Poland is one of Central Europe's most fascinating countries, and this carefully planned itinerary is the perfect introduction to a destination that's love at first sight. Your journey starts in Krakow, the most popular Polish city, and for good reason. While in Krakow, you'll stroll around romantic, fairytale-like streets, step inside a massive royal complex, learn about Poland's dark past and Jewish heritage, and mingle with locals in laid-back neighborhoods that abound in legendary tales, recent history traces, and everyday, authentic vibes. A half-day trip to the beyond-words impressive Wieliczka Salt Mine is mandatory, and so is a top-rated food tour that will treat your taste buds to the unique flavors of Poland. Your next stop is Warsaw. The Polish capital blends old and new in an exciting way, as reflected in the city's diverse architecture. From elegant Gothic and Baroque buildings to Socialist-era housing blocks and modern, sleek skyscrapers, Warsaw has it all, and the best way to appreciate the city's many faces is by enjoying a ride on a vintage, communist-era minibus. Before you head back home, in Warsaw, you'll also have the opportunity to attend a Chopin concert in the composer's very hometown. One of our team members will be available to assist with any questions and help arrange local services both before and during your trip. You'll receive access to your personalized Guest Page, featuring practical travel information, curated recommendations, and insider tips on everything from sightseeing and dining to local customs and etiquette. Upon request, we can also provide an eSIM with data service, making it easy to stay connected with your local JayWay contact throughout your travels. Across all destinations, we offer a carefully selected range of 3- to 5-star accommodations, including boutique hotels and character-filled guesthouses, all chosen for their comfort, quality, central locations, and authentic local atmosphere.
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What's Included
Here are all the services provided as part of your complete vacation package. See what every JayWay trip includes.
Please let us know if you'd like to upgrade any transfers or add any additional tours or excursions to your itinerary.
Krakow
Warsaw
package excludes:
- Flights from and to your home country.
- Tips for Tour Guides, Drivers and Local Reps.
- Meals (other than breakfast if included in room rate and meals listed as included in food tours and excursions, unless explicitly stated otherwise).
- Parking fees for your Rental Car (if you are booking one with us) unless otherwise indicated. Some hotels provide free parking facilities.
- Travel Insurance. See the insurance link on our website
A JayWay vacation is more than the sum of its parts. Our team work tirelessly to ensure your experience is memorable for all the right reasons. Your trip is personalized to maximize your enjoyment. You're taken care of every step of the way.
A Travel Advisor who speaks your language
We will make sure that all your requirements and interests are taken into account in preparing your itinerary.A totally tailored itinerary for your vacation
Your trip is customized for you by an experienced trip planner and an expert on the region.A choice of hand-picked hotels and excursions
We've personally inspected and tested all the hotels and local tour providers we work with to ensure quality.Detailed pre-trip preparation to make the most of every day
Your destination-based Tour Manager will be in touch by email and phone a month before you arrive to finalize timings.On-trip Concierge Service to smooth out any bumps in the road
Your tour manager is at your service throughout your journey. We'll provide a local SIM so you can stay connected.Personalized Guest Page to make sure you're not missing out
Packed with detailed information and recommendations curated by locals on the best things to do, see and eat.4 Nights in Krakow
4 Nights in Krakow
4 Nights in Krakow
Krakow may not be the largest city in Poland, but it is by far the most popular with travelers. Less industrial than Warsaw, Krakow was once Poland’s royal capital, and unlike the rest of the country, came out of World War II with its gorgeous architecture mostly unscathed. One glance at the city’s perfectly preserved and restored Old Town and it will be abundantly clear why Krakow is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This compact historical district houses the largest square in Europe, where you can stroll, shop from the market, and sample some tasty Polish delicacies. Krakow’s cultural life is rich and there are more than enough classical and jazz concerts to attend during your stay. Just walk through Old Town any evening and you’ll find warmly lit cafes, restaurants and bars. Some of the most prominent sites in and around the city are linked with the grim, albeit highly important historical facts, as evidenced by the memorials in the Jewish Kazimierz district and the Auschwitz concentration camp located nearby - chilling and vivid reminders of World War II. You can also explore Poland’s natural wonders from Krakow, with visits to the atmospheric Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Tatra Mountains all comfortable day trips.
