Kraków Poland is one of our favourite cities to visit in Europe. Tyrone and I have visited Krakow more times than we can count and every trip has been incredible. To help you out, we created a list of all the best things to do in Krakow Poland in this travel guide which you shouldn’t miss whether you’re visiting the city as a weekend break, midweek getaway or longer.
Warsaw might be Poland’s capital city, but it’s Krakow that steals the show, with good reason. Krakow is filled with wonderful history as well as an abundant amount of impressively constructed buildings due to its history as the former capital and one of few cities in Poland which survived destruction during World War II.
Krakow Old Town alongside Wawel Royal Castle and the 13th-century Wieliczka Salt Mines were among the original UNESCO World Heritage Site list of 1978. In addition to a vibrant atmosphere, the city is awash with cafes and bars offering delicious cheap food and drink. Krakow’s appeal is hard to beat!
Things to do in Krakow Poland
1. Take a free Krakow Old Town Guided Walking Tour
Price: Tip Based – Free Tour (Duration -2.5 Hours)
Start your tour of Krakow by taking a free Old Town Guided Walking Tour. A walking tour is a great way to quickly familiarise yourself with the city, and learn the history, culture and other interesting insights from locals who know the place inside and out, much better than any information you’ll find in any guidebook or online.
Most free walking tours in Krakow start from around St Florian’s Gate or outside St Mary’s Basilica. The walking tour guides you through the main sights in the Old Town (Stare Miasto), including Krakow’s Main Square, Wawel Castle and the Jewish Quarter.
2. Explore the Main Market Square
If you’re exploring Krakow sights by yourself, a good place to start will be to explore the Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny), Europe’s largest medieval square. The Market Square dates back to the 13th century beginning its life as the country’s main trading centre and later growing into a space where all the city’s public events and celebrations were held.
Many of the city’s finest landmarks which are not to be missed during your tour of Krakow such as the Renaissance-styled Cloth Hall, the Gothic St Mary’s Basilica and the famous Royal Route, are located around the Market Square.
The Main Market Square is the heart of the city and one of the most vibrant spots in Krakow. Centuries-old, colourful tenement-style buildings surrounding the Market Square feature all types of retail stores, outdoor dining restaurants and bars popular with locals and tourists alike.
See: Best Restaurants in Krakow
Other entertainments on the square which include horse-drawn carriages, a huge flock of pigeons and numerous flower and souvenir stalls all add to the buzz this Market Square possess.
3. Visit Krakow Cloth Hall
Krakow Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) located right in the centre of the Main Market Square is eye-catching and hard to miss. During the time Krakow was Poland’s capital, the Cloth Hall was the main trading centre where the battering of exotic goods like spices, silk and leather for Polish commodities which included textiles, salt and lead took place.
For many centuries, the halls of the Cloth Hall have been used to welcome and entertain distinguished guests, dignitaries and monarchs such as the Prince of Wales and Emperor Akihito of Japan, who both visited the country in 2002. The Cloth Hall has had many reconstructions but has remained largely in use as a trading and cultural space.
Today, terraced restaurants and independent traders selling locally crafted goods operate from the Cloth Hall’s ground floor while the upper floors are occupied by The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (Sukiennice Museum).
4. Visit The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art
Price: 25 zł – Standard Ticket
The Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art (Sukiennice Museum), situated on the upper floor of the Cloth Hall, is one of Poland’s notable museums showcasing the best of Polish Art from the 18th and 19th centuries.
The museum’s permanent exhibition consists of Polish paintings and sculptures of varying fascinating themes such as biblical, mythological, historical events, independence, landscape and still life.
Henry Siemiradzki’s colossal Nero’s Torches and Władysław Podkowiński’s, Frenzy, are particularly outstanding.
During our visit, there were very few of us at the gallery so we were able to peruse the paintings unpressed. This is in stark contrast with other museums found in most big cities in Europe, which are often heaving with tourists. In addition, we visited on a Tuesday which happened to be free to enter the museum.
5. Visit Rynek Underground Museum
Price: 28 zł – Standard Ticket
Rynek Underground Museum is one of Krakow’s newest and unique museums which is fast becoming one of the most popular Krakow attractions. The museum is located four metres below the main square covering an area of over 4, 000m2.
