The Best Sites to See When You Only Have One Day in Krakow

Visiting Krakow but short on time?  You can easily see many of the city’s most popular sites during only one day in Krakow.  

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One day in Krakow: must visit locations

There’s a lot to see and do both in Krakow and in the surrounding areas.  While exploring the city, you’ll uncover centuries of history during a day in Krakow.  When visiting Krakow Poland, whether you have one day in Krakow or a week, the one area you cannot miss is the Old Town.  This is one of the top things to do in Krakow Poland.  

What to see in Krakow Old Town

The Krakow Old Town dates back to the 13th century and has been well maintained through the years.  So much so that the entire old town is listed as a UNESCO Heritage Site.  It is quite easy to delineate the Old Town from the rest of the city.  You will find a greenbelt surrounding the entirety of the Old Town.  In the medieval times, this was the moat surrounding the city centre.  As this became unnecessary over time, this area is now used as a beautiful public green space.

There are so many places to visit in Krakow Old Town, that you could spend the entirety of your one day in Krakow here and leave happy. 

St Florian’s Gate

This gate is part of the original fortification of the city and was the primary entrance into the city.  Just outside the gate is the Barbican, built in the 1500s.  From St Florian’s Gate, you can see straight through to the basilica.  This was considered the Royal Route that would lead through the city center to Wawel Castle. 

Inside the gate, along the city walls is also where local street artists often display art for sale. 

Rynek Główny

The Rynek Główny is the main market square in Krakow and is considered the largest medieval square in Europe.  This is your picture perfect instagram setting in Kraków. The large square is surrounded by multi-colored buildings.   On one corner of the square sits St Mary’s Basilica.  In the center of the main square is the Cloth Market.  The Town Hall Tower sit in the southwest corner of the square.

St. Mary’s Basilica

The construction of the church started in the late 1200s and continued for 100 years. The building is a typical medieval style church with dual towers at the facade, and a large vaulted nave behind. The interiors are very ornately decorated.

Visitors can tour the church Monday – Saturday from 11:30am – 6:00pm, and Sundays 2:00 – 6:00pm with a “donation” of 20 PLN ($5.50).  From April – November the Bugle Tower is also open for tours Tuesday – Saturday from 10:00am – 5:30pm and Sundays from 1:00 – 5:30pm.  This also has a 20 PLN donation. 

The Bugle Tower has its own special history.  The tower has been actively used since it was built in the 1200s.  Historically it was used to warn of any enemies approaching the city, or announce fires in the city.

The city still actively uses the tower to this day.  A live bugler (who is also a fireman/woman) plays a special 5 note tune at the top of the hour, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.  If you plan your visit correctly, you’ll be able to hear it from the square. 

Cloth Hall (or Sukiennice)

Directly in the center of the square you will find Cloth Hall.  This historic market was first built in the 1200s, and was later destroyed by fire in the mid 1500s.  It has since been rebuilt, and gone through preservation efforts in order to be the space you see today.  It is still being used as a market, but these days you’ll find souvenir stands mixed in with a few local craftspeople.

Just be prepared, this is an open air market, in the sense that there are no doors on either entrance, just large open archways. In the winter, it will be cold. 

Town Hall Tower

On the other side of the Cloth Hall you’ll find Town Hall Tower.  This is all that remains of the original Town Hall. The tower is now a museum with access to climb to the higher floors that provide a 360 degree view of the Old Town.  The admission is 22 PLN ($6) Tuesday – Sunday, and free on Mondays (with reduced hours). 

Museums

There are a few museums around the square worth visiting.  The Sukiennice Museum and the Rynek Underground.  

The Sukiennice Museum is a branch of the National Museum of Krakow which showcases 19th century artwork from Polish artists. Entry to the museum is free on Tuesdays, however there are limited hours. 

The Rynek Underground is a museum built on an archeological dig site under the market, that centers around the city’s origins in the 13th century.  Entry is free on Tuesdays, but with limited hours. 

Further north in the Old Town, near St Florian’s gate, is the Czartoryski Museum.  This museum is a jewel in the city for art and history.  It houses everything from armor and weapons to manuscripts and paintings. The collection even includes a Da Vinci.  This museum also has free entry on Tuesdays. 

Wawel Hill: a must see Krakow site

Wawel Hill could be considered part of the Old Town due to location, but it plays such a significant role in the city that it deserves to be discussed separately.  Like the Old Town, this area also has its own separate UNESCO designation, and you could easily spend hours here. 

Wawel Hill is the royal center of Krakow, located between the Old Town and the river.  This area of the city has been occupied by powerful leaders and royals since the 9th century.  For 500 years Krakow was the capital of Poland, with Wawel Castle as the royal residence. 

There are two different gates and access points into Wawel Hill.  You can visit and walk through the courtyards for free without a ticket.  However, for access to the Wawel Castle museum and churches, you will need a ticket. Tickets are a little confusing as you can either buy them piecemeal (first floor, second floor, treasury, armory, etc.) or you can buy a combined ticket and plan to spend most of the day here.  Note that most exhibits are free on Mondays from 10:00am – 4:00pm. 

The main courtyard of the castle hill also provides a great view overlooking the city towards the old Jewish Quarter and the river to the south. 

Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter)

The Kazimierz is the neighborhood that was formerly known as the Jewish Quarter prior to World War II.  During the Nazi occupation, and the period directly after, the Jewish community and neighborhood were decimated.  It wasn’t until the 1980s that the neighborhood had a revival.  

They’ve maintained some of the grittiness though.  Today, it’s got the vibe of an artist community. It’s common to see graffiti and street art throughout the neighborhood.  This is where you’ll also find quite a few vintage and thrift shops. 

