Planning a weekend in Krakow is not only an opportunity to visit one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, but also a chance to immerse yourself in the rich history, culture and unique atmosphere of this place. The City of Polish Kings, as it is often called, hides in its alleys stories dating back to the beginnings of national identity, offering monuments inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List, as well as lesser-known ones.
Krakow is also a modern city, full of life, where tradition harmonizes with modernity. In just a few days, you can experience a variety of attractions here: from visiting Wawel Castle to nightlife in vibrant pubs. Krakow is a place where everyone will find something for themselves, regardless of whether you are a lover of art, history or simply good food.
In this article, we will present how you can make the most of this stay to enjoy every minute of this extraordinary city.
Krakow for the Weekend – what to see in 2 days?
In addition to the historical monuments that are usually recommended for sightseeing, such as Wawel, the Main Square, the Cloth Hall, etc., we also encourage you to visit several places presented with our help.
House of Attractions
Address: Grodzka 2/Grodzka 14/Grodzka 48
“House of Attractions”, located in the center of Krakow, encourages you to discover its wide range of 15 different attractions. The offer includes 3 modern labyrinths, 2 advanced virtual reality simulations, an upside down apartment, a 7D cinema, the Infinity Room and even the original Museum of Living Butterflies. It is an ideal place for people looking for both entertainment and the opportunity to make new friends or socialize.
“House of Attractions” is open to guests all week, both on weekdays and weekends, thus providing flexibility in planning your visits. We recommend the new and unique Mirror Labyrinth in Krakow!
Kazimierz
Address: Kazimierz
It was founded in the 14th century as a separate city by King Casimir the Great, eventually becoming home to many generations of Jews, which left an indelible mark on it.
This district, located near Wawel, was for centuries the center of Jewish life in Krakow, which is reflected in the numerous synagogues, cemeteries and other monuments of great historical and cultural value. It is worth mentioning several key places, such as the Remuh Synagogue with the adjacent old cemetery, where famous rabbis and Jewish thinkers are buried, and Szeroka – the main street of historic Kazimierz, which served as a market square. After World War II, Kazimierz fell into serious decline, but since the 1990s, the district has been experiencing a renaissance. The Jewish Culture Festival, which annually attracts lovers of Jewish music, art and cuisine, has made Kazimierz one of the most dynamic places in Krakow. Today, it is full of cafes, art galleries, small shops and restaurants serving traditional Jewish food.
Walking through the narrow streets of Kazimierz, you can feel the spirit of the past, especially when visiting one of the preserved synagogues, such as the Tempel Synagogue or the Kupa. This district is also a place of remembrance of the tragic events of the Holocaust, with museums and monuments commemorating the city’s Jewish residents.
Museum of Engineering and Technology
Address: św. Wawrzyńca 15
It is located in the historic, 19th-century hall of the former tram depot of the Krakow Public Transport at św. Wawrzyńca Street, which gives the exhibition a unique character. The exhibitions present various aspects of technological development, from old industrial equipment to modern devices. It is worth seeing old printing machines, locomotives, trams and exhibits related to electrical and mechanical engineering. Among the most interesting objects are also cars, motorcycles and bicycles, which show the evolution of transport over the last centuries.
In the summer, temporary exhibitions, educational workshops and shows are regularly organized, which aim to bring visitors closer to the history of technology in an interactive and accessible way. Thanks to this, visitors not only observe, but also participate in the cognitive process, which definitely enriches their experience.
The Engineering and Technology Exhibition in Krakow is not only a treasure trove of knowledge for history of technology enthusiasts, but also an excellent educational place for younger visitors, who, thanks to interactive exhibits, can understand the principles of operation of various machines and devices.
Nowa Huta Museum
Address: Osiedle Centrum E 1
This place is particularly interesting for those who want to understand the complex connections between architecture, politics and everyday life during the Polish People’s Republic. Nowa Huta was planned as a utopia full of opposites – on the one hand, it was to be an attempt to create a harmonious environment for workers, with wide avenues, spacious parks and a well-thought-out urban infrastructure. On the other hand, it was a political and ideological manifesto of the communist regime. The Nowa Huta Gallery shows these complexities, presenting both urban planning and the everyday lives of its residents.
The gallery houses permanent and temporary exhibitions that show both everyday life and unique historical events related to Nowa Huta, including its role in the opposition movements to the communist regime. The exhibitions present artifacts from that period, such as documents, photographs, household appliances and other memorabilia, which together create a rich picture of life in a socialist city.
