Day 1
Arrival in Kraków & Speakeasy Charm
Flights & Transfers: Bournemouth → Kraków: Ryanair FR5523, 9 Sep 16:05–19:30 (Arrive BOH by 14:35) - Confirmed.
~20:00: Arrive at Kraków Główny via SKA1 train. Walk to apartment on Stefana Batorego 5. This area is residential yet close to the Old Town.
🍽️ 21:15 Dinner: Pierwszy Stopień
Why it fits you: Modern Polish cuisine, creative presentation, high-quality ingredients, often tasting plates. Stylish, refined yet comfortable, avoids tourist trap feel. Innovative approach to traditional dishes.
Ambiance: Elegant but relaxed. Good for a solo diner wanting a quality meal.
Recommended: Tasting menus, inventive fish or local meats. Mains: 60-90 PLN (£12-£18).
Opening Hours: Confirmed open until 22:00.
🍸 23:00 Cocktails: Mercy Brown
Why it fits you: Classic speakeasy, hidden, intimate, exclusive vibe ("class but also an edge"). Vintage-inspired, opulent, moody décor (1920s/30s). Expertly crafted cocktails (especially gin-based). Similar hidden/unique quality to Chester & Punk or Bar Sistema.
Ambiance: Dimly lit, plush seating, sophisticated yet unpretentious. Live music (jazz/swing) on some nights.
Signature Cocktails: Seasonal creative concoctions. Prices: 40-55 PLN (£8-£11).
Opening Hours: Opens at 19:00. Note: Reservations can be good, but Tuesday night solo might be fine for walk-in.
Day 2
Royal History & Kazimierz Nights
10:30 Optional light brunch:
- Suggestion: Cytat Cafè (Miodowa 23) - Towards Kazimierz. Book-themed, cozy, quirky, good coffee, light bites. Charming and authentic.
- Alternative: Charlotte Chleb i Wino (Plac Szczepański 2) - Popular French-style bistro, good for coffee, pastries, people-watching (can be busy).
11:00 Royal Route walk: This is a classic Kraków experience. Start from near St. Florian's Gate, walk down Floriańska Street (can be touristy, but the architecture is beautiful), through the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny). Admire St. Mary's Basilica (exterior), listen for the Hejnał Mariacki (trumpet call) on the hour. Continue down Grodzka Street towards Wawel Castle. Explore Wawel Courtyard (free to enter). You can decide if you want to pay to enter specific exhibitions (e.g., State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments, Cathedral). Given your interests, the architecture itself might be the main draw.
🍽️ 14:15 Lunch: Baqaro Rakowicka
Why it fits you: Near main station/Galeria Krakowska. Praised for "elevated pierogi" and modern Polish food in a stylish setting. Proper restaurant, not rustic milk bar.
Ambiance: Modern, clean design, comfortable.
Recommended: Varied pierogi (duck, lamb, vegetarian). Dishes: 35-50 PLN (£7-£10).
Opening Hours: Opens at 13:00.
16:00 Schindler's Factory tour: Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory (Lipowa 4). This is a must-visit for history enthusiasts. The exhibition "Kraków under Nazi Occupation 1939–1945" is incredibly well-done, immersive, and thought-provoking. It's much more than just Schindler's story. Allow at least 2-3 hours. Booking tickets online in advance is highly recommended as it's very popular and entry is timed. Tickets around 32 PLN (£6.40).
🍽️ 20:00 Dinner: Starka Restaurant
Why it fits you: Traditional Polish cuisine, flavoured vodkas, hearty meat dishes. Cozy, characterful setting in Kazimierz. Authentic, warm, welcoming, not overly formal or tourist trap.
Ambiance: Rustic charm, live folk music, candlelit. Can be lively.
Recommended: Duck with cherry sauce, Pork tenderloin in boletus mushroom sauce. Mains: 60-90 PLN (£12-£18). Homemade nalewki (fruit liqueurs/vodkas) are a must-try (~15 PLN / £3 per shot).
