Krakow Malopolska
3
Day Itinerary •
Poland
Three days in Krakow and Malopolska covers the essential experience of one of Central Europe's finest and most historically significant cities. The extraordinary Rynek Glowny market square, the remarkable Wawel Royal Castle, the fine Kazimierz Jewish Quarter and the extraordinary Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial make three days of profound historical depth, remarkable beauty and outstanding Polish culture. This route gives a full day in the extraordinary Krakow Old Town and Wawel, a day at the UNESCO Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and a day at the remarkable Wieliczka Salt Mine and the fine Kazimierz district, covering the four essential Krakow experiences in three days of outstanding Polish heritage.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Krakow John Paul II Airport (KRK)
Getting Around
Walking in city, bus to Auschwitz, train to Wieliczka
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 400 PLN per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking on cobblestones
DAY 1
KRAKOW OLD TOWN AND WAWEL
MORNING
RYNEK GLOWNY AND ST MARY'S BASILICA
Rynek Glowny, the largest medieval market square in Europe, is the extraordinary heart of Krakow. The remarkable St Mary's Basilica with its Gothic altarpiece by Veit Stoss, the finest wooden sculpture in the world, the outstanding Cloth Hall with its amber and craft stalls, and the remarkable Town Hall Tower all surround the most beautiful market square in Central Europe. The extraordinary hourly bugle call from the basilica tower is the finest tradition in Poland. Entry basilica free. Travel: 10 min walk
MIDDAY
WAWEL ROYAL CASTLE AND CATHEDRAL
Wawel Castle, the extraordinary residence of Polish kings for five centuries on its limestone hill above the Vistula, is the most important building in Poland. The remarkable State Rooms with their outstanding Flemish tapestries, the fine royal private apartments and the extraordinary Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned and buried for 600 years, are all outstanding. The remarkable Sigismund Chapel, the finest Renaissance architecture north of the Alps, and the outstanding royal tombs are unmissable. Entry castle approx 30 PLN. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
KAZIMIERZ JEWISH QUARTER
Kazimierz, the extraordinary former Jewish district of Krakow, is one of the most remarkable historic neighbourhoods in Central Europe. The outstanding Stara Synagoga, the oldest synagogue in Poland, the remarkable Old Jewish Cemetery and the extraordinary cafes, antique shops and street art make it the finest neighbourhood in the city. The remarkable evening atmosphere of Kazimierz, with traditional klezmer music floating from the bars, is the finest in Krakow. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Florian Gate and Barbican at the northern entrance to the Old Town, the finest surviving medieval gate complex in Poland, are the most remarkable fortifications in Krakow. Entry approx 12 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Camelot, St Thomas Street The finest traditional cafe breakfast near Rynek Glowny. | Lunch: Restauracja Wierzynek, Rynek Traditional Polish cuisine on the finest square in Europe since 1364. | Dinner: Kazimierz district dinner Alchemia or Pod Norenami for the finest Kazimierz evening.
