Things to Do in Krakow in 5 Days

Krakow has many artistic and historical treasures. It is not surprising that it is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Seeing them all in detail may take some time, although it is possible to do so in five days. In this article, I suggest an itinerary so that you can enjoy everything the city has to offer. And we will still have time to explore the surrounding area. Let's get started!

It's best to start in the heart of the city and the most famous part. Once we've soaked up the atmosphere of the city, we can spend the next few days exploring. So, on the first day, we'll take it easy: we'll see the Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, St. Florian's Gate and the Castle. To do this, it's best to book a tour of Krakow's Old Town.

I also recommend reading this article for more information on what to see and do in Krakow. And, of course, don't hesitate to book one of the many tours that will immerse you in Krakow with all the information you need to get the most out of the city.

Visit the Cloth Hall

We begin in the heart of the old town: the Cloth Hall, where St. Mary's Basilica, another of the city's most significant monuments, is also located. The Cloth Hall was, as its name suggests, the commercial and economic centre of the city for centuries.

Although it already existed in the 13th century, its current appearance is purely Renaissance and dates from the 16th century.

Step inside the Basilica of Santa María

The Basilica of Santa María is a beautiful Gothic temple which, throughout its history, has incorporated elements from other architectural styles. From the outside, it stands out for its almost fortress-like solidity. However, the best is inside: its decoration and furnishings are simply impressive.

As a curiosity, you will see that every hour a trumpet sounds from the top of the basilica. According to legend, it was a trumpeter at the top of a tower who warned the city of the approach of the Mongols. The musician, however, did not have much time to play, as he was struck by an arrow fired by the Asian invaders. Continue exploring the city's cultural heritage in this article on the best churches in Krakow.

A word of advice: Poland is a very religious country, especially Krakow, as it is the seat of the archbishop. Walking through churches during mass can attract dirty looks from the locals. This can be uncomfortable for those of us who come from Western countries, where these rules are somewhat more relaxed.

Explore St. Florian's Gate

About 10 minutes from Cloth Hall Square is St. Florian's Gate. This is an opportunity to see what walled Krakow looked like in the Middle Ages. It is a monument of extraordinary beauty despite its defensive function. If you want to continue exploring this facet of Krakow's architecture, take a stroll around the Barbican and the defensive walls.

After this walk, which can easily take 3 hours, it's time for a snack. Need some ideas? Here's more information on where to eat in Krakow.

After lunch, visit the Castle

After lunch, let's head to Krakow's main attraction: its Castle and Cathedral. They are located on Wawel Hill, at the southern end of the walled city, overlooking the Vistula River. This is a place that is a veritable sancta sanctorum of Polish history.

If you book a guided tour of Wawel Castle, you can discover the luxury in which the kings of Poland lived, as well as their tombs in the Cathedral. These are the must-see places:

• Sigismund's Chapel (Cathedral).
• The Holy Cross Chapel (Cathedral).
• Tombs of the Counts and Kings of Poland (Cathedral).
• State Courtyards (Castle).
• Treasury and Armoury (Castle).
• Statue of John Paul II (outside).

To see most of these attractions, you will need to go inside the monuments. See this article for more information on how to get there, opening hours and tickets to Krakow Castle.

On the second day, you can delve into the most historic part of the city, especially the area that was most affected by World War II and the Holocaust, which was particularly brutal in Poland. There are many things to see in this regard, but I would like to highlight three: the Jewish Quarter, the Krakow Ghetto and Oskar Schindler's Factory. All these places are very close to each other, on the banks of the Vistula River, although the Ghetto and the factory are on the other side of the river.

Explore the Jewish Quarter

Also called Kazimierz, this is where the Jews of Krakow settled in the 16th century. Over time, Kazimierz became one of the largest Jewish quarters in Europe, as evidenced by its high concentration of synagogues. I recommend booking a guided tour of the Jewish Quarter and then visiting one of the synagogues. The most important ones are as follows:

• Old Synagogue.
• Remuh Synagogue.
• Tempel Synagogue.
• Isaac Synagogue.

