Krakow Malopolska
5
Day Itinerary •
Poland
Five days in Krakow and Malopolska gives you time to explore one of the most beautiful and historically significant cities in Central Europe, and to venture into the extraordinary countryside around it. Krakow's remarkable Rynek Glowny, the largest medieval market square in Europe, the extraordinary Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral, the remarkable Kazimierz Jewish Quarter and the fine Wieliczka Salt Mine UNESCO World Heritage Site are all outstanding. This route covers the complete Krakow and Malopolska experience. The extraordinary Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial, one of the most important historic sites in the world, the remarkable Wieliczka Salt Mine with its underground chapels carved entirely from salt, the extraordinary Ojcow National Park, the remarkable Nowa Huta Soviet district and the outstanding Tyniec Abbey on the Vistula River.
Best Time To Visit
April to October
Getting There
Krakow John Paul II Airport (KRK), direct from many European cities
Getting Around
Walking in city, train and bus for day trips
Budget Per Day
Approx 200 to 400 PLN per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, mostly walking on cobblestones
DAY 1
KRAKOW OLD TOWN
MORNING
RYNEK GLOWNY, THE FINEST MARKET SQUARE IN EUROPE
Rynek Glowny, the main market square of Krakow, is the largest medieval market square in Europe at 200 metres square. The extraordinary Cloth Hall at its centre, the remarkable St Mary's Basilica with its extraordinary Gothic altarpiece by Veit Stoss, the fine Town Hall Tower and the outstanding cafes and restaurants around the entire perimeter make it the finest single public space in Central Europe. The remarkable bugle call from St Mary's tower sounds every hour. Free. Travel: 10 min walk from any central hotel
MIDDAY
ST MARY'S BASILICA AND CLOTH HALL
St Mary's Basilica, towering over the eastern corner of Rynek Glowny, contains the most extraordinary Gothic altarpiece in the world, the remarkable 12-metre carved wooden polyptych by Veit Stoss completed in 1489. The extraordinary blue-and-gold interior and the outstanding Cloth Hall, the remarkable Renaissance trading hall now housing amber and craft stalls, are both outstanding. The view from the Cloth Hall arcade over the square is remarkable. Entry basilica free, tower approx 15 PLN. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
KAZIMIERZ, THE JEWISH QUARTER
Kazimierz, Krakow's extraordinary former Jewish district 15 minutes walk from Rynek Glowny, is one of the most remarkable historic neighbourhoods in Central Europe. The remarkable Stara Synagoga, the oldest surviving synagogue in Poland, the outstanding Old Jewish Cemetery and the extraordinary concentration of antique shops, vintage cafes and remarkable street art make it the finest neighbourhood in Krakow. The remarkable transformation of Kazimierz since Schindler's List was filmed here is outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Florian Gate and the Barbican, the most complete medieval city gate complex in Poland, stand at the northern entrance to the Old Town. The remarkable 15th-century Barbican circular fortress and the outstanding city walls section are the finest medieval fortifications in Krakow. Entry approx 12 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Camelot, St Thomas Street The finest cafe breakfast in Krakow's Old Town. | Lunch: Restauracja Wierzynek, Rynek Traditional Polish cuisine on the finest square in Europe since 1364. | Dinner: Kazimierz neighbourhood The finest dinner neighbourhood in Krakow. Alchemia or Starka.
