How to Spend 2 Days in Krakow

Krakow stands as a captivating city surrounded by medieval architecture, cobblestone streets, horse-drawn carriages, and a prominent castle. The daily life here is intertwined with café culture, with cozy spots tucked away in charming squares, offering a perfect setting to take a break. Whether you're interacting with locals at a lively market or enjoying a meal in a traditional Polish restaurant, the genuine hospitality of the city adds a warm touch.

What to Eat

Pierogies

Polish dumplings, typically made with thin dough and stuffed with fillings such as potatoes, cheese, meat, or fruits.

Przypiecek is known for having the best pierogies in Krakow made with recipes of the owners’ aunt Ula

Kielbasa

A staple in Polish cuisine, this sausage is seasoned with garlic, marjoram, and other spices, enjoyed as a standalone dish or incorporated into others.

Zapiekanka (Polish Pizza)

A popular Polish street food is a simple, yet satisfying open-faced sandwich consisting of a half-baguette sliced horizontally, generously topped with your choice of veggies, cheese, meats, and sauce, then baked.

Oscypek

Traditionally crafted in the Tatra Mountains, this is a distinctive Polish cheese made from sheep's milk, renowned for its unique shape and smoky flavor.

*Try the famous apple cake at Camelot Cafe

Things to Do

Old Town Square (Rynek Główny)

Rynek Główny, one of Europe's largest medieval squares, serves as Krakow's central hub. Its vast expanse and laid-back ambiance attract visitors, with street-side cafes, a nightly market at its core, and surrounded by significant landmarks that mirror the city's cultural character.

Cloth Hall (Sukiennice): Was once a major center for international trade in the Middle Ages now stands as a thriving marketplace offering local crafts and souvenirs.

Town Hall Tower: A remnant of the medieval Town Hall. Ascend the tower for panoramic views of Rynek Główny.

Eros Bendato: A sculpture by Igor Mitoraj featuring Eros, the Greek god of love, with a bronze head and blindfolded eyes symbolizing an introspective state on love.

St. Mary's Basilica: A religious site and cultural icon with ornate, gothic architecture. Witness the famous hourly trumpet call from the highest tower.

Wawel Castle

Explore the historic Wawel Castle, a symbol of Polish royalty. Comparable to the British version of Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey or what the Acropolis was to ancient Athens, it's not a site to miss. The complex is free to enter, but to explore the inside make sure to reserve ahead of time - tickets can be found here. For a more insightful experience, consider opting for a tour guide who can provide a deeper understanding of the history and legends surrounding the castle.

St. Florian's Gate

Situated at the entrance of Krakow's historic Old Town, this iconic gate was once part of the city's historic defensive walls and now offers a gateway to the city's lively streets.

Kazimierz - Jewish Quarter

The neighborhood, once the heart of Krakow's Jewish community, now embraces a diverse cultural scene. Walk through its narrow streets to uncover historical synagogues, colorful street art, and inviting cafes.

Schindler's Passage & Factory: The passage is a white-washed alleyway featured in Schindler's List, lined with signboards that takes you through a timeline recounting the history of Krakow's Jewish community. Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory was once a place where Schindler saved hundreds of Jews by employing them in his factories and now is a museum that tells the history of Krakow during WWII.

Plac Nowy: The local market, one of the busiest parts of Kazimierz. You'll find the cylindrical-shaped building , the Okraglak, where you can try the best Zapiekanka.

Ghetto Heroes Square: What was once part of the Krakow ghetto is now a memorial with 70 bronze chairs to symbolize the empty seats the residents of the ghetto left behind.

Wodka Bar Vodka Tasting

This bar, known for its extensive vodka selection of over 100 flavors, offers an intimate atmosphere to indulge. Knowledgeable staff guide you through a curated selection of premium Polish vodkas, sharing insights into the country's rich vodka culture. Get the flight of six 25 mL shots to try out the various flavors.

Day Trips:

Wieliczka Salt Mines

Descend into the underground chambers to explore the intricate labyrinth of salt-carved chambers, chapels, and sculptures of the world's longest active salt mine. 400 steps down takes you to level 1, where the tour begins. Out of the 2,400 chambers, the Chapel of St. Kinga is the most stunning consisting of rock salt chandeliers and murals sculpted from the rock face.

If you choose to take the train, you'll go from Krakow Main Station (Kraków Główny) to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia Station that will take ~25 minutes and cost ~1 euro. Driving yourself or via Bolt/Uber takes ~30 minutes. Make sure to buy tickets ahead of time for a timeslot. Or, you can opt for a tour from Krakow city.

Auschwitz - Birkenau Concentration Camp

Krakow's role during World War II, as witnessed in the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, provides a somber but essential opportunity to learn and reflect on the city's past. It's broken into two parts:

Auschwitz I: A former military base that started as a detention center during WWII, then became the first concentration camp in this location. Here you'll see the slogan "Arbeit macht frei" - work makes one free.

Auschwitz II - Birkenau: Recognized by the railway tracks leading under the watchtower, this was the second concentration camp that served as the primary site for the final solution and is now the world's largest cemetery.

Since it is a museum that attracts ~2 million visitors a year and requires a guide before 4 PM, the groups will be large. To get the most out of your experience, opt for the private tour where you can go one-on-one with a knowledgeable guide to make sure you take enough time to reflect on this memorial.

Tip: Get the private tour