Well, you’ve decided to start your 2 nights and 3 days trip in Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Poland! It is a great choice. The city of Krakow promises you an unforgettable experience with its rich history, pleasant atmosphere and delicious cuisine. So, pack your bags. Get ready to discover the charm of Krakow!
Discovering the heart of Krakow: First Night and Day.
Today is the first day of your stay in Krakow. Visit the following destinations to start your 2 nights and 3 days adventure in Krakow.
Milkbar Tomasza: A delicious breakfast for the start of your adventure
To ensure that your 2 nights and 3 days adventure in Krakow goes smoothly, we recommend that you start your day with breakfast. We highly recommend that you enjoy your breakfast at the Milkbar Tomasza. This restaurant is located at 24 Tomasza Street in Krakow, easily accessible by walking from many of Krakow’s downtown hotels and attractions.
Additionally, this restaurant has over 4 thousand reviews on Google Maps with a very high 4.7 rating. You can enjoy their super delicious signature menu, such as pierogi and omelet, with meal prices starting from 20 PLN. The restaurant is open Tuesday-Sunday from 8 am to 6 pm and closed Monday.
If you decide to start your 2 nights and 3 days adventure in Krakow at this restaurant, we recommend you to have a chat with the super friendly locals.
Barbican of Krakow: the historic guardian of Krakow
After breakfast, you can continue your first day’s adventure to the Barbican of Krakow. This historic fortress symbolizes the defense of the city. In fact, the fortress dates back to the 15th century and served as an outpost to protect the city’s main gate, the Florian Gate.
This circular structure is made of brick and stone and has a diameter of about 24 meters (79 feet). You can visit the fortress on Basztowa Street, and the entrance fee is 16 PLN for adults, and children under 7 are free. Unfortunately, the fortress is temporarily closed due to renovations. However, we still recommend you visit this place, even though you see this attraction from the outside of the building.
St. Florian’s Gate and the charming cafes of the Floriańska Street
To complete your 2 nights and 3 days adventure in Krakow, we recommend visiting St. Florian’s Gate and enjoying the charming cafes along Floriańska Street. Everyone can get a free ticket to enter St. Florian’s Gate. The gate is open from Monday to Saturday, so it is perfect for Jnd readers to visit. Built-in the 14th century, the gate was one of the eight gates that controlled access into the city and served as a sentry and tax collection point.
After enjoying the beauty of St. Florian’s Gate, you can also enjoy the cafes along Floriańska Street, offering a variety of food and drinks. This is an ideal way to spend your time in Krakow.
Rynek Główny Krakow: The historic heart of the city
Rynek Główny, or the Main Square, is the heart or center of Krakow. It is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and has been the center of life for centuries. This place is a must-visit for Jnd readers because Rynek Główny offers several other interesting attractions for you, including the City Hall Tower, the Krakow National Museum, the Juliusza Słowackiego Theater, and St. Mary’s Basilica.
The square is open 24 hours a day, and the entrance is free of charge. Rynek Główny is also always busy, both day and night, especially in winter when there is a very busy Christmas market. The square has many cafes, restaurants, and shops that are worth visiting. You can also enjoy listening to live music and people-watching.
Explore the past: Rynek Underground Museum
After enjoying Krakow’s beautiful squares, take advantage of a visit to the Rynek Underground Museum. Located beneath the iconic Rynek Główny (Main Square), this museum offers a unique experience. It takes you on a journey into Krakow’s past.
What is unique about this museum is that it was opened in 2009 after years of archaeological excavations that revealed the remains of medieval settlements, streets, and markets that once existed under the square.
If you decide to visit the museum, you will be charged 32 PLN for adults and 28 PLN for children. Still, suppose you are visiting with your family. In that case, we advise you to buy a family ticket, which costs 64 PLN and is valid for a maximum of 4 people (two adults and one or two children under 16, one adult and two or three children under 16).
Enjoy Polish Cuisine on Grodzka Street for a Delicious Lunch
Wow, it’s lunchtime already. We recommend you to enjoy Polish cuisine on Grodzka Street to enjoy your lunch.
These restaurants offer a wide range of Polish specialties such as Zurek (a traditional Polish soup made of rye sourdough, bacon, sausage and eggs) and Gołąbki (a dish made of cabbage stuffed with meat and rice, then boiled or steamed). We highly recommend the Chłopskie Jadło Restaurant and the Pod Aniołami Restaurant.
Explore the splendor of the Wawel Castle
After you have enjoyed your lunch, let’s continue our trip to the Wawel Castle. This is a very interesting tourist complex where you can climb the Wawel Tower and have a look at the beauty of the Wawel Cathedral.
We recommend that you climb the Wawel Tower, a 70-meter bell tower, to complete your Krakow adventure. The tower offers a beautiful panorama of Cracow, including the main plaza, the Church of Our Lady and the Vistula River.
It would be best if you explored the splendor of Wawel Castle after climbing the tower. In ancient times, this castle was the residence of Polish kings. It was the center of the Polish government until it was moved to the capital city of Warsaw.
We also recommend that you admire the beauty of the Wawel Cathedral. This magnificent Gothic Cathedral used to be the place where Polish kings were crowned, and it is one of the most important churches in Poland. The entrance fee for this tourist attraction is 23 PLN for adults and 16 PLN for children.
Recommended Article: Krakow vs Warsaw: Which is best to visit in 2024?
Visit the Dragon’s Cave to end your day
A visit to the Cave of the Dragons (Smocza Jama), an underground cave beneath Wawel Hill, is the perfect way to end your first day of historical and cultural sightseeing in Krakow. It has been a legend for centuries and is one of Cracow’s most popular tourist attractions.
