Spending one day in Krakow? This 24-hour Krakow itinerary covers the best of the city in a day. Find out how to make the most of one day in Krakow, Poland. I’ve been fortunate to visit a few times now and this is one of my favorite cities to wander aimlessly with my camera gear.
This itinerary for one day in Krakow is full of the highlights, things to eat and where to stay. Feel free to modify this itinerary to best suit your needs; skip things if you want to take is slower. This one-day Krakow itinerary is designed for those who want to really maximize their time and fit as much in as possible from morning to night.
Krakow is one of the most visited cities in Poland, and for good reason. The Old Town area is lovely and one of the most charming in all of Europe. The city is easy to get around and feel for even if you just have one day.
Some of the links in this post may be affiliate links. This means that I may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. I only recommend products, hotels and experiences that I personally use, love and spend my own money on.
Getting to Krakow
Most visitors reach Krakow by plane via Kraków John Paul II International Airport. Each time that I have flown into this airport getting in and out has been a breeze. It’s pretty easy to grab a cab, though I have had a few delays when trying to use Uber here. Maybe it was just my luck.
You can also arrange for an airport transfer ahead of time to avoid the headache if you are a traveler who prefers to have things booked before you go. Book this private group airport transfer to get from the airport to your hotel in Krakow city center.
Where to Stay for One Day in Krakow
The first time I spent a day in Krakow I found a hotel that will forever be one of my favorites. PURO Hotel Kraków Kazimierz is a beautiful 4-star property in the historic Jewish district. The hotel is less than a mile from Old Town Krakow.
In addition to the style and thoughtful touches at PURO Hotel Kraków Kazimierz, I love the location. In the morning I would stroll through the Jewish district as I made my way towards the Old Town. The walk from the hotel to the Old Town is a straight shot that took about 15 minutes.
Don’t forget to check out the bar at PURO Hotel Kraków Kazimierz. The design and vibe is just as lovely as the rest of the property, and the cocktails are delicious. You can also find a great breakfast here each morning before heading out for the day. Click here to see more photos of the hotel, along with pricing and availability.
During one of my visits to Krakow during the holiday season hotels were very busy and nearly sold out. Also check the Airbnb selection in Krakow, as there are some great locations and reasonable prices.
How to Spend a Day in Krakow
Grab Morning Coffee
Start your day in Krakow with a visit to a coffee shop first thing in the morning. I’m a huge coffee lover so I always research and bookmark coffee shops to try in advance of my trips. Krakow was no exception.
I was pleasantly surprised to find an excellent selection of adorable and delicious coffee shops in Krakow. I keep checking new spots off of my list and find additional options each time I visit Krakow.
If you’re anything like me, especially when trying to make the most of one day in Krakow, you might need a few coffee stops throughout the day. Save these locations so you can visit whichever you are nearest to as you explore Krakow. A few of my favorite places to get coffee in Krakow are Urban Coffee, JAVA Coffee Roasters, and Coffee Kiosk.
Have Breakfast in Old Town Krakow
The charm of Old Town Krakow seems a bit more apparent in the morning before the streets fill up with people in the afternoon. For that reason, I love visiting the Old Town in the morning for breakfast.
Mo-ja Café & Bistro is one of my favorite spots to grab breakfast. The restaurant location is right outside of the Old Town. For an incredibly charming environment, check out Cafe Camelot within the Old Town. If the weather is nice, this is the perfect place to sit outside.
Visit Rynek Glowny, Krakow’s Central Square
At the heart of Old Town Krakow you will find Rynek Glowny, the city’s massive central square. This open space dates back to the 13th century and has been witness to so much history from royal ceremonies, commerce and trading, mass demonstrations, to public executions.
Today the Main Square is buzzing with life, where you will find both tourists and locals. The area is quite large and is said to be one of the largest old town squares in Europe. Beautiful brick buildings, churches, bars and restaurants surround the square.
Joining a walking tour of the Old Town is a great way to make sure you don’t miss anything the Old Town has to offer. I really enjoy walking tours when I’m traveling because the locals who run the tour are always able to provide me with a ton of information I likely wouldn’t learn otherwise.
During holidays you can expect the square to be extra festive. I was fortunate enough to coincidentally spend one day in Krakow during both Easter and Christmastime. For each of these holidays the Main Square was busy and energetic with vendors selling delicious Polish meals, handcrafted items and local specialties.
Walk Through the Cloth Hall
At the Main Square in Old Town Krakow you will find a long building in the center known as the Cloth Hall. This covered hall consists of stalls lining each side where vendors are able to sell items.
This is a great stroll to take if you are looking to potentially bring home a few souvenirs from Krakow. Here you will find some of the typical items that target tourists, as well as some neat handcrafted goods that are local to Krakow.