DAY 2
AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU
MORNING
AUSCHWITZ I, MAIN CAMP
Auschwitz I, the main Nazi concentration camp opened in 1940, is the most important site of 20th-century history in the world. The extraordinary preserved blocks, the remarkable Death Wall where executions took place, the outstanding collections of victims' belongings and the moving memorial are all essential. The guided tour gives the finest understanding of the site's history and context. The experience is deeply moving and essential to understanding modern history. Entry free, guided tour approx 80 PLN. Book months ahead. Travel: 1.5 hours by direct bus
MIDDAY
AUSCHWITZ II-BIRKENAU
Birkenau, 3km from the main camp and connected by free shuttle bus, was the largest and most systematic extermination camp of the Holocaust. The extraordinary scale of the site, the remarkable surviving wooden barracks, the outstanding ruins of the gas chambers and crematoria blown up by the SS in 1944 and the extraordinary International Monument are all deeply moving. Walking the railway track from the entrance gate to the monument is an essential experience. Free. Travel: Shuttle from Auschwitz I
AFTERNOON
GALICIA JEWISH MUSEUM AND KAZIMIERZ
Return to Krakow and visit the Galicia Jewish Museum in Kazimierz, which tells the story of Polish Jewish culture through remarkable photography by Jonathan Weber. The extraordinary exhibition focuses on what remains of the Jewish civilization that thrived in this region for 800 years, not only on the Holocaust. A quiet evening in Kazimierz completes the most important day of the Krakow visit. Entry museum approx 18 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Pharmacy Under the Eagle in Krakow's Ghetto, where pharmacist Tadeusz Pankiewicz defied the Germans to remain in the Ghetto and help Jewish residents, is the most remarkable small museum in Krakow. Entry approx 12 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Krakow hotel Good breakfast before the Auschwitz bus. Leave by 8am. | Lunch: Packed lunch or Oswiecim cafe Simple lunch between the camp sites. | Dinner: Kazimierz quiet dinner Singer Cafe or Klezmer-Hois for a gentle evening after a profound day.
DAY 3
WIELICZKA AND FAREWELL
MORNING
WIELICZKA SALT MINE
The Wieliczka Salt Mine UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the most extraordinary underground experiences in the world. The remarkable 300km of tunnels, the outstanding St Kinga's Chapel carved entirely from salt with its extraordinary chandeliers and floor reliefs, and the remarkable underground lake make it the finest underground attraction in Central Europe. The extraordinary history of 700 years of continuous mining is outstanding. Entry approx 109 PLN. Book ahead. Travel: 15 min by train
MIDDAY
SCHINDLER'S FACTORY MUSEUM
The Schindler's Factory Museum in the former enamel factory is one of the finest World War II museums in Europe. The extraordinary exhibition covers the German occupation of Krakow from 1939 to 1945, the remarkable Krakow Ghetto, the outstanding story of Oskar Schindler who saved 1,200 Jewish workers and the remarkable postwar Krakow are all outstanding. The multimedia displays and the moving collection of personal testimonies are remarkable. Entry approx 30 PLN. Book ahead. Travel: 25 min from Wieliczka
AFTERNOON
FINAL KRAKOW WALK AND FAREWELL
A final afternoon walk through the extraordinary Krakow Old Town, perhaps climbing the Cloth Hall tower for the finest view of Rynek Glowny, buying amber from the market stalls and sitting at a cafe on the most beautiful square in Central Europe for the last time. The remarkable experience of three days in Krakow, one of the finest and most historically important cities in Europe, makes it extraordinary value at a fraction of Western European prices. Cloth Hall tower approx 15 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Rynek Glowny on a summer evening with all the outdoor cafes open, the remarkable street musicians performing and the outstanding St Mary's bugle call sounding above the finest market square in Europe is the finest single experience in Krakow. Free.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Krakow hotel Good breakfast before the Wieliczka train. | Lunch: Wieliczka underground restaurant Remarkable lunch 135 metres underground in the salt mine. | Dinner: Final dinner, Rynek Glowny Farewell dinner on Poland's finest square. Pod Baranem or Miod i Wino.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Old Town or Kazimierz, all nights Stay walking distance of Rynek Glowny. Approx 150 to 350 PLN per night. Best value Krakow is excellent value. A great boutique hotel costs a fraction of Western prices. Booking ahead Book 4 to 8 weeks ahead in summer. Krakow is very popular.
Top Tips
1. Book Auschwitz-Birkenau timed entry months ahead online. It is essential and often fully booked.
2. Wieliczka Salt Mine also books out. Reserve tickets online several weeks before visiting.
3. Krakow is exceptional value. Meals cost a fraction of Western European prices.
4. The Kazimierz district at night has the finest bars and restaurants in Krakow.
5. The Schindler's Factory museum is one of the finest WWII museums in Europe. Book ahead.
6. The bugle call from St Mary's Basilica tower sounds every hour on the hour. Listen from the square.
Total Budget
270 to 560 PLN/day