When visiting Poland, three days in Krakow is the perfect amount of time to explore the area. You must visit Krakow as part of your Poland trip, and it pairs well with spending time in Warsaw. While the history of Krakow may be long and devastating, in the present day, it is a vibrant city with many things to do.
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History of Krakow
Kraków has a history that stretches back over a thousand years. Legend holds that it was founded by the mythical ruler Krakus, who supposedly built the city above a dragon’s cave on Wawel Hill. Archaeological evidence confirms that the area was inhabited as early as the 7th century.
By the 900s, Kraków had become a major settlement and was officially named the capital of Poland in 1320. During the Renaissance, under the Jagiellonian dynasty, Kraków flourished as a center of art, science, and education.
The capital was moved to Warsaw in 1596. In the 1900s, Kraków was occupied by Nazi Germany. They had its Jewish population liquidated, and the establishment of the nearby Plaszów labor camp. Today, Kraków is a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its beautifully preserved Old Town, medieval architecture, and vibrant cultural life.
When to Spend Three Days in Krakow
May to June and September to October are the best months to spend three days in Krakow and spend time exploring Poland. However, visiting during the wintertime offers Christmas markets and a snow-capped city, or better airfare prices, so do not count out those months as well. Summer will be a bit warmer and busier with the summertime crowds.
How to Get to Krakow
Kraków has one major international airport: John Paul II International Airport. You can get flights all over Europe from here. They also have a direct flight to NYC or Chicago. We flew back to LAX via London. Skyscanner is my favorite way to search for flights.
To get to Krakow from Warsaw, we opted to take the train. You can pre-book tickets on Trainline or Omio or opt to buy them at the station. We pre-booked our tickets, and it was not that much more for first-class tickets, so we opted for those because they came with a drink and a meal.
Transportation in Krakow
Krakow has an extensive tram and bus system that makes it very easy to get around the city using public transportation. I recommend downloading the app Jakdojade in order to buy your tram/bus tickets. It makes it very convenient! Alternatively, Uber is widely available and is great for getting out to some areas quicker.
Where to Stay in Krakow
TripAdvisor is a great place to start your hotel search. Check out the best hotels in Krakow here! You can always try searching Priceline Express Deals for a better price or try to price match a hotel. We opted to stay at the Hyatt Place Krakow to get more Hyatt nights. However, I would recommend staying at the Hotel Saski Curio Collection because it is more centrally located. Alternatively, check out these other hotel options.
- Hilton Garden Inn Krakow
- Radisson Blu Hotel Krakow
- Holiday Inn Krakow City Center
- Hotel Indigo Krakow Wawel Castle
- Sheraton Grand Krakow
What to do During Three Days in Krakow
Spending three days in Krakow will be the perfect amount of time to explore what this city has to offer. You may want to take a city tour by golf cart or a walking tour to get acquainted with the city. Looking for a guided tour experience? Check out TourRadar for some of the best tours around!
Day 1: Old Town and Wawel Hill
Today you will spend the day exploring Wawel Hill and the Old Town of Krakow.
Wawel Hill
Cost: Varies, but starts at $7
Hours: Ground open at 6am and closes around dusk
Wawel Hill is home to the Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Cathedral, both of which have played central roles in Polish history. The hill served as the residence of Polish kings and a site for the coronations and burials. Present-day, the outer courtyard and the hill grounds are free to visit, but entrance to many of the buildings is paid. If you are interested in a more formal tour, consider checking out the Wawel Hill tour.
Personally, I would make sure to check out the interior of the Wawel Castle, the outside of the Wawel Cathedral, and visit the overlook for the Krakow Dragon. This will take approximately two hours to complete, or longer if you require more details.
Smok Wawelski
After exploring Wawel Hill, head down to the bottom of the Hill to view Smok Wawelski, aka the Krakow Dragon. This legendary beast lived in a cave at the foot of Wawel Hill. It is said the dragon was finally defeated by a shoemaker who tricked the creature into eating a sheep stuffed with sulfur. Today, every few minutes, the dragon statue will breathe fire, making it a fun stop to view.
