Back in March, I took a quick two-day turnaround trip to Kraków— the perfect city to see in a short weekend. Travel to this city, and travel throughout history... even if just for 48 hours.

Kraków, Poland is steeped in unique history. If you're looking for a trip to take you through time, then this is it. In this short amount of time, I confronted some of the most formative parts of modern history by day, and then made the most of my time with some spontaneous socialization by night. Here's how I did it:

My Itinerary at a Glance

Friday, March 7: Travel to Kraków + Salt Mines

• 1:00 PM – Land in Kraków and head straight to your stay (I stayed at Globtroter Krakow and highly recommend it – cozy, affordable, central).

  
  

  

• 3:00 PM – Drop your bags and rush to the Wieliczka Salt Mines (expect about 45 min-1 hr transit in afternoon traffic).

• 5:00 PM – Join a guided tour of the Salt Mines.

• 8:00 PM – Return to Kraków and call it an early night – tomorrow’s a big day.

Day 2 – Saturday: Auschwitz + Kraków Old Town

• 6:45 AM – Meet your Auschwitz tour group

• 7:00 AM – 2:00 PM – Full-day visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau: a harrowing but essential educational experience.

• 2:30 PM – Back in Krakow. Grab pierogi (dumplings) for lunch (try Pierogarnia Krakowiacy) and recharge.

• 4:00 PM – Spend the afternoon wandering Old Town:

  • St. Mary’s Basilica

  • Main Market Square

  • Wawel Castle + Cathedral

  • Jewish Quarter

  • Walk along the Vistula River

• 7:00 PM – Dinner (I ate at Mr. Pancake; worth the hype).

• 9:00 PM – Late – Krakow nightlife: Irish pubs, live music, and karaoke.

Day 3 – Sunday: Early Flight + Final Krakow Moments

• 5:00 AM – Grab your luggage or catch one last chaotic Kraków moment (I witnessed a man get arrested... but that’s a story for later).

• 6:00 AM – Bolt to the airport and fly out.

• 12:00 PM – Back in Florence, just in time for my favorite Sunday ritual: strolling Santo Spirito.

The Salt Mines: Poland’s Underground Kingdom

Yes, Kraków has its own literal underworld... and it’s salty. Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the oldest in the world, and it’s basically a subterranean museum-meets-cathedral carved entirely out of rock salt. Seeing these caves felt like stepping into the Minecraft caverns irl.

Here’s what makes it special:

• It’s 800+ steps down into the Earth. No elevator until the end of the tour.

• There are entire chapels, chandeliers, and sculptures made of salt.

• There’s even a banquet hall down there. As in, people get married underground.

• The guide suggested to lick the walls to “prove” it’s real salt (confirmed: it is).

• The air is supposedly therapeutic; people used to come down here to breathe better.

It was weirdly spiritual, surprisingly grand, and definitely worth the rush-hour Bolt ride.

Pro tip: I almost missed my tour (I arrived at 4:58 PM for my 5 o'clock time slot), so don't push it on time like I did if you go during this time of day. I thought the drive would take 45 minutes, but it took an hour from Kraków with traffic.

Auschwitz-Birkenau: Not a Tour

Let’s be clear: nothing about this was a tour even if it's titled so. Nor should it considered one.

I booked the half day-trip from Kraków through Viator, linked here.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is one of the most powerful, devastating, and necessary places to visit. The "tour" itself is sober and fact-based—no theatrics, just truth.

What stuck with me:

• The museum: displays of suitcases and shoes in glass cases—remnants of real lives.

• Walking through the still-standing gas chamber.

• The railroad tracks at Birkenau, leading to the unspeakable.

• Passing freely through the gates where hundreds of thousands of others couldn't.

• Can’t really call it a "tour"—it’s a full-scale confrontation with history.

There’s no way to “prepare,” and there’s no way to “sum it up.” The guides do an incredible job at educating and explaining, so I'll say no more so as to respect how the survivors wanted their tale told.

The only thing else I can say is: go. Sit with the discomfort. Let it change you.

Sightseeing Kraków: Cobblestones & Comfort Food

Kraków is a stunner. It’s all medieval streets, amber-lit cathedrals, and pastel buildings (a lot like Prague and Budapest).

What I wandered through:

• St. Mary’s Basilica: soaring and solemn. That ceiling.

• Rynek Główny: The bustling main square. Street performers, a central market, flower stalls, horse-drawn carriages, the whole shabang.

• Wawel Hill: A castle with sweeping views of the Vistula River. I didn't make it in time to go inside, but took advantage of the hilltop views nonetheless.

• Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz): Quieter, artsier—full of indie cafés and layered in history.

  
  

What I ate:

• Pierogi: Comfort food with other students I met on the Auschwitz tour (s/o Ben, Margaret, and Bobby!). This is a must-try in Poland.

• Mr. Pancake: Sugary chaos. Think giant American diner pancakes piled with Nutella, sprinkles, and regret.

• Bonus: Kraków looked like it had a ton of cute, quiet coffee shops if you need a reset. They even have a Harry Potter themed one (???).

Kraków Nightlife: Scots, Swedes, & Singing

What happens after dark in Kraków? Chaos. Connection. Karaoke.

My night included:

• Irish pubs with live music and Karaoke (Ronnie Drew's Irish Pub).

• Befriending a set of Scots.

• Debates about politics and pop culture over pints with some Swedes.

• Witnessed an Irish guy who seemingly had one too many Guinness literally run away from the police, escape, panic, and run back towards them just to get arrested (???).

• A 5 AM walk through an empty city with a fellow traveler—taking in the yellow glow of a European city at night & feeling that surreal travel magic by wrapping up the weekend whilst watching the city awaken.

I saw Kraków awake and asleep, but made the most of every minute.

Final Thoughts:

Kraków is packed with history, emotion, and unexpected allure. Though I didn’t have tons of time to explore every inch, I left feeling fulfilled, knowing that I’d seen some of the most important and unique sites in Europe—from the memorial of Auschwitz to the subterranean society of the Salt Mines.

Kraków in summary: slightly gritty & totally alive, with deep roots yet a modern rhythm. If you're visiting, 48 hours is still enough to make many memories—both spiritually and socially—but I’d love to go back someday with more time to dig deeper.

Until then, thanks Krakow. You were short-lived & splendid.