The Only 4 Day Kraków Itinerary You’ll Ever Need

Would you believe me if I told you that between me, my parents, and my sisters we’ve been to Kraków over 20 times?

Well, it’s true. At this point I feel like we should have our own tour company. Over the years we’ve built a 4 day Kraków itinerary we always fall back on when showing new visitors around, and it never disappoints. 

Four days really is the sweet spot, and to prove it still works, Callum came back from Kraków just last week and followed this same itinerary from start to finish. 

So now feels like the perfect time to finally share our 4 day itinerary for Kraków that will guarantee you see almost everything.

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Our Go-To 4 Day Itinerary for Krakow 

So here is the itinerary we always use. We don’t give exact times in this itinerary because everyone travels differently — some of you may like to lie in, some may spend hours taking photos, and others breeze through sights quickly.

We also don’t recommend lunch spots because of my gastric bypass and Callum is ridiculously fussy, so we usually start with hotel breakfast, grab pastries during the day, and then sit down for dinner. This tends to be somewhere traditional if it’s my choice, or a burger bar/Irish pub if Callum gets his way.

Yes, it’s ridiculously touristy to beeline for anything with a Guinness sign outside… but he’ll defend it every time, so we’ll include both types of dinner options for you.

Day 1: Old Town Orientation

Start with a Free Walking Tour

If we’re in Kraków with someone new, we always suggest starting with a free walking tour. It saves us from retelling the city’s entire history ourselves, and it gives them a proper introduction from someone who knows it best. 

This is also my favourite way to explore any new city, because it lets me see the main highlights first and then decide what I want to come back and spend more time on. 

I’m a Sandeman’s New Europe girl through and through, and I’ll always recommend their tours no matter which European city you visit. In Kraków, their partner company is Kraków Explorers, and they run the Old Town and Wawel Castle tour, which is a brilliant way to start your first day.

Just remember to book ahead to let them know you are coming, and that these tours are tip-based, so bring some cash or a card to pay your guide at the end.

Rynek Główny (Main Square)

After the tour, or if you’re just doing your own thing, head straight to Rynek Główny. It’s Kraków’s Main Square and honestly one of the best people-watching spots in Europe. 

You’ll spot horses and carriages trotting around, buskers playing and dancing, and someone will likely try to hand you a flyer for a vodka tasting. But it’s all part of the charm.

St. Mary’s Basilica is worth a look inside, and if you’re around on the hour, listen out for the trumpet from the tower.

The Cloth Hall in the middle is fun for a quick wander, and if you’re feeling up to it, the Town Hall Tower gives you a great view over the Old Town rooftops. 

Rynek Underground Museum

We completely missed this on our first few trips, and I still don’t know how because it’s literally under the Main Square.

The Rynek Underground Museum is one of Krakow’s hidden-gem type places that’s really well done. 

You head down beneath the Cloth Hall and suddenly you’re walking through medieval Kraków — cobbled streets, old market stalls, even some old bones if you’re into that sort of thing. It’s interactive too, so it’s not just glass cases and tiny text. 

Tickets are around 40 PLN (about £8 or $11), and it’s a great shout if you’ve got a spare hour or two, especially if the weather’s not playing nice.

Princes Czartoryski Museum

This one’s a short walk from the Main Square, and it’s where you’ll find Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine. 

Even if you’re not usually into art galleries, it’s worth popping in just to say you’ve seen it. The museum itself isn’t huge or overwhelming. 

You can wander around without getting museum fatigue, and there’s a good mix of paintings, historical bits, and fancy old furniture. 

We like coming here later in the day when things are a bit quieter, especially after walking around the Old Town all morning.

Dinner: Traditional or Tourist

For dinner, we nearly always go traditional on the first night. Domowe Przysmaki is one of our favourites. It’s not fancy, just proper Polish food done well. 

The potato pancakes are amazing, and you can eat well without spending a fortune. Always a win!

Callum, on the other hand, decided to kick off his first night in Kraków at Bulldog Bar.
Yes, on the Main Square. 

Have I taught him nothing? 

A burger, chips, and a drink came to about £25 (120 PLN or $34), which isn’t outrageous for the location, but still — you’ve got options.

Day 2: Medieval Walls, Jewish Quarter & Schindler’s Factory

St. Florian’s Gate & The Barbican

Start the day with a look at Kraków’s old defence walls. 

The Barbican looks like a mini castle from the outside and was once part of the city’s medieval fortifications.

Just next to it is St. Florian’s Gate, which leads straight into the Old Town and makes for a great photo stop. 

It’s only a short visit but an easy and interesting way to start the day before heading down to Kazimierz.

Kazimierz: The Jewish Quarter

Next, head to Kazimierz, Kraków’s old Jewish Quarter. You can absolutely wander it on your own, but if you’re up for it, we’d really recommend this free walking tour from Sandeman’s local partners. 

