Kraków Itinerary: A Long Weekend in Poland
If you’re searching for a fun and inexpensive city escape, then look no further. Your next destination? Kraków.
Kraków is a gorgeous medieval city situated in southern Poland, brimming with quaint cobbled streets, grand historic squares, and breathtaking architecture. Unlike many other cities in Poland, Kraków escaped major destruction during World War II, which means much of its historic charm remains beautifully intact.
Whether you’re exploring the beautiful Jewish Quarter or simply wandering through the Rynek Główny square, the richness of Kraków heritage is hard to ignore. It’s a city that shines all year round - known for its charming Christmas markets in the winter and its golden sunshine during the summer months. And the best part? It’s easy on the wallet, too.
My friend and I visited Kraków in late September, just in time to catch one last drop of warm sunshine before the autumn chill settled in. From dining on delicious brunches to exploring castles and getting a taste for Polish vodka, our long weekend in Kraków was full of good food, plenty of sightseeing, and many moments soaking up the authenticity of the city.
Here’s how we spent three days soaking up all the best Kraków has to offer - and how you can too.
How to Get to Kraków City Centre from Kraków Airport
First things first: getting to the city centre. Transportation from Kraków Airport is super straightforward - you can choose between taking the bus, train, or taxi.
I’d highly recommend taking the train as this was incredibly easy and the fastest option, getting you from the airport to the centre in just 20 minutes. A single ticket costs around £4. Find out more details here.
Kraków Airport also has three regular bus lines: 209, 300, and one night bus, 902. This journey takes around 45 minutes.
Getting the train from Kraków Airport was super easy and only took 20 minutes!
Where to Stay in Kraków
There are plenty of affordable places to stay in Kraków, depending on location and the time of year. It’s always best to book in advance, especially if you are looking to go in the peak summer months or at Christmas. As we went to Kraków in the autumn months, we managed to grab a really good deal a few weeks before our trip.
We stayed in the Aparthotel Stare Miasto, located in the centre of Kraków’s Old Town, just metres from the Market Square. The hotel has a striking interior with exposed brick and wooden beams, and the apartments come in a variety of different shapes and sizes - from studios to deluxe suites.
Our apartment was cosy and comfortable, and the location of the hotel made the stay even better - it felt like we had the whole city on our doorstep! After a good night’s rest, we were more than ready to dive into our first day of exploring Kraków.
Aparthotel Stare Miasto has a striking interior with exposed brick and wooden beams.
Day 1: Exploring the Jewish Quarter
After a relaxed breakfast by the square, we made our way to Kazimierz, Kraków’s historic Jewish Quarter. Just a 15-minute walk from the Old Town, this area envelopes you in a buzzing atmosphere - filled with trendy bars, cafes, street art, and antique markets.
We had a lovely wander through the cobbled streets, stumbling across wall murals, quaint streets, and beautiful greenery. Kazimierz has such a vibrant feel to it, and given its history of wartime devastation and tragedy, it’s amazing to see how the neighbourhood has been brought back to life.
What to do in Kazimierz: Kraków’s Jewish Quarter
There is plenty to do in the Jewish Quarter, whether you want to find out more about its history, grab a drink, or indulge in some authentic street food. For example:
Old Synagogue: Szeroka Street is home to the Old Synagogue, which now houses a museum that looks at Jewish life in Kraków. This is the oldest synagogue still standing in Poland - so if you’re into your history, it’ll be well worth a visit.
Okrąglak (Plac Nowy): In the heart of Kazimierz is the New Square, home to the iconic Okrąglak—a circular rotunda filled with hole-in-the-wall food stalls. Here, there is plenty of street food to try, such as the renowned Zapiekanka (Polish pizza), burgers, ice cream, and more. The square also regularly hosts flea markets, where you can browse everything from vintage clothing and jewellery to quirky antiques.
