3 Day Krakow Itinerary: Best Things To Do (2024)

Spending 3 days in Krakow needs to be on your 2024 bucket list! The beautiful cobbled streets around every corner, the magnificent architecture and the amazing restaurants will make you keep coming back to this Polish city.

In this 3 day Krakow itinerary, we’ll show you the best things to do whilst exploring different neighbourhoods and finding hidden gems along the way. We’ve visited Krakow twice now, and plan on visiting again in the future!

The city’s old town has so much charm. You can learn about Polish history, eat Polish cuisine and wander around the beautiful buildings of the city. There are also plenty of day trips to do whilst planning your Krakow 3 day itinerary.

Krakow is the perfect budget destination in Europe with lots of affordable places to stay and it’s also home to our favourite vegan restaurants & cafes! On our second visit, we rented a car and went skiing in the Polish mountains only 2 hours away.

This Krakow travel guide is based on our experience of spending 3 days in Krakow and we had the best time, so we’re excited to show you our tips and how to plan your trip!

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3 Day Krakow Itinerary: Best Things To Do in Krakow

We’ve created this Krakow itinerary to help you make the most out of your trip. Here you will find all the information you need to know to have the best experience in Krakow!

In this guide, we’ll show you the main highlights in Krakow city, how to plan a day trip to the famous Auschwitz and interesting hidden gems around Krakow. Here’s your itinerary!

Day 1 – Exploring Krakow

After you’ve arrived in the city you can start exploring Krakow’s city centre! It’s best to arrive in the morning but this Krakow itinerary also works if you arrive later in the day.

Where to stay in Krakow? Apartamenty L5 – stay here for a centrally located apartment for an affordable price!

Explore Krakow’s Old Town

Krakow’s charming old town is truly a place to discover and it’s hard to miss when you’re spending 3 days in Krakow (It is also known as Stare Miasto, as you will see on Google Maps).

Once you’ve made your way into the city’s walls, you’ll soon find the Main Square (Rynek Główny). It’s in the centre of Old Town and is surrounded by impressive buildings, elegant restaurants, cafes and small markets. We also saw a lot of pigeons around the area as some of the locals feed them regularly.

Krakow’s Old Town is the largest medieval town square in Europe and it also survived the Second World War. The history feels so strong as you walk through the city centre.

Did you know? Krakow Old Town was one of the very first sites chosen for UNESCO’s World Heritage List!

Visit St. Mary’s Basilica

Within the main square, there are a few historic landmarks to explore during your 3 days in Krakow and St Mary’s Basilica is one of them!

St. Mary’s Basilica is one of the most important religious buildings in the country. Unless you are joining in with the worship here, it is polite to visit at a different time.

However, visitors and travellers may use a side door to admire the stained glass windows and the inside of the basilica.

The St. Mary’s Trumpet Call is played every hour from the top of the towers. If you’re in the area at this time, it’s worth a listen as it’s a very sweet tune.

Walk through the Cloth Hall

In the heart of the city and also located in the main square is The Krakow Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). It’s an important element of Kraków as it’s where trading began.

Back in the 13th century, the Cloth Hall was used for the textile trade and other materials found in the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Now the stalls sell similar local products, but also a lot of souvenirs. As it’s a 700-year-old shopping mall, it’s an interesting place to shop during your 3 day Krakow itinerary.

It’s also free to enter! It only takes a few minutes to walk through if you’re having a quick browse.

Discover Wawel Castle

Did you know there are a lot of castles in Poland? and they are beautiful!

Krakow is home to Wawel Royal Castle, another historical site in the city that is worth visiting on your Krakow itinerary. Over time it has been preserved and restored for the public to enjoy, but it has an incredible past.

It’s built upon Wawel Hill, only a few minutes walk from the main square. The complex is free to enter and you can wander around the grounds, however, some exhibitions require paid tickets. This is also a great spot for visiting in Krakow with children.

There are some great photo opportunities if you walk over the Vistula River using one of Krakow’s bridges. Wawel Castle will be further back, and you’ll be able to get some long-distance shots whilst also enjoying the scenic viewpoint.

