5 Days in Poland 馃嚨馃嚤 Krak贸w & Gda艅sk
5 Days
-Poland
By Jackie Swayze
Jul 17, 2025
Poland might be one of the most underrated countries I鈥檝e ever visited. Truly, not enough people go here, but once you do, you鈥檒l get the hype. If you鈥檙e short on time, this 5-day itinerary is perfect for hitting the highlights of Krak贸w and Gda艅sk.
This trip is heavy on history but still makes room for great views and incredible food. The pierogi making class I did in Krak贸w is one of my favorite memories from the trip!
I visited Poland on my first-ever solo trip and am happy to report it鈥檚 a great destination for solo female travelers, but would also be great for friends, couples, or families.
For a more in-depth breakdown of visiting Krak贸w, check out my blog post: https://maximizingmypto.com/solo-female-guide-to-krakow-3-days/
And check out this post for more details on Gda艅sk: https://maximizingmypto.com/2-days-in-gdansk-poland/
Recommended Stays
HotelSky Hotel Krak贸w
Book here: https://booking.tpx.lt/fQEc7rXB
This hotel is close to both Old Town and the train station, making it super convenient. The modern rooms are clean and comfortable and they offer a variety of room types, including single rooms for solo travelers and family rooms for up to 4 people. A breakfast buffet is included.
HotelHampton by Hilton Gdansk Old Town
Book here: https://booking.tpx.lt/28kUXHOG
This Hampton by Hilton is located just around the corner from the famous Neptune鈥檚 Fountain in Old Town and walking distance to all the highlights of Gda艅sk. The rooms are spacious and there鈥檚 a large breakfast buffet included so you can fuel up for an exciting day of sightseeing.
Day 1
Start your trip off with a free walking tour of Old Town Krak贸w. If you鈥檙e not familiar with free walking tours, the concept is that there鈥檚 no fee up front and at the end of the tour, you tip what you feel is fair. I鈥檝e done free walking tours all over the world and they never disappoint! Here鈥檚 the one I did in Krak贸w: https://freewalkingtour.com/krakow/old-town-krakow/
Be sure to try a chimney cake while you鈥檙e in Krak贸w - they鈥檙e a staple here!
Muzeum Uniwersytetu Jagiello艅skiego Collegium Maius
Jagiello艅ska 15, 31-010 Krak贸w, Poland
Day 2
On day 2, get out of the city and visit two important Polish sites: the Wieliczka Salt Mine and
Auschwitz Birkenau concentration camp.
Salt mining played a huge role in Poland鈥檚 prosperity for centuries, as salt was a valuable resource. Now, the mine is open for tours and features impressive ballrooms and statues carved from the salt.
Auschwitz is the most infamous Nazi death camp of WWII and this tour is incredibly heavy. However, I believe it鈥檚 important to visit these sites and learn about the atrocities that occurred here so that history may never repeat itself.
For a seamless day trip to both sites that includes lunch, I recommend this full-day tour that picks up from your hotel: https://gyg.me/ReeayeQ3
Miejsce Pami臋ci i Muzeum Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Ofiar Faszyzmu 12, 32-600 Brzezinka, Poland
Day 3
After visiting Auschwitz, you can continue to learn more about the Jewish history of Poland with a free walking tour of the Jewish quarter. You鈥檒l pass by the sites and hear the real stories behind Schindler鈥檚 List, as his factory was here in Krak贸w. This is the free walking tour I did: https://freewalkingtour.com/krakow/jewish-krakow/
In the evening, finish your time in Krak贸w with a pierogi making class. Pierogis are one of Poland鈥檚 signature dishes and these potato-filled dumplings are absolutely delicious. You鈥檒l learn to make both traditional and dessert pierogis! Here鈥檚 the small-group pierogi class I recommend: https://viator.tpx.lt/7omqjsqs
Jewish Ghetto Memorial
Plac Bohater贸w Getta, 30-547 Krak贸w, Poland
Day 4
In the morning, fly north from Krak贸w to Gda艅sk. After you check into your hotel, stop by the famous Neptune鈥檚 Fountain for a photo op before spending the afternoon at the Museum of the Second World War. This is an incredibly well curated museum focusing primarily on the Polish and European experiences during the war.
Afterwards, take another free walking tour of Old Town. Gda艅sk dates back to the medieval times when it was a prosperous shipping port town. It has a unique history, often not belonging to any country. It is also famously where WWII began and the town was flattened by the Russians towards the end of the war. Everything in Old Town has been rebuilt to look how it did before. Here鈥檚 the free walking tour I did: https://freewalkingtour.com/gdansk/main-town-gdansk/
Day 5
Amber products have been produced in Gda艅sk for centuries, and the Museum of Amber is a great place to learn about this history and see some incredible pieces of amber art. Nearby, you鈥檒l also want to check out the beautiful amber alter at the Basilica of St. Bridget.
Afterwards, get some physical activity in by climbing the 400+ steps to the top of St. Mary鈥檚 church and finish off your trip to Poland with a sunset kayak tour through the city to see the sites from a new vantage point. Check out the tour here: https://viator.tpx.lt/ssNCBXT3
TYGLE Gda艅skie restauracja polska Gda艅sk Chmielna
Chmielna 10, 80-748 Gda艅sk, Poland