A good complement to the visit is to learn more about the Galicia Jewish Museum. Its name has nothing to do with the Spanish region, but with the name of an ancient kingdom. Here are more things to do in Krakow's Jewish Quarter.

Visit the Krakow Ghetto

From the Jewish Quarter, simply cross the bridge and you will find yourself in an area where you can see the Krakow Ghetto. Or rather, what remains of it. These are the remains of the wall that isolated the ghetto, one of the largest during the Nazi occupation along with the one in Warsaw. The famous filmmaker Roman Polanski was born here, for example. It won't be the only cinematic reference you'll find in this area.

Step inside Oskar Schindler's Factory

Immortalised by Spielberg in Schindler's List, Oskar Schindler's factory was where this German businessman took in many Jewish workers in order to save them from deportation.

If you are a lover of cinema, history or both, it is essential that you book a guided tour of Schindler's factory.

Auschwitz is located on the outskirts of Krakow. It is a place of terrible historical significance because of what happened there, but if you like history, it is essential that you book a trip to Auschwitz.

You should spend a whole day here for several reasons. Firstly, because it is a long visit: there are two camps within the Auschwitz-Birkenau complex; secondly, you will need to take the bus there and back. There are two ways to get there:

• On your own: There are several ways to get there. Here is more information on how to get to Auschwitz from Krakow.
• With an organised tour: choose the one that best suits you from the different options for excursions to Auschwitz from Krakow.

Visit the first Auschwitz camp

Auschwitz is actually two camps. One, smaller, was a Polish military barracks until the German occupation, and the other, gigantic, is the one you know from the photos. The latter is the famous Auschwitz Birkenau, which I will discuss in more detail later. When you arrive at Auschwitz, you will first be introduced to this camp. Let me tell you what you will see there. Although it is a list of horrors, whether you are passionate about history or not, it will make you reflect:

• The famous "welcome" to the camp forged on the gate: Arbeit macht frei.
• The brick barracks.
• The execution wall.
• The cell of Saint Maximilian Kolbe.
• The only gas chamber that remains.
• The crematoria.
• Mountains of belongings (glasses, shoes...) belonging to the prisoners.

In addition, if you book a trip to Auschwitz, you can learn more about what happened there through the highly educational exhibitions located inside some of the barracks. Once the visit is complete, you will board a bus that will take you to the gates of Birkenau in less than 15 minutes.

Visit Birkenau

This is the most shocking camp, both because of its size and because it was the place where the most Jews and political prisoners were murdered of all the Nazi extermination camps. It is a huge area of which only the barbed wire fences, large wooden barracks and the entrance to the gas chambers remain (the gas chambers themselves were destroyed by the Nazis as they fled). Basically, this is what you can do there:

• Walk through the barracks and see how the inmates lived.
• Visit the Holocaust memorial.
• See the entrances to the gas chambers.

Once the tour of Auschwitz is over, you will be taken back to the first camp, from where you can begin your return journey to Krakow.

Keep these tips in mind when visiting Auschwitz

Auschwitz is undoubtedly not suitable for all visitors. What you will see if you book an excursion to Auschwitz is very powerful. In fact, visitors often leave feeling completely devastated, so if you are sensitive, I advise you to think carefully before going. And if you are travelling with children, I also suggest you think twice. Above all, because there are many things to see in Krakow with children.

Another thing to be aware of is that the rules of respect inside are strict. It is frowned upon to speak loudly or take photographs of the mountains of prisoners' belongings. Furthermore, with the recent controversy surrounding visitors taking selfies, this issue is being monitored more closely. If, despite everything, you have decided to visit these extermination camps, here is all the information you will need:

• Auschwitz opening hours.
• Ticket prices and guided tours of Auschwitz.
• How to purchase tickets for Auschwitz.
• Duration of the visit and tours at Auschwitz.

After such a shocking visit, it is best to end the day by wandering around or relaxing somewhere to recover. A good place to do this is the boulevards along the Vistula River.

The Wieliczka Salt Mines are one of Poland's UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is no surprise that they receive 1 million tourists a year. And it is well worth a visit given its proximity (30 minutes by car) to Krakow. On this subject, check here for all the options on how to get to the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow.