Excavated archaeological findings from medieval Krakow are exhibited, some in their original forms such as 14th-century coins, medieval tools and clay decorations and some reconstructed to emulate life during medieval times like goldsmiths and blacksmith’s workshops.
History enthusiasts and those keen to trace the city’s roots will find a visit to the Rynek Underground Museum to be worthwhile.
Rynek Underground is accessed through a door in a corner of the Cloth Hall, beside the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art and facing St Mary’s Basilica.
6. Climb the Town Hall Tower
Price: 10 zł – Standard Ticket
The Town Hall Tower is another of Krakow Main Market Square’s prominent structures. It dates back to the 14th century and is a remnant of the medieval Town Hall which was demolished in 1820 as part of the Market Square redevelopment.
Over the centuries, the Tower was in use as the city prison, it withstood the worst weather and many other disasters.
Visiting the Town Hall Tower Museum (Historical Museum of Krakow) is worthwhile, especially for those keen to explore its history and that of the Market Square.
The museum runs a permanent photo exhibition of the Main Market Square. There is also a possibility to climb the 70 metre-high tower to enjoy the city vista.
While you’re at the Town Hall Tower, don’t forget to have a quick look at Mitoraj’s bronze sculpture commonly referred to as “The Head”. Mitoraj’s fragmented sculptures of the human body are quite fascinating. If you’re a fan, don’t miss his other works in Krakow housed at Collegium Luridicum and Krakow Opera.
7. Visit St Mary’s Basilica
Price: 10 zł – Standard Ticket
Gorgeous churches are in abundance in Krakow, but the 14th-century Brick Gothic-styled St Mary’s Basilica with its striking towers and stunning stained glass windows is undoubtedly the most beautiful inside and out.
Even though St Mary’s Basilica is located in a corner of the Main Market Square, it’s noticeable and hard to miss. I am a huge fan of beautiful churches and St Mary’s Basilica is at the top among my favourites.
St Mary’s Basilica is intricately decorated from floor to ceiling with vibrant colours. The jaw-dropping high altar sculpted by Veit Stoss is said to be a Gothic masterpiece and the largest of its kind in the world. Everything about St Mary’s Basilica is beautiful and you need to visit when you’ve plenty of time to fully explore it.
Since the 14th century, a live trumpeter plays a traditional Polish tune on the hour from St Mary’s Basilica’s tallest tower but stops abruptly midway. It’s said this is in honour of a trumpeter who was shot and killed in the middle of playing a tune to signal imminent danger during the city’s Mongol invasion of 1241.
The tower is open to the public who wishes to admire the city from high above.
Related – Polish Stained Glass Workshop
8. Stop by the Jagiellonian University Museum
Price: 12 zł – Standard Ticket
Built during the 15th century, the Jagiellonian University Museum is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University, Poland’s oldest university.
As well as being a fine example of Gothic architecture in Krakow, the Jagiellonian University is known for having Pope John Paul II and the Renaissance mathematician and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus among its great scholars.
The Jagiellonian University Museum’s highly regarded extensive collection includes over 2, 000 scientific instruments from as far back as the 11th century.
One of the museum’s treasured astronomical instruments is a 16th-century “Jagiellonian Globe” which is said to be the first globe showing America. The permanent exhibition also includes medieval Polish paintings, sculptures and Western paintings.
The Jagiellonian University Museum’s charming and peaceful courtyard makes for a lovely retreat from the hustle and bustle of Krakow streets.
9. Stroll Along the Royal Route
Taking a stroll along the Royal Route is one of the must-do things in Krakow as it will guide you past some of the most interesting sights around the Old Town.
For many centuries Krakow served as the principal residence for Polish monarchs and it’s along the famous Royal Route, elaborate royal coronations, battle victory celebrations and welcoming of foreign dignitaries were played out.
The historic Royal Route begins at St Florian’s Church, located on Matejko Square in Kleparz, north of St Florian’s Gate. It runs along Florianska Street, crosses Krakow Main Market Square continues onto Grodzka Street and finishes off at Wawel Royal Castle on Wawel Hill.
The Gothic Barbican and St Florian’s Gate along the Royal Route are few of the last traces of Krakow’s medieval fortification system while the charming Saints Peter and Paul Church on Grodzka Street is said to be one of the most notable Baroque churches in Poland.
