Krakow is becoming an increasingly popular destination for many Europeans. Filled with rich history and some of the most photogenic streets I’ve ever walked along, it isn't hard to see why. Just a short 2 hour flight from Brussels makes it the perfect winter city break to spend a long weekend. Though there’s more to Krakow than just it’s Old Town, when you’re only planning on a Krakow weekend break, you could easily spend all your time here without ever having to leave. Somewhere between the pastel facades and churches, Krakow just might convince you to start planning your next city break.
Krakow city break: get your bearings
A brief history lesson before you visit Krakow
Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland. Archaeological evidence proves that there were settlements in and around Krakow dating way back to 50,000BC. Legend attributes the city’s founding to Krakus, the mythical ruler who vanquished the Wawel Dragon, Krakow's mascot which you'll probably encounter numerous times during your Krakow weekend trip.
Krakow grew more and more prosperous and became the capital of Poland in the 11th century, with the Wawel Royal Castle becoming the residence of Polish kings. Krakow particularly flourished under the rule of Kazimierz the Great (1333-1370), who expanded Wawel Castle and established two new cities – Kleparz and Kazimierz – which were closely connected with and would later be incorporated into Krakow.
The city knew many ups and downs and the Polish capital was moved to Warsaw. When the Second World War broke out, Nazi German forces entered Krakow, setting up command of their ‘General Government’ (the Nazi term for the occupied Polish lands slated to be purified and incorporated into the Rhineland) in Wawel Castle. The Jewish population was ejected from Kazimierz into a ghetto. The Jewish ghetto (with more than 15.000 inhabitants) was liquidated in 1943 with its occupants shot where they stood, sent to work in Płaszów Camp or sent to their deaths in nearby Auschwitz.
Though a brutal part in Krakow's history, the Nazi occupancy of the city guaranteed a good preservation of Krakow's monuments. Krakow today is reviving: a beautifully preserved city center and artsy neighbourhoods are luring visitors to a weekend break in Krakow.
Where to stay in Krakow
We stayed in the gorgeous Puro Kazimierz Hotel in Krakow's Jewish Quarter, in my opinion the best place to stay in Krakow 🥰. The hotel is beautifully furnished with a Scandinavian boutique vibe and a superb spa! Excellent for when you need to heat up when visiting Krakow in January like we did!
If you're looking for a more central location in Krakow's old Town, I would highly recommend Hotel Indigo, one of the best hotels in Krakow Old Town. though I haven't stayed here myself, it is on my "unique accommodations" list for a next visit. To get from the Krakow airport to Old Town, we arranged an airport transfer which turned out to be cheaper than a taxi.
For more places to stay in Krakow, use the interactive Krakow map below:
Booking.com
Eating out in Krakow
Eating in Krakow is nothing but boring. From traditional Polish cuisine to trendy Middle Eastern dishes and a revolution of plant based establishments, your time in Krakow will be spend by frolicking from one bistro to another. I promise you! 🤤
- Pierożki u Vincenta - head here for a traditional Polish pierogi (think savoury or sweet dumplings). They come with different types of fillings and are usually served with caramelized onions on top and some sour cream.
- Stara Paczkarnia - the best Paczki (Polish doughnut) in Krakow can be found here. They're very filling so come hungry! We loved the ones with Rose and Apple-Cinnamon flavour. YUM!
- Barka - We were so sad to have missed dinner at Barka, it was highly recommended by locals! The laidback atmosphere, ambient decorations and great menu were to guarantee a great evening out.
- Hamsa - While in the Jewish Quarter, why not enjoy the multi-flavored Middle Eastern kitchen? The menu brings together typical Israeli dishes like shish kebab, Moroccan lamb with couscous, baked eggplant with bulgur, and the Palestinian dessert Knafeh. One of the best restaurants in Krakow Jewish Quarter I've been to.
- Alchemia od Kuchni - we stumbled upon this lunch spot while strolling around in the Jewish Quarter. The menu is quite short but definitely worth it, it even includes some vegan options! Go there for delicious burgers, quinoa bowls or hummus dips.
- Kolanko N°6 - it was supposed to only be a stop on my photography tour around Kazimierz but we simply fell in love with this bistro! They had the best savory crepes that you can order with different fillings. If you enjoy tea, they have a great fruity selection too!