Home Army Museum
Address: Wita Stwosza 12
The museum exhibitions present a unique look at the everyday life and combat activities of the Home Army (AK) soldiers. They present not only the military strategies and sabotage activities of the past, but also the developed conspiratorial network and educational activities under occupation. The museum stores many unique artifacts, including documents, photographs, weapons and personal items belonging to members of the resistance movement, which together create a suggestive and comprehensive picture of the activities of the Home Army.
One of the key goals of the Home Army Exhibition is education. The museum organizes numerous lessons, workshops and lectures for visitors of all ages, focusing on the history of World War II, the role of the Home Army in the fight for the freedom of Poland and the broader international context of these events.
On weekends, the Home Army Museum in Krakow may offer special events that aim to make history more interactive and engaging. Possible attractions include:
- Thematic tours: Guides, often dressed in historical uniforms, lead visitors through the exhibitions, telling fascinating stories and anecdotes related to the exhibits.
- Historical reenactments: Reenactment groups reenact scenes from the lives of Home Army soldiers, from training to everyday duties, giving a more realistic sense of the times.
- Youth workshops: Educational workshops that teach younger visitors about the history of Poland during World War II, developing an understanding and respect for national memory.
- Expert lectures: Invited historians and experts give lectures on various aspects of the Home Army’s activities, enriching visitors’ knowledge with lesser-known facts and stories.
- Documentary film screenings: Screenings of films and documentaries about various operations and activities of the Home Army, often supplemented by expert commentary or the film director.
Through these diverse activities, the Home Army Museum becomes not only a place of remembrance, but also a dynamic educational center that engages the community and promotes knowledge of Polish history.
Ethnographic Museum
Address: plac Wolnica 1
The Ethnographic Museum in Krakow, located in the historic Kazimierz District, is one of the oldest and most important museums of its kind in Poland. This institution is dedicated to preserving and presenting the folk culture and traditions of various ethnic groups, both from Poland and other parts of the world. You absolutely must visit it when you are in Krakow for the weekend.
Exhibits and collections
The Ethnographic Museum in Krakow has a rich collection of everyday objects, folk costumes, musical instruments, folk art and religious objects. Permanent exhibitions present the cultural diversity of the Polish countryside, showing traditional households, tools of work and ceremonies and customs related to the ceremonial year.
Temporary exhibitions
The museum organizes numerous temporary exhibitions that are dedicated to specific topics or regions of the world, allowing visitors to explore lesser-known cultures. Thanks to this, the gallery constantly broadens the horizons of its visitors, offering new experiences and knowledge to both families with children and couples.
Education and cultural activities
The museum conducts intensive educational activities, offering workshops, meetings with experts, folk craft shows and museum lessons for schools. It is an important place on the cultural map of Krakow, which promotes understanding and respect for cultural diversity.
Architecture
The building in which the museum is located, located near Wolnica Square, is as interesting as its collections. It is a historic tenement house, which in itself is an example of local architecture, enriching the experience of visitors.
Krakowska Manufaktura Czekolady
Address: Gołębia 5
This is a place that combines traditional chocolate production methods with a modern approach to taste and aesthetics.
The factory offers a wide range of chocolate products, from classic bars, through pralines with various fillings, to more experimental flavors, such as chocolate with the addition of sea salt or chilli. What’s more, the products are often handmade, which gives them a unique character and makes each chocolate slightly different.
One of the main attractions of the Krakow Chocolate Factory are the chocolate workshops organized there. Participants have the opportunity not only to learn more about the history and process of chocolate production, but also to take part in creating chocolate products themselves. This is a great opportunity for families with children, as well as for two who want to experience something unique and have fun creating sweets.
This factory offers tastings, during which there are no obstacles to trying different types of chocolate, which allows you to better understand the subtle differences between them and discover your favorite flavors. This combination of education and entertainment makes the Krakow Chocolate Factory a place worth visiting, even if you are in Krakow for a weekend.
Fun Park
Address: Osiedle Teatralne 10
For adrenaline lovers, the park offers various types of laser games that allow for dynamic gameplay in specially prepared arenas. This is a great opportunity to compete and cooperate in a group, ideal for spending your birthday, for corporate events or simply as a form of active recreation with children or your significant other.
