Kraków travel guide: the market square, Wawel and Kazimierz
Kraków is Poland's old royal capital, with a huge market square, a castle on a hill and a Jewish quarter full of cafes. Three days cover the Old Town, Wawel Hill and Kazimierz, with room for one hard day trip. The one thing to know is that Auschwitz and the salt mine need timed tickets.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay in the Old Town or Kazimierz, see Wawel early, and spend an evening in the cafes of Kazimierz.
- Where to stay
- The Old Town for sights, Kazimierz for atmosphere, Podgórze for a quieter base.
- How many days
- Three days for the city. Add a day for Auschwitz or the salt mine.
- Best time to go
- May to June and September. December for the Christmas market.
- Book ahead
- Auschwitz-Birkenau, Wieliczka Salt Mine and Wawel tickets.
- From the airport
- John Paul II Balice airport is about 11 km west. The shuttle train takes around 20 minutes.
Where to stay in Kraków, in brief
Stare Miasto (Old Town)
sights and first-timers
The walled center around the Main Market Square. Everything is close and the streets are pedestrian. It is busy, and late-night noise around the square is common.
Kazimierz
cafes, bars and atmosphere
The old Jewish quarter, a ten-minute walk south of the square. Full of cafes, small restaurants and bars. Lively at night, so ask for a quiet room.
Podgórze
a quieter, local base
The district across the Vistula, with the old ghetto sites and Schindler's Factory. Cheaper and calmer. A short tram or walk to the center.
Near Wawel Hill
castle views and quiet
The streets south of the Old Town below the castle. Quiet and handsome. Fewer restaurants nearby than the other areas.
Things to do in Kraków
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall
One of Europe's largest medieval squares, with the Cloth Hall in the middle and St Mary's Basilica at the corner. Hear the trumpet call from the tower on the hour.
St Mary's Basilica
A Gothic church with a carved wooden altarpiece. Tickets are bought at the side entrance.
Wawel Castle and Cathedral
The former royal seat on a hill above the river, with the cathedral, state rooms and a courtyard. Tickets are timed.
a few days ahead in summer
Kazimierz
The old Jewish quarter, with synagogues, small museums and the Plac Nowy market. Walk it slowly.
Schindler's Factory
A museum in the former enamel factory, covering the city under German occupation. Plan around two hours.
a week or more ahead
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial
The memorial and museum at the former camp, about 70 km west of the city. A sombre but important visit that takes most of a day.
weeks ahead in summer
Wieliczka Salt Mine
A working salt mine turned museum, with carved chapels deep underground. About 30 minutes from the center.
a week or more ahead
Planty park
A ring of green that follows the line of the old city walls. A good walk between sights.
Czartoryski Museum
An art museum that holds Leonardo's Lady with an Ermine. Check the current opening on the museum's site.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Kraków can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Kraków, and which to pick- Auschwitz-Birkenau entryweeks ahead in summer
Entry is by timed ticket, and the memorial limits numbers.
- Wieliczka Salt Mine ticketsa week or more ahead
Tours run on set times and fill up in peak season.
- Wawel Castle ticketsa few days ahead in summer
Entry to each part is timed, and some sections have limited places.
What to skip in Kraków
- Eating on the Main Market Square
Prices are high and the food is average. Walk to Kazimierz or a side street.
- Horse carriages around the square
They are an expensive way to see very little. The Old Town is best on foot.
Best time to visit Kraków
May to June and September are best, with warm days and open terraces. December has a Christmas market on the Main Market Square.
July and August are warm and busy, especially at Auschwitz and the salt mine. January and February are cold, and the cafes are warm.
- From Kraków airportA shuttle train runs from Balice airport to Kraków Główny station in around 20 minutes.
- Trams and busesA cheap network that covers the whole city. Trams are the quickest way to Podgórze.
- On footThe Old Town, Wawel and Kazimierz are all within about 25 minutes of each other on foot.
Kraków in three days
- Day 1
The Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall, St Mary's Basilica and Wawel Hill.
- Day 2
Kazimierz in the morning, Schindler's Factory, then a long dinner back in Kazimierz.
- Day 3
Wieliczka Salt Mine in the morning, then a slow afternoon in the Planty.
Day trips from Kraków
- Auschwitz-BirkenauThe memorial and museum, about 1 hour 30 minutes by bus or train. Book a timed ticket.
- Wieliczka Salt MineA salt mine with underground chapels, about 30 minutes by train or bus.
- ZakopaneA mountain town in the Tatras, about two hours by bus. Better for hiking in summer or skiing in winter.
Kraków: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Kraków?
Three days cover the city. Add a fourth for Auschwitz or the salt mine.
Where should I stay in Kraków?
The Old Town for sights, Kazimierz for atmosphere, and Podgórze for a quieter base.
Is Kraków expensive?
It is cheaper than most Western European cities. Food, transport and museums cost modestly.
What is the best time to visit Kraków?
May to June and September. December for the Christmas market.
Is Kraków easy to get around?
Yes. The center is flat and walkable, and trams cover the rest.
Can you use euros in Kraków?
Poland uses the złoty. Pay by card where you can, and use a bank cash machine for cash.