The cave is approximately 270 meters in length and is decorated with a variety of beautiful stalactite and stalagmite formations. You can take a guided tour of the cave and learn about the legend of the Wawel Dragon.
Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Krakow: Night and Day 2
Your 2 nights and 3 days adventure in Krakow starts again; on this second day, we will visit different top destinations to get to know Krakow’s rich culture.
Learn history with Schindler’s Factory.
Suppose you are a lover of the dark history of the Second World War. In that case, you must make Schindler’s Factory one of the tourist destinations that you visit. Founded in 1937, the factory is the heroic story of Oskar Schindler, a German businessman who saved over 1200 Jewish lives and is a silent witness to the dark history of the Nazis in Poland.
The factory was originally an enamel factory, and now it is a museum of the history of Poland. If you decide to visit this museum, we recommend that you purchase your tickets online. You will have to pay an entrance fee of 32 PLN for an adult and 28 PLN for a child. However, the museum also offers family tickets and luncheon tickets, which are perfect for those traveling with a family. Family tickets cost 64 PLN, and group tickets cost 28 PLN. The museum is located at Lipowa 4 in Krakow, a 20-minute tram ride from the Rynek.
MOCAK Krakow: Contemporary Art in Krakow
Once you have visited Schindler’s Factory, you must take advantage of a visit to the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK), as it is still located on the same street. MOCAK is a contemporary museum. It houses an impressive collection of contemporary art from Poland and around the world. Admission to the museum is PLN 25 for adults, PLN 14 for children, and PLN 55 for families (max. 5 people). MOCAK Museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm.
Lunch in the Zablocie district
Zablocie is located in the northeastern part of downtown Krakow, Poland, on the banks of the Vistula River. The district is part of Podgorze, one of the historical districts of Krakow. There is a wide range of interesting cafes and restaurants, from casual to fine dining, where you can enjoy lunch. The area also offers a variety of cuisines, from Italian (Zabłocie 13) to delicious Polish and Israeli dishes at Charlotte Menora to Middle Eastern cuisine at Hamsa Hummus & Happiness.
The Galician Jewish Museum and The Kazimierz Synagogue
Once you’ve enjoyed your lunch, it’s time to get back to learnng about history. Located in the heart of Kazimierz, the Jewish Museum of Galicia invites you to explore the history and culture of Jews in Galicia. Its permanent exhibition features photographs, artifacts and multimedia that tell the story of the area’s rich Jewish community, from its heyday to the tragedies of the Holocaust. You can also learn about Jewish traditions and rituals, explore daily life in the community, and understand how the Holocaust affected Jews in Galicia.
Moreover, the main street of Kazimierz is lined with kosher restaurants, Judaica shops and lively cafes. There is also Plac Nowy. This is where the Jewish community of Kazimierz meets.
In addition, you will also be able to visit the iconic Kazimierz Synagogue. Kazimierz is home to a number of historic synagogues that are still standing today as a silent testimony to the long history of the Jewish community in Krakow. Here are some iconic synagogues worth visiting:
The Stara Synagogue (the Old Synagogue): It was built in the 15th century. This synagogue is the oldest in Poland and is a symbol of the resilience of the Jewish community.
The Remuh Synagogue: The synagogue was built in the sixteenth century and is famous for its magnificent altarpiece.
The Temple Synagogue: The center of the Jewish community in Kazimierz, this synagogue was built in the 19th century and features unique Moorish architecture.
Make Your Choice: Last Day in Krakow.
It may not feel like your last day in Krakow. To complete your two-night, three-day adventure in Krakow, you can either immerse yourself in World War II and Nazi history at Auschwitz-Birkenau or make a hidden discovery at the salt mines. Both options are unique in their own right.
Auschwitz-Birkenau – Walking in the Footsteps of History
Be prepared for a moving and eye-opening experience about the atrocities of war and the importance of tolerance if you choose to add this option to your 2 nights and 3 days adventure in Krakow.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, located approximately 70 km to the west of Krakow, is an important and emotionally charged historical site. It is a testimony of Nazi atrocities during the Second World War and the Holocaust.
How far away is Auschwitz from Krakow?
If you choose to drive to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the trip usually takes about 1 hour and 10 minutes. However, if you choose to travel by bus, the trip will take about 1.5 hours.
Some exhibits and artifacts tell the story of the camp and the Holocaust, and you can visit the famous Nazi concentration camp with its dark history. We recommend that you get your entrance passes online or on the spot. These tickets are free of charge at certain times, so you’ll have to book them online.
Explore the Underground Magic of Salt Mines
If you’re looking for a unique and different way to travel, then exploring the Wieliczka Salt Mines in Poland is a great choice. An amazing underground world full of history, art and natural wonders awaits you in the oldest salt mines in the world. Ticket prices for adults are around 86 PLN and 68 PLN for children.
It will take about 30 minutes to get to the salt mines by private transport. However, if you want to save money, you can use public transportation (bus) for 6 PLN from Krakow Central Station. However, it will take about 50 minutes. The third option is to take the train on the commuter line, which will take about 30 minutes.
How Do I get to The Salt Mines?
To get to the Salt Mine, you can take the bus no. #304 from the Politechnika stop to Wieliczka Miasto and get off at the Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli stop. The second option is to take the commuter line #SKA1 from the main train station in Krakow to Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia, which is your last stop. You can walk to the Salt Mine from Wieliczka Rynek-Kopalnia station in about 4 minutes.
Can you do Krakow in 2 nights, and is Krakow a walkable city?
Yes, you can. In just two nights and three days, you can see some of Krakow’s most iconic sights. Spend your days strolling through the charming Old Town. Visit the historic Wawel Castle and explore the vibrant Kazimierz district. Krakow is also a pedestrian-friendly city, so you can easily do your sightseeing on foot without the need for public transportation.
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