There are of course different memorials and reminders of the Holocaust throughout the area.  You can find a number of Jewish Quarter walking tours.  Or, if you wish to wander yourself, you will find maps of the city posted with different suggested walking routes. 

Across the river you can visit the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory.  This is a museum that shows what life was like for Jewish people in Krakow during the occupation. 

Vistula Riverwalk

The Vistula River runs south of the Old Town and Kazimierz.  On both sides of the river you’ll find miles of walking paths and grassy spaces to have a relaxing stroll, or sit and enjoy the views. 

At the base of Wawel Hill, along the river, you’ll also find Smok Wawelski, the Wawel dragon statue.  Beneath Wawel Castle is a large cave with a series of caverns.  Because of the unique formation of the cave, it has been named the Dragon’s Den.  There is a legend of a dragon in Krakow that dates back a thousand years. 

The statue celebrates the legend with flair, and by flair I mean fire.  The statue breathes fire roughly every 5 minutes.  But you better be paying attention, because it only lasts 10 seconds, maybe 15 at most.  Either way, it’s quick.  So blink and you might miss it.   

What to eat during your day one in Krakow

You should try to fit in a few Polish food specialties during your trip to Krakow.  

For a quick snack, grab an Obwarzanek Krakowski.  This is a baked good that falls somewhere between a bagel and a pretzel.  The dough is twisted and shaped into a ring, then usually sprinkled with salt, sesame seeds, or other toppings.  You can find stands selling these throughout the city center. Fun fact, this particular bread originated in Krakow centuries ago, and is now considered a protected regional food. 

Zapiekanki is the perfect low cost lunch food.  I had no idea what it was before visiting Krakow, but I happened upon a food court in the Kazimierz that was 60% Zapiekanki stands.  Zapiekanki is somewhere in between a flatbread and a sandwich.  It’s open faced (no top) and toasted with a variety of options and toppings to choose from.  The various Zapiekanki stalls had two sizes available, small and big.  Unless you plan to share, most people will not need the big size.  The small was plenty of food for me.  The prices vary based on size and toppings, but a small size ranges from 10-17 PLN ($2.50 – 4.50), while a big is 15-25 PLN ($4 – $6.75). 

It’s probably illegal to visit without eating Pierogi.  If you’re unfamiliar these are Polish dumplings that come with a variety of filling options (including vegan friendly).  Generally, Pierogi are also a quick and affordable meal.  You can find pierogies just about everywhere in the city, either as part of the menu, or a restaurant fully dedicated to the local dumplings.  I ate at Przystanek Pierogarnia which happens to be a local chain.  A 9 piece order is around 28 PNL ($7.50). 

One day in Krakow itinerary

It’s impossible to see and do everything with only 1 day in Krakow.  The best way to experience the city is by taking a guided tour.  You can join walking tours, bike tours or golf cart tours.   There are options for Old Town tours, Jewish Quarter tours, or if you can handle it, a tour of both (usually around 5 hours).  If this is your first time in Krakow, I’d recommend going with the Old Town walking tour. 

Read more about why This Might be the Best Old Town Krakow Walking Tour

Itinerary

Breakfast: eat at your hotel if breakfast is offered.  If not, find a nearby cafe or pick up an Obwarzanek Krakowski. 

10am: Take a tour of the Old Town.  I really enjoyed the walking tour that I went on.  We had a fantastic tour guide that *almost* made me forget how cold it was outside.  Tours are offered at 10:00 or 11:00 am (and 2:00 pm), but starting the day with the tour will get you familiar with the city and help you decide how to spend your afternoon.  

12:30 pm: Walk from Wawel Castle down to the river and see the Smok statue and enjoy the views. 

Option 1: Afternoon in Old down

1:00 pm: Grab lunch. There are plenty of restaurants available along the walk from Wawel hill to the market square including pierogi spots. 

2:00 pm: Visit one (or more) of the museums.  This can be one in Rynek Główny, or make your way back to Wawel to explore the castle.  If you’ve got the energy, climb the Town Hall Tower. 

4:00 pm: Take a break.  This might mean sitting at a park, hanging by the river, or finding a bar or cafe to enjoy a beverage.

5:00 pm: Want to try all the Polish food?  Spend the evening sampling 13 different Polish foods as well as some local beverages on a Krakow food tour. 

8:30 pm: Return to your hotel and call it a night

Option 2: Kazimierz

1:00 pm: Grab lunch in the Kazimierz.  You can enjoy a Zapiekanki at the food court (or try one of the other stalls).  If you prefer a sit down experience, there are restaurants all around the Jewish Quarter. 

2:00 pm: Explore the Jewish Quarter and visit museums in this area.  For more WWII history, cross the river to go to Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory. 

4:30 pm: Take a break.  This can mean going back to your hotel, sitting at a park, hanging by the river, or finding a bar or cafe to enjoy a beverage. 

6:00 pm: Spend the evening in true Polish fashion sipping vodka and eating pierogies on this vodka tasting and tapas tour. 

9:00 pm: Return to your hotel and call it a night. 

Where to stay in Krakow first time

With only one day in Krakow you’re going to want to be as central as possible.  But, this doesn’t have to mean the Old Town.  Although staying in the Old Town will be more convenient to walk to most sites, these accommodations often come with a higher price tag.  

I stayed just north of the Old Town, near the train station.  This was an easy 10-15 minute walk to the Old Town, or quickly hop on one of the many nearby public transit options. 

Where I stayed: A review of the Turnau City Aparthotel: stay or skip?

The Kazimierz is another good option as it’s a short walk or transit ride to the Old Town, and there is quite a bit to see and do in this neighborhood. 

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