Tip: For more information on Krakow’s Old Town, you can join a Free Walking Tour with a guide!

Have fun at Krakow Pinball Museum

A visit to the Krakow Pinball Museum is the perfect way to end your first day in Krakow. It ended up being one of our favourite things to do in Krakow too!

You can play unlimited arcade games and pinball machines at the price of PLN 50 (£9). We have never seen so many pinball machines in our life. If you have an evening free during your 3 days in Krakow, keep this cool museum in mind!

If you’re looking for places to eat in Krakow, we highly recommend No Bones, a wonderful vegan restaurant in Krakow serving the tastiest of food!

We also recommend ending your first night in Krakow with an evening river cruise. We didn’t get around to doing this on your visit, but it looks so peaceful and it’s definitely on our list for our third visit! Find out more information here.

Day 2 – Visiting Auschwitz Concentration Camp

Prepare for your second day in Krakow with a visit to one of the darkest places to visit in Poland, Auschwitz. Although it’s hard to learn about the dark history, Auschwitz is now a museum where we can understand a lot about the war.

It’s worth a visit during your 3 day Krakow itinerary. After our visit, we watched The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas for the first time and it all felt so real. In this guide, we’ll show you the best ways to reach Auschwitz.

Visit the Auschwitz Concentration Camp

As Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland, it has a very rich history and is mainly known for the infamous historical site Auschwitz. During your 3 days in Krakow, a day trip to Auschwitz is a must for any traveller.

What is Auschwitz?

Auschwitz was the largest of the German Nazi concentration camps in Europe. It was operational from May 1940 – January 1945, and over 1.1 million men, women and children lost their lives here.

The concentration camp is now a museum where visitors from around the world can learn about some of the darkest times in Europe.

How to visit Auschwitz Concentration Camp?

You have to book your tickets online before visiting Auschwitz. Find your tickets on the official website here. A guided tour costs PLN 100 (around £20) but you’ll have to make your own way to the museum.

The easiest way to get to Auschwitz Concentration Camp is to join an Auschwitz Tour. These tours will pick you up from Krakow and take you to the correct buildings in Auschwitz because the camp is huge.

➤ Book your Auschwitz Guided Tour tickets in advance here.

Alternatively, you can visit the museum by train and walk to the concentration camp visitors’ entrance.

How to get to Auschwitz Concentration Camp by public transport

You’ll need to get to Oświęcim (the Polish city where Auschwitz is located) either by shuttle bus or train. If you take the train you’ll have to walk for 30 minutes, this is what we did.

By bus is a little easier as there’s a private shuttle from Krakow Dworzec MDA Bus Station for around PLN 45.

Eat Polish Dumplings

When you arrive back in Krakow city centre, head out to a Polish restaurant to unwind and try one of the best cuisines in Eastern Europe.

You can’t visit Poland without trying Polish cuisine. It is a must when looking for things to do in Krakow and Polish food is tasty! If you’re vegetarian or vegan, don’t worry there are even a few dishes for you to try!

Polish Dumplings are known as Pierogi in Poland and are often a part of the cuisine of Central and Eastern European nations.

They are dumplings made from flour with a filled centre (a variety of fillings!) and are often boiled. Traditionally they are served on a plate with some onion, we think it pairs well with soup! Our favourite pierogi filling is sauerkraut and mushroom!

When walking through Krakow, you will walk past many Polish restaurants and almost all of them will serve Pierogi. Pierogarnia Krakowiacy and Przystanek Pierogarnia are our favourites! Find our vegan guide for Krakow here.

Day 3 – Discovering Kazimierz in Krakow

On the last day of your 3 days in Krakow, you can explore the different neighbourhoods in the city and eat more tasty food! We used e-scooters on our third day in Krakow and it was the perfect way to get around if you’re safe on the roads!

If you want a quick way to get around, you can also join a city sightseeing tour to take you to the main highlights during your Krakow 3 day itinerary.

