Krakow, Poland is simultaneously historic and hip, regal and regretful. It’s a city of ancient architecture, grandiose churches, a hill-topping castle and memorials acknowledging its darkest days.
We spent an entire week marveling at the scene, delving deep into the past and savoring the regional cuisine.
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Even though Krakow is no stranger to tourists, in some ways, we felt like we were discovering a rare gem.
Eager to share this jewel of a destination, we condensed our favorite personal experiences into this ideal 3-Day Krakow Itinerary.
Why Spend 3 Days in Krakow, Poland
Krakow is a multifaceted city. With a history that spans centuries, it’s impossible to see everything. That said, with three days and a good pair of shoes, you can see a lot.
We squeeze the most iconic attractions, intriguing districts and even a half-day trip into our Krakow trip plan!
3-Day Krakow Itinerary
Our outline showcases what to do in Krakow in 3 days – with detailed activities and foodie recommendations.
Later in the article, we share logistical travel tips – like how to get there, what to pack and where to stay.
DAY 1: Krakow Old Town
On the first day of your Krakow 3-Day Itinerary, follow in the footsteps of kings as you tour the Old Town and walk the Royal Route to the magnificent Wawel Castle complex.
Morning: Rynek and Royal Route
Krakow’s historically preserved Old Town is quite the sight. Boasting architectural harmony, the medieval center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and it’s where you’ll begin your exploration.
At the very heart of the district is the vast Main Market Square, Rynek Glowny. Here, you will find top attractions like the long-standing Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica.
From the square, the famed Royal Route leads to the castle. Use our step-by-step Self-Guided Old Town Krakow Walking Tour to make the journey or join an organized tour, like this one.
Lunch: Pierogies
We have a great affection for Polish Food – so, naturally, we believe eating is one of the best things to do in Krakow!
Pierogies reign as king of the local cuisine and every restaurant that serves traditional fare will certainly have them on their menu.
For quick, inexpensive and delicious pierogies, we suggest eating at Przystanek Pierogarnia on Grodzka Street. If this is your first taste of Polish dumplings, try the 10-piece sampler platter!
Afternoon: Wawel Castle and Cathedral
Spend the rest of the afternoon touring the must-see attractions on Wawel Hill: The castle, cathedral and gardens.
The castle is cluster of museums and ticketing is a little bit confusing. We recommend booking in advance so that you’re certain you are buying the right ticket and not wasting time standing in line!
The State Art Collection is a treasure trove of Polish artworks, the Crown Treasury and Armory tell the story of the royal past, and the Castle Underground showcases fascinating archaeological discoveries.
The Wawel Cathedral also requires a ticket for entry. However, it allows access to the Royal Tombs, Sigismund Bell Tower and the Cathedral Museum.
While touring the castle grounds (which are free to enter), don’t miss the fire-breathing Wawel Dragon along the riverside!
Evening: University District and Planty Park
End Day 1 in the University District on the west side of the Old Town. Enjoy a pre-dinner drink at the oddly nautical-themed bar, Stary Port. It’s cozy and the décor is extremely entertaining!
For dinner, indulge in a feast of classic cuisine at Smakolyki. Everything here is amazing – from the Zurek soup to the golabki stuffed cabbage rolls to the potato pancakes.
After dinner, pop into some of the fun watering holes on Szewska – or walk off your dinner along the paths of Planty Park.
The green space, which stands in place of the now dismantled fortifications, encircles Krakow in a 2.5-mile loop.
DAY 2: Krakow Jewish Quarter, Culture and Nightlife
On Day 2 of your Krakow, Poland Itinerary, delve into the city’s Jewish history – then spend time at a cultural institution before joining locals for a beverage.
Morning: Kazimierz and Podgorze
The story of Krakow’s Jews is best learned by putting your feet on the ground in the Kazimierz and Podgorze Districts.
