salt Mines

• 3-4.5 hours
• Know that if you book later in the day on a weekday, you’ll likely spend extra time sitting in traffic on your way back into Krakow.

The Wieliczka Salt Mines combine WWII history with quirky salt carvings and prehistoric history. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site that’s fascinating to visit! You’ll take an elevator 443 feet below the surface of the earth, unveiling a subterranean world of salt.

Technically, the mine reaches a depth of 1,073 feet, although visitors can only explore the upper levels. WW2 buffs will be especially interested in this site, as aircraft components were created here, protected from bombings.

You’ll see Saint Kinga’s Chapel, essentially a cathedral carved from salt, including an altar and glittering chandeliers. Underground lakes, replicas of famous art like The Last Supper, and mining tools are other things. Overall it’s about 1.8 miles of walking. 

You’ll see several Wieliczka Salt Mine tour options with drastically different pricing, but this tour is just $34 per person and was wonderful! 

Book your Wieliczka Salt Mines tour here!

Both

• It’s also possible to do both of these tours in one day, although it’s a long day. 
• 11 hours

Alternatively, you can also fit a visit to both Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines into a combined, single-day tour. If you’re dying to fit both of these sites into your third day, this is a good option. Be warned that you’ll be probably tired after 11 hours of touring! 

Auschwitz is quite a bit of walking — we’re talking miles — and so is the Wieliczka Salt Mines, although a bit less. 

Tours begin at 7:00 AM, 8:00 AM, and 9:00 AM. You’ll simply need to decide how late you want to arrive back in Krakow. For example, the 9:00 AM tour won’t get back until 8:00 PM, while 7:00 AM arrives at 6:00 PM with plenty of time for dinner back in town.

Book your combined tour here!

When to Visit Krakow

There’s no bad time to visit Krakow. This is one of those cities that truly leans into every season. While summer crowds certainly pick up, Krakow isn’t like other European cities in terms of huge throngs of tourists. 

That being said, I’m always a proponent of visiting Europe in the off-season. My husband and I went to Krakow at the end of March. It was a little chilly, but overall, a great time to visit. We often felt like the only tourists in Krakow! 

Every season brings something special, from Christmas markets to the Wianki Midsummer Festival in summer, there’s always something special to do.

Getting Around Krakow

For the most part, Krakow is easy to get around on foot. Most popular sites are either in the Old Town or just outside this core neighborhood. 

While Krakow doesn’t have a subterranean subway system, its tram and bus systems are extensive. Tickets cost between 2.80 and 5 PLN, about $1. You can purchase these tickets at kiosks near pick-up zones.

Uber and Bolt also operate in the city. If you’re coming from the airport, a high-speed train connects the city center with tickets costing just 9 PLN or $2.50.

Where to Stay in Krakow

I stayed in the Nowy Swiat neighborhood in Krakow, tucked just southeast of Old Town. My husband and I really enjoyed this area. It felt more local and was also less expensive than staying within the Old Town’s fortified walls. You’re also just a few minutes walk to the Wawel Castle!

Check out my ultimate guide on where to stay in Krakow, including the best neighborhoods and hotels in the city.

Final Thoughts: Is Krakow Worth It?

Three days in Krakow is the perfect amount of time to really get under the city’s skin — and even scratch in a day trip. 

With so many wonderful cities to explore in Poland, I think many visitors wonder, “Is Krakow worth it?” My answer? An emphatic yes! In fact, it might have been my favorite city in Poland.

From noshing on delicious Polish eats like zapiekanka to snapping (way too many) photos of the intricate interior of Saint Mary’s Basilica, Krakow is well worth visiting. In fact, it would be a shame if it wasn’t at the top of your Europe bucket list.

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