Krakow is home to one of the best-preserved old towns in Europe and sits just a few miles from two of the continent’s most powerful sights: the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau camp. With 5 days, you can wander the Main Market Square, climb Wawel Castle, tackle both day trips at a relaxed pace, and still have an afternoon to spare getting lost in the streets of the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz.
The short answer: a 5-day Krakow itinerary looks like this — 2 days in the Old Town and Kazimierz, 1 full day at Auschwitz-Birkenau, 1 day (or half day) at the Wieliczka Salt Mine, and 1 spare day for Zakopane, an extra museum, or simply wandering without a plan. The city is small and walkable, so any leftover time is best spent on the outskirts.
How to get to Krakow
Travelers flying in from abroad usually land at John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice, about 7 miles from the center. From the airport train station, the Balice Ekspress takes around 20 minutes to reach Kraków Główny, the central station — tickets cost just a few zlotys and trains run roughly every 30 minutes. A taxi or pre-booked transfer takes a similar amount of time and is more convenient with large luggage or late-night arrivals.
If you’re already in another European city, both overnight and daytime trains connect Krakow to Warsaw (about 2.5 hours on the express train), Vienna, Prague, and Budapest, making the city a natural stop on any Central Europe route. By car, the Old Town is closed to most traffic, so the recommendation is to leave your car at the hotel or in a parking lot and explore on foot or by public transport.
Best time to visit and how long to stay
Spring (April to June) and early fall (September) bring mild temperatures and shorter lines at the attractions. Summer (July and August) is peak season, with long days but also more heat and more tourists in the Main Market Square. Winter is harsh, with frequent snow between December and February — worth it if you want to see the city dressed up for Christmas, but you’ll need heavy layers.
Five days is the sweet spot for exploring the city without rushing while still fitting in the region’s two most important day trips, Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine, without having to choose between them.
What to see in Krakow
Main Market Square (Rynek Główny)
It’s the largest medieval square in Europe still in use and the heart of everything in Krakow. Here you’ll find the Cloth Hall — the 14th-century former textile market, now home to craft shops on the ground floor and an art gallery upstairs —, the Old Town Hall Tower, and St. Mary’s Basilica, whose tallest tower plays a bugle call every hour in honor of a medieval trumpeter. Arrive early in the morning, before 9 a.m., to photograph the square without the crowds.
Wawel Castle and the Royal Route
The Royal Route connects the Barbican, at the entrance to the Old Town, to the Wawel Castle complex, perched on a hill overlooking the Vistula River. Set aside half a day for Wawel Cathedral, the royal apartments, and the gardens with river views — tickets for specific parts of the castle are timed and often sell out during peak season, so book ahead on the official website.
Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter
Just a few minutes’ walk from the Old Town, Kazimierz is home to historic synagogues, the Remuh Jewish Cemetery, and a food and bar scene that has become one of the liveliest in the city. It’s also the starting point for walking tours on the history of the Holocaust in Krakow, including Oskar Schindler’s Factory, now a museum.
What to pair with Krakow
The Wieliczka Salt Mine has been around since the 13th century and produced salt until 2007; today it’s been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978, with underground chambers carved entirely from salt, including a full chapel. The guided tour lasts about 2 hours and adult tickets run around US$ 35 (double-check the price in zlotys on the official site before you go). It’s about a 30-minute drive from Krakow’s center; by bus, line 304 departs near Galeria Krakowska.
The second day trip is Auschwitz-Birkenau, about 1.5 hours by car or bus from the center. Entry to both camps, Auschwitz I and Birkenau, is free for individual visitors outside peak hours, but during those times (usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.) you can only enter with a licensed guide, which costs around €20. Book your guided entry on the official website at least two weeks in advance, because daily slots are limited and sell out fast in peak season. If you prefer to go independently, you can take the train from Kraków Główny to Oświęcim, 1.2 miles from the memorial.
To simplify logistics, you can book a guided tour of Auschwitz-Birkenau with transport included from Krakow or, if you’re short on time, combine both trips in a single day with a Wieliczka Salt Mine tour with transfer and guide.
Where to eat in Krakow
The most traditional dish is pierogi, boiled dumplings stuffed with potato and cheese, meat, or berries, served at practically every restaurant in the city. You should also try żurek, a sour soup made from fermented rye, and obwarzanek krakowski, the ring-shaped bread sold from street stalls from early morning. Kazimierz is where you’ll find the most interesting spots off the Main Market Square tourist trail, with better prices and more creative menus.
Where to stay in Krakow
The Old Town (Stare Miasto) puts everything within a short walk, but it comes with the highest prices and the most nightlife buzz. Kazimierz is the more balanced alternative: walkable to the center, with a great lineup of restaurants and bars, and generally lower nightly rates. For travelers on a tight budget, slightly farther-flung neighborhoods like Podgórze — across the river, also tied to Holocaust history through Schindler’s Factory — offer cheaper stays without straying too far from the main circuit.
Practical Tips
The currency is the Polish zloty (PLN), not the euro — cards are accepted at most places, but it’s worth carrying some cash for street stalls and public transit. Brazilians don’t need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen Area, but double-check the current rules on the official Itamaraty or embassy website before you travel, since requirements like ETIAS have been shifting in recent years. The Old Town is entirely walkable; for Kazimierz and the surrounding areas, the city’s trams and buses cover things well, and the Krakow Card can pay off if you’re planning to hit several museums.
For more details on how the Wieliczka Salt Mine operates and its up-to-date hours on the official site, as well as the visiting rules for the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum, it’s worth checking the official pages before locking in your itinerary, since hours and prices change from season to season.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many days do you need to see Krakow?
Four days are enough to cover the Old Town and squeeze in a day trip; five days give you the breathing room to include both Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mines without cramming your schedule.
Do you need a guide to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau?
Only during peak hours, usually between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., when individual entry is limited. Outside that window, visiting on your own is free.
How much does it cost to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines?
Adult tickets run around US$ 35 at the current exchange rate, with discounts for students and free entry for young children — confirm the price in zlotys on the official site before your visit.
How do you get from Krakow airport to the city center?
The Balice Ekspress train connects John Paul II Airport to the central Kraków Główny station in about 20 minutes; a taxi or pre-booked transfer is the more practical option if you’re hauling luggage.
What’s the best time to visit Krakow?
Spring and early fall bring mild weather and fewer crowds; summer is hotter and busier, and winter is cold but draws visitors who want to see the city dusted in snow during the holiday season.
Conclusion
Krakow delivers, in a single 5-day itinerary, intact medieval architecture, one of the world’s most important memorials, and a salt mine that feels like an underground city — all within short distances of one another. Book your Wawel and Auschwitz tickets in advance, and the rest of the itinerary falls into place on its own. For more destinations and itineraries across Europe, keep exploring Voyage Voyage.