- Pod Aniolami - if you're looking for a great dining experience with a touch of medieval atmosphere, history and charm, do not miss out on Pod Aniolami! This hidden gem is located in the gothic cellars of a 13th-century building. The menu offers mouth-watering delicacies of Polish cuisine such as homemade lard, Polish and Russian dumplings in a variety of flavours, succulent goose breast carpaccio and mountain rivers’ trout 'a la shepherd'. Carnivores only I'm afraid.
- Veganic - if you're looking for a vegan friendly lunch spot, Veganic is your haven. While it is no doubt one of the best vegan restaurants in town (90% of the menu is vegan), its it beautifully presented dishes, gorgeous patio seating, and tasty combinations that attract the crowds. We devoured the mushroom ravioli!
OK, now that you’ve drooled your way through our eating in Krakow list, let’s jump into our Krakow weekend itinerary!
Fabulous things to do on a weekend in Krakow
Weekend breaks to Krakow are getting more and more popular and it's not hard to see why. The old Town is filled to the brim with beautifully preserved castles, cathedrals and impressive pastel façades. The surrounding neighbourhoods are rich in history, culture, art and a gourmet restaurants. Krakow is one the top Poland tourists attractions and definitely not to be skipped while traveling through Eastern Europe.
Have we warmed you up for an unforgettable Krakow weekend trip? Read on and discover what to see in Krakow in 2 days!
Krakow sightseeing: Old Town
1. Visit Wawel Castle and Cathedral
Don’t miss out on the majestic Wawel castle, perched on the picturesque Wawel hill overlooking Krakow. One of the best places in the city to learn about Polish history!
Wawel Castle entrance fee:
- State Rooms: 25 PLN (summer season); 20 PLN (winter season)
- Crown Treasury and Armoury: 25 PLN (summer season); 20 PLN (winter season)
- Royal Private Apartments: 27 PLN (summer season); 23 PLN (winter season)
Wawel Castle hours:
- Summer Season (April 1–October 31):
Tuesday-Friday: 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Sat., Sun. and Holidays: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
last visitor entry – 4 p.m., sales till 3:45 p.m.
- Winter Season (November 2–March 31):
everything closes 1 hour earlier.
Wawel Castle tour: visit Wawel Castle on a guided tour!
2. Stroll around Main Market Square in Krakow Old Town
Many trips to Krakow set out from this bustling location and all visitors end up on the Main Market Square sooner or later. Wander around the square and admire the Cloth Hall or peak into St. Mary’s Basilica. The blue colored ceiling is magnificent! Surely one of the Krakow highlights that you do not want to miss on your weekend break.
Often the starting point for a Krakow guided tour, the Main Market Square is the busiest place in Old Town. An ideal starting point to join some of the best Krakow tours:
- A magical evening watching a Chopin piano recital: enjoy the genius compositions of Chopin just off the incredibly gorgeous Main market Square. It the most perfect introduction to Krakow we could have imagined!
- The Krakow Underground Museum: discover the secret treasures hidden under Krakow's Main Market Square. The old roads and archeological findings from many centuries ago are one of Krakow's best kept secrets.
- Half day bicycle tour through Old Town, the Jewish Quarter and Jewish Ghetto: 25 stops in Krakow's Old Town and the Jewish Quarter and ghetto along Schindler's List filming locations.
- Krakow food tour: taste 10 polish delicacies (food and booze) and how out how they are made!
- Join a Krakow pub crawl: experience Krakow's nightlife by going on a pub and bar crawl!
3. Enjoy romantic sunsets from Krakow Castle
Wawel Castle isn't only a great place for getting in touch with Polish history or let out your inner princess, it's also one of the best places in Old Town to catch the sunset! One of the most romantic places to visit in Krakow 💕
4. Marvel at the beautiful facades and architecture
Krakow boasts some beautiful pastel houses, often turned into boutiques or shops. Lovely to stroll around while discovering Krakow's Old Town.
Kazimierz: Jewish Quarter in Krakow
Kazimierz has known a black history as it is mostly known for the horrors that took place upon the Krakow Jews before being shipped off to Auschwitz. Do not skip a walk around this neighborhood to soak up the history but also see its culture being reclaimed by current Jews moving back to Krakow.
