10 Days in Poland: Kraków, Wieliczka & Auschwitz, Warsaw (Warszawa), Gdańsk, Sopot & Malbork Castle & Zakopane & Tatra Mountains
Our most popular 10-day route combining Kraków, Wieliczka & Auschwitz, Warsaw (Warszawa), and Gdańsk, Sopot & Malbork Castle, optimized for PKP Intercity EIP (Express InterCity Premium Pendolino), EIC, IC & TLK schedules and open-jaw flights.
Route Overview: Kraków, Wieliczka & Auschwitz (3N) → Warsaw (Warszawa) (3N) → Gdańsk, Sopot & Malbork Castle (3N)
Budget Estimate: zł6600–zł11400 ($1,650–$2,850 USD per person)
Arrive via Kraków Airport (KRK — 17 min SKA1 train to Kraków Główny), transfer to Kraków, Wieliczka & Auschwitz Historic Center & Old Quarter, and settle in with an evening walk.
Tour Rynek Główny (Main Market Square), Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) & St. Mary's Basilica — Hear the live hourly Hejnał Mariacki bugle call from the 82m Gothic tower and admire Veit Stoss's carved linden-wood altarpiece (15 zł). Don't miss the Rynek Underground Museum beneath the square (36 zł; free Tuesdays). and Wawel Royal Castle & Wawel Cathedral — Renaissance arcaded courtyard and royal tombs overlooking the Vistula River (book State Rooms + Crown Treasury timed slots online). with pre-booked morning slots.
Day trip to Zakopane & Tatra Mountains (Morskie Oko ('Eye of the Sea') Glacial Lake Hike — Walk the 8.5 km scenic forest road surrounded by 2,499m Rysy peaks (book your TPN National Park entry + Palenica Białczańska shuttle/parking online at tpn.pl!).) via Kraków, Wieliczka & Auschwitz Central Station.
Morning PKP Intercity EIP connection to Warsaw (Warszawa); afternoon walk through Warsaw (Warszawa) Historic Center & Old Quarter.
Visit UNESCO Old Town (Stare Miasto), Royal Castle & Barbican — Walk the Royal Route (Krakowskie Przedmieście) past Copernicus and Chopin's heart at Holy Cross Church to Castle Square (Royal Castle free on Wednesdays)., Łazienki Królewskie (Royal Baths Park) & Palace on the Isle — Stroll past peacocks and attend free open-air piano recitals beneath the Chopin Monument every Sunday at 12:00 & 16:00 from May to September., and sample Obwarzanek Krakowski (Protected Braided Bagel).
Explore Praga District, Milk Bars (Bar Mleczny Prasowy / Bambino) & Vistula Boulevards (45–75 mins by regional transit) and enjoy dinner in Warsaw (Warszawa) Waterfront & Cultural District.
Transfer to Gdańsk, Sopot & Malbork Castle (Gdańsk, Sopot & Malbork Castle Central Station / Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN) & Gdańsk Główny) and check into Gdańsk, Sopot & Malbork Castle Historic Center & Old Quarter.
Full day discovering Długi Targ (Long Market), Neptune's Fountain, Artus Court & Mariacka Street — Stroll beneath ornate Dutch-Mannerist gables and browse Baltic amber galleries along cobbled Ulica Mariacka. and St. Mary's Church (Bazylika Mariacka) — The largest brick church in the world; climb 409 steps to the viewing platform for panoramic Baltic and shipyard views (16 zł)., with Oscypek Smoked Sheep Cheese for lunch.
Relaxed morning at Museum of the Second World War (Muzeum II Wojny Światowej) — Extraordinary 5,000 m² underground exhibition 14 meters beneath the canal (32 zł; free Tuesdays). followed by a farewell dinner in Gdańsk, Sopot & Malbork Castle Waterfront & Cultural District.
Connect to Gdańsk Lech Wałęsa Airport (GDN) & Gdańsk Główny or express transit for your onward flight.