The Perfect Krakow 2 Day Itinerary
In this Krakow 2 day itinerary and guide we explore the top sights in Krakow, where to eat, where to stay and more! Including how to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Krakow (or Cracow) is one of Poland’s most visited cities, with well over 10 million annual visitors on average. The former capital city is known for being a budget friendly destination, it’s picturesque UNESCO Old Town and WWII history. It even has the largest medieval plaza in Europe!
During World War II the Nazis designated Krakow as a cultural centre, which meant the charming cobbled streets and Baroque Architecture avoided the bombing and remained preserved. However the horrors of WWII did not escape the city, with the formation of a Jewish Ghetto and the infamous Auschwitz Concentration Camp.
The cultural city is overflowing with things to see, do and taste, all within easy access and distance, making Krakow the perfect city break and ideal for a weekend away. This guide is aimed to make your planning easier and so you can get exploring sooner!
Navigation Menu – The Perfect Krakow 2 Day Itinerary
- Visit Krakow | The Perfect 2 Day Itinerary
- FAQ’s
- What is Krakow known for?
- Is Krakow cheap or expensive?
- What is the best month to visit Krakow?
- Is Krakow a walkable city?
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Where is Krakow? How to get to Krakow?
Krakow is located in southern Poland, which borders with Slovakia, Czechia and Ukraine. It was the Capital City of Poland, until 1596 when it was changed to Warsaw. Krakow is the second largest city in Poland with a population of around 766,683 (2019).
How much time do you need in Krakow?
2 days in Krakow is a good amount of time to explore the city as well as visit the Salt Mines and Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Many people visit the city as a weekend break but if you can get an extra day in, it would give you more time to spread out the sight seeing.
Unless you plan on exploring further afield such as going winter hiking in Zakopane, a Krakow 2 day itinerary is ideal in order to see the top sights of this medieval city.
Where to stay in Krakow?
Where to stay in Krakow can be difficult and most people choose to stay in either Krakow Old Town or Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter.
We stayed in the Jewish Quarter and found it a great base to explore the city from. Everywhere was in easy walking distance and there were so many delicious restaurants right around the corner.
Our recommendation:
INX Design Hotel – 4 Star Hotel
- ~£74 per night including a buffet breakfast (price as of Dec 2023)
- Free Wifi, Spa, Restaurant onsite, Gym, Airport Transfer, incredible buffet breakfast
- Great location in Kazimierz and only a short walk to the Old Town.
We always book hotels through Hotels.com due to the rewards program and free nights. In some case you earn VIP status at certain hotels and in this case we were given a free room upgrade with a balcony and jacuzzi bath due to booking through Hotels.com, so it’s 100% worth it!
The Perfect Krakow 2 Day Itinerary
Our Krakow 2 day itinerary below includes top sights, how to book tickets, restaurant recommendations, costs along with extra tips!
Day 1
AM
Wieliczka Salt Mine
PM
Wander the streets of Krakow Old Town
Dinner at Restauracja U Babci Maliny
Wieliczka Salt Mine
This was one of the highlights from our visit to Krakow. Wieliczka Salt Mine is over 700 years old, it’s UNESCO registered and is spread over 9 levels, reaching 327 meters at it’s deepest point. The mine is actually so big that on a walking tour, you can only visit around 2%!
We booked the Tourist Route rather than the Miners’ Route, as it was our first visit. The tour took us around 2 hours but it can take longer, depending on the pace of your group (it recommends leaving 3 hours for it). It’s one way and you descend over 800 steps, don’t worry though, you get a lift (albeit a very small mining one) back to the surface.
Highlights of the tour include the breath-taking St Kinga’s Chapel, underground lakes and several huge underground chambers.
Top Tip: Book the 9am tour as that’s the first tour of the day (some days it can be 9:30am), meaning no one is in front of you and you can get photos without other tours in. Especially in the main chapel.
Getting There:
The mines are on the outskirts of Krakow and you can either get there in 30 minutes by Uber (~41 PLN / ~£8) or 50 minutes by Train (~6.50 PLN / ~£1.30) . The station to get off at is Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia.