Opening Hours: Confirmed open until 23:00. Booking advisable.
🍸 22:00 Drinks: Sababa
Why it fits you: Contemporary, stylish experience in Kazimierz. Known for cocktails, vibrant atmosphere. Meets preference for stylish decor and good quality cocktails.
Ambiance: Modern, chic, can be buzzy. Check for rooftop/outdoor space for views.
Signature Cocktails: Inventive, local or Middle Eastern-inspired. Prices: 35-50 PLN (£7-£10).
Opening Hours: Closes around 23:59-01:00. Note: Verify rooftop status.
Day 3
Subterranean Wonders & Jazzy Nights
10:15 Wieliczka Salt Mine tour: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a truly unique and historically significant place. The chapels carved out of salt, underground lakes, and vast chambers are incredibly photogenic and offer a sense of unexpected charm. Located outside Kraków. You'll need to take a train (to Wieliczka Rynek Kopalnia station, ~25 mins) or bus 304. The "Tourist Route" tour takes about 2-3 hours. Book tickets online in advance, selecting an English guided tour. Price approx. 126 PLN (£25.20). Wear comfortable shoes as there's a lot of walking and stairs. It can be cool underground. (View on Google)
🍽️ 13:15 Lunch: Mleczarnia
Why it fits you: Bohemian, vintage atmosphere, lovely courtyard garden. Characterful, relaxed. Not modern-stylish, but immense charm, authentic, quirky (like ruin bars but cafe-like).
Ambiance: Eclectic, antique furniture, dimly lit interiors, beautiful leafy courtyard.
Food: Simple Polish dishes, sandwiches, salads, cakes. Lighter, informal. Main dishes/sandwiches: 25-45 PLN (£5-£9).
Opening Hours: Confirmed open all day.
17:30 Sunset photos from Krakus Mound (Kopiec Kraka): This prehistoric mound offers panoramic views over Kraków, especially beautiful at sunset. It’s a bit of a walk/bus ride from the centre, but worth it for the photogenic urban landscape. It's less touristy than Wawel Hill for sunset. Transport: Take a tram (e.g., tram 3, 6, 8, 13, 24) towards Podgórze, then a bit of an uphill walk. (View on Google)
🍽️ 20:30 Dinner: Miodova Restaurant
Why it fits you: Modern interpretation of Galician and Jewish cuisine. Stylish, contemporary setting. Highly rated for food, presentation, atmosphere. Comfortable, stylish, authentic, not tourist trap.
Ambiance: Elegant, sophisticated, welcoming. Beautiful interior design.
Recommended: Gefilte fish (modern take), duck breast, lamb. Tasting menus excellent. Mains: ~70-120 PLN (£14-£24).
Opening Hours: Confirmed open until 23:00. Reservations essential. (Michelin Bib Gourmand)
🍸 22:30 Live jazz: Movida Cocktail Bar
Why it fits you: Art-deco inspired interiors, quality cocktails, often live music (jazz). Fits desire for bar with decor, mood, quality drinks. "Art-deco" gives distinct class.
Ambiance: Stylish, sophisticated, mature crowd. Can be intimate.
Cocktails: Classic and signature. Prices: ~35-50 PLN (£7-£10).
Opening Hours: Confirmed open until 03:00. Check schedule for live jazz.
Day 4
Reflection or Socialist Realism & Riverside Evening
Option A: Nowa Huta & Burgers
Nowa Huta: A fascinating district planned as a utopian socialist city. Take a tram (e.g., 4, 10, 22) for about 25-30 minutes. Walk around Plac Centralny and Aleja Róż to see the monumental architecture. It offers a very different, historical, and photogenic urban landscape. (Explore Nowa Huta)
Browar Górniczo‑Hutniczy (Restauracja Browarna): Browar Górniczo‑Hutniczy. A microbrewery and restaurant in Nowa Huta. Good for trying local craft beer and hearty food like burgers in an industrial-chic setting. Burgers approx. 40-55 PLN (£8-£11).
