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.
After visiting Krakow three times, and spending more than weeks there every time, I think it’s about time that I write a guide to help you figure out how many days to spend in Krakow is right for you.
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!!)
How Many Days In Krakow Is Enough?
Generally speaking, we recommend you spend at least a minimum of 2 days in Krakow, but ideally 3 days if you can spare the extra time.
Two 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 and Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Krakow. You’ll have two full days to explore Krakow Old Town and visit some of its museums (like Rynek Underground Museum and Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory) as well as a full day in Auschwitz-Birkenau and 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 that effortlessly blends the old with the new.
From the green Krakow Planty to trendy districts like Kazimierzand and shopping malls such as Galeria Krakowska, there is so much to do in Krakow.
Here are something to consider when deciding how many days to spend in Krakow:
Are You A Big Party-Goer?
Krakow’s nightlife is legendary, and anyone that goes out at night will probably come home very late the next morning.
From pulsating nightclubs to cozy pubs and everything in between, this city has diverse range of venues to suit all tastes.
So if you plan on going out at night, which you totally should, then make sure you stay for one or two extra nights.
Are You Planning On Visiting Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau?
Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau is the biggest German Nazi concentration camp concentration camp in World War II and one of the most important historical landmarks near Krakow.
However, because of its history and the horrific events that unfolded, not everyone is comfortable with visiting the Auschwitz.
If you don’t plan on visiting Auschwitz, then you can spend one less day in Krakow.
Are You A Slow Traveler or Digital Nomad?
If you are a self-proclaimed slow traveler or a digital nomad, then you’ll want to spend an extra two or three days in Krakow. Matter of fact, I’ve been to Krakow three times in my life now and I’ve stayed weeks every time I was there.
Krakow is just a beautiful place where you can get spend hours walking around its charming streets, enjoying a coffee, and people-watching by the Vistula River. Time just flies by when you are in Krakow because there is always something happening.
đź“š Read More: Is Krakow Worth Visiting?
Suggested Krakow Itineraries: 1 to 4 Days
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.
I recommend you to see these attractions in Krakow on your first day:
- Krakow Old Town
- Main Square (Rynek Glowny)
- Cloth Hall
- St. Mary’s Basilica
- Kazimierz (Jewish historic quarter)
- Town Hall Tower (if it’s open)
- Wawel Castle.
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 HIGHLY 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, explore the Rynek Underground Museum, see the UNESCO World Heritage Site at Wieliczka Salt Mine, and join a Krakow pub crawl!
Auschwitz tickets will 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 a bad thing. 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.
Below are some of the best places to stay in Krakow, Poland!
Best Hotel In Krakow – Wyndham Grand Krakow Old Town
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.
Best Hostel In Krakow – Dizzy Daisy Hostel
If you are looking for a hostel that’s social, clean, comfortable and within walking distance of the Old Town in Krakow, then Dizzy Daisy is the place for you.
The hostel is located a 10-minute walk to the Barbican, and 15 minutes from the Main Square of Krakow. It has a fully-equipped kitchen for those that want to cook and save money, as well as plenty of grocery stores and cheap eats around it.
This is one of our favorite hostels in Krakow and we stay here everytime we come back!
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.
Is 3 Days Enough in Krakow?
Three days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Krakow. Three days will allow you to visit major landmarks such as the Old Town, Wawel Castle, Schindler’s Factory, and Kazimierz, as well as take a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine.
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Final Thoughts: How Long To Stay In Krakow
Two days is the minimum amount of time you should stay in Krakow. We recommend spending at least 3 full days so you can explore the Old Town, go to some of the museums, visit Auschwitz, and check out the Wawel Castle.
However, if you are planning to spend more time in Krakow – please do! It is one of my favorite cities in Europe and I don’t think you can get bored even if you stay 5 days or a week in Krakow.
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