What to do and what to wear in Krakow, Poland

​A few weeks ago, I had my very first adventure in Poland, visiting the stunning city of Krakow.  We planned our trip for March, which meant cooler weather - but it didn't matter, we loved the crisp, cold days exploring the city! I made sure I was prepared with plenty of layers and even attempted the elusive capsule wardrobe.
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Krakow is beautiful with its medieval charm, rich history, and vibrant culture. We had such an incredible few days, and in this post, I’m excited to share everything we did - and, of course, what I wore too.

​We kicked off our Krakow adventure by flying BA from Heathrow on a Friday afternoon, arriving just in time for dinner. I wanted an outfit that was comfortable for the flight but still stylish enough for a night out without a full change. My gingham shirt from Mint Velvet was perfect - layered under my trusty Barbour coat, it kept me just warm enough without overheating in the airport. I finished the look with a cosy cashmere mix scarf, my coated black jeans from Next, and my super comfy (and warm!) faux-fur-lined biker boots from Hush.

Krakow itinerary - day one

​On Saturday, our first full day, I may have been a bit optimistic about the weather - it looked warmer than it was! We started our morning exploring the Underground Museum beneath the Old Town Square, diving into Krakow’s fascinating medieval history. Later, we joined a free walking tour with Krakow Explorers (highly recommend them—they’re No. 1 on TripAdvisor!).  I personally don't think you should ever visit a new city without booking a walking tour, especially on your first day, it really helps to get your bearings and gives a really good introduction to the people, places and history.

I should have gone with my biker boots and Barbour coat for extra warmth, but I opted for my Vionic trainers instead. They’re incredibly comfortable for long walks - no sore feet, ever! I paired them with skinny jeans, a striped jumper from Hobbs (hidden under layers!), and a Mango lightweight down jacket.  Lightweight down is so easy to pack and greaet for layering under another jacket too.
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For my capsule wardrobe, I kept everything simple with blush pink and navy staples, plus some coated jeans and a pop of red for evening looks. I packed two coats and brought a few scarves for variety. I wore my biker boots on the plane and packed my Vionic trainers along with heeled boots for the evening. Plenty of cosy, medium-weight jumpers in navy and blush pink kept me warm and stylish!

​On Saturday night, we absolutely loved having dinner at Amarylis, an award-winning restaurant in the Queen Hotel. I dressed up in my coated Boden jeans, black heeled Vionic boots, and a pop of color with a red jumper from Sezane. We had a fantastic evening with exceptional service from the staff, who made us feel so welcome. I should probably mention that I discovered a new fondness for Poland’s flavored vodka (along with a glass or two of red wine!), I fully embraced the local flavours … more on that later!

Krakow itinerary - day two

Sunday morning it was still chilly but the forecast was 25 degrees for the afternoon.  So I knew I'd be okay in my lighter jacket and I'd need to remove layers. 

We did a free walking tour of the Jewish Quarter and former Ghetto with Krakow Explorers again.  We had a quickly lunch then grabbed a taxi to go to Schindler's Factory and Museum which we all really recommend.  Learn more about the tragic events in Krakow in WWII and delve deeper into Oskar Schindler's story.

Later on we headed back to the Old Town Square where we enjoyed a horse and carriage ride, then we 'had to' go to the Vodka Cafe and do some vodka tasting!!  Who even knew I liked vodka?!

Krakow itinerary - day three

​Monday was an emotional day - we visited Auschwitz and Birkenau.

I really did have to wrap up for this cold and exposed location. I wore both my lightweight down jacket and Barbour coat layered together, and I was grateful for every both. It's unfathomable to think of the conditions people endured here in far worse temperatures.

A note about Auschwitz: it’s an intensely emotional experience, yet one I believe everyone should have. The visit is structured as a group tour, and we booked ours through Krakow Trip, they pick up up from your accommodation and look after you throughout your visit .

The tour itself is sobering and thought-provoking; the presence of other visitors offers some small buffer from the overwhelming reality of what took place. Our guide approached the experience with such empathy and respect, which made all the difference on this very impactful day.

Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow

Final day in Krakow

​Tuesday was our final day, and with a few hours before our flight, we took a morning stroll to Wawel Royal Castle, just a short walk from our hotel. Speaking of which, the Metropolis Design Hotel was fantastic - clean, welcoming, and perfectly located, with the Old Town Square just a ten-minute walk away. The friendly service made it an ideal base for our Krakow adventures.
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Although it was a bright day, the chill was still there, so I layered up in my Barbour jacket and trusty biker boots - plus, wearing the heavier items is always easier than packing them.

St Mary's Basilica, Old Town Square, Krakow and meeting place for Krakow Explorers

At Wawel Royal Castle overlooking the city and river area in Krakow

​And that was our four nights in Krakow.  I loved it.  I think I got my capsule wardrobe about right - surprisingly, I'm usually useless at packing, although I am getting a bit better.
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Here’s a quick recap of our itinerary, in case you’re thinking about planning your own trip:

Friday evening – We arrived in Krakow just in time for dinner at Café Oranzeria, a rooftop spot with castle views. We stayed at the Metropolis Design Hotel, which I’d highly recommend!
Saturday – We spent the morning at the fascinating Underground Museum learning about Krakow’s medieval past, followed by a free walking tour of the Old Town in the afternoon.
Sunday – We explored the Jewish Quarter and former Ghetto on a free walking tour, then visited Schindler’s Factory and Museum. I wish we’d had a bit more time to linger in the main square of the Jewish Quarter, it’s charming!
Monday – We dedicated the day to visiting Auschwitz and Birkenau, an incredibly moving experience.
Tuesday – We squeezed in a morning visit to Wawel Royal Castle before catching our mid-afternoon flight home.

A note on free walking tours: Although they’re technically free, it’s standard to tip your guide based on how much you enjoyed the experience. We found the guides at Krakow Explorers absolutely brilliant and tipped accordingly.

It felt a bit odd to be posting about the cooler climate of Krakow as we have just enjoyed a hot Easter weekend which found me in summer dresses and shorts!  But I wanted to share our weekend away as I always think my itinerary might help in planning your own trip.

Love from
Michelle xx
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