DAY 2
WAWEL AND KAZIMIERZ
MORNING
WAWEL ROYAL CASTLE
Wawel Castle, perched on a limestone hill above the Vistula, was the residence of Polish kings for five centuries and is the most important building in Poland. The extraordinary State Rooms, the remarkable royal private apartments and the outstanding collection of 16th-century Flemish tapestries are all remarkable. The extraordinary Dragon's Den cave beneath the castle, where the legendary Wawel Dragon is said to have lived, has a fire-breathing bronze dragon at the entrance. Entry castle approx 30 PLN. Travel: 15 min walk
MIDDAY
WAWEL CATHEDRAL
Wawel Cathedral, the coronation and burial church of Polish kings, is the most important religious building in Poland. The extraordinary royal tombs, the remarkable Sigismund Chapel, the finest Renaissance architecture north of the Alps, and the outstanding Sigismund Bell, one of the finest medieval bells in Europe, are all remarkable. Pope John Paul II was consecrated bishop here in 1958. The extraordinary view from the Sigismund Tower is outstanding. Entry approx 12 PLN. Travel: 5 min walk
AFTERNOON
SCHINDLER'S FACTORY MUSEUM
The Schindler's Factory Museum in the former enamel factory of Oskar Schindler, who saved 1,200 Jewish workers from the Holocaust, is one of the finest WWII museums in Europe. The extraordinary exhibition covers the German occupation of Krakow from 1939 to 1945 in remarkable detail. The remarkable Krakow Ghetto history, the outstanding multimedia displays and the moving collection of personal testimonies make it essential viewing. Entry approx 30 PLN. Book ahead.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Wawel Dragon's Den beneath the castle, a natural limestone cave with a fire-breathing bronze dragon outside that blows flames every few minutes, is the finest children's attraction in Krakow and remarkable for adults too. Entry approx 5 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Pod Aniolami, Grodzka Street Excellent traditional Polish breakfast near Wawel. | Lunch: Wawel cafe or Old Town Simple Polish lunch between the castle and factory. | Dinner: Pod Norenami, Kazimierz Outstanding Polish Jewish cuisine in the finest Kazimierz restaurant.
DAY 3
AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU
MORNING
AUSCHWITZ I, THE MAIN CAMP
Auschwitz I, the original concentration camp opened in 1940 in converted Polish army barracks, is the most important site of the Holocaust and one of the most significant historic places in the world. The extraordinary preserved blocks, the remarkable Death Wall, the outstanding collections of prisoners' belongings and the moving memorial make it essential to understand. The guided tour is the only way to visit and gives the finest context. Entry free, guided tour approx 80 PLN. Book months ahead. Travel: 1.5 hours by bus
MIDDAY
AUSCHWITZ II-BIRKENAU
Birkenau, 3km from the main Auschwitz camp, was the largest extermination camp of the Holocaust. The extraordinary scale of the site, stretching across 170 hectares, the remarkable surviving barracks, the outstanding ruins of the gas chambers destroyed by the SS in 1944 and the extraordinary International Monument at the end of the main railway track are all deeply moving. The free shuttle bus connects the two sites. Free to enter. Travel: Shuttle from Auschwitz I
AFTERNOON
RETURN TO KRAKOW AND REFLECTION
Return to Krakow and allow time for reflection after the most important day of the visit. A quiet evening in Kazimierz, perhaps visiting the Galicia Jewish Museum nearby, which tells the story of Polish Jewish culture not through the lens of tragedy but through the remarkable living tradition that existed for 800 years before the Holocaust, is a meaningful way to end the day. Entry museum approx 18 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Galicia Jewish Museum in Kazimierz, founded by British photographer Jonathan Weber, tells the remarkable story of Polish Jewish civilization through photography. The outstanding permanent exhibition focuses on what survived, not only what was lost. Entry approx 18 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Krakow hotel Good breakfast before the Auschwitz bus. Leave by 8am. | Lunch: Oswiecim town cafe or packed lunch Simple lunch between the two camp sites. | Dinner: Kazimierz quiet evening Gentle dinner in Kazimierz. Singer Cafe or Klezmer-Hois.
