If you are planning to visit Krakow, let me take some of the work out of the planning process for you. Here’s my guide on how to spend 3 days in Krakow with everything you need to know about planning an awesome visit. It’s full of recommendations on where to stay, things to see and do, and the delicious food you don’t want to miss.
3 Days In Krakow – What To See, Do, And Eat For An Awesome Visit
Disclaimer
There are affiliate links included in this post. This means at no extra cost to you, I earn a commission if you book through the link.
Where to stay
I stayed at Queen Boutique Hotel and it was fantastic.
The location was perfect because it was close to the main square and Jewish Quarter. I could get around easily on foot which is convenient as a solo female traveler.
The room was spacious, comfortable, and styled like a chic loft. It also has a fantastic spa, and, since the currency conversion is favorable, it’s a good place to treat yourself. I got a full body massage and facial one night which was heaven.
If you prefer somewhere else, I recommend searching on Booking.com. This is where I found the Queen Boutique Hotel and what I use to find accommodation when I travel. I can always find a good deal there.
Things to do
Here is a guide to some of the things you can do with 3 days in Krakow.
Visit Auschwitz
Krakow is a convenient place to stay if you want to visit Auschwitz. It’s a little over an hour by car and a little over 2 hours using public transport.
Auschwitz is the largest concentration camp from World War II. Here you can learn about the history of the camp, see museum-style exhibits as well as walk the grounds and learn about daily life there during the war.
For more information, read my full guide on how to visit Auschwitz from Krakow here.
Schindler’s Factory
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory is an interesting museum to visit in Krakow.
If you have seen Schindler’s List then you will already know the backstory, but this is the site of Schindler’s factory that has now been turned into a museum.
Schindler was a war profiteer who used concentration camp prisoners as labor. However, after learning about the treatment of people in concentration camps, he began to work to help avoid his employees being sent to the camps.
Here is more information on hours and tickets for Schindler’s Factory.
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Here you can take a tour to explore the huge underground salt mine and learn all about the process. I wasn’t particularly interested in salt mining before I went, but while I was there I kept thinking ‘this is so cool!’
It’s a good place to break up the heaviness of the WWII attractions.
You cannot walk through independently and will need to join a guided tour. They run frequent tours in different languages and it’s best to book your ticket online before your visit otherwise you could be in for a lengthy wait.
It’s easy to get here using public transport. Take the #304 bus and get off at “Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli”.
Here is their website for more information on the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Inside the salt mine
Explore Stare Miasto (Old Town)
One fun thing to do is to just walk around Stare Miasto to see the sights and soak in the old town vibes. Here are a few of the things I saw as I walked around.
This is also in the order that I saw things to help with your planning.
- Smok Wawelski – A very cool fire-breathing dragon sculpture. Free to see and yes it really breathes fire.
- Wawel Royal Castle – Palace grounds with museum exhibits. Walk the grounds for free or pay to enter exhibits.
- St Mary’s Basilica – Huge church with impressive art. You can pay to enter on your own or take a guided tour if you prefer.
- Eros Bendato – Head sculpture in the main square. Meant to represent how you lose your head when you fall in love.
- Papal Window – Window with a picture of the Pope. Pope John Paul II would address people from this window.
- Jagiellonian University – Historic university.
Plac Targowy flea market
If you are visiting on a Sunday and like flea markets, I recommend visiting the Plac Targowy flea market.
Every Sunday they have the antique market and you can find all sorts of interesting antiques as well as some food, cheap knick-knacks, and snacks.
There are sellers outside and inside the pavilion.
Some of the items at the antique market
Krakus Mound
The Krakus Mound is a sight off the beaten path and is a prehistoric mound where you can see gorgeous views of the city.
This is the oldest of 5 mounds in Krakow and the history of it is somewhat of a mystery. There was a legend that it was a burial site but while excavations found artifacts inside, they didn’t find any human remains.
It’s a cool place to visit and certainly worth it for the views alone. I walked here from the hotel and liked hanging out on top of the mound because it was just a peaceful spot.
Selfie from the top of the Krakus Mound
Ghetto Heroes Square
The Ghetto Heroes Square is a large monument made of rows of empty chairs. The chairs represent the empty spaces left behind after people were taken to concentration camps.
There is also a pharmacy next to it which is where the only non-Jewish person in the ghetto would provide help to the Jewish people. You can see the chair monument for free, and visit the pharmacy for 14PLN or about $3.50USD.
Ghetto Heroes Square
What to eat
To me, all the food was good in Poland. Here are a few of my favorite foods to try during your 3 days in Krakow and where to find them.
Zapiekanka
This was my favorite food in Poland. A Zapiekanka is like a loaded open sandwich. Many came with mushroom and cheese, then your choice of toppings.
My favorite place to get them was in the Jewish Quarter where there was a range of street food type stalls selling them. My favorite outlet here was Zapiekanki Lajkonok.
The best thing about these is that they are super filling and only 9PLN or just under $2.50USD.
These are delicious!
Pierogi
Pierogi is one of Poland’s most iconic foods that you can find just about everywhere.
My favorite place to get them was a hole-in-the-wall spot just outside of the main square called Zielony Kredens that I found by accident one night.
They have many different types of pierogi on the menu board from savory classics to sweet treats.
You have to try some Pierogi when you visit Krakow
Apple Pie
My favorite place for homemade cakes was Cytat Cafe in the Jewish Quarter. The cakes were heavenly and it was such a cool, hipster cafe.
Another of my favorite cafe’s was Michell Fuzzy Coffee. The best thing about this cafe is Michell – the dog who is there to greet you. It’s another cute setting with lots of delicious food on offer.
Having a hot chocolate with Michell – make sure you visit during your 3 days in Krakow
Soup in a bread bowl
Soup in a bread bowl is another popular meal that you can get just about anywhere, especially around the main square.
My favorite soup was forest mushroom soup. Another popular one is the goulash soup. In the cold Poland weather, I feel like you can’t go wrong with whichever soup you get.
Gehanowska Pod Sloncem is a good spot to find soup in Krakow.
The Papal window
Vodka
You just have to try some vodka while you’re in Krakow, and I recommend stopping by the Wodka Bar to do a vodka tasting.
It’s a small, crowded space but I think it adds to the unique atmosphere. It’s a fun place where you can get a tray of different types of flavored vodka and try out some interesting flavors.
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