Krakow, Poland
In March, my friend Sarah and I decided to squeeze in a short but memorable weekend to Kraków, Poland’s second city and one of Europe’s best city breaks for history lovers, wanderers and foodies alike. We flew in Friday evening and flew out Sunday, but packed in plenty during our 48 hours. Here’s a run-through of what we did and what you might want to check out too.
Day 1 – Friday: Arrival, Check-in & Meal in the Old Town
We flew out mid-afternoon and landed in Kraków around 18:45. Airport transfers are quick, and we jumped in a taxi which took us just over 30 minutes into the city centre and our hotel. We stayed at Leone Aparthotel, which was old fashioned and outdated but clean, quiet and just a short walk from the Old Town. Nothing flashy, but a good base for a short break and the 8pm check-in gave us enough time to dump the bags and head out.
We had planned tea at MooMoo Steak and Burger Club, however, we booked the wrong date and were a day early with no space available for that night! Changing our plans to suit this, we kept the reservation for the following evening and instead headed towards the Old Town, opting to eat at one of the main square restaurants outside. It was not warm but not too cold to be outside and the atmosphere around the town was great. I decided to try Boletus soup, which is like a wild mushroom soup with pasta in it. I didn't know what to expect but wanted to try something Polish and really enjoyed it!
After eating, we explored the Old Town further and then went to try another Polish fav...chimney cake! Also known as kürtőskalács, it's a sweet, spiral-shaped pastry that’s baked on a spit, then rolled in sugar so it caramelises on the outside. You can get them plain or filled with extras like Nutella, cream or fruit – warm, sticky, and perfect for a little street-food treat while wandering. I opted for a nutella one and it was really good, but they were a lot bigger than I expected so really filling! 
Day 2 – Saturday: History, Markets & Sunset Views
We had a very early start – picked up at 7am for a full-day tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mines. It’s a powerful and sobering way to begin your time in Kraków, but something I’d say is essential if you’re visiting.
The Auschwitz visit was incredibly moving whilst still handled with the respect and gravity it deserves. It was really impactful to see it firsthand and really brought to life all that had happened. It was truly harrowing and hard to explain, which is why I feel everyone should go and see it at some point! After that, the salt mines offered a total contrast: vast underground tunnels, chapels carved from salt, and some impressive architecture considering it's all below the surface. I actually couldn't believe what was underground, even a cathedral! A basic lunch was included, which kept us going.
Back in the city by mid-afternoon, we had planned to go to Kościuszko Mound, which would be about an hour’s walk from the centre and would offer panoramic views over Kraków and which we planned to climb for sunset. However, we were (luckily) told by our hotel receptionist that it was not open! Swiftly changing plans, we walked to the Wawel castle and just so happened to have a great view of the sunset, so it all worked out in the end.
We wanted to try pierogi, which are traditional Polish dumplings, so we stopped off for some. They were okay, but nowhere near as good as Asian ones! We then went for our reservation at Moo Moo. This restaurant is all over TikTok when you search for restaurants in Krakow, but I have to say it did not live up to the hype. The food was good but not amazing and the staff practically ignored us. It felt they were rushing to get you out to allow others to come in, so you were under pressure to eat as quickly as possible and they did not come to us to check the food was okay or for more drinks. Not somewhere I would recommend. 
Day 3 – Sunday: Cafés, Castles & a Final Wander
We were up early again (worth it), and grabbed breakfast at Poranki. We had to queue for a while (in the rain) but it was a lovely spot and the food was great, so worth the wait I would say! 
With just a few hours left, we had a couple of options and made the most of our time:
A gentle walk along the Vistula River for some fresh air and views
A stroll through Planty Park, which wraps around the Old Town and makes for a relaxing final walk
A wander through Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter, full of history, street art and interesting cafés
If you’ve got an hour or so spare and the weather’s decent, you can also book a Vistula river cruise. We didn’t fit it in this time but might be worth doing in summer.
By 5pm, it was time to head to the airport and say goodbye to Kraków – short and sweet, but full of memories.
Final Thoughts
Kraków’s one of those cities where you can pack loads into a weekend without it feeling rushed. It’s walkable, affordable, and packed with history – plus the food and drink scene is well worth exploring. Price wise, it is super reasonable too. Whether you’re into museums, scenic views or just a good wander, it’s a brilliant weekend destination and somewhere I would definitely want to return to.
This featured blog entry was written by LaurenF3 from the blog The Bucket List Traveller.
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