We got an Uber there and the train back, as it was an early tour and we didn’t want to be late. You can also book guided tours which collect you from your hotel, but these are more expensive. Such as this one through Get Your Guide
Lunch at Kuchnia u Doroty
Serving traditional Polish cuisine combined with a cosy interior this is the perfect spot for a light bite before exploring the Old Town. We would highly recommend the red borscht soup with meat dumplings (~16 PLN). As we stayed in the Jewish Quarter this cosy restaurant café was on the way to the Old Town and main square. They don’t have a website but you can find more information here.
Old Town Main Square
Rynek Glowny is the central square in Krakow’s medieval Old Town and the largest market square in Europe! It’s where Krakow’s famous Christmas markets are held along with an abundance of cafe’s, bars and restaurants. There is stunning architecture to be seen in every direction in Rynek Glowny.
Sukiennice Cloth Hall
Located in Krakow’s main square is it’s centre piece, the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, running from top to bottom it splits the square in two. Previously this medieval hall was a hub for trading spices, silk and other produce. Although nowadays many stalls sell crafts, clothing and souvenirs as well as several restaurants opening within it.
Town Hall Tower
Alongside the Cloth Hall stands the only remains of the 13th century Town Hall, Town Hall Tower. It stands around 70 meters high and leans about 55 cm to the east. The Town Hall was also a prison and even contains medieval dungeons. For incredible views across the square and old town, visitors can climb the 110 steps for only ~18PLN.
St. Mary’s Basilica
Another of Krakow’s iconic sites is also located in the main market square, St Mary’s Basilica. The red brick basilica with mismatched towers was constructed in the 14th century, reconstructing what had been destroyed in the 13th century by the Mongol armies. Visitors can climb the 239 steps (for ~15PLN) to the top of the tower for panoramic views of the city.
Top Tip: If you visit the square, make sure to stay and listen to the trumpeter who plays every hour on the hour from one of the towers of St. Mary’s Basilica.
Barbican and St. Florian’s gate
On the outskirts of Krakow’s Old Town is the 15th century medieval defence, The Barbican, which previously was accessed via drawbridge over a moat. This would then have been connected by a brick passageways to St Florian’s Gate, a defence tower nearer the old town, built in the 14th century. The 3 meter thick walls of the Barbican are punctured with 130 slot windows for their defenders to fire on anyone who threatened the city.
Dinner at Restauracja U Babci Maliny
This is a great hidden gem if you are looking for traditional Polish cuisine and cosy dishes. Grandma Maliny’s old style cooking warms you through to the core. What first appears to be a small restaurant opens up when you descend the spiral staircase, with famous faces lining the walls. The décor is welcoming and really feels like you are enjoying a dish at Grandmas! We tried the mixed Perogi which was around 30-40 PLN. You can find more information here.
Top Tip: Make sure to visit the restaurant on Szpitalna street as we found in 2023 the other one in Krakow was closed and awaiting a new location, even though Google said it was open.
Day 2
AM
Auschwitz-Birkenau
PM
Wawel Castle
Jewish Quarter – Kazimierz
Dinner at Starka Restaurant
Auschwitz-Birkenau
A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is a somber and emotional experience, but an important one, the Holocaust should never be forgotten. Auschwitz was the largest of the Nazi concentration and extermination camps. It was established in 1940 and was liberated in 1945, during this time it’s estimated that 1.3 million people were deported there and of those, 1.1 million were murdered.
The camp consists of two sections, connected by a shuttle bus (that runs every 30 minutes) or short drive. It is free to visit without a guide but you do still need to book an entry time slot here. You can also book a guided tour but check the time slots of these before booking.
Today, Auschwitz Concentration Camp is one of the most visited Dark Tourism sites in the country. From Krakow, Auschwitz is around a 1.5 hour drive or a 2 hour bus journey. If you haven’t got a hire car, then the bus journey is the most direct way to get there, leaving Krakow Bus station nearly every hour and costing ~20 PLN. If you are driving, be aware you will need to pay for parking at both locations (or use the shuttle bus between).
Top Tip: If you plan to visit in the afternoon instead, be sure to check the closing times as during winter it can close as early as 14:00.