The area offers a network of narrow cobbled streets with plenty of artisan shops selling unique gifts and intimate cafés where you can taste fine wines and delicacies to make your time even more special.
Short breaks to Krakow should definitely include a stop in Kazimierz. Even with only 2 days in Krakow you'll have plenty of time for our free walking tour through Krakow Jewish Quarter.
The former Jewish ghetto in Krakow
South of the Vistula river is where you’ll enter the previous Jewish Ghetto. You can this discover this part of Krakow together with the Jewish Quarter by following our free walking tour if you're low on $ or with an experienced guide that can tell you all about the horrific history that took place in this exact neighbourhood.
A selection of the best Krakow tours of the Jewish ghetto are:
- Walking tour through Kazimierz and the Jewish ghetto: half day guided walking tour through Kazimierz and the Jewish Ghetto along Schindler's List filming locations.
- Visit Kazimierz and the Jewish Ghetto by mini electric car: Not in the mood for walking? Not to worry, tours through Kazimierz and the Jewish ghetto are also conducted by electrical vehicles and do not require walking!
- Visit Schindler's Factory: guided tour through Oskar Schindler's factory.
- Visit the former headquarters of the Gestapo: history buff? You'll surely want to take a peek inside the remnants of the Gestapo headquarters!
Explore Lake Zakrzówek
Smack in the middle of Krakow lies a lake which turns gorgeously turquoise in the summer months when the sun hits the water just right. During winter time it was a pleasant stroll without the crowds! Too often missing from Krakow city breaks I honestly recommend to visit if you have the time to spare.
Spectacular trips from Krakow
Learn about the Nazi rule in Poland at Auschwitz-Birkenau
Another must-see around Krakow are the concentration camps in Auschwitz-Birkenau which are connected to the tragic times of the Second World War. Today it serves as a museum and as a memorial of the many victims of the Nazi regime.
You can either visit Auschwitz-Birkenau on a self-guided tour (transportation to Auschwitz-Birkenau is provided) or on a full guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau. We opted for a full guided tour and did not regret it one bit! The explanations of the guide are so informative and help you construct the entire story of what happened at these concentration camps. Do pack a lunch though, there are food stalls on the premises but while we were there there was no time foreseen to actually go and eat something.
I would advise against an Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine combo tour. You really need an entire day to fully explore the concentration camps and rushing it is missing out on exploring one of the best museums in the world.
Go underground at the Wieliczka Salt Mine
Another spot you would visit while in the Krakow neighborhood is the Wieliczka Salt Mine: one of the most popular attractions and best places to visit in Poland. Also, an ideal trip from Krakow on a rainy day! Descending into the salt mine offers an unforgettable sight of underground salt art and architectural design.
You can only explore the Salt Mines on a tour and it will take you about half a day. While the tunnels and rooms inside the salt mine are spacious, the initial staircase to go down into the line and the elevator to go back up can be a potential issue for those of you who get claustrophobic.
Other interesting places to visit in Poland
Planning on touring more of Poland? Well you're in for a treat! I get it, short breaks to Krakow, Poland are often enough to encourage complete Poland vacations of a week or even more.
Other top destinations in Poland that are worth exploring:
- Poland's capital Warshow
- Tatra Mountains
- Gdansk: the "Pearl of the North"
- Sopot: Poland's charming seaside town
So there you have it, our perfect weekend in Krakow, Poland! Krakow breaks are getting more popular amongst Europeans as they've discovered the rich history this city has so beautifully preserved. With this Krakow city guide you'll be able to explore the city's highlights as well as some very well hidden gems! Have fun 😘
Hawe you ever been on a Krakow mini break? How did you enjoy it?
LOVE IT? PIN IT AND SHARE IT!
COMMENTS Expand -
ADD A COMMENT
Planning on visiting Krakow this summer or in the fall, will definitely look up this amazing guide once the tickets are booked! Really thorough and great guide! Thanks for sharing!
Hi Tina, glad to hear you’re planning on going to Krakow! Hope you’ll have the best time in Poland, we sure did.
We’ll be adding mini-guides to the Jewish Quarter, the Salt mines and Auschwitz-Birkenau soon!
Hugs, Marlo & Kristof