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Plan your weekend in Krakow itinerary using my tried-and-tested guide. Find things to do, where to stay, where to eat and more important information for your trip to Krakow, Poland.

To be honest, I never thought of Poland as a place I would go to visit for the weekend. For some reason, I had it in my head that vacationing in Krakow would be filled with tours of old, grand unfinished European palaces that were the ghosts of their former relatives. But, oh, how wrong I was…

On my recent weekend in Krakow, to celebrate a friend’s 30th birthday, I discovered that Krakow isn’t just a place for a stag weekend (although such a group was on our flight). But it is also a city that has unique European architecture.

In this travel guide, I’ll break down the top things to do and see and how to get the most out of a weekend in Krakow, Poland. I recommend visiting the Auschwitz camps because it is important that we never forget what happened so that it never happens again.

1. Sights across the city

There are many magnificent sights to see in the city of Krakow. It would be a shame to miss any of them. Fortunately, most of them are close enough to be enjoyed on a single day walking tour.

Here’s the best way to spend your first day in the city. Start your weekend with a stroll around the Main Square, or Ryneck Glove, and enjoy the grandeur of this 13th-century plaza. It is the largest medieval town square in Europe.

Krakow’s main square overlooks St. Mary’s Basilica, the Town Hall Tower and the Cloth Hall. In the evening the square transforms into a flurry of activity with street performers, horse-drawn carriages and locals.

2. St. Mary’s Basilica

The centerpiece of the main market square is the 14th-century, Gothic-style St. Mary’s Basilica, with stained glass windows and gilded interiors. The church serves as one of the finest examples of Polish Gothic architecture.

St. Mary’s Church is also known for the Hejnał Mariacki (bugle call), which is played every hour. Standing at a height of 80 meters, the church is famous for its wooden altar carved by Wait Stos (Wit Stows). In 1978 the church became a UNESCO World Heritage Site alongside the historic center of Krakow.

3. Cloth Hall

Across the square, in the 14th-century Cloth Hall, is an old gallery, which now houses a fantastic craft market with a variety of 19th-century Polish jewellery, souvenirs and art creations.

The building was originally the main center of the city’s international trade. It was once a prime venue for fancy balls and grand events. It has seen many kings, dignitaries and other notables come through its doors.

The Cloth Hall is open to the public from Tuesday to Sunday and regular admission costs 25 PLN (£6/7 USD). Admission to permanent exhibitions is free on Sundays.

4. Rynek Underground Museum

Under the Cloth Hall Gallery, you’ll find the Rynek Underground Museum. where you can explore the history of the Cloth Hall and admire the stunning collection of Polish art in the Art Gallery.

5. Wawel Castle and Vale Hill

Head south from the Old Town to Wawel Hill, where the Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral overlook the city.

It has been the seat of Polish kings for over 500 years. Since then, the Royal Castle has been built and remodeled in Romanesque, Gothic and Renaissance styles, with magnificent frescoes, gilded walls and large courtyards.

You can spend a few hours exploring the fort’s intricate tapestries, art collection and ornate staterooms. Leonardo da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine, Poland’s most valuable work of art, is also on display here.

You will need a ticket for the Royal Castle. Tickets are sold for individual performances. You need to buy another ticket to the cathedral, which costs 12 PILN (£2/3 USD). Entry to Wawel Hill and Arcade Courtyard is free.

If you’re short on time, or just want a little help, you can pick it up Guided tour of the fort.

6. Krakow Sightseeing – Golf Cart Tour of Krakow

If you’re exploring Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, I recommend taking an eco-vehicle (like a golf cart) tour of Krakow. You wander through different districts of Krakow as trams, bikes and cars tailgate you.

Meanwhile, the driver points out various historical buildings around the city, such as the hop-on-hop-off bus tours, even better, the driver stops to let you ‘take photos’.

Our driver was very knowledgeable, stopping to tell us about some of the more important parts of the city, and driving on small roads that cars are unable to use.

During the hour and a half tour, we visited the old town, Kazimierz (Jewish district) and we also passed by Krakow Castle. You can choose the districts you want to visit, and if you choose two or more you can get a discount.

The tour visited the following places:

• Cloth Hall (Sukiennis)

• Oskar Schindler’s Factory

• Galicia Jewish Museum

• Jewish District (Kazimirz)

In the Jewish District (Kazimierz) we explored Wolnica Square, Church on the Rock, Temple Synagogue, Old Synagogue, Seroka Street, Nowy Square and Synagogue Remuh.