10. Explore Wawel Royal Castle & Wawel Cathedral
Price: Free entry to castle grounds and gardens
Sitting atop Wawel Hill and on the banks of the Vistula River is one of Krakow’s prominent landmarks, Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral. Wawel Castle started its life as early as 970AD and grew over many centuries to become the seat for Polish royals, bishops and heads of state.
The castle is best described as a complex consisting of a ring of fortifications and many buildings decorated in various architectural styles, the largest of all being Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral.
The Wawel Castle is open to the public as a museum exhibiting the castle’s State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments, Oriental Art and Royal Treasury and Armoury.
Wawel Castle is best explored with a guide because it’s a big complex with a lot of intriguing history and legends attached to it. Plan your visit here.
11. Stroll along the Vistula River
Vistula River is Poland’s most famous and longest river which flows through Krakow city and other major cities in the country offering some of the most beautiful, relaxing and interesting river walks.
Complementing the walkways along the Vistula River are Krakow’s most famous and spectacular attractions like the Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral, historic Kazimierz and a multitude of scenic bridges.
The Vistula River is among the most polluted rivers in Europe, however, the walkways along it are a clean and tidy space popular with locals, tourists and sports enthusiasts.
Aside from the beautiful walkways, there is Vistula River Cruise which allows you to marvel at Krakow’s wonderful panorama from a different angle.
12. Explore Kazimierz/The Jewish Quarter
See Popular Krakow Jewish Heritage Tour
Kazimierz or Krakow’s Jewish Quarter sits beside the Vistula River, south of the Old Town. Before the NAZI occupation of Poland (1939–1945), Kazimierz was a thriving and autonomous Jewish community governed by Jewish authorities which existed since the 14th century.
Following the NAZI rule, Krakow’s Jewish community was sadly destroyed shrinking its population from 64, 000 to less than 4,000. Further neglect by successive authorities meant Kazimierz was left undeveloped, unlike other parts of Krakow.
Up to this day, this former Jewish district feels like stepping back in time, however, it’s also attractive and easy to love. Unlike other places which can be too polished, Kazimierz conveys a natural coolness with very little effort.
I always look forward to wandering around Kazimierz checking out its former synagogues turned bookstores, quirky stores, cool cafes and bars with excellent prices that Krakow is widely known for.
Another highlight of a tour of Kazimierz is Szeroka Street (Wide Street). This is where you’ll find some of Kazimierz’s most treasured synagogues like the oldest Jewish synagogue in Poland built during the 15th century, The Old Synagogue.
The Old Synagogue is now a museum branch of the Historical Museum of Krakow which is worth visiting to learn the history of Krakow’s Jewish population.
To get a feel of the real Kazimierz, head to Plac Nowy or the Round Market Hall where you can grab typical Polish street food. I recommend Zapiekanka!
Interested in attending the annual Jewish Culture Festival? See 2024 headline acts here.
13. Take a Kazimierz Food Tour
Top-rated Small Group Polish Pierogi Cooking Class
Taking a Kazimierz Food Tour is one of the most fun things to do in Krakow if you’re keen to taste the best of traditional Polish cuisine and learn some of the history and traditions behind it.
The tour offers you a stroll around the cool neighbourhood of Kazimierz trying out a variety of typical Polish food from the local market, traditional restaurants, bakery and bars.
Highlights of the Kazimierz Food Tour include sampling a variety of Pierogi (Polish dumplings), Oscypek (Polish smoked sheep cheese from the Zakopane region), festive Polish cakes and of course, some vodka to help clear out the system!
A Kazimierz Food Tour will be a lovely introduction to Krakow. The guides are well-versed in the food culture in Krakow and will offer you tips for the best food travel experience.
Combined Krakow Street Art & Food Tour
14. Walk through Father Bernatek Footbridge
Father Bernatek Footbridge is one of the most scenic and interesting bridges for pedestrians and bicycles built over the Vistula River connecting the neighbourhoods of Kazimierz and Podgórze.
The big attraction to Father Bernatek’s bridge is the gravity-defying, acrobatic sculptures, designed by the renowned Polish Sculptor, Jerzy Kędzior, furnishing the bridge.
The tradition of love locks is also increasingly becoming popular at Father Bernatek footbridge, though it’s not recommended due to its damaging effect on the bridge structures and the volume of keys thrown into the river. However, couples can opt for an evening stroll when the bridge is beautifully lit.