Kazimierz is the city’s historic Jewish neighborhood that was established in the 14th century. Marked by synagogues and shops, it’s where Jews lived for centuries.
Podgorze – on the south side of the Vistula River – was just another suburb of Krakow until 1941, when the Nazis turned it into the Jewish Ghetto.
To best make of sense of everything that took place here, we recommend joining a tour or using our Free Self-Guided Jewish Walk.
Lunch: Milk Bar Experience
Poland’s Milk Bars serve up cheap, Polish comfort food with a side of nostalgia – and we absolutely love them.
The cafeteria-style eateries were popular in post WWII communist Poland, when meat was rationed and restaurants were considered ‘capitalistic.’
The surviving ones provide a glimpse into the past through food. Not only do they provide inexpensive meals, but also a unique experience.
Milk Bar South (Bar Mleczny Poludniowy) on Podgorski Square serves all the Polish classics, like pierogis, schabowy (fried pork chop) and sauerkraut. Plus, they have patient, English-speaking staff.
Get there early for lunch as the line will be long, seats will be limited and once the pierogis are gone, they don’t make more until the next day!
Afternoon: Krakow Museum
The museums in Krakow are phenomenal! Not just limited to a singular timeline or displays of masterpiece paintings, these cultural institutions tackle an array of subjects.
If you want to stay on theme and dig deeper into the history of Krakow’s Jewish population, visit the renowned Schindler’s Factory Museum (buy skip-the-line tickets in advance or book a tour).
For intriguing contemporary art, head for the Banksy Museum. It boasts a replica collection of the secretive street artist most thought-provoking murals.
The Krakow Pinball Museum is an off-beat and fun way to round out your day. With more than 50 machines (some that date to the 1970s) and a solid collection of arcade games, it’s a real gem!
Evening: Kazimierz Nightlife
Not only is Kazimierz stocked with history, but it is also home to a dizzying number of fabulous Krakow bars.
We loved bar-hopping in Kazimierz as we bounced from craft beer taprooms to vodka shot bars to old-fashioned taverns.
Favorite neighborhood spots for sampling Polish craft brew are Nowy Kraftowy and Omerta Pub.
A fun place to get a proper introduction to local vodka is Wodka Café Bar. Here, they serve the potent liquor in tasting flights.
Pijalnia Wodki I Piwa – a stark, light-filled venue that is open 22 hours a day and serves cheap beer, vodka and snacks – is like a milk bar…but for imbibing.
Alchemia is another prime throwback spot, but this one is dimly-lit, shabby chic and has a regular line up of musical acts.
Casual Dinner in Kazimierz
When hunger strikes, line up with locals at the Okraglak rotunda in Plac Nowy Square for an utterly satisfying zapiekanki pizza baguette.
Alternatively (or additionally, depending on your hunger level), stop by the legendary Kielbaski I Niebieskiej Nyski food truck.
For over 30 years the two-man team has been grilling sausages over a wood fire from the side of their blue soviet-era van. There will almost certainly be a line, but it’s worth it – just be sure to bring cash!
DAY 3: Krakow Day Trip and Unique District
Complete your 3 Days in Krakow Itinerary by setting off on a half-day trip to a famous salt mine, then dip your toes into a lesser-visited Krakow neighborhood.
Morning: Wieliczka Salt Mine
The 13th century Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most popular Krakow day trips – and for good reason!
Used to mine table salt until 2007, the subterranean space is like an underground city, complete with a health spa and restaurant!
The fascinating Tourist Route takes you down 800 steps and traverses multiple corridors that tell the history of the space.
What truly makes it spectacular, however, is the rock salt St. Kinga’s Chapel featuring impressive carved artworks.
We planned our trip on our own using public transport (which was easy and affordable), but there are several organized tours, as well.
Alternatively, half day tours depart Krakow to Auschwitz. We have yet to visit the concentration camp, but this tour gets high ratings. You could also combine both on this excursion.
