Krakow (Kraków), once the royal capital of Poland, wears its centuries lightly. Gothic spires pierce the sky above Europe’s largest medieval square, while the Vistula River curls around Wawel Castle like a silver ribbon. Beneath the postcard looks sits a city of stories—some joyous, some solemn—told in churches, cellars, synagogues, and world-class museums.

Expect a feast for the palate as much as for the eyes. From street-side obwarzanek (the Krakow “bagel”) to pierogi and rye-sour żurek soup, the city’s kitchens run on tradition—with modern flair at Michelin-starred gems. Krakow is compact and walkable, with trams filling the gaps; you’ll cover a lot in 48 hours without feeling rushed.

Practical notes: Poland uses the złoty (PLN), tap water is safe, and a 10% tip is appreciated in restaurants. Dress modestly for religious sites, and book popular attractions—like Schindler’s Factory or the Wieliczka Salt Mine—in advance, especially in summer and December market season.

Kraków

Imagine a city where a trumpeter sounds a broken melody every hour from St. Mary’s Basilica—an homage to a 13th-century warning call. Where the Cloth Hall once traded spices and silk, you’ll now find artisan amber, crafts, and an excellent underground museum. Wawel’s limestone hill has seen coronations, invasions, and a mythical dragon whose “cave” you can still descend into.

• Don’t miss: Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), St. Mary’s Basilica, the Cloth Hall and Underground Museum, Wawel Castle and Cathedral, the Planty greenbelt, Kazimierz’s synagogues, Ghetto Heroes Square, and the Vistula boulevards.
• Where to stay: Old Town (for maximum walkability) or Kazimierz (for café culture and nightlife).
• Eat & drink like a local: Seek pierogi ruskie, oscypek (smoked mountain cheese) with cranberry, zurek in bread, and sernik (cheesecake). Try a vodka tasting flight or a herbal nalewka after dinner.

Book your stay: Browse Old Town and Kazimierz apartments on VRBO Kraków or compare hotels (from boutique townhouses to design-forward stays) on Hotels.com Kraków.

Getting to Krakow: Fly into KRK (John Paul II Airport) or arrive by train. Compare Europe flights and rail on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). Examples: Warsaw to Kraków by high-speed train takes ~2h20–2h40 (often $20–$45); Vienna to Kraków ~4–5h ($25–$60); Prague to Kraków ~6.5–7.5h ($30–$70). Budget buses are plentiful too (Omio buses) and can be very good value.

Airport to center: The airport train reaches Kraków Główny in ~17 minutes for just a few dollars; taxis/ride-hails take ~25–35 minutes depending on traffic.

Day 1: Old Town Icons, Wawel Royalty, and Kazimierz by Night

Morning: Travel day. If you arrive early, power up with specialty coffee and a shakshuka or croissant at Wesola Café near the station, or grab a slice of sernik at Café Camelot in a lace-lined, bohemian salon. Stroll a segment of the Planty Park ring to reset after your journey.

Afternoon: Check in and head straight to the Main Market Square, Europe’s largest medieval piazza. Step into St. Mary’s Basilica to see Veit Stoss’s breathtaking Gothic altarpiece; listen for the hourly hejnał bugle call from the tower. Cross the square to the Cloth Hall for artisan amber and Polish ceramics, then dip into the Rynek Underground Museum (beneath the square) to walk medieval trade routes.

Wander down Grodzka to Wawel Hill. Tour the Wawel Cathedral’s chapels and royal tombs, and if time allows, the State Rooms of the Castle. Outside, the Vistula boulevards make a gentle loop—peek at the “Dragon’s Den” and its kitschy flame-spewing statue.

Evening: Dinner ideas: - Miód Malina for refined Polish plates (try wild boar, beetroot soup, and baked pierogi). - Starka in Kazimierz for home-style classics and house-made fruit nalewki. - Bottiglieria 1881 (2 Michelin stars) for a gastronomic splurge—book well ahead.

Nightcap in Kazimierz: Alchemia (candlelit, boho vibe), Mercy Brown (speakeasy cocktails; ring the bell), or Wódka Bar on Mikołajska for mini tasting flights of bison grass, cherry, and quince vodkas.

