Kraków, Poland Travel Guide

Wawel, salt mines and Kazimierz cellars

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Why visit Kraków

Wawel Castle and the Cloth Hall on Rynek Główny sit 15 minutes apart along the Royal Route, and a trumpeter still plays the hejnał from St Mary’s tower on the hour. Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, runs on zapiekanka counters and candlelit cellars. Wieliczka’s salt mine is 20 minutes by train; the memorial at Birkenau takes about 90 minutes by bus. Beds outside the festival weekends average under €70.

Last updated Aug 17, 2026 · Reviewed by the WhatWhereVacay editorial team

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Getting to Kraków

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Best time to visit Kraków

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3 days in Kraków: what to eat & see

D1 Day 1

Morning

Wawel Castle & Cathedral

Afternoon

Rynek Główny & St Mary’s Basilica

Pierogi →

Evening

Plac Nowy in Kazimierz

Zapiekanka →

D2 Day 2

Morning

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Afternoon

Oskar Schindler’s Factory & Podgórze

Evening

Milk bar dinner in Stare Miasto

Kotlet Schabowy →

D3 Day 3

Morning

Kościuszko Mound & the Błonia meadows

Afternoon

Collegium Maius & Planty Park

Sernik →

Evening

Szeroka Street and the Kazimierz courtyards

Żurek →

Eat your way through Kraków

These are the dishes to hunt down in Kraków — not just the country's greatest hits. Tap a dish to see where it's made best, then compare a stay in the same neighbourhood with your dates.

Soups & Stews ★ 4.5

Grochówka

Grochówka is a thick Polish split pea soup with smoked kielbasa and root vegetables, a staple of Polish home cooking and milk bars dating back generations.

Poland · Lublin Region, Southeast Poland

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Street Food ★ 4.3

Zapiekanka

Open baguette toasted with mushrooms and cheese.

Poland · Nationwide

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Desserts & Sweets ★ 4.3

Budyń

Budyń is a beloved Polish milk pudding — a smooth, trembling custard in vanilla or chocolate, sold in every grocery store and served as an afternoon snack.

Poland · Masovia, Lesser Poland, Silesia

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