Not sure how many days in Krakow you should spend?
With a UNESCO World Heritage historic center, access to the biggest German Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz, and many other incredible things to do in Krakow, it is no easy task to decide the number of days to stay in Krakow.
That is why we have written this guide to help you figure out how many days to spend in Krakow is right for you.
Enjoy!
Planning A Trip To Krakow Last Minute?
Make sure you book your tours, places to stay, and airport transfers ahead of time to ensure availability!
Our recommended airport transfer in Krakow:
- Electric Car Transfer between Krakow and the Airport (SUPER cheap!)
Our recommended tours in Krakow:
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Tour with Pickup & Lunch Options (Must-do!)
- Wieliczka Salt Mine Guided Tour (SUPER unique experience!!)
- Zakopane and Thermal Springs Tour with Hotel Pickup (Best day trip from Krakow!)
Our recommended places to stay in Krakow:
- Hotel Wawel Queen (Luxurious and affordable!)
- Hotel Estera (Amazing value-for-money!)
- Mundo Hostel (Our favorite hostel in Krakow!!)
Quick Tip On How Many Days To Spend In Krakow
We recommend that you spend at least a minimum of 2 days in Krakow, but ideally 3 days if you can spare the extra time.
2 days will give you just enough time to see most of the attractions in Krakow, and give you time for a full day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial. However, you might not have enough time to really enjoy your Krakow trip as you will only touch the surface of one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
3 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Krakow. You’ll have two full days to explore Krakow Old Town and all its nearby historical attractions as well as a full day in Auschwitz-Birkenau.
This is enough time to do some of the more unique tourist experiences, such as climbing the St. Mary’s Basilica in the Main Square for an incredible view, or visiting the UNESCO World Heritage Wieliczka Salt Mine.
How To Decide How Many Days In Krakow?
Deciding how many days to spend in Krakow will depend on what you would like to see and how much time you have.
Krakow is an incredibly diverse city filled with some of the best attractions Poland has to offer. Here visitors will find numerous historical places, delicious Polish cuisine, and a nightlife that is considered one of the best and cheapest in Europe.
But it doesn’t just stop there. Any tourist that looks underneath the surface will find a well-balanced city, filled with tranquil places like Krakow Planty and shopping malls such as Galeria Krakowska. Anyone traveling at a slower pace won’t find a dull moment here.
That is why how many days to stay in Krakow really depends. Below we will talk about the different sample itineraries for the different number of days in Krakow.
Krakow Suggested Itineraries
1 Day in Krakow
If you just have 1 day in Krakow, I am sorry to say, but you just won’t have enough time to see much.
You will have to decide whether you want to spend your time exploring Krakow Old Town (one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites) or taking a day trip to Auschwitz (the largest German Nazi concentration camp and extermination center).
Either way, you will miss out on some of the best things to do in Krakow.
If you only have 1 day in Krakow, we would suggest you to do the Auschwitz tour. You will come back to Krakow at around 4 to 5 PM, giving you a bit of time to see Krakow before the sun sets (only if you are visiting in the summer).
Beware that because you won’t have time to get a tour in Krakow when you arrive, you must secure an Auschwitz day tour online.
2 Days in Krakow
2 days in Krakow is the minimum amount of days you should be spending. It allows you to see almost everything that Krakow has to offer (but not in-depth). It is the perfect amount of time if you have a short trip to Poland and need to move on to Warsaw or Zakopane.
The first day in Krakow will be spent exploring Krakow Old Town, discovering some of its best attractions such as the Main Square (Rynek Glowny), Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica, Kazimierz (Jewish historic quarter), and Wawel Castle.
You won’t have much time to doddle around as you will be going from one sightseeing location to another.
The second day will be a 7-hour day trip to Auschwitz. This will leave you with not much time for sightseeing on the second day, but some places such as St. Mary’s Basilica are open until 6 PM. (Make sure to check the official site for new information, as opening times change frequently.)
Similar to the situation with spending 1 day in Krakow, you won’t have enough time to book your Auschwitz tour in-person in Krakow, especially if you are visiting in summer, autumn or spring. Tours can get booked out days in advance.
We recommend you reserve your Auschwitz tour in advance if you only have 2 days in Krakow!
3 Days in Krakow
If you were to ask me how many days do you need in Krakow, I should say 3 days. 3 days in Krakow will give you enough time to see all the tourist attractions in Krakow and take a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
It will also give you a little bit of leisure time to either explore off the beaten path, or enough time for you to dive underneath the surface of some of these places.