DAY 4
WIELICZKA AND NOWA HUTA
MORNING
WIELICZKA SALT MINE UNESCO
The Wieliczka Salt Mine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site continuously operated since the 13th century, is one of the most extraordinary underground attractions in the world. The remarkable 300km of tunnels, the outstanding chapels carved entirely from salt including the extraordinary St Kinga's Chapel with its salt chandeliers and salt floor reliefs, and the remarkable underground lake make it the finest underground attraction in Central Europe. Entry approx 109 PLN. Book ahead. Travel: 15 min by train
MIDDAY
WIELICZKA TOWN AND RETURN
The small town of Wieliczka above the extraordinary salt mine has a remarkable main square with fine traditional restaurants serving the finest Polish cuisine at excellent prices. The remarkable salt spa in the mine's lower levels offers extraordinary therapeutic salt treatments. Return to Krakow after the mine tour for the afternoon. The remarkable Museum of Krakow in the Old Town has outstanding collections of the city's extraordinary history. Free in town. Travel: 15 min train back
AFTERNOON
NOWA HUTA, THE MODEL SOVIET CITY
Nowa Huta, built from 1949 as the model Soviet city with streets named after Lenin and Stalin and the most extraordinary Stalinist architecture in Poland, is the most remarkable planned district in Central Europe. The fine tram ride from the Old Town takes 20 minutes. The outstanding central square Plac Centralny, the remarkable steelworks and the extraordinary story of the workers who defied Soviet rule to build an illegal church are all outstanding. Free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary underground sanatorium in the Wieliczka Salt Mine, where patients with respiratory conditions stay for weeks breathing the remarkable salt air, is the most unusual medical facility in the world. Tours of the sanatorium level are available. Entry approx 109 PLN with the main tour.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Krakow hotel Good breakfast before the Wieliczka train. | Lunch: Wieliczka salt mine restaurant Remarkable lunch 135 metres underground in the finest restaurant in Europe. | Dinner: Marka na Szewskiej or Miod i Wino Outstanding Polish cuisine for the finest Krakow dinner.
DAY 5
MALOPOLSKA COUNTRYSIDE
MORNING
OJCOW NATIONAL PARK
Ojcow National Park, the smallest national park in Poland, is the most extraordinary landscape near Krakow. The remarkable limestone valley of the Pradnik River, the extraordinary Hercules's Club rock formation, the fine ruins of Ojcow Castle on its limestone cliff and the outstanding Pieskowa Skala Castle perched above the valley are all remarkable. The extraordinary karst landscape of the Krakow-Czestochowa Upland is the finest natural scenery in Malopolska. Entry park free. Travel: 30 min drive
MIDDAY
PIESKOWA SKALA RENAISSANCE CASTLE
Pieskowa Skala Castle, the extraordinary Renaissance castle on a limestone cliff above the Pradnik River with the famous Hercules's Club rock pillar beside it, is the finest castle in the Ojcow valley. The remarkable courtyard loggia in the Italian Renaissance style, the outstanding collection of European decorative arts and the fine views of the extraordinary karst landscape from the castle walls are all outstanding. Entry approx 30 PLN. Travel: 15 min drive
AFTERNOON
TYNIEC BENEDICTINE ABBEY
Tyniec Abbey, the extraordinary Benedictine monastery founded in 1044 on a dramatic limestone cliff above the Vistula River 12km west of Krakow, is the finest monastic building in Malopolska. The remarkable views of the Vistula from the abbey cliffs, the outstanding Romanesque crypt and the extraordinary atmosphere of one of Poland's oldest monasteries are all remarkable. The boat trip from Krakow to Tyniec along the Vistula is outstanding. Entry approx 15 PLN.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Wielka Niedzwiedzia Cave in Ojcow National Park, where the bones of cave bears and woolly rhinoceros were discovered, is the finest prehistoric cave near Krakow. The remarkable 200-metre guided tour gives the finest underground experience in the park. Entry approx 12 PLN.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Krakow hotel Good breakfast before the Ojcow drive. | Lunch: Ojcow National Park restaurant Traditional Polish countryside lunch in the remarkable karst valley. | Dinner: Final Krakow dinner Farewell dinner on Rynek Glowny. Pod Baranem or Cyrano de Bergerac.
Where To Stay
Old Town or Kazimierz, all nights Stay walking distance of Rynek Glowny. Approx 150 to 350 PLN per night. Kazimierz tip The Jewish Quarter has the finest boutique hotels and the best nightlife. Value Krakow is excellent value. A good hotel costs a fraction of Western European prices.
Top Tips
1. Book Auschwitz-Birkenau timed entry online months ahead. It is essential and often sold out.
2. Wieliczka Salt Mine tickets also book out. Reserve online several weeks ahead.
3. Krakow is extraordinarily good value. Meals, accommodation and attractions cost a fraction of Western prices.
4. The Kazimierz district at night is the finest dining and drinking neighbourhood in Krakow.
5. Climb the St Mary's Basilica tower for the finest view of Rynek Glowny. Entry approx 15 PLN.
6. The Schindler's Factory museum is one of the finest WWII museums in Europe. Book ahead.
Total Budget
270 to 560 PLN/day