One Day in Krakow: The Perfect 24 Hour Itinerary

One day in Krakow is just enough time to squeeze in the city’s best sights. While you could easily spend weeks exploring its nooks and crannies, I know that most of us have precious few days to spend on our vacation — and you want to know exactly how to spend them.

With 24 hours in Krakow, you’ll be able to soak up the most important sites and still have plenty of time to eat your weight in pierogi and paczki, too! From being mesmerized by the kaleidoscope of colors inside Saint Mary’s Basilica to uncovering the city’s harrowing WW2 history, this itinerary is packed with must-sees.

On my first visit to Krakow, I was blown away by how much I loved the city. As a history buff, Krakow is a sparkling treasure trove of the past, and it seemed like there was something fascinating around every corner. Dragon bones at the Wawel Cathedral, anyone? 

This guide is a detailed itinerary to help you make the most of one day in Krakow!

Is one day in Krakow enough?

One day in Krakow is enough to get a taste of the city — although it will undoubtedly leave you wanting more!

With 24 hours, you’ll have just enough time to hit the must-see landmarks like Saint Mary’s Basilica and the Rynek Glowny. From there, it’s a choose-your-own-adventure to Wawel Hill or Schindler’s Factory, followed by a traipse around the Kazimierz neighborhood.

Three days in Krakow is even better, giving you the time to explore the city slowly and take a day trip to either the Wieliczka Salt Mines or Auschwitz. 

Shortcut guide to one day in Krakow

Morning: Breakfast at a traditional milk bar and exploring the Rynek Glowny.

Afternoon: Pierogi’s for lunch and choose between Wawel Hill or Schindler’s Factory before exploring the Kazimierz neighborhood.

Evening: Dinner at Morskie Oko, a night cap at Pijana Wisnia, and sunset at Krakus Mound.

Getting around Krakow

With a concentrated core, getting around Krakow is easy. Most of the sites are concentrated around the Old Town or right on the outskirts, so it’s possible to get around on foot. 

Luckily, visitors who are limited in how far they can walk can look forward to exploring the nooks and crannies by bus, tram, or Uber.

For visitors short on time, I highly recommend that you think about getting the Krakow City Card. I don’t usually advocate for city cards because most of the time they aren’t worth it (I said it!), but this one is. You’ll get unlimited access to the city’s network of trams and buses for 24 hours (or 48/72 hours if you’re staying longer). 

It also includes entrance to virtually all of the most popular landmarks around Krakow.

One Day in Krakow: The Ultimate Itinerary

Timeline:
9:00 AM: Breakfast at a milk bar.
10:00 AM: Explore the Rynek Glowny and Saint Mary’s Basilica
BONUS: Visit the Czartoryski Museum
12:30 PM: Lunch at Pierogarnia Krakowiacy
1:30 PM: Wawel Hill -or- Schindler’s Factory
3:30 PM: Explore Kazimierz
6:00 PM: Dinner at Morskie Oko
BONUS: Sunset at Krakus Mound

Morning

Grab breakfast at a Bar Mleczny 

Poland’s foodie experiences are so underrated! Adding a bite at a bar mleczny, or milk bar, should be at the very top of your list — and that’s how you’ll kick off your first day in Krakow.

There are dozens of bar mleczny scattered around the city, some more traditional than others. We headed for Milkbar Tomasza, a trendy (albeit touristy) milk bar in the center of Krakow’s Old Town. 

Okay, this milk bar is definitely focused on bridging the gap between visitors and locals, but their menu still has plenty of Polish items on it. Choose from steaming plates of pierogi, borscht, or nalesniki (sweet Polish pancakes). 

They also dish up paninis, omelettes, and even an Irish breakfast. Whatever you decide on, don’t forget to order a glass of kompot, a fruity drink made from simmering fresh and dried fruit that’s simply so delicious and refreshing. It comes hot or cold, depending on your preference.

Explore the medieval Rynek Glowny

Europe’s largest medieval square, Krakow’s Rynek Glowny, is the beating heart of the city. Lined with historic landmarks like Saint Mary’s Basilica, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is no doubt a tourist mecca, but for good reason. 

Spend at least an hour here, admiring the Gothic architecture and exploring its nooks and crannies like the Sukkiennice or Cloth Hall. 

This is also where you’ll find the Rynek Underground Museum, which highlights exhibits on artifacts and remnants of ancient structures that were found during an excavation of the square in 2005.