Wawel Castle
Wawal Castle is perched on a hill on the outskirts of Krakow Old Town, the 14th century castle is a UNESCO Heritage Site and it’s ground are also home to Wawel Cathedral.
The castle grounds are free to enter, but if you want to go into one of the museums or many exhibitions these are extra. If you haven’t go much time a stroll through the manicured gardens are ideal. If you have more time, venture into the Cathedral where for a small fee you can visit the tomb of Pope John Paul II.
Top Tip: If you want to visit one of the paid exhibitions or tombs be sure to buy your tickets early in the morning as there are a limited number on sale each day.
Jewish Quarter – Kazimierz
Kazimierz is a bustling neighbourhood only a short walk from Krakow Old Town. Since the 15th century it is where most of the Jewish community in Krakow live. The cobbled streets and mix of architecture make it a great place to spend an afternoon exploring. There are plenty of cafe’s, restaurants and shops dotted throughout the area, including our favourite restaurant, Starka!
Included in the area is Krakow’s oldest synagogue, Schindler’s List Passage and a short walk over the river is the WWII Jewish Ghetto, Ghetto Hero’s Square and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel factory.
Top Tip: If you have more time you can visit the museum at Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory.
Dinner at Starka Restaurant
Starka is one of the best restaurants in Krakow and was our favourite meal whilst in the city. Serving traditional Polish cuisine, this cosy restaurant served up tasty dishes from start to finish!
Our top choices were, red borscht soup with dumplings, mixed Perogi (starter), Beef Goulash in a bread bowl (main), Beetroot dumplings with autumnal vegetables (Vegetarian) and to drink the Starka Homemade Aloe Lemonade was super refreshing!
You can find their Menu and how to book here.
Top Tip: Make sure to book ahead as it gets booked up in advance. We emailed, as we couldn’t book online and had a quick response.
If you have more time, visit…
Église Saint-Joseph
This gothic style church is located in a quaint square, providing the perfect spot to sit down and enjoy your surroundings.
Kopiec hill / Krakus Mound
Kopiec Hill is a park overlooking the city, it’s a 50 minute walk from the main square or a 15 minute Uber or Tram. It’s a great place to relax and watch the sun set if you time it right.
Zakopane
Zakopane, is a picture perfect alpine town nestled at the foot of the High Tatra Mountains in southern Poland, bordering Slovakia. It’s around a 2 hour drive from Krakow and is the ideal place for those into their hiking or in winter skiing, sledging or snowshoeing!
FAQ's
Hopefully our Krakow 2 Day Itinerary has inspired you to book your next city break. You might still have a few unanswered questions and that’s ok! We’ve got you covered, listed below are some of the most common FAQ’s:
What is Krakow known for?
Krakow is know for it’s UNESCO Old Town and rich history. It’s cobbled streets, stunning architecture and delicious food make it popular with visitors from around the world.
Is Krakow cheap or expensive?
Krakow is cheap in comparison to other European cities, it’s possible for two people to eat a three course meal at a midscale restaurant, with drinks, for ~£30!
It’s even cheaper if you’re happy to explore the city by foot and prefer to take in the atmosphere rather than visit the paid attractions. Accommodation tends to be the most expensive part of any trip so do some research beforehand as prices can fluctuate depending on the time of year.
What is the best month to visit Krakow?
The best time to visit Krakow is anytime! A city break in Krakow makes the perfect holiday anytime of year. In Spring the weather is mild and the flowers begin to bloom, whilst in summer the crowds begin to arrive for peak season and temperatures are ideal for those looking for a hot holiday. Autumn brings on the stunning change of colour in the leaves and cosy coffee shops, then winter is filled with snow, magic and fairy lights as the Christmas markets open.
Is Krakow a walkable city?
Krakow is definitely a walkable city, the only time you would need to catch public transport would be to/from the airport, Wieliczka Salt Mine or Auschwitz.
Fancy spending 48 hours in Krakow? We hope our Krakow 2 Day Itinerary has inspired you to book your next city break!
We love to hear feedback and if you’re planning a trip to Krakow or Poland let us know what you’re up to whilst you’re there! Thanks for reading, for the latest updates follow us on Instagram and drop us a message to say hi!
Eve and Nick