This is a unique site, with salt mines excavated to unusual depths of between 60 and 130 metres. In addition, it is not only made up of passageways but also sumptuous chapels. Find out more about what to see and do at the Wieliczka Salt Mines here. To whet your appetite, here are some of the most significant places:

• Copernicus Chamber.
• St. Barbara's Chapel.
• St. Kinga's Chapel.
• Kunegunda's Shaft.

Bear in mind that if you book a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mines, it will take around 3 or 4 hours. The good news is that there are places to buy food and drink in the mines themselves, and even restaurants outside. Here are some articles with more information on any practical questions you may have:

• Duration of tours in the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
• How much does it cost to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines?
• Tips for visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
• How to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines on your own.
• Opening hours of the Wieliczka Salt Mines.

We've already seen the essentials of Krakow and its surroundings. How about reserving the last day for a getaway to another charming town? The great thing about Poland is that it's full of beautiful places, so you'll have plenty of options. Let's take a look at the different cities you can visit to spend your last day. For more details, I recommend checking out this article on what to see and do around Krakow.

Take note of the towns in the surrounding area

Of the towns near Krakow, I would highlight some small towns or picturesque villages full of charm. I've prioritised those that don't take too long to reach. They are as follows:

• Tarnów: approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes by car.
• Lanckorona: approximately 39 minutes by car.
• Niepolomice: 35 minutes by car.
• Zakopane: approximately 50 minutes by car.

Enjoy the best views in Zakopane

Booking a trip to Zakopane is a must if you are spending five days in Krakow. Known as the winter capital of Poland, it offers stunning panoramic views. Ideal for those who enjoy nature tourism.

You can also relax in the outdoor thermal pools of this picturesque village located in the Podhale region.

Take a cable car ride in Tatra

If you book an excursion to Tatra, you'll be immersed in dreamlike landscapes, especially if you take the cable car up Gubalowka Hill, from where you can glimpse the Tatra Mountains and visit Wielka Krokiew, an impressive ski jumping hill.

Learn more about John Paul II Wadowice

Located in southern Poland, Wadowice is the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. If you book an excursion to Wadowice, you will see the monuments erected in his memory in John Paul II Square.

You will also visit the Museum of the Family Home of John Paul II, which displays family memorabilia and artefacts.

And if you have a sweet tooth, you can sample the popular cream cakes known as "kremowka".

Delve into the religious capital of Poland: Czestochowa

Czestochowa is one of the oldest cities and the religious capital of Poland, where you can visit the Jasna Góra Monastery, home to the miraculous icon of the Black Madonna.

If you book the excursion to Czestochowa, one of the Pauline monks will guide you on your tour of this Catholic shrine.

Get the best photo of your trip at Pieskowa Skala Castle

Located in Ojców National Park, Pieskowa Skala Castle is a royal fortress perched on a limestone cliff.

If you book an excursion to Pieskowa Skala Castle, you will have access to a large art museum that houses a collection of wonderful European masterpieces. Please note that it is only open between May and October.

Put the finishing touch on your trip by visiting Warsaw

The capital of the country. A very beautiful city, whose historic centre has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. However, it has been almost completely rebuilt, as the city was destroyed after the Second World War.

The journey takes 3 hours and 45 minutes. This is not ideal if you plan to return to Krakow. However, I recommend that you consider booking your return flight from Warsaw itself. To make the most of your travel time, find out how to get to Warsaw from Krakow.

Whichever place you choose, I can assure you that it will be an unbeatable finishing touch to your trip to Krakow.

Discover Wrocław

In Polish, it is called Wroklaw, but in English, we know it better by its old, more Germanised name: Breslau. It is one of the most important Polish cities (and one of the most beautiful). It has a very Germanic look, which is not surprising given the influence that this community exerted historically until the end of the Second World War.

It is located 3.5 hours from Krakow. This is a slightly less manageable distance, although it may be a good idea to book your return flight from this location. That way, you can see both cities comfortably! In any case, here is some practical information on how to get to Wrocław from Krakow.