Poland rewards the curious traveler. Once the heartland of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, the country has rebuilt, reimagined, and revitalized itself—leaving a landscape where medieval squares, Art Deco palaces, and cutting-edge museums live side by side. You’ll taste timeless recipes, hear stories of resilience, and trace centuries of European history in a single week.

This 7-day itinerary focuses on Krakow and Warsaw, two essential cities with very different rhythms. Krakow beguiles with cobbles, church towers, and café culture; Warsaw hums with creative energy, riverfront life, and world-class museums. Together, they form a complete introduction to Poland’s past and present.

Practical notes: Poland is in the Schengen Area; the currency is the Polish złoty (PLN). Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted. Rideshares (Bolt, Uber) and efficient rail links make moving around easy. Plan museum days for weekdays if possible; remember many shops close or shorten hours on some Sundays due to trade laws.

Krakow

Cradled on the Vistula, Krakow escaped much wartime destruction, preserving one of Europe’s largest medieval squares and a trove of Renaissance architecture. Its Old Town and the former Jewish district of Kazimierz are endlessly walkable, with café-lined courtyards, candlelit cellar restaurants, and street music drifting under St. Mary’s Basilica’s trumpeted hejnał.

Beyond postcard beauty lie profound sites of memory. Day trips to Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine (a cathedral carved in salt) are essential. Balance the heavy with the joyful: pierogi tastings, a plant-filled river promenade, and evenings in atmospheric Kazimierz bars.

• Getting in: Fly into Krakow (KRK) or arrive by train from elsewhere in Europe. Compare flights on Omio (to/from Europe) or, if you’re originating outside Europe, check Trip.com and Kiwi.com. If coming by rail, see schedules and book seats via Omio trains.
• Where to stay (Hotels.com affiliate picks):
  • Hotel Stary — historic townhouse with a sleek spa steps from the Main Square.
  • Radisson Blu Hotel Krakow — reliable comfort between Planty Park and Wawel.
  • Metropolis Design Hotel — design-forward, good value, walkable to the castle.
  • Novotel Krakow Centrum — family-friendly with a pool near the river.
  • Ibis Budget Krakow Stare Miasto — budget near the station and Old Town.
  • Greg & Tom Hostel or Novotel Krakow City West for hostel vs. value-hotel options.
  Or browse more stays: Hotels.com – Krakow | VRBO – Krakow.

Day 1: Arrival and First Taste of Old Town

Afternoon: Arrive and settle in. Stretch your legs on a loop of Planty Park, the green ring where medieval walls once stood. Step into the Main Square (Rynek Główny) to see the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica; listen for the hourly bugle call.

Evening: Dinner at Miod Malina (classic Polish—duck, mushroom soups) or Pod Aniołami (cellar setting, grilled oscypek cheese). For something contemporary, try Karakter for nose-to-tail plates and natural wines. Nightcap at Mercy Brown, a speakeasy with live jazz, or wander to Kazimierz for candlelit Alchemia.

Day 2: Old Town, Kazimierz, and Schindler’s Story

Morning: Coffee at Wesoła Café or Karma Coffee Roasters (house-roasted, serious espresso). Tour Wawel Royal Castle—State Rooms and the Cathedral—then stroll Kanonicza Street, one of Krakow’s oldest. Pick up obwarzanek (ring-shaped bread) from a street cart.

Afternoon: Cross to Kazimierz: visit the Remuh Synagogue and its ancient cemetery, then the riverside. Lunch on pierogi at Przystanek Pierogarnia (tiny, beloved) or hummus-and-more at Hamsa. Continue to Oskar Schindler’s Factory—bookable via Viator for a guided experience:
Schindler's Factory Museum

Evening: Dine at Starka (Polish comfort and house-made vodkas) or Zazie Bistro (French-Polish bistro in Kazimierz). For dessert, visit Café Camelot near the square for cheesecake under pink walls.

Day 3: Auschwitz-Birkenau (Full-Day Tour)

Today is devoted to remembrance. Dress respectfully, bring water and a light snack, and be prepared for a powerful, somber experience. Typical pickup 7:30–9:00 a.m.; total duration ~7 hours; guided museum sections at Auschwitz I and Birkenau.

Recommended options (hotel pickup, transport, licensed guide):
Krakow to Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour with Transfer and Ticket

Krakow to Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour with Ticket Hotel Pickup

After returning, choose a quiet dinner: Pod Baranem (excellent traditional fare; strong gluten-free menu) or Wierzynek (a historic dining room dating to 1364).

Day 4: Wieliczka Salt Mine and Krakow at Leisure

Morning: Start with breakfast at Ranny Ptaszek (veg-forward shakshuka and sourdough) or Charlotte on Plac Szczepański (fresh baguettes, confitures). Head to Wieliczka for a guided salt mine tour (~4 hours door-to-door, 135 meters underground, 3 km of galleries). Book with:
Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour: Ticket & Transfer from Krakow

Afternoon: Back in the city, visit MOCAK (contemporary art) or climb Kościuszko Mound for panoramic views. Snack on zapiekanki (toasted baguettes) at Plac Nowy—try the stall “Endzior” for the classic mushroom-cheese combo.

Evening: Dinner at Szara Gęś (refined Polish in a townhouse on the square) or Morskie Oko (Highlander recipes—grilled oscypek with cranberry is a must). Late drinks along the Vistula Boulevards when the river lights up.