Wander through Planty Park

Planty Park is one of the largest parks in Krakow. It wraps around the Old Town, where the Medieval city walls used to stand until the early 19th century.

If you’re stepping into Old Town, you will most likely pass through this park during your 3 day Krakow itinerary. We visited in October when the leaves were starting to fall and it was wonderful!

Explore Kazimierz (Jewish District)

Now it’s time to check out the hip neighbourhood Kazimierz – the Jewish District of Krakow.

Kazimierz is a must when wondering what to do in Krakow, it’s a great area to discover and is filled with many quirky shops, vintage clothing and indie cafes.

If you’re in Kazimierz around lunchtime, head over to Plac Nowy for a street-food-style snack.

Admire Église Saint-Joseph

After visiting Kazimierz, walk over Father Bernatek’s Bridge and spot hundreds of locks attached to the sides of the bridge.

This neighbourhood is Stare Podgórze and located near the centre is a gothic-style church – Église Saint-Joseph (St. Joseph’s Church). The exterior of the church is very impressive and the square in front of the church is a lovely area to take it all in.

If you have more time during your 3 day Krakow itinerary, head out on a sightseeing cruise by Vistula River to see the beautiful bridges & castles of Krakow on a

More things to do in Krakow

As there are so many things to do in Krakow, it’s hard to fit them all into a 3 day Krakow itinerary. So in this section, we’ll share the other things to do if you find yourself with more time or need some alternative ideas!

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the top 10 largest salt mines in the world. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a remarkable to see. The history of Wieliczka dates back to the Middle Ages and it’s so large that visitors only see about 2% of it whilst touring the mines.

This trip will need at least half a day whilst in Krakow, as it’s out of the city centre, that’s why we sadly didn’t visit during our Krakow itinerary. Book your tickets here.

Schindler’s Factory

Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory is a past metal item factory in Kraków. It has been turned into a modern museum to show wartime experiences in Krakow during World War II. If you have time, this is another great idea to do in Krakow.

The Best Krakow Day Trips

Krakow is the perfect base if you want to explore other places in Poland. A day trip to Auschwitz is the most popular tour to do from Krakow, however, we recommend you go even further and take a trip into nature or another Polish city. Here are a few ideas we recommend if you have more than 3 days in Krakow:

Visit Zakopane

If you have another day in your itinerary, you should take a trip to Zakopane! The beautiful mountain town of Poland is located in the Tatra Mountains, also known as the Polish Alps. It is amazing to see all year-round depending on the type of activities you want to do.

We spent a few days skiing here and there are many breathtaking hikes you can do (beginner to advanced) if you’re visiting in the summer,

It’s only a 2-hour bus ride away from Krakow and once you arrive, you’ll want to spend longer. If you have a spare day in your Krakow trip, definitely consider Zakopane as a day trip.

If you don’t want to travel to Zakopane by yourself, join a group tour and visit one of the best thermal baths in Poland – Chocholowska Thermal Baths! Book your visit in advance!

Check out our guide on How to visit Zakopane from Krakow!

Head to Katowice

Katowice (pronounced kah-to-vee-tseh) is another city in Poland only a 2-hour train ride away from Krakow. It’s slightly closer to the Auschwitz concentration camp, however, both of those sights may be too much for one day trip.

This Polish city is a lot more modernised than Krakow and taking a day trip here will show how different these cities are. Katowice is not your average city trip, but if you give it a chance you will see it is a cool modern city.

Popular sights to see are the Silesian Museum and the Cathedral of Christ the King.

Where to stay in Krakow

Krakow’s Old Town is the most central area to stay in whilst you’re visiting Krakow. It is also known as Stare Miasto.

There are a lot of great restaurants, bars and sights to see in the Old Town and it’s in the middle of other neighbourhoods you may want to visit. Kazimierz is also a cool neighbourhood to stay at and you can easily walk to the Old Town.

If you’re on a budget in Krakow, you’ll likely visit the main train and bus station near the Old Town regularly. We visited almost every day as it’s so central to all the activities to do in Krakow.