Optional after-dinner overview (great on a first night): Krakow: City Sightseeing Tour Eco Electric Buggy Golf Cart to glide past Old Town, Kazimierz, and the former ghetto with audio commentary.

Day 2: Kazimierz Stories and the Salt Kingdom (Depart in the Afternoon)

Morning: Choose one focus depending on your interests and departure time:

• Option A — Schindler’s Factory and Kazimierz (stays in the city): Start with a guided museum visit at Krakow Schindler's Factory Guided Tour with Admission Ticket (about 1.5–2 hours). The immersive exhibits trace Krakow under Nazi occupation through photos, film, and moving personal accounts.

• After the museum, pause at Ghetto Heroes Square and the “Empty Chairs” memorial. Coffee stops: Mleczarnia (rustic, leafy courtyard) or Cheder (slow coffee and Middle Eastern bites inside a former prayer house). For lunch, consider Hamsa (mezze, shakshuka), Zazie Bistro (French comfort), or Kuchnia u Doroty (hearty Polish soups and cutlets).

• Option B — Wieliczka Salt Mine (half day): If you prefer an underground wonder, book the early Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour from Krakow: Ticket & Transfer. It typically runs ~4–5 hours round-trip with hotel pickup; you’ll descend into a 13th‑century labyrinth of saline chapels and chandeliers carved from “white gold.” Aim for the first departure to be back around 12:30–1:00 pm.

Afternoon: Quick bites before you go: Milkbar Tomasza for pierogi and pancakes; Przystanek Pierogarnia (tiny, beloved) for take-away dumplings; or Charlotte Chleb i Wino near Szczepański Square for tartines and a glass of house bubbly. Pick up last-minute gifts in the Cloth Hall (amber, embroidered linens) or at the MOCAK design shop by Schindler’s Factory if you were in Zabłocie.

Transfer to KRK: The airport train from Kraków Główny takes ~17 minutes; buses and taxis are frequent. If you’re coming from Kazimierz/Zabłocie, allow ~35–50 minutes by tram + train or ~30–40 minutes by taxi depending on traffic.

Evening (if your flight is late): Cap your stay with a sunset Vistula stroll, then dinner at Szara Gęś on the square (roast duck with red cabbage) or Pod Aniołami for wood-fired meats in a 13th‑century cellar. For dessert, join the locals at Good Lood for inventive ice creams like salted caramel and Polish plum.

Alternative (full-day, if departing late evening): Those wishing to focus on remembrance can dedicate Day 2 to Auschwitz-Birkenau with respectful, guided transport from Krakow. This meaningful excursion lasts ~7 hours; plan a late flight. Consider: Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour from Krakow with Ticket & Transfer.

Local lodging picks (by vibe):

• Old Town: Steps to the square, ideal for first-timers and families. Search apartments and suites on VRBO Kraków or compare top-rated hotels on Hotels.com Kraków.
• Kazimierz: Atmospheric streets, café culture, and nightlife; 10–15 minutes’ walk to the main square. Great for couples and food lovers.
• Zabłocie/Podgórze: Modern lofts near Schindler’s Factory and riverside paths—quiet, creative, and well-connected by tram.

More great food stops (save these): Karma Coffee Roasters (single-origin brews), Massolit Bakery (legendary bagels and babka), Stara Zajezdnia (craft beer hall in a historic tram depot), Szynk (updated Polish classics), and Fiorentina (elegant Polish with seasonal game).

Optional add-ons for a future visit: Day trip to the Tatra foothill town of Zakopane for Gubałówka views, highlander cheese (oscypek), and thermal baths—consider a curated experience like Krakow–Zakopane: Cable Car, Chocholow Baths, Cheese & Vodka if you have an extra day.

In just two days, you’ll have walked medieval lanes, stood on royal ramparts, and tasted Krakow’s culinary soul. Whether you chose a reflective morning at Schindler’s Factory or descended into a city of salt, Krakow’s layers stay with you—an intimate city that rewards both first-timers and repeat visitors.