W E L C O M E TO TH E
G O O D L I F E
I N
K R A K Ó W
P L A N N I N G
Kraków is a reasonably compact city, making it well-suited to exploring on foot.
Its pedestrian Old Town and Kazimierz district allow visitors to immerse themselves in its history and culture without the need for extensive transportation.
One of our guides can massively improve your stay, and having your guide help with private transport makes a huge difference for the Wieliczka Salt Mine or a pilgrimage to Auschwitz-Birkenau.
When to Visit:
Spring (April–June) and autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and fewer crowds. December is another magical time, as the city’s Christmas markets transform the Main Square into a festive wonderland. Summer brings very hot weather, and also peak tourist numbers.
Where to Stay:
Staying near the Old Town or Kazimierz provides easy access to major attractions. For a quieter experience, consider boutique hotels in the leafy Zwierzyniec district, near Wawel Hill.
M U S E U M & S I T E B O O K I N G
Wawel Castle & Cathedral: Tickets for the Royal Chambers and the Cathedral’s Sigismund Bell Tower are limited. Booking online in advance is probably a good idea.
Czartoryski Museum: Home to Lady with an Ermine, although one of the greatest art secrets in Europe, there will likely be others who have worked this out as well. Secure your timed-entry tickets ahead of time. Tuesdays are free, and will be comparatively very busy.
Schindler’s Factory Museum: Advanced reservations are strongly recommended, especially during weekends and peak seasons. Note that the museum tends to get crowded and can be a bit chaotic.
Wieliczka Salt Mine: A UNESCO World Heritage site located just outside Kraków, the salt mine requires guided tours, and tickets sell out quickly. Plan ahead.
Auschwitz-Birkenau: Tours to the Nazi concentration camp are both emotionally profound and logistically a bit of a challenge. Booking with your guide to arrange private transport is essential to make the experience manageable, so you have the headspace to make it meaningful.
S U G G E S T E D I T I N E R A R Y P O I N T S
DAY I
Kraków’s Royal Heart
Morning: Start your day at Wawel Hill. Begin with a tour of Wawel Castle’s Royal Chambers, followed by a visit to Wawel Cathedral. If you’re up for it, the Sigismund Bell Tower offers panoramic views of the city.
Lunch: We suggest going for traditional Polish nearby. Try not to overdo it with the pierogi so that you can actually walk afterwards. Or the bigos, God help you. A warming bowl of żurek is always a good idea.
Afternoon: Explore the Old Town, beginning at Rynek Główny, Kraków’s main square. Visit St. Mary’s Basilica to hear the Hejnał bugle call from the top of the tower, and admire its breathtaking altarpiece by Veit Stoss.
Evening: Enjoy a leisurely dinner near the Main Square, followed by an evening stroll under the glow of historic lamplights. This is assuming you didn’t overdo it with lunch. You didn’t, right?
DAY II
Kazimierz & World War II History
Morning: Discover the Jewish heritage of Kazimierz. Visit the Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery, then wander through the district’s lively streets, filled with art galleries and cafés, while your guide tells you fascinating stories about the history of the area.
Lunch: Try a casual meal at one of Kazimierz’s eclectic bistros, featuring Polish-Jewish cuisine.
Afternoon: Tour Schindler’s Factory Museum to delve into Kraków’s wartime history.
Evening: Dine at a restaurant in Kazimierz or the Old Town. Tonight's the night to explore something more contemporary.
Let Kraków show off its talents a bit, you're very likely to find yourself incredibly impressed.
DAY III
Day trip: Wieliczka Salt Mines or Auschwitz-Birkenau
You won’t have the time or headspace for both in one day.
There is strictly no wrong answer here.
However, there is a part of us that would suggest that unless you have a specific reason to visit Auschwitz, family heritage, for example, you focus on everything beautiful that Poland has to offer instead, rather than getting bogged down in the misery that the Germans inflicted upon it during the Nazi era.
If you do choose to visit Auschwitz:
Please get in touch with us directly via the contact form.
We may be able to help, we have a wonderful guide there who is the son of a camp survivor, but as he is extremely busy and consequently difficult to get ahold of, the best we can do is to try our best to arrange his services for you.
Please note that we will need first and last names for every guest coming, as Auschwitz requires named tickets to prevent scalpers reselling at the entrance.
Due to the way the memorial site is organised, it is extremely, extremely difficult to actually get a named guide for Auschwitz, rather than just taking your chances at random, and the difference is absolutely significant.
If successful, there will be a special fee for this service. It's quite a bit of admin headache.
We highly recommend getting off to an early start, at 08:00. This is to help avoid the appalling crowds that make a mockery of otherwise trying to visit this place of great sadness with dignity.
Unfortunately, as the byword for the Holocaust, Auschwitz is too often absolutely overwhelmed by disrespectful and clueless visitors.
We think, a better option is to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine
It's incredibly beautiful, and offers a chance for the visitor to marvel at its underground chapels, sculptures, and saline lakes.
Lunch: have a serviceable lunch local to whichever day trip you’ve chosen, or if you can wait, return to Kraków for a much nicer meal near Wawel Hill.
Dinner: One way or another, you’ll probably be ready for a break, and a later dinner is to be recommended. Maybe a neighbourhood spot, maybe something upscale, or consider trying something you saw on a menu that you’ve not gotten to yet.
DAY IV PLUS
You might also want to stay longer, and here’s why we think you should:
Tatra Mountains: Extend your visit with a trip to Zakopane, a mountain town known for its hiking trails, wooden architecture, and hearty highland cuisine. The Tatras are stunning. Don't underestimate them.
Wooden Churches of Lesser Poland: Discover these UNESCO-listed treasures scattered in the countryside, offering a different perspective on Polish heritage.
M E E T Y O U R G U I D E
All of our guides can offer you a spectacular experience. As each person has a slightly different look at the world, due to their own unique interests and specialties, we'd encourage you to read a few profiles.