15. Visit the Ghetto Heroes Square
The Ghetto Heroes Square is a memorial site located in Krakow’s suburb of Podgorze in an area the Nazis created and forcibly relocated Krakow Jews from Kazimierz and other nearby areas.
This area which became known as “The Ghetto” was heavily sealed from the rest of the city. Conditions in the Ghetto were appalling causing many Krakow Jews to die while the rest were deported to Belzec and Auschwitz concentration and extermination camps.
The Ghetto Heroes Square is largely a huge paved square except for a series of empty chairs. The empty chairs are said to reflect the sadness and the void caused by the tragic loss of many lives.
Ironically, the Nazi officer’s station where the Krakow Jews were gathered and deported remains in its original spot at the square’s northern end whilst the Eagle Pharmacy which is credited for saving many lives by providing Jews access to medicines remains also in its original spot at the square’s western end.
16. Take an Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum Guided Tour
Price: From 40 zł – Adult
Taking the Oskar Schindler’s Factory Museum Guided Tour is one of the best things to do in Krakow to understand the plight of both Jewish and Polish people during the Nazi occupation of Poland (1939-1945).
A Nazi industrialist, Oskar Schindler, is credited for saving the lives of the Krakow Jews he employed in his enamel factory during the Nazi rule to the extent of becoming bankrupt.
The story of Oskar Schindler and Krakow Jews was made famous by Steven Spielberg’s film, Schindler’s List, but the museum reveals the true horror experienced by the Krakow Jews which no film can depict in great detail.
Having a guide to walk you through the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum’s exhibition which includes photographs, testimonies from eyewitnesses and short film documentaries will enhance your experience. You could also visit the museum independently which is ideal as plenty of time is needed to go through all the exhibits.
Good to Know
Right next to the Oscar Schindler’s Museum is the highly reviewed Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK). If you appreciate modern art, be sure not to miss it. It’s home to a varied collection of Polish Art mostly from the last half of the 20th century.
17. Take an Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial Guided Tour
Top-rated Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum Tour
Taking an Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial Guided Tour to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, is one of the most popular things to do in Krakow especially to commemorate the victims of the Holocaust.
As commonly known, Auschwitz Concentration Camp, was one of the many concentration and extermination camps created by the Nazis in Poland during their occupation of the country. Auschwitz-Birkenau consisted of several camps which were places of forced labour, torture and mass murder of mostly Polish Jews.
Auschwitz Birkenau memorial site covers two parts of the former camp, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II, spread over an area of 200 acres. The museum’s permanent exhibition includes thousands of personal belongings of the victims, various reconstructions of living conditions at the camp for victims, and ruins of the gas chambers and crematorium.
A visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau is filled with sadness but insightful and a necessary reminder of one of history’s darkest events.
Auschwitz-Birkenau is located in the city of Oświęcim, 70km away from Krakow. You can visit Auschwitz-Birkenau by yourself, but we found joining an Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial Guide Tour to be less complicated.
18. Visit Kraków Wieliczka Salt Mines
Wieliczka Salt Mines Tours
Taking a day trip to Kraków Wieliczka Salt Mines was one of the most fascinating, informative and impressive things we did during our recent trip to Krakow. The Salt Mine is located in the town of Wieliczka, 13km south of Krakow. Since the 13th century, rock salt deposits have been mined at the Salt Mine making it one of the oldest of its kind in Europe.
During medieval times salt was a valuable commodity and a huge portion of the Polish economy was based on salt production. A visit to the Salt Mine offers interesting insights into the history of salt harvesting and technological innovations in mining.
Exploring the Salt Mine feels like exploring an underground city. Deep underground (over 800 wooden steps) are narrow winding tunnels, stunning saline lakes, grand ballrooms and chapels decorated with sculpted art and glistening chandeliers all carved from salt.
Wieliczka Salt Mine can only be visited with a guide. Tours are offered in Polish, English, German, Russian, French, Italian and Spanish. It’s best to book your ticket and preferred time slot online beforehand to avoid lengthy queuing.
The tourist route including a tour of the Salt-works Museum takes about 3 hours to complete.
19. Learn about World War 1 at the Polish Aviation Museum
One of the fun things to do in Krakow especially if you’re travelling with children or have an interest in aviation would be to visit the Polish Aviation Museum and marvel at its unique collection of vintage aircraft which dates back as far back as World War 1.