While most European squares have fallen to the tourists — and honestly, Krakow’s is no different — I actually do recommend that you grab a drink here and take in the atmosphere. 

Tip: The Rynek Underground Museum is free on Tuesdays!

See a kaleidoscope of colors at Saint Mary’s Basilica

One of my favorite cathedrals in Europe, Krakow’s Saint Mary’s Basilica, is so beautiful that I took over 100 pictures of both the facade and the interior. 

Every time my husband and I were in the center of town, we couldn’t help but feel pulled in the direction of the cathedral and its twin spires. We stopped in a few times, once on an official visit with tickets and once during Mass.

There are several great ways to experience Saint Mary’s Basilica, also known as Bazylika Mariacka in Polish. While my husband and I happened to wander in during a free Mass, you’ll need to avoid taking pictures or being disruptive to worshippers. 

We came back the next day and purchased tickets at the office across the street to really soak up the interiors and take pictures to our heart’s delight. One of the most exciting ways is to book a tour of the tower, although you’ll need to visit sometime between April and November.

Don’t miss the Hejnal Mariacki, a trumpet song played from the cathedral’s tallest tower. You’ll notice that the melody suddenly trails off, an homage to a trumpeter whose song was cut short when an arrow from invaders killed him. 

Tip: Entrance fees for Saint Mary’s Basilica are included with the Krakow City Card.

Bonus: Spot famous masterpieces at the Czartoryski Museum

Tucked at the northern edge of Krakow’s Old Town, the Czartoryski Museum is a gorgeous place to spend an hour or two.

The most famous piece of art that most visitors will recognize is Lady with an Ermine. Looking at this painting and imagining Leonardo Da Vinci painstakingly creating this was magical.

You’ll also find pieces by Rembrandt, Raphael, and Delaroche. 

Afternoon

Lunch at Pierogarnia Krakowiacy 

I know you didn’t come all the way to Poland to skip out on steaming towers of pierogi! 

Yes, you can find these potato dumplings, aka pillows of heaven, at nearly every restaurant in the city. But one of my favorite spots was Pierogarnia Krakowiacy. 

There are several locations throughout the city center, which makes it easy to find. I will say it is a bit touristy, but we found the kitschiness endearing. One thing on the menu that you won’t find at other spots is the duck pierogi with applesauce. I still dream of them. 

Aside from almost a dozen different kinds of pierogi on the menu, they also have other traditional dishes like bigos, a Polish hunter stew, and the national dish, and cabbage rolls. 

This is also a self-serve style restaurant where you order at the counter before picking a table. If you’re a little nervous about the language barrier, this helps take the pressure off! I do, however, recommend you learn a few phrases in Polish.

Choose Your Own Adventure! 

Because you have such a short amount of time in Krakow, choose your own adventures this afternoon. Love fairytales? Head for Wawel Hill. More of a history buff? Schindler’s Factory is the place for you. 

Option 1: Wawel Hill

Perched atop a hill just south of the Old Town along the Vistula River, Wawel Hill is home to both the Wawel Castle and Cathedral. Built sometime around 970 CE, it’s rumored that the infamous King Krakus ordered the construction of the castle. 

If you’re interested in Polish history and castle architecture, you might want to consider a guided tour. 

My husband and I simply strolled the grounds for free. Considering that you can still see the real-deal fire-breathing dragon, Smok, legendary dragon bones, and panoramic views of the Vistula River, without buying a ticket, I would personally skip the tour.

Keep in mind that this is one of the only attractions in Krakow that isn’t included in the Krakow City Card. 

Option 2: Schindler’s Factory 

Touring Schindler’s Enamel Factory is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Krakow. Oskar Schindler is credited with saving the lives of 1,200 Jews during WW2, despite being a Nazi himself, by employing them at this factory.

It takes about 1.5 to 2 hours to make your way through the museum. There are 45 different exhibits to explore that showcase the Nazi occupation of Krakow, including photographs, ephemera, and film. 

Option 3: Both

Okay, you travel-obsessed scallywags, you can technically fit both Wawel Hill and Schindler’s Factory into one afternoon — but you’ll be pressed for time. Still, I understand the temptation to fill every moment in a new destination to the brim. 

If you want to squeeze in both, head for Wawel Hill first. You can easily see the castle and cathedral from the exterior for free. For those who do want to go inside, book the Castle 1st Floor ticket option, which takes about 70 minutes and highlights the royal apartments.