Option B: Auschwitz-Birkenau
08:10–15:30 Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum shuttle (pre‑book): A deeply moving and important historical site. Most tours are guided and take several hours. It's about 1.5 hours from Kraków. Pre-booking a tour that includes transport is essential. Numerous tour operators offer this. Price for tour + transport approx. 200-250 PLN (£40-£50). (View on Google)
🍽️ 20:00 Dinner: Karakter
Why it fits you: Focus on high-quality meat (including offal), modern, refined preparation. MICHELIN Bib Gourmand (good quality/value). Stylish interior, industrial touch, character.
Ambiance: Modern, slightly edgy, open kitchen. Can be buzzy.
Recommended: Steak tartare, various cuts of meat, creative seasonal dishes. Mains: ~70-150 PLN (£14-£30).
Opening Hours: Confirmed open until 23:00 or later. Reservations highly recommended.
🍸 22:30 Nightcap: Barka
Why it fits you: Bar/restaurant on historic Dutch barge on Vistula River. Unique setting, lovely night views of Kazimierz/Podgórze. "Unique charm," "scenic waterfront." Relaxed, atmospheric, not high-energy cocktail bar.
Ambiance: Casual, events/music, great deck views.
Drinks: Beers, wines, simpler cocktails. Beer: ~15-20 PLN (£3-£4), Cocktails: ~30-40 PLN (£6-£8).
Opening Hours: Open late, especially Fridays.
Day 5
Transfer to Wrocław & Cathedral Island
10:00: Check out from Kraków apartment.
10:25–13:13: Train PKP InterCity IC 73100 "Wroclawianin" to Wrocław. Arrive Wrocław Główny (another impressive station building). Walk or take a tram to your apartment on Rynek 15.
🍽️ 14:00 Lunch: Central Café
Why it fits you: Popular, highly-rated. Great coffee, breakfast/brunch (served late), sandwiches, cakes. Bustling, vibrant atmosphere, stylish modern-meets-vintage décor. Perfect first taste of Wrocław café culture.
Ambiance: Lively, popular, comfortable seating.
Recommended: Bagels, smoothie bowls, specialty coffees. Lunch: ~30-50 PLN (£6-£10).
Opening Hours: Confirmed open.
17:30 Ostrów Tumski (Cathedral Island) at dusk: This is the oldest part of Wrocław, an incredibly atmospheric and photogenic area with cobblestone streets, the Cathedral, and gas lamps that are still lit by hand by a lamplighter each evening (a unique sight if you time it right, usually around dusk). Perfect for your interest in history, charm, and photography. (View on Google)
🍽️ 20:00 Dinner: Bernard Pub & Restaurant
Why it fits you: On Main Market Square. Czech-style pub/restaurant (Bernard brewery). Hearty Czech/Polish food, own beers. Lively, proper restaurant experience, not rowdy. Comfortable, traditional, quality feel.
Ambiance: Traditional pub/restaurant, busy, atmospheric (especially Saturday).
Recommended: Goulash, schnitzel, hearty meat dishes. Bernard beers a must. Mains: 50-80 PLN (£10-£16). Beer: ~15-20 PLN (£3-£4).
Opening Hours: Confirmed open until 23:00 or later on Saturdays.
🍸 22:30 Drinks: Pod Papugami
Why it fits you: "Under the Parrots" - iconic Wrocław venue on Rynek. Historic interiors, often live music (piano). "Cinema-themed cocktails" note interesting (if still theme, adds quirky edge). Classic, elegant.
Ambiance: Historic, elegant, sometimes slightly formal but welcoming.
Cocktails: Classic usually available. Prices: ~35-50 PLN (£7-£10).
