Kraków 3-Day Itinerary — Day by Day
Day 1: Old Town, Wawel Castle & Kazimierz
Start at Wawel Castle on the hill above the Vistula river — the royal residence of Polish kings for over 500 years. Visit the Cathedral where Polish monarchs were crowned and the State Rooms (ticket required for each section, ~€10 total). Walk down through the Old Town to the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), the largest medieval market square in Europe. Visit the 14th-century Cloth Hall and the Gothic St. Mary's Basilica (entry €8, trumpeter sounds from the tower every hour). Spend the evening in Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter — now one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods in Central Europe with excellent restaurants and craft beer bars.
Day 2: Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial & Museum
Take the early bus to Oświęcim for a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. Entry is free but a guided tour (€35–45) is strongly recommended — the site is vast and historical context is essential. Auschwitz I takes about 2 hours; Birkenau is 3km away and takes another 1.5 hours. Buses return frequently from the museum to Kraków. Allow a full day — emotionally and physically. Many visitors find it the most important thing they have ever visited. Book your time slot months in advance at auschwitz.org — free entry slots fill up entirely in summer.
Day 3: Wieliczka Salt Mine & Kraków Food Tour
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is 15km southeast of Kraków (bus or organised tour). The standard tourist route takes 2–3 hours through 22 chambers carved entirely from salt — including an underground chapel, chandeliers, and sculptures all made of salt. Buy tickets online to avoid the 2h+ queue. Back in Kraków, spend the afternoon on a food and craft beer tour of Kazimierz — pierogi, żurek, oscypek and Polish vodka tasting, finishing at one of the excellent craft beer pubs on Plac Nowy.
Kraków Budget Tips
Kraków is consistently the cheapest city break in Europe. A full dinner costs €8–15, a pint of craft beer €2–3, a tram ride €0.85. Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Main Market Square, Kazimierz streets and Wawel hill views are all free. The best street food in the city — zapiekanka at Plac Nowy — costs €2. A 3-day trip can be done comfortably for €200–250 all-in including flights.
Best Areas to Stay in Kraków
Old Town (within the ring road) for maximum walkability — €40–80/night. Kazimierz for the best atmosphere, restaurants and nightlife — €25–60/night. Near the main train station for easy access to buses and day trips — €25–50/night.
Kraków Hidden Gems
The Schindler's Factory museum (Oskar Schindler's actual enamelware factory, now a museum of WWII Kraków), the Ulica Szeroka Flea Market on Sundays in Kazimierz, the Dragon's Den beneath Wawel Castle (entry €4), the Collegium Maius courtyard of Jagiellonian University (free), and the city walls and Barbican fortification at the north end of the Old Town.