We then passed the former Jewish Ghetto area, including the aerial memorial in Ghetto Heroes Square, the Eagle Pharmacy Museum and Oskar Schindler’s factory, famous in Spielberg’s masterpiece ‘Schindler’s List’, and the remains of the Ghetto Wall.

Check here for the latest prices Krakow sightseeing tour.

7. Day trips to Auschwitz

The tour covers both UNESCO sites and includes tickets, guide, transport for the day and lunch. During the bus ride to Auschwitz I, we watched a documentary about the history of the Nazi concentration camp.

We arrived at Auschwitz I and were guided around the camp. A tour of Auschwitz is extremely disturbing, as you come face to face with the horrors that mankind can inflict on each other due to a set of beliefs.

I’ve seen more than my fair share of movies and documentaries about the Holocaust, but we were presented with areas that had hair by the ton.

The shoes of every man, woman and child, as well as the pots and pans where the mothers thought they would cook for their families, are piled up. This was the only sign of this person’s existence, and it made all the horrors you read and saw more real.

After visiting Auschwitz I, we were transferred to Auschwitz II-Birkenau, five minutes away by car. This was a larger, more gruesome death camp so that trains full of people could arrive and be herded into groups.

Where the old and the young (those deemed unable to work) would be sent to their deaths.

At Auschwitz II-Birkenau, we toured the camps and the remains of the gas chambers and crematoriums before the camps were liberated.

8. Wieliczka Salt Mines in Krakow Poland

After a harrowing tour of Auschwitz, we were taken to the Villiska Salt Mine. Which is a wonder with its underground labyrinths, lakes and chambers; There is also a ballroom.

The salt mine has been in operation since the 19th century and is one of the oldest working salt mines in the world. Nine centuries of mining in Vlijska have created a total of 200 kilometers of passages as well as 2,040 caves of various sizes.

The itinerary starts at 64 meters deep, with a descent down 378 wooden steps. It consists of twenty chambers and is 135 meters below the surface, where the world’s largest mining museum is located, with centuries-old equipment on display.

The best sight on the tour was the ballroom, with its impressive salt chandelier hanging like a real diamond in the sky. We were guided through numerous drifts, galleries and chambers with sculptures in crystalline salt and magnificent decoration carved in rock salt.

Occasional concerts and other events are held in the largest chamber of the Viliška mine. Our guide told us that the tunnel’s microclimate can help asthma and allergy sufferers. We arrived back at Krakow Market Square with enough time to enjoy a few drinks and some local Polish cuisine.

Krakow tour to Auschwitz – This is a full-day tour of Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mine and includes private air-conditioned transport, drop off line tickets and pick up in Krakow or your hotel.

Check the latest prices for this Full day tour here.

Both Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mine are places of interest in Krakow and must-sees if you are visiting Krakow.

9. Krakow Tour to Czestochowa Black Madonna

Again, we booked our tour through getyourguide.com and were picked up by our driver (Conrad) with eyes as icy blue as the sea, more delicate than a crisp £50 note.

I tried not to look at him too long because he might make me plan to go to Poland. This was my favorite tour so far, and it has so much to offer. No one tells you that monks are funny as hell. The tour was given by an 80-year-old monk dressed as Obi-Wan Kenobi and sharper than a butcher’s knife.

Father (Simpson) was a stickler for people trying to jump the queue during mass (I guess no one can wait to see God).

And as the line slowly snaked its way to pass by the Black Madonna. There were some little old ladies who he asked to join the back of the line for mass. This is something you don’t see every day.

10. Black Madonna Painting and Jasna Gora Monastery

We made a pilgrimage from Krakow to Czestochowa, one of Poland’s most admired sites, the painting of the Black Madonna.

We then had a private tour of Jasna Gora Math by Monk/Father Simson. We learned about the history of the sacred site, the legends and miracles associated with the Black Madonna, and we saw the historic defensive walls that famously survived the Swedish invasion.

The monastery was founded by Pauline monks, who immigrated from Hungary in the 14th century. It has been recognized by three different popes because of its resilient story and painting of the sacred Black Madonna.

Visiting the grounds with Father Simon Obi-Wan Kenobi was like being walked around by one of the 12 apostles.

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