Nightlife: Kazimierz is known for its vibrant nightlife, coming alive in the evenings with cosy bars, live music venues, and cocktail spots. There’s a more relaxed vibe here than in the Old Town, so if you’re after a laid-back evening then I’d recommend spending your night here. Plac Nowy (the New Square) is the best place to start an evening of bar-hopping, as there is no shortage of eclectic bars surrounding the square.
We decided to make the most of the sunshine, grab a matcha, and head to Plac Nowy (New Square) to browse the markets and check out the jewellery! The square was buzzing with locals and visitors, and the stalls were full of different trinkets and treasures. We couldn’t go away empty-handed of course, so we treated ourselves to some lovely gold jewellery.
Day 2: Podgórze, Rainy Weather, & the Wódka Café
After a relaxed evening, we set out again the next day to see more of Kraków. Once we’d finished our hearty brunch, we headed south through the Jewish Quarter and across the river to the Podgórze district. Known as one of Kraków’s greenest areas, with its wooded hills and natural beauty, Podgórze also carries a heavy historical weight - it was once the site of the Jewish Ghetto during World War II, and its streets still echo the memory of those dark times.
What to see in the Podgórze District, Kraków
Father Bernatek Footbridge
As we walked from the Jewish Quarter towards Podgórze, the streets gave way to open views and we were met by the impressive Father Bernatek Footbridge that spans the Vistula River. Its steel arches are dotted with ten acrobatic sculptures, designed by Polish artist Jerzy Kędziora, suspended mid-air above the water in a way that seems to defy the laws of physics. It’s also scattered with padlocks, left behind by couples as a symbol of love after throwing the key into the river below.
Despite the change in weather, we crossed the bridge and took a quiet wander through the streets of Podgórze.
The Father Bernatek Bridge is dotted with ten acrobatic sculptures hanging mid-air above the Vistula River.
St Joseph’s Church
As you head deeper into the Podgórski district, it’s impossible to miss the red-brick neo-Gothic church that pierces the clouds - St. Joseph’s Church. Located in Podgórski Square, this church boasts a beautiful facade and towering spires that are reminiscent of old fairytales. Surprisingly, this is a relatively recent addition to the city, having only been completed in the early 1900s.
The church is a cultural landmark, hosting various concerts and musical events throughout the year. If you happen to pass by in the evening, it’s well worth a look - the entire structure is beautifully illuminated, making it even more magical after dark.
St. Joseph’s church in Podgórski Square.
Historic Attractions to see in Podgórze, Kraków
Podgórze is dotted with museums and memorials dedicated to the tragedy that unfolded in the heart of its streets during World War II, including:
Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory: Made a household name by Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, the former enamel factory is now a museum that tells the powerful story of Kraków under Nazi occupation, with a particular focus on Oskar Schindler and the lives he helped save during the Holocaust.
Ghetto Heroes Square: Once the heart of the Jewish Ghetto from 1941-1943, Ghetto Heroes Square now features an installation of 70 empty bronze chairs - each one symbolising the lives lost and the belongings left behind during the forced deportations of Jewish residents during WWII.
If you don’t mind an excursion, a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau - located just over an hour away - is a moving experience. We chose not to visit during our trip, as we didn’t feel we were in the right mindset to fully process such heavy accounts, but it remains a vital component in Poland’s history.
Wódka Café Bar, Kraków
After drying off from a rather wet outing, we wrapped up the day with a lovely Italian meal and headed back into Kazimierz to the Wódka Cafe Bar. This snug little bar is dedicated entirely to Poland’s favourite spirit, offering over 100 vodka flavours - from sweet options like caramel and chocolate to fruity blends and even fiery chilli-infused varieties.
You can grab 25ml or 50 ml glasses, or try a taster flight of 6 x 25ml shots so you can try a few flavours (they also serve standard drinks if you don’t fancy the hard stuff). We decided to share a flight of vodka - when in Poland, right? - and tried some of the more welcoming flavours such as caramel, coconut, pistachio, chocolate, mango, and lemon.