Krakow may not be the largest city in Poland, but it is by far the most popular with travelers. Less industrial than Warsaw, Krakow was once Poland’s royal capital, and unlike the rest of the country, came out of World War II with its gorgeous architecture mostly unscathed. One glance at the city’s perfectly preserved and restored Old Town and it will be abundantly clear why Krakow is on the UNESCO World Heritage list. This compact historical district houses the largest square in Europe, where you can stroll, shop from the market, and sample some tasty Polish delicacies. Krakow’s cultural life is rich and there are more than enough classical and jazz concerts to attend during your stay. Just walk through Old Town any evening and you’ll find warmly lit cafes, restaurants and bars. Some of the most prominent sites in and around the city are linked with the grim, albeit highly important historical facts, as evidenced by the memorials in the Jewish Kazimierz district and the Auschwitz concentration camp located nearby - chilling and vivid reminders of World War II. You can also explore Poland’s natural wonders from Krakow, with visits to the atmospheric Wieliczka Salt Mine, and the Tatra Mountains all comfortable day trips.
Day 1
Day 1 - Arrival in Krakow
Upon your arrival to Kraków Airport, our driver will be waiting for you at the arrivals and will take you to your accommodation in Krakow. The journey should take about 30 minutes.
Settle in and Enjoy
If you've just arrived, before starting on tours, head out and get a feel for this unique city. If you're staying near the main square ("Rynek,") take a leisurely stroll, visit the Cloth Hall, and have a coffee with a view at Cafe Szal. If you start near the Kazimierz district, treat yourself to a delicious dinner at Starka restaurant. Either way, let yourself get charmed by Krakow.
Day 2
Day 2 - Your First Full Day in Krakow
Krakow Private Walking Tour
Today you’ll get a feel for the story of the city with a private tour with a local expert. There's much to discover as you walk the famed Royal Route through the city's heart, on this tour filled to the brim with historical facts and anecdotes. You'll wander from the Barbican and St. Florian's Gate to the spectacular royal hilltop Wawel Castle, visiting the Main Square with its Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica along the way.
Discover the Royal Castle Complex
The glorious ensemble that is the Wawel Castle, perched on top of the eponymous hill just south of Krakow's Old Town, is perhaps Poland's most important collection of buildings, and a reminder of when Krakow was the proud capital of Europe's largest empire, which stretched from the Baltic to the Black Sea. A symbol of national pride, hope, self-rule and not least of all fierce patriotism, Wawel offers a uniquely Polish version of Buckingham Palace and Westminster Abbey rolled into one. You can explore on your own, but if you'd prefer a local guide, we recommend the tour below.
Explore Krakow's Jewish Legacy
Discover the atmosphere and the spirit of Jewish life in Krakow. Before WWII, Jews made up 25% of Krakow's population, helping create the city's unique identity. Delve into this heritage by seeing some of the most significant sites related to Jewish culture and life. Kazimierz is Krakow’s most unique neighborhood, combining its heritage as the Jewish Quarter with a more recent reinvention as the city’s bohemian headquarters. You can also explore food and music at the Klezmer Hois, where you can enjoy a three-course authentic Jewish meal, complete with a live Klezmer band.
Kazimierz Highlights of Jewish Heritage Private Tour
This three-hour excursion will show you some of the most important sites of Jewish culture in Krakow. These include seven synagogues (you'll go inside two of them), Helena Rubinstein House, "Schindler's List" film locations, and much more. We invite you to learn about the 800 years of Jewish history and discover what the Jewish community was before, during, and after the war.
Jewish Dinner and Klezmer Concert in Kazimierz
In the heart of Krakow’s former Jewish district Kazimierz, you will find one of the most well-established restaurants in the city named "Klezmer Hois". Inside the sixteenth century building awaits for you an artistic and culinary offer referring to the pre-war Jewish Kazimierz. We invite you to discover the taste of Jewish cuisine and the charm of klezmer music.
Day 3
Day 3 - Your Second Full Day in Krakow
Wieliczka Salt Mine Group Tour With a Private Driver
Prepare to be amazed at the devotion that drove miners to carve figures, monuments and altar pieces into the walls of an 800-year-old salt mine. This underground world has earned a place on the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage list. As you descend 360 of the tour's total 800 steps into the salt mine, you'll feel like you're entering a vast underground city complete with huge caverns and underground lakes, 135 meters beneath the surface. One of the most unique aspects is the largest underground chapel, devoted to Saint Kinga, a Hungarian princess who is said to have spurned a marriage proposal by the Polish king by tossing his engagement ring into a salt mine in Transylvania.
