Quick answer
Kraków is about 3 hours 15 minutes from Cyprus on a direct flight, with Wizz Air from Larnaca and Ryanair from Paphos year-round. One of Europe's best-preserved old towns, it combines a vast market square, Wawel Castle and the lively Kazimierz district, and two or three days is ideal.
- Direct flights take about 3 hours 15 minutes from Larnaca (Wizz Air) and Paphos (Ryanair).
- Flights run year-round.
- The currency is the Polish złoty, not the euro.
- Kraków is 1 hour behind Cyprus.
- Allow a third day if you want to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
- Flight time
- about 3h 15m
- Fly from
- Larnaca & Paphos
- Season
- Year-round
- Currency
- Polish złoty
- Time
- 1 hour behind Cyprus
- Airlines
- Wizz Air from Larnaca; Ryanair from Paphos
Kraków is one of Central Europe's most beautiful cities, and it survived the Second World War largely intact. Its medieval Old Town, royal castle and atmospheric former Jewish quarter make it a rich, good-value weekend from Cyprus, and it is also the base for two of Poland's most important sites.
How do you get to Kraków from Cyprus?
Direct flights to Kraków leave from both Larnaca and Paphos and take about 3 hours 15 minutes. Wizz Air flies from Larnaca and Ryanair from Paphos, and both run year-round. Booking early tends to pay off, particularly for the December Christmas market season and summer weekends. Routes and schedules change by season, so check with the airline before booking.
Kraków John Paul II International Airport is just outside the city. The easiest way into town is the train, which runs to Kraków Główny, the main railway station right next to the Old Town. City buses also serve the airport, and taxis wait outside arrivals.
Is Kraków good for a weekend?
Kraków is excellent for a weekend. The Old Town is compact and almost entirely walkable, food and drink are good value, and there is a mix of history, culture and nightlife that suits couples, friends and solo travellers alike.
Late spring (May and June) and early autumn (September) offer comfortable sightseeing weather. Summers are warm and busy. Winters are cold, often below freezing, but the Christmas market on the Main Market Square and the snowy rooftops have their own charm.
What to do in Kraków in a weekend
Day 1
Start in the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. Browse the stalls inside the Renaissance Cloth Hall and visit St Mary's Basilica. Listen out for the hejnał, the trumpet call played from its tower every hour, which stops abruptly mid-melody.
Walk down Grodzka Street to Wawel Hill, home to Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned and buried. Finish by the river near the Wawel Dragon statue, then return to the Old Town for dinner.
Day 2
Spend the day in Kazimierz, Kraków's historic Jewish quarter, with its synagogues, cafés and galleries. Cross the river to Podgórze to visit Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, now a museum about Kraków under Nazi occupation. In the evening, Kazimierz is one of the liveliest spots in the city for bars and restaurants.
If you have a third day
Book a visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, a sobering but important experience that takes most of a day. Alternatively, visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, with its chambers and chapels carved out of salt deep underground.
Where to stay in Kraków
- Old Town (Stare Miasto): in the heart of everything; ideal for a first visit.
- Kazimierz: characterful and lively, with great food and bars; suits couples and friends.
- Podgórze: across the river, quieter, with good-value options and easy walks into Kazimierz.
- Near Kraków Główny: practical for an early train to the airport or for day trips.
What to eat
- Pierogi: dumplings filled with potato and cheese, meat, cabbage or fruit.
- Żurek: a sour rye soup, sometimes served in a bread bowl.
- Obwarzanek krakowski: Kraków's ring-shaped bread, sold from street carts.
- Zapiekanka: a long open-faced toasted baguette, famously sold around Plac Nowy in Kazimierz.
- Oscypek: smoked sheep's cheese from the mountains, often grilled and served with cranberry.
- Polish vodka: try a flavoured variety such as one made with bison grass.
Practical tips for travellers from Cyprus
- Currency: Poland uses the Polish złoty. Cards are widely accepted; choose to pay in złoty for a better rate.
- Language: Polish. English is widely spoken by younger people and in tourist areas.
- Time difference: Kraków is 1 hour behind Cyprus.
- Passport/ID: Poland is in the EU and Schengen, but Cyprus isn't in Schengen yet, so there are passport checks. Bring your passport or a valid national ID card.
- Mobile roaming: EU roaming rules apply, so your Cyprus plan should work as at home.
- Local tip: most shops in Poland close on Sundays, so plan any shopping for Friday or Saturday.
Find more trips in our weekend getaways from Cyprus, or compare Kraków with a weekend in Warsaw.
Plan your trip to Kraków
Contains affiliate linksFrequently asked questions
How long is the flight from Cyprus to Kraków?
About 3 hours 15 minutes. Wizz Air flies from Larnaca and Ryanair from Paphos, year-round.
Is a weekend enough for Kraków?
Two days is enough for the Old Town, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz. If you also want to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Wieliczka Salt Mine, plan a third day, as each takes most of a day.
What is the best time to visit Kraków?
Late spring and early autumn are the most pleasant. Summer is warm and busy, while winter is cold but atmospheric, with a Christmas market on the Main Market Square.
How do you get from Kraków Airport to the city centre?
A train runs from the airport to Kraków Główny, the main station on the edge of the Old Town. City buses and taxis are also available.
Do I need to book Auschwitz-Birkenau in advance?
Yes. Entry to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is by advance reservation, and places, especially guided visits, can fill up, so book well before your trip.