• Optional full-day alternative: Escape to the mountains with a Zakopane & thermal baths tour (hotel pickup, funicular to Gubałówka, tastings, and soaking time):
  Krakow–Zakopane: Cable Car, Chocholow Baths, Cheese & Vodka

  

Warsaw

Warsaw is a phoenix. Flattened in WWII, the city rebuilt its Old Town brick by brick and then surged ahead—today it’s a capital of ideas, gastronomy, and green spaces. Stroll the Royal Route, linger in Łazienki’s palace-dotted park, and dive into museums that set the European standard.

Neighborhoods reveal the city’s layers: Praga’s prewar buildings and creative hubs; Śródmieście’s cafés and boutiques; and the Vistula’s wild beaches and summer bars. The skyline—crowned by the Palace of Culture and Science—glows best at golden hour from a rooftop terrace.

• Getting there from Krakow (Day 5 morning): Take a direct EIP Pendolino train to Warsaw Centralna: ~2 h 20–2 h 40, typically 80–200 PLN ($20–$50). Book reserved seats via Omio trains. Buses are cheaper but slower; see Omio buses.
• Where to stay (Hotels.com affiliate picks):
  • Raffles Europejski Warsaw — museum-worthy art, impeccable service on the Royal Route.
  • Hotel Bristol, a Luxury Collection Hotel — Belle Époque icon opposite Presidential Palace.
  • Novotel Warszawa Centrum — central, modern, great views on high floors.
  • Mercure Warszawa Grand — solid value near Nowy Świat.
  • Oki Doki City Hostel — creative hostel with friendly common spaces.
  Or browse more stays: Hotels.com – Warsaw | VRBO – Warsaw.

Day 5: Train to Warsaw, Royal Route, and Old Town

Morning: Depart Krakow on an early EIP train; grab a flat white and a pastry at the station’s Etno Cafe or pack a bagel from Charlotte. Arrive at Warszawa Centralna and drop bags.

Afternoon: Walk the Royal Route: Nowy Świat → Krakowskie Przedmieście → Castle Square. Tour the Royal Castle’s ornate chambers. Coffee at STOR on Tamka or Ministerstwo Kawy by Plac Zbawiciela.

Evening: Dinner in Old Town: U Fukiera (white tablecloth classics) or Bazyliszek for hearty Polish staples. For modern Polish with a wine focus, try Alewino near Mokotowska. Nightcap at Loreta rooftop (views over the skyline) or a craft beer at PiwPaw Beerheaven.

Day 6: Museums and the Vistula

Morning: Breakfast at Bułkę przez Bibułkę (fluffy brioche sandwiches) or Charlotte (bread and house confitures). Visit the POLIN Museum of the History of Polish Jews—plan 2–3 hours for the award-winning core exhibition.

Afternoon: Warsaw Uprising Museum brings 1944 to life with immersive exhibits. Late lunch at Hala Koszyki—a restored market hall—try currywurst at Kielba w Gębie or pierogi at the Polish counter, then espresso at Relax na Koszykowej.

Evening: Stroll the Vistula boulevards; in summer, pop-up beach bars and floating venues animate the river. Dinner at Stary Dom (old-school Polish and tableside schabowy) or MOD (ramen and cult-favorite doughnuts). Cocktails at El Koktel or Woda Ognista (pre-war Warsaw vibes).

Day 7: Palaces and Parks, then Departure

Morning: Łazienki Park—peacocks, lakes, and the Palace on the Isle; Sunday Chopin recitals in summer. Coffee at Café Rozdroże by the park or a specialty pour-over at Forum.

Afternoon: Head to Wilanów Palace, the “Polish Versailles,” for Sarmatian-era splendor and manicured gardens. If time allows, detour to Praga Koneser for the Polish Vodka Museum and the Neon Museum nearby. Depart in the afternoon; for flights within Europe use Omio, or compare long-haul options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: If you have one last meal, book Kieliszki na Próżnej (seasonal Polish small plates, exceptional wine) or Bibenda (veg-friendly plates to share). Toast your week with nalewki (fruit liqueurs) or a crisp Polish pilsner.

Practical Eating and Coffee Shortlist (Save These!)

• Krakow coffee: Karma, Wesoła, Tektura, Massolit Bakery & Café.
• Krakow meals: Przystanek Pierogarnia (pierogi), Miod Malina (traditional), Karakter (modern), Pod Baranem (classic), Zazie Bistro (French-Polish), Szara Gęś (elegant), Morskie Oko (Highlander).
• Warsaw coffee: Ministerstwo Kawy, STOR, Forum, Relax na Wilczej.
• Warsaw meals: U Fukiera (Old Town institution), Stary Dom (heritage recipes), Alewino (wine + modern Polish), MOD (ramen/doughnuts), Hala Koszyki (food hall variety), Kieliszki na Próżnej (seasonal plates).

Getting Around and Budget Notes

• Trains: Fast, frequent Krakow–Warsaw connections; book via Omio trains. Expect ~2.5 hours, 80–200 PLN.
• Local transit: Trams/metro/buses are efficient; 24-hour tickets are good value. Rideshare (Bolt/Uber) is widespread.
• Tours: Auschwitz day tours typically 230–350 PLN; Wieliczka tours ~180–250 PLN; Zakopane with thermal baths ~300–450 PLN depending on inclusions.

Seven days in Poland will linger: Gothic towers and golden museums, river walks and soulful meals, and the dignity of places that teach us to remember. Between Krakow’s time-capsule lanes and Warsaw’s forward-looking spirit, you’ve sampled the country’s essence—and left room to return for the Baltic coast and Tatra trails.