Kraków, Poland 5 Day Itinerary

Day 1: Arrival & Old Town Exploration

  • Accommodation: Consider staying at Hotel Grodzki or Apartamenty Stare Miasto, both centrally located and well-reviewed.

  • Breakfast: Start your day with a traditional Polish breakfast at Kasztanka.

  • Morning: Visit the iconic Rynek Główny (Main Square), the largest medieval town square in Europe, and take a moment to appreciate the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and St. Mary’s Basilica (Archikatedra Mariacka).

  • Afternoon: Explore the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz). Visit the Remuh Synagogue and the Old Synagogue, learn about the history of Jewish Kraków at Kazimierz Pharmacy Museum.

  • Dinner: Savor some traditional Jewish cuisine at Szeroka 24 or Mojżesz.

  • Evening: Take a leisurely stroll along the Vistula River and enjoy the sunset, or catch an opera at the Józefowski Palace (if available).

Day 2: Wawel Castle & Wieliczka Salt Mine

  • Breakfast: Grab a quick breakfast at a local bakery, like Piekarnia Krowka.
  • Morning: Visit the Wawel Castle and its stunning cathedral. Take a guided tour to learn about the castle’s rich history.
  • Lunch: Lunch is at your leisure in Old Town Kraków. Try local dishes like pierogi or zapiekanka.
  • Afternoon: Head to Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, about an hour’s drive from Kraków. Pre-book tickets for a guided tour.
  • Dinner: Back in Kraków, dine at Pod Aniołami or Wierzynek, both offering traditional Polish cuisine and fine dining experiences.

Day 3: Auschwitz-Birkenau & Schindler’s Factory

  • Breakfast: Start early with breakfast at a local café, such as Café Camelot.
  • Morning: Visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, about an hour’s drive from Kraków. Pre-book a guided tour to fully understand this historical site.
  • Lunch: Grab lunch at the Museum Restaurant near Auschwitz-Birkenau, or return to Kraków for a variety of options.
  • Afternoon: Explore the Schindler’s Factory Museum and learn about Oskar Schindler’s life and role during World War II.
  • Dinner: Enjoy a well-deserved dinner at Alchemia, known for its unique atmosphere, craft beers, and creative dishes.

Day 4: Krakus Mound & Planty Park

  • Breakfast: Breakfast at your leisure in Old Town Kraków.
  • Morning: Head to the Krakus Mound, a historic hillfort dating back to the 5th century. Take a walk up for panoramic views of Kraków.
  • Afternoon: Relax in the Planty Park surrounding Old Town, or visit nearby attractions like the Jagiellonian University or Collegium Novum Copernicanum.
  • Dinner: Dine at Kuchnia Szara, known for its contemporary Polish cuisine and beautiful interior design.
  • Evening: Take a night tour of Old Town Kraków, or simply enjoy a drink at Różana or Pod Nosem, two popular bars in the city.

Day 5: Day Trip to Zakopane & Oscypek Cheese Tasting

  • Breakfast: Enjoy your final Kraków breakfast at a local café, like Kawa Czwórka.
  • Morning: Take a day trip to Zakopane, about 2 hours by bus from Kraków. Explore the Tatra Mountains, visit the wooden churches of Hrywałd and Bystra, and stroll along Krupówki Street.
  • Lunch: Lunch is at your leisure in Zakopane. Try local specialties like oscypek cheese and highlander pie.
  • Afternoon: Return to Kraków and spend the afternoon at leisure, exploring any sights you may have missed or shopping for souvenirs in Old Town.
  • Dinner: Celebrate your last night in Kraków with a special dinner at Wierzynek, which offers an exceptional tasting menu showcasing regional cuisine.
  • Transportation: Kraków’s public transportation system is efficient and easy to use. Taxis are also widely available, but make sure to use reputable companies for safety. For day trips, consider booking organized tours or using public buses.