Afterwards, head straight for Schindler’s Factory, just a 10-minute drive away. 

Tip: In total, combining both of these activities will take you about 3 to 4 hours, and you probably won’t be able to fit in the Kazimierz neighborhood, which would truly be a shame!

Explore the Kazimierz neighborhood

You’ll have plenty of time before dinner to discover the best of the Jewish Quarter, from the Old Synagogue to its charming cafes. 

Krakow’s Jewish Quarter is teeming with history. Despite a grim past, the Jewish community has reclaimed the neighborhood as its own. I highly recommend taking a walking tour to better understand Kazimierz! Otherwise, you’re kind of traipsing around without a clue as to what’s important.

If you’d rather DIY the experience, the Krakow Card will come in handy. You’ll get access to the Old Synagogue and the Galicia Jewish Museum. There aren’t a ton of sites that require entrance fees in Kazimierz, which is another reason why hopping on a guided tour is a good idea. Otherwise you could walk right past something important!

Kazimierz is also teeming with trendy restaurants, including traditional Jewish cuisine. The center of the neighborhood, Plac Nowy, is a hub for Polish street food, like zapiekanka, if you can’t wait for dinner.

Evening

Dinner at Morskie Oko

You’ve dipped your toes in the water of Polish cuisine, now it’s time to dive in headfirst! Follow your nose to Morskie Oko in Krakow’s Old Town. Themed around Poland’s mountainous region of Zakopane, this alpine-themed restaurant specializes in game meat.

If you can’t quite make it to those snow-capped peaks, dinner at Morskie Oko will do. Start with the grilled mountain sheep cheese or pierogi, and order dishes like veal and wild boar as an entree. They also offer traditional Polish tipples, too!

Dessert or a Night Cap (or both!)

Round out your night in Krakow with a slice of szarlotka, the Polish answer to apple pie, at Nowa Prowincja. It’s a romantic atmosphere and open until midnight.

If you’re looking for a nightcap, Pijana Wisnia is the place. Tucked with views of Saint Mary’s Basilica, this cherry liqueur is actually from Ukraine, but it’s the perfect warm (or cold) drink to wander around Krakow with. 

Bonus! Sunset at Krakus Mound

A prehistoric, manmade hill, it’s thought that Krakus Mound could be the burial site of King Krakus. You’ll get panoramic views from the top, making this one of the best sunset spots in the city. 

The earliest the sun sets in Krakow is 4:00 PM in December, and the latest is 9:00 PM in June. You can reach Krakus Mound from the city center in just 10 minutes by car from Krakow’s Old Town.

Getting to Krakow

As the second-largest city in Poland, Krakow is well-connected and easy to get to. While direct flights from the U.S. are scarce, you’ll find plenty of direct flights from European hubs. 

Most international flights to Poland land in the capital, Warsaw. From here, trains leave almost hourly to Krakow, and tickets cost between $24 and $54, depending on whether you’re going the high-speed route or not. You’ll book your tickets with Polrail, the official rail website in Poland. 

I always want to shout it from the rooftops and sing it from the heavens — train travel in Poland is magical! Krakow is also very well connected by train to other Polish cities with nonstop routes from Wrocław, Gdansk, Katowice, Poznan, Lodz, Czestochowa, and Rzeszów. There are also routes to other European capitals, including Prague, Vienna, Budapest, Berlin, and Bratislava.

Flixbus also operates in Poland, with bus tickets about half the cost of train tickets. Train tickets are always worth spending a bit more on in my experience!

Where to Stay in Krakow

If you’re trying to decide where to stay in Krakow, my first pick would be TRIBE in the Kleparz neighborhood. You’ll be sandwiched between the train station and Old Town while also getting the chance to experience a more local side to the city.

On my first trip to Krakow, my husband and I stayed in the Nowy Swiat neighborhood, which is another wonderful option. We loved that it was a quick walk to both the Wawel Castle and Old Town yet it was still inexpensive.

Final Thoughts on One Day in Krakow

While I recommend spending more than one day in Krakow, getting the chance to go at all is better than nothing! 

You’ll have just enough time for a taste of the city in 24 hours. See popular landmarks like Saint Mary’s Basilica and the Rynek Glowny, before heading to Wawel Hill or Kazimierz in the afternoon, and rounding out the day with traditional Polish cuisine.

I hope you have an amazing trip to Krakow and, if you’re on the fence, I highly recommend you add this fairytale city to your Poland itinerary.

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