National Museum in Krakow
Cost: $10
Hours: Tues-Sun: 10am-6pm
The National Museum of Krakow is located a short walk from Old Town. It holds the country’s most comprehensive art collections. Visitors can view works that span from military uniforms to weapons to art masterpieces.
Rynek Glowny
Rynek Glowny is the main medieval square of Krakow. It has served as the commercial center since 1257. Around this area is a ton of townhouses, shops, and restaurants. During the winter months, you can find the Christmas markets here.
St. Mary’s Basilica
Cost: $5.50
Hours: Mon-Sat: 11:30am-6pm, Sun: 2pm-6pm
St. Mary’s Basilica is a prime example of Gothic architecture. Inside visitors can take in the vaulted ceilings and the largest gothic altar in the world. Every hour, a trumpeter plays the bugle call from the tallest tower of the basilica. Visitors can also climb the 239 steps to the top of the tower.
Dom Pod Globusem
Dom Pod Globusem stands for House Under the Globe. It showcases early modernist architecture. It was once the headquarters for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and became recognizable by its tall clock tower with the golden globe at the top. Today, the building is a publishing house and bookstore.
Chopin Concert Hall
This afternoon (or evening), catch a performance at the Chopin Concert Hall. Conveniently located in Old Town, visitors can take in a concert of classical music, often featuring Poland’s own Chopin.
Day 2: Day Trip to Auschwitz
Today will be a tough and emotional day. A day trip to Auschwitz should be part of any three days in Krakow in order to learn about the traumatic past of the area. This will be a long day, so make sure to bring snacks and plenty of water with you.
There are several ways to get to Auschwitz: You can take the train or bus, rent a car, or be a part of a group tour. We opted to take the train so we could have the flexibility of staying however long we would like. Be sure to purchase Auschwitz tickets in advance, as they often sell out.
If you opt to take the train, I recommend booking your morning train ticket ahead of time. You can book your train tickets online here, or you can buy them at the station. At a minimum, make sure to look up the train times to ensure you arrive at Auschwitz on time for your tour. The train ride takes approximately 1.5 hours and costs around $5 each way.
You will head to Kraków Główny, and you want to get off at Oświęcim station. Upon arrival at the Oświęcim station, it is about a mile walk to the entrance of Auschwitz. You can also catch the local bus or a taxi if you do not want to walk. Between April and October, they have a special line that runs from the station to Auschwitz.
If you opt to take the bus, buy Bus tickets ahead of time. These tickets cost €10 each way. The bus ride will take 1.5-2 hours. The bus will drop you off in front of Auschwitz. You will also need to book a return bus to Krakow.
The most convenient option for people is to book a group Auschwitz Tour. This includes transportation to and from Krakow and your tickets. This is the least stressful option, but it also means you are tied to a schedule. You can also book an Auschwitz and salt mines tour combination tour if you also want to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine tour on the same day.
Upon arrival at Auschwitz, you will check in for your tour, and when it is time, your guide will call your group up. You will have the same guide for the entirety of the tour. To visit Auschwitz, you have to have a guide, and they walk you through the different parts of the camp. This portion takes about 2 hours. During this time, you will visit several exhibits which are set up in the former barracks.
After this portion of the tour, you will have a small break. Then you will get on the shuttle bus to take you to Auschwitz II-Birkenau. You will have the same guide to take you around this portion of the camp. This is the side of the camp where you will view what remains of the gas chambers, barracks, and several memorials to commemorate the victims. After this tour, you will have free time to explore whatever portions of the memorial you would like.
Pierogarnia Rodzinna u Mamusi
Once you are ready to leave the camp, head to lunch at a Pierogi place near the train station. This will be much-needed fuel before the train ride back to Krakow.
Wodka Cafe Bar
After this long day, you may want to try out some Polish vodka. At Wodka Cafe Bar, they have over 100 types of vodka for you to choose from. They have some pre-chosen flights, or you can build your own flight. Alternatively, you can get a single pour of something.
Day 3: Explore the Jewish Quarter and WWII Sites
For your last of three days in Krakow, you will explore the World War II sites and the Jewish Quarter. Many of the sites are free to visit. Visitors may want to take a Schindler’s List tour to visit all of the sites from the movie.