We soon discovered that we preferred the creamier liqueurs, but it was nice to have the sharper flavours to balance out the palette. Caramel quickly became our favourite - if you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll absolutely love this one!
Wódka have two locations - one in Old Town and one in Kazimierz - and they tend to fill quickly in the evenings, so I’d recommend getting there early!
Wódka have two locations - one in Old Town and one in Kazimierz. Pictured is the Kazimierz location.
Day 3: Wawel Royal Castle & Rynek Główny Square
Wawel Castle
On our last day in Kraków, we made sure to visit one of the city’s most iconic landmarks - Wawel Castle.
Perched proudly atop Wawel Hill, this historic fortress was once the residence of Polish kings and queens, and it still radiates that royal grandeur today. The sprawling complex includes stunning Renaissance and Gothic architecture, peaceful courtyards, and a range of museums filled with priceless art and artefacts.
The 10-15 minute walk to the castle from the main square is absolutely stunning, taking you along charming cobblestone streets and offering glimpses of the Vistula River before you reach the hilltop fortress. Once at the top, you can’t ignore the beautiful structure with its golden rooftop domes and intricate spires commanding the skyline.
We had a peaceful walk around the castle grounds which is completely free of charge, however, you can also buy tickets to access the interior of the castle.
Wawel Castle has a stunning complex filled with Renaissance and Gothic architecture.
Rynek Główny Square
To end our trip, we found ourselves right where we started - the bustling heart of Kraków, Rynek Główny. With our accommodation just minutes from the square, it quickly became the central hub of our weekend stay. And, as one of the largest medieval squares in Europe, there is no shortage of things to do and see here.
Surrounded by colourful buildings, cosy cafés, pubs, museums, and iconic landmarks, this main square is always a hive of activity. At its centre stands the grand Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the square’s most recognisable feature, home to dozens of stalls selling everything from handmade jewellery and wood carvings to traditional Polish souvenirs. On the northeast side, you can see the looming towers of St. Mary’s Basilica cast a shadow onto the square.
With the sun shining, we grabbed a table under a parasol in the square and sipped on what quickly became our favourite Polish beer - Żywiec. It was the perfect way to soak up the buzz of Rynek Główny one last time, watching the world go by and hearing the clatter of horse-drawn carriages echoing across the cobblestones.
Rynek Główny is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe.
Where to Eat in Kraków
La Campana, Italian Restaurant
La Campana, an Italian Michelin-star restaurant on Kanonicza Street.
During our stay in Kraków, we tried a variety of different cuisines, but our favourite spot by far was La Campana - a charming Italian restaurant tucked away down one of the oldest streets in Kraków, Kanonicza Street.
During the day, it is perfect for a quick refreshment in its gorgeous patio and ivy-green garden, sitting by the warmth of the fire. Here, we thoroughly enjoyed a drink - and I simply couldn’t resist the pistachio tiramisu, which was every bit as indulgent as it sounds.
On our second night, we came here for an evening meal and were immediately taken by the cosy, romantic setting in the cellar. We went for a lovely glass of red, seafood pasta, and a beef cheek truffle risotto. Everything was superb, from the food to the service to the interior!
Not only was the meal incredibly affordable, but the restaurant also boasts a Michelin star, making it one of Kraków’s best-kept secrets. Could not recommend enough!
Kraków is one of those places that is steeped in history, and you can feel it within its walls, its cobbled streets, and its incredible architecture. There’s a beautiful balance in Kraków between rich culture, warm hospitality, and that deep, ever-present sense of history.
From wandering the cobbled streets of the Old Town and exploring the artistic corners of Kazimierz to sipping flavoured vodka in cosy bars, our three days in Kraków were packed full - and all without breaking the bank. Whether you're visiting for the architecture, the history, or just a relaxed city break, Kraków has something for everyone - and it’s a place I’ll definitely be coming back to.