Lunch: Dine in the Mine
Karczma Górnicza restaurant, a buffet-style cafeteria, is situated deep underground. The food is superb – and surprisingly well-priced.
They serve all of the Polish must-eats, but the fall-apart pork knuckle is the star. There is no doubt that dining here provides a unique culinary experience!
Afternoon: Nowa Huta District
In the afternoon, make your way back to Krakow…and then hop on a tram to Krakow’s eastern neighborhood of Nowa Huta. Full of socialist architecture, it feels a world away from the Old Town.
Built in 1949 by the Soviet-backed government, the district was designed as a utopia for the working class.
Nowa Huta was built quickly – and poorly – and much of the grandeur of the neighborhood was never realized.
Still somewhat of a city within itself, it boasts wide streets, massive apartment blocks and old factories (which, for years, churned out steel, cement and tobacco).
We found the entire area to be quite bewildering – and feel it’s best explored with a full dose of curiosity. For a more formal introduction, consider joining a guided Nowa Huta Walking Tour.
Top Tip: If you want to stay in Nowa Huta for dinner, eat at Stylowa. Once the classiest joint in town, it has changed very little over the years, offering a sensational glimpse into the past!
Evening: Final Farewell
Spend your last hours soaking in the vintage vibes of the Old Town and getting lost in the cobblestone lanes.
If you want to end your Krakow vacation on a high note, eat a sumptuous meal at Michelin-recommended Restauracja Kogel Mogel. They elevate Polish cuisine to an artform!
Otherwise, hang with the locals and graze on pub grub at a craft beer bar. We liked Multi Qlti Tap (artisan hot dogs), Viva la Pinta (burgers and quesadillas) and House of Beer (wings and sliders).
Krakow Travel Tips
Our rundown highlighted the best of the city, now we are sharing some logistical advice for planning a trip to Krakow!
Best Time To Travel to Krakow
There are good (and bad) reasons to visit Krakow in every season – but we don’t think there is a terrible time to plan a trip!
Although some people thought we were crazy for going to Krakow in December, we were excited to see their Christmas market – and it certainly got us in the spirit!
It turned out to be one of our favorite Holiday Markets in Europe (and the nearby Wroclaw Xmas Fair is excellent, too!).
How To Get to Krakow
The Krakow International Airport (KRK) is located to the west of the city and is primarily served by low-cost carriers from other European cities.
We use Skyscanner to find the best routes at the lowest price. We share more money-saving tips in our article, Finding Cheap Flights.
Once on the ground, it’s easy to get into town with an Uber or by direct train to the Krakow Glowny main station.
Where To Stay
During our weeklong visit, we booked an amazing Airbnb Apartment. It even had a partial view of the Wawel Castle!
That said, if we were just spending three days in Krakow, we likely would have opted for the Hotel Indigo Krakow Old Town.
Before making your reservation, read our budget tips for Booking the Best Hotels for Cheap.
What To Pack
Ready to grab your suitcase or backpack? Great! Here’s a short list of things you will want.
Walking Shoes: Don’t forget a pair of lightweight and comfortable travel shoes.
Camera: For quality photos, we use a Canon Rebel DSLR; it’s a top choice for budget-minded travelers.
Day Bag: Bring a zippered travel day pack that is big enough to stow everything you will need for long days of sightseeing; we like these small backpacks.
Trip Insurance: Consider coverage from a trusted company, like World Nomads.
Travel Planner: Organize your vacation to Poland with our Trip Planning Printables!
Start planning your trip to Poland! Search for the lowest airfares, the best accommodations and fun things to do…then start packing! Want additional advice? Head over to our Travel Planning Page and for country-specific information, take a look at our Travel Guides Page!
More Top Poland Destinations
- A Fabulous Warsaw Itinerary (and Unique Things To Do)
- What To Do in Gdansk
- The Best of Wroclaw
- What To See in Poznan
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