Tour Wawel Castle
What’s an Old Town in Europe without a castle? Of course there is one in Krakow. Wawel Castle is in the center of Krakow on a hill, demanding the attention of anyone in the vicinity.
Wawel Castle dates back to the 13th and 14th centuries when leaders began to reside on Wawel Hill. The castle now serves as a national museum housing a vast collection of art and conservation studios. You can skip the line by purchasing an entry ticket to Wawel Castle in advance.
Taste Polish Vodka
Before I spent one day in Krakow I was aware that vodka was popular in this part of the world. Even still, it was a surprise to see in person how common it was for people to have a small glass of vodka. Drinking vodka straight is definitely not common where I’m from in the U.S. I had to see what this was all about.
At home vodka is mostly used as a part of a cocktail, but hardly ever drunk on its own. It’s quite hard to drink. I was blown away by how tasty and smooth some of the Polish vodkas are. There are so many to choose from, a lot are infused with fruit which was really a treat.
My friend and I got a vodka tasting flight at Wodka Bar in the Old Town. This is a great place to taste Polish vodka. To learn more about the history of vodka in Poland and how to drink it, this Krakow 2-hour vodka tasting tour is a really fun option.
Experience Kazimierz, the Old Jewish Quarter
South of the Old Town, within walking distance, you will find Kazimierz. This is the old Jewish quarter of Krakow and was the center of Jewish life in the city for hundreds of years.
Sadly the area was destroyed during the World War II Nazi occupation. Many of the Jewish residents did not survive after being forcibly removed from their homes during the war into a ghetto across the river.
The history and war stories from this neighborhood alone are devastating, but worth reading up on. I learned a lot about the area during my visit to the museum I mention in the next section below.
Fortunately, the district has been restored and is a huge draw for locals and tourists hoping to experience the culture, food and history of the old Jewish quarter. Here you will find the oldest synagogue in Krakow, wonderful food options, and charming streets.
Kazimierz is where Steven Spielberg shot many scenes for the movie Schinder’s List. Experience the locations where the film was set on this walking tour of the Jewish quarter.
Visit Schindler’s Factory Museum
It’s hard to visit Krakow and not dedicate a portion of time to the deep, devastating World War II history of the city. Schindler’s Factory Museum is one of the popular places to visit to learn more about what Krakow went through during the war. You can plan ahead and book an entry ticket and guided tour here.
This museum is incredibly thorough and overall I think it is definitely worth a visit. There was a lot of information to consume here, I think I spent about two hours inside and had to hurry up at the end to get to another commitment. Even with just a day in Krakow, I’d still recommend trying to visit the museum even if it’s just for an hour. Especially if WWII is of particular interest to you.
Note that the museum broadly covers what happened in Krakow during World War II; the exhibits are not solely dedicated to Schindler and his story. This was actually for the better because I gained so much knowledge that I was able to apply as I became familiar with the rest of the city.
Take a Krakow Food Tour
Food is my favorite part of traveling. It’s the best way to get to know a culture and bond with people. Taking a food tour in Krakow is an excellent way to make the most of your time. You’ll get to try a variety of local dishes while you explore must-see areas of the city.
This 2.5-hour walking food tour of Krakow is the perfect option for dinner. You’ll get to try local food, drinks, all while learning a ton about the history of Krakow from a local. This food tour hits the Old Town area as well as Kazimierz, so it’s a great way to cover both neighborhoods in under three hours.
Is One Day in Krakow Enough Time?
This question comes up a lot and my answer is similar when it comes to most cities. Sure, you could spend more time in Krakow. But you can also see a lot of Krakow in one day.
Krakow is a city that I find to be really easy to manage. Most of what travelers set out to see in the city is accessible by foot from one stop to the next. Overall, Krakow is a walkable city.
The first time I went to Krakow I only had one day to explore the city itself. I had another half-day in the area, which I set aside to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Visiting The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
If visiting the former Nazi concentration camps is something you want to prioritize doing while in Krakow, this is the Auschwitz-Birkenau tour that I took. The tour is heavy, educational and heart-wrenching. I know this is dark, but I truly believe it’s important to honor the victims and keep their memory alive.
I will say, in case it is helpful to anyone trying to make a decision, I was very happy that I went on a tour with a guide versus doing it on my own. My tour guide was excellent and such a valuable source of information. She was able to shed light on the realities of the Holocaust; things that I would have never known if I had walked through the memorial and museum solo.
Staying Connected in Krakow
When I travel to Europe I stay connected using Tep Wireless travel WiFi devices. If your cell phone doesn’t come with international data, look into renting one of these portable devices. They are my go-to for international travel when I need to stay connected. Click here to check pricing and coverage for your trip.