Opening Hours & Timing: Recent info (Apr 2025) suggests open until 23:00/00:00 Sat. Website: 13:00-00:00 Sat. 22:30 timing should be fine. Cocktail menu (Nov 2023) "Old Hollywood" vibes - "class with an edge".
Day 6
Panoramic Views, Pastries & Performances
10:30 Cathedral climb for views (St. John the Baptist Cathedral, Ostrów Tumski): Climb the tower for excellent panoramic views of Wrocław. A must-do for photographers. Entrance to the tower is usually a small fee (around 10-15 PLN / £2-£3). (View on Google)
🍽️ 12:30 Brunch: Dinette
(Alternative to Charlotte)
Why it fits you: Highly regarded for excellent brunch, modern interior, quality food. Stylish, popular with locals, contemporary brunch experience. Feels more special than standard café.
Ambiance: Bright, modern, bustling but comfortable.
Recommended: Eggs benedict, shakshuka, creative sandwiches/toasts. Brunch: 30-50 PLN (£6-£10).
Opening Hours: Open Sundays for brunch.
14:00 Street art tour in Nadodrze: Nadodrze is a revitalised district known for its gritty charm, artisan workshops, and vibrant street art. It offers a different, more "edgy" and photogenic side of Wrocław, away from the pristine Old Town. This aligns with your interest in unique urban landscapes. You can wander independently or look for a guided tour. (Explore Nadodrze)
17:00 Centennial Hall (Hala Stulecia) & Pergola reflections: A UNESCO World Heritage site, this is a landmark of modernist architecture. The surrounding park with its pergola is beautiful, especially for reflections in the water features. It's historically significant and visually impressive. You can walk around the exterior and park for free. There might be an entrance fee for specific exhibitions inside the Hall. (View on Google)
21:00 Multimedia Fountain show (Wrocławska Fontanna Multimedialna - at Pergola): A spectacular light, water, and music show. Check the schedule in advance as show times and themes vary. Usually operates from May to October. Shows are typically free to watch from the park. (View on Google)
🍸 22:00 Alternative Drinks
New Suggestion 1: Szklarnia ("Greenhouse")
Cocktail bar, beautiful plant-filled interior, unique photogenic ambiance. Stylish, creative cocktails. "Decor, mood, quality cocktails" vibe. Cocktails: 35-50 PLN (£7-£10).
New Suggestion 2: Pub Felicità
Lively, stylish Italian-themed bar/restaurant on Plac Solny (next to Rynek). Good cocktails, vibrant atmosphere, sometimes DJs. Modern, chic design. Cocktails: 30-45 PLN (£6-£9).
Why these fit: Both offer stylish setting, good drinks. Szklarnia especially for aesthetic.
Day 7
Gnome Hunting & Departure
10:00 Gnome photo trail (Wrocławskie Krasnale): Hunting for Wrocław's famous dwarf statues is a fun, quirky, and very photogenic way to explore the city. There are hundreds of them, each unique. Pick up a map or use an app to find them. It's a great way to discover hidden corners. (More about Gnomes)
🍽️ 13:00 (Adjusted to 14:00) Lunch: Campo Modern Grill
Why it fits you: Upscale grill restaurant. High-quality aged beef, modern European cuisine. Stylish, contemporary space. Perfect final memorable meal (if enjoy steak/well-prepared meat).
Ambiance: Modern, elegant, open kitchen.
Recommended: Steaks (highlight)... Mains: 100-200 PLN+ / £20-£40+).
Opening Hours: Often opens 14:00 Mondays. Booking for 14:00/14:30 wise.
16:30 Bus 106 or 206 to Wrocław Airport (WRO): Bus 106 (daytime), 206 (night/early morning). Journey ~30-40 mins. Tickets from machines or on bus (card usually OK). Price: ~4.60 PLN (£0.92).
Flight 19:10: Depart from Wrocław (Ryanair FR3318 to Bournemouth, Arrive WRO by 17:15 for flight).