Sample Unique Polish Cuisine
Krakow's food scene is rich in delicious food, from traditional pastries to open-faced sandwiches that make for beloved late-night snacks. You can try a variety of dishes by joining one of the food tasting tours or a folk show for a memorable and fun way to explore the city's culinary heritage.
Krakow Food Tasting Group Tour
If you want to discover a rich, multidimensional world of traditional Polish food and beverages, we invite you to join this exceptional tasting expedition! You will have a chance to try Polish dishes that are inevitably connected with the country's folklore, history and culture. During the tour, your guide will share with you all the intriguing tales and anecdotes related to the Polish cuisine.
Krakow Home Cooked Small Group Tour
Do you want to learn how to make pierogi like an expert? Join this Krakow tour to get an inside guide to cooking Polish food in the home of a local home cook. There's no better way to get in touch with Poland's rich culinary traditions.
Day 4
Day 4 - Your Third Full Day in Krakow
Dark History
A visit to Krakow isn’t truly complete without an excursion to the Auschwitz concentration camp, where well over a million were murdered during WWII. The victims were primarily Jews, but also included many tens of thousands of Poles, Roma, prisoners of war, and others. We offer tours of this death camp, and its memorial. For a better understanding of the Holocaust's effects on Krakow, visit the city's Jewish ghetto, and the factory Oskar Schindler used to shelter many people marked for death, as part of a private tour.
Ghetto and Schindler's Factory Private Tour (Non-refundable)
This three-hour tour with an expert local guide will give you an immersion into Krakow's Jewish culture, centering around the tragic events of World War II. From the Jewish Ghetto to Schindler's Factory, you'll see all of the most significant sites of Jewish history here. Along the way your guide will answer your questions and tell you everything you need to know about the life, times and tragedies of the Jewish people in Krakow.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Group Tour with a Private Driver (Non-refundable)
We invite you to visit one of the most expressive and symbolic locations in Poland. You'll explore the Auschwitz Museum and Birkenau Camp, a place that should be experienced and seen at least once in your lifetime. You'll have a private tour to the museum, where you'll join a group of about 30 people.
Day 5
Day 5 - Traveling to Warsaw by Train
You'll be heading north to Warsaw today. There are frequent trains between Krakow and Warsaw, one every two hours or so. We will provide train tickets with seat reservations based on your preferred departure time and arrange for a transfer from your accommodation to the train station. The journey takes about 3 hours. If you'd like to take your time while enjoying more privacy, we can also organize a private transfer with stops along the way in Lodz or Czestochowa. It makes the journey longer but adds a visit to your choice of these remarkable destinations.
You can upgrade your transfer
Warsaw by Private Transfer with a Tour in Lodz
Upgrade for an additional cost
3 Nights in Warsaw
3 Nights in Warsaw
3 Nights in Warsaw
Warsaw, the capital of Poland and its largest city, has bounced back from the devastation of World War II, reconstructing the historic center, and earning UNESCO World Heritage status in the process. This is a bustling metropolis with a charm that’s distinct from other cities in Poland. Here you’ll find art museums and theaters galore, with lively performances and exhibitions throughout the year, as well as frequent festivals of all sorts. The culinary scene here is top-notch, with several well-respected restaurants offering classics of Polish cuisine and modern masterpieces from European gastronomy. Warsaw has distinct neighborhoods that are perfect for exploring on foot, but it’s also fun to get an appreciation for the size of the city by being chauffeured. You can explore different layers of Warsaw’s history, from World War II to its Jewish heritage and communist past. You’ll definitely want to sample the local cuisine while you explore the city, and there’s no shortage of opportunities to do so, from street stalls to fine dining. When you’re ready to go farther afield, the region surrounding Warsaw offers gorgeous lakes, castles and other notable cities and villages. There is no shortage of ways to enjoy your time in this vibrant city.