It covers both Kazimierz and the former Jewish Ghetto over in Podgórze, and gives you loads of insight into the people, places, and stories you’d probably miss otherwise.

If you’d rather explore at your own pace, there’s still plenty to see. 

You can pop into the Old Synagogue, one of the oldest in Poland, and then head across the river into Podgórze, where the Jewish Ghetto was during WWII. Walking through this area really hits differently once you know its history

Make sure to stop at the Holocaust Memorial and Heroes of the Ghetto Square, and take a stroll across the Bridge of Locks, which links the two districts. 

You can also go down into a crypt under Bazylika św. Michała Archanioła i św. Stanisława Biskupa which is beautiful. 

Schindler’s Factory

I watched Schindler’s List at school when I was about 13 or 14, and I’d say it’s what first sparked my interest in this time period. It’s the reason I asked my dad to take me to Kraków and Auschwitz for my 18th birthday. Auschwitz was the first thing we booked — this was the second.

The museum itself is brilliant. It’s not just about Oskar Schindler, but more about what life was like in Kraków under Nazi occupation.

It’s intense and emotional, but so well put together, and really helps you understand what people here went through.

You can book a guided tour here, or individual tickets are 40 PLN (about £8 or $11). 

It’s one of the busiest museums in the city and right now it’s booking up three months in advance. 

My dad walked past it as it opened one morning last week and the queue was already huge. You can try your luck on the day, but it’s definitely safer to book ahead.

Dinner: Traditional or Tourist

By the time evening rolls around, we’re usually ready for something good to eat and a bit of a sit down. Restauracja Starka in Kazimierz is one of our favourites. 

It has a really relaxed feel and the pierogi are so good. It does get busy though, so if you’ve got your heart set on it, book a table ahead of time.

Callum, on the other hand, found himself at 442 Sport Pub. The football was on, so naturally he gravitated there and ordered a disgustingly cheese-covered burger, chips, and a drink. 

It set him back around £25, which seems to be his going rate for a burger in Kraków at this point. He is a creature of habit.

Day 3: Auschwitz-Birkenau & Time to Reflect

Auschwitz-Birkenau Day Trip

Visiting Auschwitz is something I believe everyone should do at least once in their lifetime. It isn’t easy to digest, and it isn’t meant to be, but it is important.
I have a full guide on how to get from Kraków to Auschwitz, but I’ll share the basics here too.

The best way to visit is to book your tickets directly in advance through the official Auschwitz website. Tour companies often promise to handle everything for you, but they can’t guarantee entrance tickets.

That’s how people end up with 3am pickups, hours of waiting around, and no entry at the end of it.
The whole process can be stressful when it doesn’t need to be.
Book directly, make your own way there, and you’ll avoid all that.

Getting there is straightforward. Coaches leave from stands D9 or D10 of Kraków MDA Station and take about 90 minutes.
Tickets cost around 22 PLN, and you can pay by card or cash on board. The bus drops you right at the museum entrance.

I’d always push for a morning slot if you can get one. It gives you plenty of time to see both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau without feeling rushed, and buses run from as early as 6am. Get the bus  from Kraków MDA Station around 2-2.5 hours before your tour start time to account for delays, and to get through security at the museums. 

Once inside, you’ll spend around four to five hours across both Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The exhibitions are harrowing, eye-opening, and very sombre. This isn’t a place where you rush from one room to the next; it’s a place to walk slowly, to listen, and to reflect. 

Guided tours are led by Auschwitz’s own educators, so even when booking directly, you’ll still get an in-depth understanding of what you’re seeing.

A few tips for visiting: wear comfortable shoes, as there’s a lot of walking, and bring water and snacks since facilities are limited once inside. Dress respectfully, and be mindful that photography is not allowed everywhere.

It’s not an easy day, but it’s one that stays with you long after you leave.

Extra Time: Morning or Evening

Depending on what time you’re booked into Auschwitz, you might have a few hours free in the morning or evening. 

Since it’s such a heavy day, it’s worth keeping whatever you do simple and calming — more of a decompression activity than another big sightseeing push.

If your slot is later in the day, spend the morning strolling around Planty Park, popping into a smaller museum you may have missed, or just enjoying a slow coffee and pastry at one of Kraków’s bakeries. 

If you’re back in the city by the afternoon or evening, a Vistula River cruise or a gentle wander around the Old Town is a nice way to clear your head and reflect on the day. 

Dinner: Traditional or Tourist

I’ll be honest — after visiting Auschwitz, I didn’t feel like eating much at all. The experience really stayed with me, and sitting down for a big dinner just wasn’t appealing. 

But if you do want something warm and traditional to end the day, Pierogi Mr Vincent is a good option.

As the name suggests, it’s all about pierogi here, and they’re done really well.