You might want to consider staying near the main train station if you’re taking the train from the airport and back, making your own way to Auschwitz or wanting to go on a day trip to Katowice or Zakopane.

Hostels & hotels in Krakow

• Bed & Bath Luxury Apartments €-€€ – Right next to the Old Town in Krakow – Find it here!
• Apartamenty L5 €-€€ – Budget-friendly apartment with a luxury feel – Find it on Booking.com here!
• Let’s Rock Party Hostel € – One of the best hostels in Krakow – Find it on Hostelworld!

➤ Find more places to stay in Krakow here.

Best Restaurants in Krakow

Krakow is filled with the best restaurants, whether you’re wandering around Old Town or stopping for a quick snack. You will find many amazing dishes here at great prices! Here’s a few of our favourite places in Krakow:

• Pierogarnia Krakowiacy – The perfect place to try Polish Cuisine whilst you’re in Krakow. You can find beetroot soup, pierogi and many more dishes to try.
• Przystanek Pierogarnia – Polish Cuisine serving to-go Pierogi’s!
• No Bones – Modern Polish Cuisine, a great restaurant for the evening – Check out their website here!
• SZKLARNIA kawa książki kwiaty (Green House Plantbased Cafe) – serving the best vegan croissants ever!
• Vegab – amazing vegan kebabs!

For more vegan food in Krakow, check out our guide on all the restaurants we tried whilst visiting Krakow twice. We added a few recommendations too!

How to get to Krakow

Krakow is easy to get to from most major cities in Europe, whether it’s by train, bus or plane. If you want to fly, check Skyscanner for the prices of flights first, then head over to the airline’s website to book your flights. You can also rent a car during your 3 days in Krakow.

Train – Krakow train station connects to multiple cities in the nearby area. Krakow Main (Główny) Train Station is close to the city centre and it also connects to the airport.

Bus – Companies such as Flixbus will travel regularly from nearby cities in and around Poland. Browse at bus times & prices here.

How to get from Krakow Airport to Krakow City Centre

Taking the train is one of the best ways to get from Krakow Airport to the city centre. Find the ticket station in the Arrivals Hall and select Kraków Główny. You can pay by card or cash, but remember Poland uses Polish złoty not Euro.

The signs are easy to follow from the airport to the train station, wait for the next train and you’ll arrive in Krakow centre in around 20 minutes. You can also book a private transfer to take you to your accommodation!

Tip: On trains in Poland, you’ll notice that Krakow is pronounced – kra·kooff – This is the correct Polish way to say it, as the ‘w’ is pronounced like an English ‘v’ or ‘ff’. If you do happen to say – krak·ow – everyone will know what you mean anyway, so don’t worry too much!

Is Krakow worth visiting?

Yes! The city is full of incredible things to do whether you plan a 3 day Krakow itinerary or spend the whole week. We’ve already mentioned the activities you can get up to whilst basing yourself in the city. We would spend a month living here just for the amazing vegan cuisine!

Spending 3 days in Krakow is the perfect city break for anyone living in Europe! It’s also a great stop for an interrail itinerary, although we only managed to visit Warsaw on our interrail trip. Poland is also a great place to travel by public transport! We spent a week travelling around Romania by train and would love to do the same in Poland too!

How many days to spend in Krakow

3 days in Krakow is the perfect amount of time to spend in the city. We managed to spend two days exploring the Krakow city and the other day taking a day trip to Auschwitz.

On this Krakow itinerary, we’ve shown you how to plan your three days in the city. With more time in Krakow, you can go on more day trips and try more restaurants (if you’re a foodie, like us!)

If you only had a weekend in Krakow, we recommend using this 3 day Krakow itinerary and shortening your visit at each destination. You can visit Auschwitz in the morning and spend the afternoon visiting the hip neighbourhoods of Krakow.

Now you should be feeling prepared to spend three days in Krakow! Have a great time away and don’t forget to write some of this list down, it will save so much time when you’re there!

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