Warsaw, the capital of Poland and its largest city, has bounced back from the devastation of World War II, reconstructing the historic center, and earning UNESCO World Heritage status in the process. This is a bustling metropolis with a charm that’s distinct from other cities in Poland. Here you’ll find art museums and theaters galore, with lively performances and exhibitions throughout the year, as well as frequent festivals of all sorts. The culinary scene here is top-notch, with several well-respected restaurants offering classics of Polish cuisine and modern masterpieces from European gastronomy. Warsaw has distinct neighborhoods that are perfect for exploring on foot, but it’s also fun to get an appreciation for the size of the city by being chauffeured. You can explore different layers of Warsaw’s history, from World War II to its Jewish heritage and communist past. You’ll definitely want to sample the local cuisine while you explore the city, and there’s no shortage of opportunities to do so, from street stalls to fine dining. When you’re ready to go farther afield, the region surrounding Warsaw offers gorgeous lakes, castles and other notable cities and villages. There is no shortage of ways to enjoy your time in this vibrant city.
Day 5
Day 5 - Arrival in Warsaw
When you arrive at the Warsaw train station, a driver will meet you there and take you directly to your accommodation in the city center.
Views and Foods
If you've just arrived, we suggest visiting the Krakowskie Przedmiescie, a famed street that forms the northern end of the Royal Way. Here, you can climb to the top of the St. Anna's Church Bell Tower, which provides an amazing view of the Royal Castle and the Old Town. After this not insignificant exercise (there are 150 steps to climb), treat yourself to a nice dinner at the nearby U Fukiera restaurant. Through delicious Polish cuisine, you'll start immersing yourself in the local culture. Smacznego!
Day 6
Day 6 - Your First Full Day in Warsaw
Best of Warsaw Private Tour in a Communist Minibus
This best of Warsaw private tour in a Communist-era minibus is perfect whether it's your first visit or you’ve been before. It gives you a solid introduction to Warsaw’s key historic and cultural landmarks. You’ll also discover hidden spots that most tourists miss. It’s a smart choice if you're short on time but want to experience the city's true character.
Chopin Concert Tickets
While you are in Warsaw, we invite you to book an evening to appreciate the work of the greatest Polish composer Frederic Chopin. Poland’s capital city also happens to be Chopin’s hometown, so it’s a very special place to listen to his music. You'll also enjoy the historical venue itself as you'll find yourself surrounded by painting collections of outstanding well-known artists.
Day 7
Day 7 - Your Second Full Day in Warsaw
Warsaw Food Tasting Group Tour
Today you'll find that Polish food is far more than just pierogi. During this in depth exploration of the local cuisine, you wil learn interesting stories behind the dishes you discover. You'll get to know why Poles complain about the quality of their bread, why people often miss the food from the 70s, and why you can't always trust an invitation "for a cup of coffee." This tour will make for a full meal, as you'll try a dozen different dishes in several quaint eateries, representing both modern and traditional food. This is a great way to combine lunch with active city exploration.
A Millenia of Jewish History
Standing on the site of the former Warsaw Ghetto, the relatively new POLIN Museum has become one of Europe's most famous museums devoted to Jews. There, you can explore over a millennia of Jewish history, from Poland's first Jewish settlers, to the period just after World War II. It's a vast place, with impressive architecture and plenty of content to read, watch, and interact with. After you've delved into the past, fill yourself up at the museum's restaurant, which offers Jewish, Polish, and international dishes, some kosher.
Day 8
Day 8 - Departure Day
Based on your flight time, we'll arrange for a transfer from your accommodations to Warsaw's main airport.
Glowing Reviews from Our Guests
Average of our Guest's Ratings of tour packages including these destinations
They were great at helping us explore new countries that we knew little about.
– Ervin & David, Washington
Visited : Lithuania, Poland
Itinerary : Vilnius, Krakow
Rating :
Perfect way to plan and manage a trip for busy working individuals who want to have a vacation of a lifetime but don't have the time to focus on the little details. The benefit of having their connections to book tours that are sold out or arrange all your logistics of travel are worth their weight in gold.
– Sarah & Adaline, South Carolina
Visited : Poland, Germany
Itinerary : Krakow, Warsaw, Berlin, Nuremberg, Munich
Rating :
They handle everything so you can enjoy the amazing trip they planned for you.
– Cortney & Steven, North Carolina
Visited : Poland
Itinerary : Krakow, Warsaw, Gdansk
Rating :