The collection is quite extensive and includes aircraft captured by Germany during World War I such as the British Sopwith F.1 Carmel, the Russian Grogorowicz M-15 and the German-built DFW C. V, used by Polish defence forces after the country’s 1918 independence.
As well as housing some of the world’s rare aircraft, the Polish Aviation Museum collection includes a huge collection of military aircraft used during the Warsaw Pact, old aircraft engines and a multitude of military-related artefacts.
If you’re a fan of aviation you’ll be excited about getting up close and taking a seat in some of the world’s rarest aircraft. Plan your visit here.
20. Stroll through Planty Park
Krakow boasts a huge amount of easily accessible urban green spaces like Planty Park which encircles the entire Old Town, even though the city is one the most polluted in Europe.
Planty Park was built during the early 19th century to replace medieval fortifications which once encircled the Old Town but had fallen into disrepair.
In addition to beautiful gardens, scenic walkways, numerous fountains and monuments, the park also houses remaining traces of medieval Krakow worth checking out during your tour of Krakow such as the Barbican and St Florian’s Gate.
21. Take a day trip to Zakopane
Krakow Zakopane Day Trips Tour
The resort town of Zakopane is the furthest of Krakow’s attractions but it’s a doable day trip and well worth the effort. Zakopane is located about 110km away from Krakow and the journey will take you about 2 hours by bus or car.
Zakopane is a hikers’ paradise in summer and a popular skiing destination in winter due to its location in a valley between the Tatra Mountains near the Slovakian border and Gubalowka Hill.
One of the most simple and memorable experiences we had during our trip to Zakopane, was a stroll along the town’s bustling main street, Krupowki Street, admiring the unique and charming wooden buildings, mingling with locals and trying out various street food from the region like Oscypek.
We had planned to explore the hiking trails in the Tatras, but the weather turned bad. Instead, we tried the popular ride on the funicular from the town centre to Gubalowka Mountain and this turned out to be quite a lovely experience, especially the stunning view of the Tatras.
22. Indulge at Good Lood
Krakow boasts dozens of ice cream shops which are all mostly good, but Good Lood ice cream is quite special and a definite must when in the city. Even though Good Lood has several shops around Krakow, don’t be surprised to find a long queue when you visit.
The ice cream tastes fresh, delicious and always loaded with excellent flavours which vary from day to day. Good Lood ice cream and sorbets are marketed as produced with only 100% natural ingredients with great vegan options on the menu.
During our recent visit, Tyrone tried the vegan Nutella and chocolate marshmallows ice cream while I tried the white chocolate with raspberries. Both choices were really good.
Good Lood Matejki and Good Lood Kazimierz are our two favourites.
Krakow Poland Travel FAQ
How many days do you need in Krakow?
You need about three days to explore the main attractions around Krakow Old Town and also to take a day trip to tour other interesting sights nearby such as the Wieliczka Salt Mine or Auschwitz Birkenau.
Is it expensive to eat out in Krakow?
Eating out in Krakow is quite affordable when compared to other European cities, with great choices and craft drinks at very low prices. Restaurants offering Polish cuisine are particularly cheap to dine at in Krakow while international cuisine-themed restaurants tend to be higher, but reasonable.
Is it safe to walk around Krakow at night?
Krakow is a pretty safe city which is busy late into the night. I’ve visited Krakow solo a few times and have not experienced anything negative to make me feel unsafe while walking around at night.
How far is Krakow from Auschwitz?
Auschwitz-Birkenau is located in the city of Oświęcim, 70km away from Krakow and the journey will take you around an hour and a half to 2 hours by bus or car. Buses and trains to Oświęcim leave from Krakow’s main train and bus station or you could join the many Auschwitz-Birkenau tours which are widely available.
Plan your visit to Auschwitz with Google Maps.
I hope you enjoy Krakow. Let me know if you need help, I will be glad to help!
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I loved Krakow so much! I only wish I had spent longer than one day there. I didn’t get to see the Salt Mine or Schindler’s Factory. I did thoroughly enjoy my time in the city and I got a lot out of the Auschwitz Tour. Incredibly moving.
Thanks Jenn for the feedback. I’m glad you liked Krakow!