3 Day Krakow Itinerary: The Perfect First-Time Guide to Krakow

Planning a trip to Poland? This 3-day Krakow itinerary will help you make the most of your visit, from exploring the historic Old Town to discovering the city’s rich cultural heritage. Whether it’s your first time in Krakow or a return visit, this guide covers everything you need for a perfect stay. 

Where to Stay in Krakow

We stayed at the Hotel Saski Krakow, which is the perfect base for your trip. The location is excellent (it is under a 3-minute walk to the main square). The hotel has a very nice spa/pool area, and the gym is well-appointed with a mix of weight and cardio equipment. The rooms were large and very well decorated. 

We didn’t opt to upgrade our stay to include breakfast, as our itinerary meant we would only get one breakfast here. Day trips from Krakow tend to start quite early, so bear that in mind when booking.

How to get from Krakow Airport to the City Centre

We decided to book our transfers through Holiday Extras. It is about a half-hour drive to the city centre from the airport. We went with pre-booked transfers and had no issues. We had a smooth experience and would definitely book through Holiday Extras again.

Getting Around Krakow

Krakow is a highly walkable city; we did not get a single cab anywhere, but friends have advised me that Bolt is widely used there.

Itinerary Overview

Day 1 - Arrive in Krakow & Explore the Old Town

Day 2 - Wawel Castle, Kazimierz & Schindlers Factory

Day 3 - Auschwitz-Birkenau Day Trip

Day 1 - Arrival

Afternoon

After settling into your hotel, I recommend going on a walk around Krakow. I always like doing this on a city break to get my bearings and a feel for the city. 

Dinner - Pod Aniolami 

We got in quite late on our first night, so we didn't manage to go out for dinner. However, our hotel recommended Pod Aniolami, and this is definitely where I would have booked. This is an 18th-century building that serves traditional Polish food, including dumplings and classic meat dishes.

Day 2 - Exploring Krakow

Breakfast - Nap Nap Cafe 

This is a great breakfast spot to visit on your trip. The breakfast portions are very generous, with a large variety of options. I got the highlander breakfast, and it was delicious. 

Tip - This is quite a popular spot, and they don’t accept reservations. We got here at 8:15 and were seated straight away, but as we left, there was a queue outside the door, so bear that in mind if you want to eat here. 

Morning & Afternoon 

On your first day, I recommend hitting all the main sites in Krakow; we found it easy to see them in one day. We chose to do our own walking tour to see the sights at our own pace, as we wanted to stop off at certain places; however, if you prefer, I have linked a few organised tours that look good:

Private Walking Tour - 

Small Group Walking Tour -

Private Tuk Tuk Tour -

Small Group Tuk Tuk Tour-

Our walking tour plan: - 

1. Wawel Castle

   
   

Start at Wawel Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the primary residence of Polish Monarchs.

Here, you can:

• Walk around the Castle Courtyards

  
  

• Visit Wawel Cathedral (ticket required)

  
  

• Visit the Rooftop Terrace (ticket required) for a great view of Krakow and the Castle, and an exhibition featuring a video showing how Wawel Castle would have looked many years ago.

  
  

• Looking for the Dragon - this audio tour takes you underground to see the original Wawel Castle walls, and you also learn about the legend of the Dragon (ticket required).

  
  

Top Tip - There is so much to see at Wawel Castle, it can be quite overwhelming, therefore I recommend doing your research beforehand and making a list of what you are interested in doing so you are prepared. 

2. Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter)

   
   

Kazimierz is the historic Jewish quarter of Krakow.

Here you can stop at:

• Old Synagogue

  
  

• Remuh Synagogue & Cemetery

  
  

• Plac Nowy (we went here and tried Zapiekanka, which was delicious)

3. Podgorze 

   
   

This is the site of the former Jewish Ghetto. There are many things to see here, such as:

• Ghetto Heroes Square - a memorial installed to honour Jewish victims in the Krakow Ghetto.

  
  

• Ghetto Wall - remaining parts of the original barrier used to imprison the Jewish population.

  
  

• Oskar Schindler Factory museum - Located in the former administrative building of Schindler's Factory, this museum focuses on life in Krakow during the Nazi occupation rather than just Schindler himself. It is an immersive and informative museum. I’d highly recommend doing a guided tour, as it adds a lot of context and information. Please book your tickets in advance as they sell out quickly.

4. Walk back along the Vistula River, taking in the views of Wawel Castle. Follow the Planty Park. Enter the Old Town through Florian Gate (a 1300 defensive tower)

5. Old Town 

   
   

Here in the Old Town, make sure to visit:

• Main Market Square (Rynek Główny)

• St Mary’s Basilica - famous for the hourly trumpet call from the tower.

• Cloth Hall

• Collegium Maius

Dinner - Fillipa 18

This restaurant is Michelin Guide-recommended. The food is lovely, you can do a tasting menu or à la carte. The restaurant serves Polish and European cuisines. We enjoyed our meal here. 

Day 3- Auschwitz-Birkenau Day Trip

Morning and Afternoon

Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau was an emotional and deeply impactful experience, and one I believe everyone should experience when visiting Krakow.  

Auschwitz is only an hour and a half away from the centre of Krakow. Whilst this is a heartbreaking place, it is also somewhere I believe everyone should visit in their lifetime. 

When visiting Auschwitz, I recommend joining a tour; the standard tour lasts three and a half hours and allows you to visit Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II Birkenau. All tours and tickets need to be booked in advance (3-4 months in advance), as they sell out quickly. You can book your tours by language, and you'll receive a headset so you can easily hear your guide.

There are many ways to get to and from Auschwitz; my personal recommendation is to book a tour that takes you there and includes a packed lunch (there's nowhere to buy food around). I also recommend that people wear comfortable shoes, as there is a lot of walking, sometimes on uneven terrain.

Dinner - Morskie Oki

This restaurant might feel a bit touristy, but it is so worth it. The interior is designed to feel like a cosy mountain inn with brick ceilings, sheepskin rugs on the stairs and wooden beams. The cuisine is authentic Polish food. I had the dumplings and the breaded chicken, both of which were delicious. At 7 o’clock, musicians came out, which added such a great atmosphere.

Extra Things to Do in Krakow

• Zakopane & the Tatra Mountains - see the gorgeous mountain views and enjoy the thermal springs.

  
  

Highly rated private tour -

Highly rated group tour - 

• Wieliczka Salt Mines - an underground mine with lakes and a chapel carved from salt

Highly rated private tour -

Highly rated group tour - 

Final Thoughts on Visiting Krakow

Krakow is one of those cities that really stays with you long after you leave. It offers the perfect mix of stunning architecture, rich history, and meaningful experiences.

What makes it even better is how easy it is to explore. Everything is walkable, the food is incredible, and there’s a great balance between sightseeing and simply enjoying the atmosphere.

If you’re considering a European city break, Krakow should be high on your list.