Children will find plenty of attractions in Fun Park adapted to their needs and age. Playrooms, trampolines and interactive games and toys will ensure that the youngest can spend their time safely.
The park also offers a relaxation zone for parents and guardians, where they can relax while keeping an eye on their children. There are cafes and places where you can eat, which makes it a complete place for family outings, where adults can also find something for themselves on a weekend in Krakow.
Krakow PinBall Museum
Address: Stradomska 15
This place is not a typical museum institution, where exhibits can only be viewed. Visitors have the opportunity to actively participate – they can play on any of the available pinball machines. The collection of this building includes pinball machines from different decades, starting from classic mechanical models from the 50s, through iconic electronic machines from the 80s and 90s, to the latest, modern machines.
In addition to pinball machines, this exhibition offers access to classic arcade games, which makes it a place that attracts both older fans of games and younger generations, who can see with their own eyes what their parents’ or grandparents’ games looked like.
The Kraków Pinball Museum is not only a place of entertainment, but also of education about the history and evolution of arcade games. Various thematic events, pinball tournaments and workshops are held here, which additionally enriches the offer for visitors.
For some people, such a place can evoke a nostalgic journey to the past, and for others – a chance to discover retro entertainment in a modern form (here you will spend the best weekend in Krakow).
GoJump
Address: Stare Podgórze/ Sikorki 23
GoJump in Krakow is a modern trampoline park, an ideal place for active leisure, for children and adults. Located in Krakow, the park offers a wide range of trampoline-related attractions, which allow not only great fun, but also excellent physical training.
On weekends, GoJump becomes especially popular, providing families and groups of friends with dynamic entertainment and an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. What can be found in GoJump is listed below.
- Free Jump Zone – a huge space with trampolines for free jumping.
- Sports Zone – a place for those who want to include competition in the fun. You can play basketball on trampolines here, which adds a new dimension to the game.
- Skill Zone – contains various obstacles and skill games that test jumping and coordination skills.
- Zone for Small Children – a safe space with smaller trampolines, designed especially for the youngest participants.
- Foam Pit – a pool filled with soft foam cubes.
- Trampoline Fitness – special fitness sessions that take place under the supervision of a qualified instructor.
GoJump for a weekend in Krakow is an excellent choice for an active way to spend your free time. Jumping on trampolines is not only great fun, but also a way to improve your physical condition and health. Thanks to a wide range of attractions, the trampoline park is adapted to the needs of both children and adults, making it an ideal place for family trips or meetings with friends.
Where to eat in Krakow?
Krakow offers plenty of great places to eat deliciously and have a nice time, especially on the weekend. Here are some recommendations for restaurants that are popular with locals and tourists:
Szara Gęś w Kuchni – A restaurant located on the Main Square, known for its elegant decor and high quality dishes from the menu, which mainly features Polish specialties with a modern twist.
Restauracja Pod Aniołami – Located on Grodzka Street, this charming restaurant offers traditional Polish dishes in historic cellars, making a meal there a journey back in time.
Milkbar Tomasza – For those looking for a more budget-friendly option, this modern milk bar on St. Tomasza Street serves traditional Polish dishes at very affordable prices.
Trattoria Cyklop – On Mikołajska Street you will find this Italian restaurant that serves authentic pizza, pasta and other Italian delicacies.
Ed Red – Meat lovers will find their favorite steaks and burgers at this grilled restaurant located in Hala Targowa.
Before you decide where to eat, it’s worth checking out the reviews of the restaurant. A good idea is to seek out recommendations in local online groups dedicated to the Krakow culinary scene, where you can ask questions and receive detailed answers from other users.
In summary, Krakow is a city that is alive both day and night, offering countless opportunities for anyone looking to explore, taste, participate in culture or simply relax. A weekend in Krakow can be an exciting adventure in search of historical treasures as well as a relaxing time among the picturesque streets and green corners of the city.
Whether you are interested in rich history, art, Jewish culture, modern attractions or culinary delights, or whether you are visiting Krakow with your family or loved one, Krakow is sure to offer something that will meet your expectations. Anyone who spends even a weekend here will undoubtedly fall in love with this unique city and, like many before it, will want to return to rediscover its enduring charm. Plan your visit to Krakow and experience everything this extraordinary city has to offer. No matter what you choose, Krakow is sure to leave you with unforgettable memories.