Callum, meanwhile, decided to head back for round two of that disgustingly cheesy burger from the night before. Not exactly what I’d have chosen, but it clearly hit the spot for him.

Day 4: Last Stops & Wawel Castle

If your flight/train out of Kraków is in the afternoon, skip this first activity and prioritise Wawel Castle- trust us! 

Museums or Something Different

Kraków has a handful of smaller museums that are easy to fit into a morning, like the Banksy Museum, the Lego Museum, or the National Museum if you’re after a final dose of culture.

Callum, of course, went for something completely different. He spent his morning at CSK Shooting, which was super fun and definitely not something we’d usually get to do back home in the UK. 

He had a great time, the instructors were really knowledgeable, and honestly — I think he looked pretty cool doing it (but I’m biased). It’s right in the city centre and cost him about 190 PLN (£40, $53) .

Wawel Castle 

Save your afternoon for Wawel Castle, which sits just south of the Old Town. 

You could spend a couple of hours here if you’re planning to go inside the Cathedral or State Rooms, but even if you don’t, the grounds alone are worth a visit. 

The castle is a mix of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture, and the whole hill has this calm, open feel that makes it perfect for a slow wander.

You’ll get views over the river, grand courtyards, royal tombs, and probably a school group or two trailing behind their guide. 

There’s even a fire-breathing dragon statue at the bottom of the hill. It’s based on a local legend and breathes actual fire every few minutes, which sounds like it should be cheesy but somehow just works. It’s a bit of a rite of passage — everyone gets a photo with it at some point.

You can visit the castle unguided, but the ticket prices vary depending on what you want to see. It’s worth checking out your options on the official site before you go. Or if you’d prefer to be shown around, this Wawel Castle and Cathedral guided tour is a good one to book in advance.

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How to Get Around Kraków

Kraków is a very walkable city — most of the main sights are within easy reach on foot. 

If you’re heading a little further, there are plenty of buses and trams. 

Just remember to buy your ticket from the machine at the stop and validate it once you get on, otherwise you risk a fine. 

For day trips, the city has a really good bus and train network that’ll get you pretty much anywhere you want to go.

Is it Better to Stay in Kraków Old Town or City Centre?

The short answer is that they’re basically the same thing. Kraków’s Old Town is the city centre, with the main square (Rynek Główny) right at the heart of it. Staying here puts you within walking distance of most sights, restaurants, and public transport, so it’s the best base for a four-day trip.

Hotel Grodek⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Hotel Grodek is fancy, comfortable, and right in the heart of everything. If you want to treat yourself, this is the one to book! 

G12 ApartHotel ⭐⭐⭐

G12 ApartHotel is super convenient and right on the Old Town square… however, the rooms are small and it can get noisy at night, but the location makes up for it. 

Callum stayed here with my dad and brother-in-law and it was a tight squeeze for three people, but for a couple it’s ideal.

Avena Hotel by Artery Hotels ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Avena Hotel is a bit further out but still walking distance to the centre. It feels more boutique, the rooms are stylish, and we loved it.
Perfect for couples, as the bathroom setup is a little quirky and there’s not much privacy…if you catch my drift.

FAQs About Visiting Kraków

How many days do you need in Kraków?

Four days is usually just right. It gives you time to see the big landmarks, take a day trip to Auschwitz (or elsewhere), and still enjoy a few slower moments wandering the Old Town or discovering smaller museums without feeling rushed.

What should you not miss in Kraków?

The Old Town Square, Wawel Castle, Kazimierz (the Jewish Quarter), and Schindler’s Factory are the must-sees. If you’ve got extra time, the Rynek Underground Museum is also a great addition.

Are there other day trips from Kraków?

Yes, plenty. And many companies offer organised trips. Popular ones include Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains (great for hiking or winter sports), Dunajec River Gorge, or the Wieliczka Salt Mine. 

You could also use FlixBus to do a day trip to Warsaw or Wroclaw, but this is around 4 hours each way by coach. We’d do it, but not everyone would! 

Is Kraków walkable?

Very. Most of the main attractions are within walking distance of the Old Town. For anything further, the trams and buses are cheap and easy to use.

When is the best time to visit Kraków?

Kraków is beautiful year-round. Spring and autumn are perfect for sightseeing without the summer crowds, and winter brings the famous Christmas markets, which are magical if you don’t mind the cold.

Conclusion

So that’s our go-to 4 day Kraków itinerary. It’s the one we keep coming back to with new visitors, and honestly, it just works. You get the history, the main sights, a day trip, and a bit of breathing room too.

Even after all the times we’ve been, Kraków still surprises us, and I don’t think we’ll ever get bored of it. Hopefully this plan makes your trip a little easier to organise — and maybe even tempts you into trying both pierogi and a cheesy burger along the way.