With 3 days in Krakow, we recommend you to check out Wawel Cathedral and explore some of its paid exhibits, climb the St. Mary’s Basilica, visit Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, see the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Wieliczka Salt Mine, and join a Krakow pub crawl!
Auschwitz tickets might still need to be reserved in advance, especially if you are visiting in the peak season (summer). When we visited Krakow in the fall, the only available English-speaking tour was 2 days from the day we were booked.
4 or More Days in Krakow
Staying 4 or more days in Krakow is not unusual. This quaint little city has a magnetic charm that will whisper sweet nothingness and make you extend your stay over and over again.
4 or more days in Krakow is perfect for anyone that prefers to travel slowly – to really get a good feel of this city not just from a tourist’s perspective.
You will be able to enjoy Krakow the way locals do, such as people-watching in Krakow Planty with a delicious ice cream in your hand, or admiring the sunset at the tranquil Vistula River.
You should know everything from the Krakow Old Town to Wawel Castle to Kazimierz like the back of your hand. If you don’t, there is plenty of time for you to explore.
Many visitors staying in Krakow for more than 4 days will take a day trip from Krakow to Zakopane, a beautiful ski town located in the Tatras Mountains. With lush views, great hiking trails, and crisp mountainous air, Zakopane is the perfect escape for anyone that needs a break from the city!
Where To Stay In Krakow to Maximize Your Time In Krakow
No matter how many days you have decided to spend in Krakow, it is important to stay in the right neighborhood in Krakow to maximize your time there.
Because most of the places to visit in Krakow are located in Krakow Old Town, it is a no-brainer to stay in it or near it. This includes the historic center that is surrounded by Krakow Planty as well as Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter in Krakow.
Check out our complete guide on where to stay in Krakow for more information!
Below are some of the best places to stay in Krakow, Poland!
Best Hotel In Krakow – Hotel Unicus Palace
Hotel Unicus Palace is a 5-star hotel located in Krakow Old Town. In less than 4 minutes, guests can walk to some of the most notable attractions in Krakow, including the Main Square where St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall are located.
Krakow Planty, the lush park that surrounds Krakow Old Town, is 1.5 blocks away from the hotel, offering guests an escape from the hustle and bustle of the historic center.
However, guests might not need to go to Krakow Planty for their daily dose of peace and quiet. Guests staying at Hotel Unicus Palace will have access to the wellness center, where they will find an indoor pool, a hammam, and a hot tub. It is the perfect place to relax after a long day in Krakow.
Hotel Unicus Palace is a 5-star hotel located in Old Town Krakow. Within a 4-minute walk are some of the best attractions in Krakow, such as the main square, St. Mary’s Basilica, and the Cloth Wall. The lush Krakow Planty is only located 1.5-block away, giving guests the perfect serene escape from the hustle and bustle of the Old Town.
As you expect from a 5-star hotel, the rooms are spacious and stylishly decorated. Guests will find some of the cleanest surfaces in their rooms in the entire city of Krakow.
Best Hostel In Krakow – One World Hostel
Staying in a hostel is the perfect way to meet other travelers and save money (ideally for food) while traveling. One World Hostel in Krakow is the perfect place to stay in Krakow to accomplish that!
The hostel is located right on the perimeter of Krakow Planty, far away enough from the noise of Krakow Old Town but still walkable to all of the city’s best attractions. The Main Square of Krakow is only a 10-minute walk away.
This hostel in Krakow spans 2 floors in a historical building and features both dormitory-style rooms and private rooms. The dormitory rooms are spacious and each guest is given his or her own private locker upon arrival.
What separates this hostel from many other hostels in Krakow is its outstanding complimentary breakfast. Featuring foods such as cold-cut meats, cheese, salad, eggs, cereals, and more all in a buffet style, every guest will be ready for a day of exploring Krakow.
Visiting Krakow FAQs
Is 5 Days Too Long In Krakow?
If you are a tourist in Krakow, it is unlikely that you’ll need 5 days to see Krakow. 5 days is quite a bit of time in Krakow, especially since its major attractions are located in the Old Town and can be seen in one day.
Is 2 Days Long Enough In Krakow?
2 days is the absolute minimum number of days you should spend in Krakow. In two days, you’ll just have enough time to explore the historic Old Town and go on a day trip to Auschwitz Museum.
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This concludes our guide to how many days to spend in Krakow! We hope it helped you determine how much time you will be staying in Krakow, Poland.
Any questions? Leave them in the comments!!
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