Kraków & the Tatras

Destination 01

Kraków

10 places

Poland's royal capital with an intact medieval core and the Kazimierz quarter. Stay 3 days, including a day at Auschwitz-Birkenau.

• Photo: Leif Arne Storset · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Wawel Royal Castle

  Hilltop castle and cathedral where Polish kings were crowned and buried.

  Tip State Rooms tickets are limited; buy online.

  SeeWawel$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Kuba Ku · Google

  Main Market Square and Cloth Hall

  One of Europe's largest medieval squares, centered on the arcaded Cloth Hall.

  Tip The Rynek Underground museum lies beneath the square.

  SeeOld TownFree60 minEvening
• Photo: Michał Skarbiński · Google

  St. Mary's Basilica

  Gothic church with Veit Stoss's carved altarpiece; a trumpet call sounds hourly from the tower.

  Tip The altarpiece opens daily at 11:50.

  SeeOld Town$45 minLate morning
• Photo: Adrian włodarczyk · Google

  Kazimierz

  Historic Jewish district with synagogues, cafés and the Plac Nowy market.

  Tip Visit the Remuh Synagogue and its old cemetery.

  SeeKazimierzFree2.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Jennifer Boyer · CC BY 2.0

  Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory

  Museum on Kraków under Nazi occupation, in Schindler's former factory.

  Tip Timed entry; book ahead.

  SeePodgórze$$2 hrMorning
• Photo: File:Auschwitz I (22 May 2010).jpg: xiquinhosilva derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0

  Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum

  Former Nazi German death camp, now a memorial to over 1.1 million murdered people.

  Tip Book entry online; allow a full day and dress respectfully.

  SeeOświęcim$4 hrMorning
• Photo: Wizzard · Public domain

  Kościuszko Mound

  Earthen mound on the city's west edge with views to the Tatras on clear days.

  OutdoorsZwierzyniec$75 minAfternoon
• Photo: Restauracja Pod Aniołami · Google

  Pod Aniołami

  Polish cooking in Gothic cellars, known for grilled meats and pierogi.

  EatOld Town$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Paweł Walczak · Google

  Plac Nowy Zapiekanki

  Hatches around the round market hall sell long open-faced zapiekanka sandwiches.

  Tip Best late at night after bars.

  EatKazimierz$20 minLate night
• Photo: Alchemia · Google

  Alchemia

  Candlelit Kazimierz bar with a cellar stage for live music.

  Tip Concerts usually start around 8 pm.

  DrinkKazimierz$1.5 hrNight

Destination 02

Wieliczka

8 places

Salt-mining town just southeast of Kraków. Half a day to a full day.

• Photo: Michal Tobolar · Google

  Wieliczka Salt Mine Tourist Route

  Guided route through carved salt chambers, lakes and galleries up to 135 m deep.

  Tip Expect 800 stairs; tours run in English throughout the day.

  SeeWieliczka$$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Szyb Św. Kingi · Google

  Chapel of St. Kinga

  Underground church where chandeliers, floor and reliefs are all made of salt.

  Tip Seen on the Tourist Route.

  SeeWieliczka20 minMorning
• Photo: Michal Tobolar · Google

  Miners' Route

  Hands-on tour in miners' gear: measuring methane, hauling salt and using lamps.

  Tip Minimum age 10; book ahead.

  DoWieliczka$$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Opactwo Benedyktynów w Tyńcu · Google

  Tyniec Benedictine Abbey

  Clifftop 11th-century abbey above the Vistula with a small museum and a monks' shop.

  Tip Walk or bike the Vistula path out from Kraków for the best approach.

  SeeTyniec$1.5 hrAfternoon
• Photo: Wojciech · Google

  Wieliczka Graduation Tower

  Wooden brine tower in Mickiewicz Park; breathe salty air from the top deck.

  Tip No café on site; bring water.

  OutdoorsWieliczka$45 minAfternoon
• Photo: Kj · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Bochnia Salt Mine

  Poland's oldest salt mine, with an underground boat ride and long wooden slide.

  Tip Less crowded alternative to Wieliczka.

  SeeBochnia$$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: kacper 86krk · Google

  Niepołomice Royal Castle

  Renaissance hunting castle of King Casimir the Great with an arcaded courtyard.

  Tip Pair with a walk in nearby Niepołomice Forest.

  SeeNiepołomice$75 minAfternoon
• Photo: Pierogarnia „Dzień Dobry” · Google

  Pierogarnia Dzień Dobry

  Casual dumpling spot near the graduation tower with many pierogi fillings.

  EatWieliczka$45 minLunch

Destination 03

Zakopane

10 places

Highlander town at the foot of the Tatras. Stay 2–3 days.

• Photo: Dixi · CC BY-SA 3.0

  Morskie Oko

  Glacial lake under granite peaks, the Tatras' best-known view.

  Tip Walk the 9 km road early, or hike on to Czarny Staw.

  OutdoorsTatra National Park$5 hrEarly morning
• Photo: Kasprowy Wierch - Stacja Dolna PKL S.A. · Google

  Kasprowy Wierch Cable Car

  Cable car to 1,987 m on the Polish-Slovak border ridge.

  Tip Book a time online and bring layers.

  DoKuźnice$$$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Opioła Jerzy (Poland) · CC BY 2.5

  Kościeliska Valley

  Gentle forested valley with caves and streams, good for families.

  OutdoorsKiry$3 hrMorning
• Photo: Jerzy Opioła · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Gubałówka

  Funicular to a ridge with a full panorama of the Tatras.

  Tip Grilled oscypek cheese is sold at the top.

  DoKrupówki$$1.5 hrSunset
• Photo: Margoz · CC BY-SA 4.0

  Tatra Museum

  Museum of Podhale highlander life, nature and art.

  SeeCenter$75 minAfternoon
• Photo: Kościół MB Częstochowskiej w Zakopanem · Google

  Old Church and Pęksowy Brzyzek Cemetery

  Wooden 19th-century church and cemetery with carved highlander grave markers.

  SeeCenterFree30 minAny
• Photo: Magda W. · Google

  Krupówki

  Main pedestrian street of shops, wooden inns and market stalls.

  Tip Look one block off for better prices.

  ShopCenter$60 minEvening
• Photo: Karczma Zapiecek · Google

  Karczma Zapiecek

  Wooden highlander inn serving Podhale dishes, with live folk band most evenings.

  EatCenter$$1.5 hrDinner
• Photo: Gazdowo Kuźnia · Google

  Gazdowo Kuźnia

  Timber-walled inn at the top of Krupówki for pierogi and grilled meats.

  EatCenter$$75 minLunch
• Photo: Restauracja Góralski Browar · Google

  Góralski Browar

  Brewery restaurant on Krupówki pouring its own beers.

  DrinkCenter$$75 minEvening