Plaszów
Cost: Free
Start your third of three days in Kraków with a visit to Plaszów. This is now a memorial landscape of what was once a concentration camp. Visitors can opt to take a Plaszówguided tour or explore on their own. There is a trail to follow throughout the limestone hills with stops explaining the significance of each stop.
The Grey House is a house that was turned into the camp’s administrative building and prison. Today, it sits as a reminder to the terrors of the camp. Plan to spend at least an hour visiting the site.
Schindler’s Factory
Cost: $16
Hours: Mon: 10am-2pm, Tues-Sun: 9am-7pm
You will not want to miss a visit to Schindler’s Factory, the former enamel factory of Oskar Schindler. It is now a museum to commemorate the lives lost during the Holocaust and tell the history of the area. This museum uses immersive sets, sounds, and photographs to tell the story of the city’s inhabitants during the war.
Square of Heroes
Cost: Free
This was once the main square of the Krakow Ghetto, where thousands of Jews were gathered before being deported to death camps. Today within the square is a memorial featuring 33 oversized bronze chairs and 37 smaller ones. The empty chairs symbolize the furniture and belongings left behind by the victims.
Apteka pod Orlem (Eagle Pharmacy)
Cost: $5.50
Hours: Wed-Sun: 9am-5pm
Off the Square of Heroes lies the Eagle Pharmacy, owned by Tadeusz Pankiezicz, the only non-Jewish resident of the ghetto. He used the pharmacy as a secret hub for providing medicine, food, and documents to the Jews in the ghetto. It is now a museum dedicated to documenting the heroic efforts of those who risked their lives in the war.
Jewish Quarter
Next, during your third of three days in Krakow, you will explore different sites within the Jewish Quarter. You may want to take a Jewish Ghetto walking tour, or you can opt to explore each of the sites on your own. Make sure not to miss the original Ghetto walls.
Old Synagogue
Cost: $6
Hours: Mon: 10am-2pm, Tues-Sun: 9am-5pm
First, stop at the Old Synagogue. It was built in the 1400s and is the oldest surviving Jewish house of prayer in Poland. It serves as a museum to Jewish history and culture. Inside are liturgical items and historical documents.
Kupa Synagogue
Cost: $3
Hours: Sun-Fri: 10am-4pm
Next, head to the Kupa Synagogue. Founded in 1640, it is famous for its interior mural depicting the Holy Lands. It is a frequent venue for concerts. Visitors will spend maybe an hour here.
Schindler’s List Passage
Finally, head to Schindler’s List Passage for a photo stop. This is located between Jozefa and Meiselsa street, this narrow arched courtyard has become famous after Steven Spielberg’s film Schindler’s List. It was used to film the scene of the ghetto liquidation. Today, it is a popular spot for photographs.
Delta Dietla Wine and Food
Cost: $$
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 4pm-11pm, Fri: 4pm-12am, Sat: 12pm-12am, Sun: 12pm-10pm
Finish up the sites in the area with a stop at Delta Dietla Wine and Food to enjoy a glass of Polish wine. This stylish wine bar and bistro is the perfect place to rest your feet after a long day of walking. It has a variety of international and Polish wines and a few light bites to eat. I recommend getting some cheese to pair with the wines.
More Than Three Days in Krakow
If you have more than three days in Krakow, you may want to check out the following places. The Thermal baths are always a fun place to relax. You may also want to take a scenic river cruise and take in the city via the river. Alternatively, visit the Museum Banksy to check out some of the art by Banksy. Finally, if you are looking for another day trip, head to the Wielicka Salt Mine tour.
Places to Eat in Krakow
Krakow has a ton of awesome places to eat. Here are some of our favorites. You will not want to miss the traditional Polish food at Restauracja Po Krakowsku or the Pierogi at Pierogi MR Vincent.
- Pizzatopia
- Restauracja Po Krakowsku
- Slowianska Uczta
- Pierogi MR Vincent
- Molam Thai Canteen and Bar
- Bierhalle Krakow
- Green Caffe Nero
Final Tips for Three Days in Krakow
There are so many interesting things to do during three days in Krakow. While many of them focus on the dark past of Poland, you will not want to miss them if you are a history lover. If you have more time, make sure to visit Warsaw as part of your Poland trip or pair Poland with a trip to Prague or Berlin.
