Visit Krakow: Get Your Ultimate Travel Guide
The dragon-based legend has created a mythical atmosphere that permeates the streets and squares of one of Poland’s most popular cities. Trust me, Krakow leaves no one indifferent. It is home to Europe’s largest square Rynek Główny, with fantastic cuisine, friendly people, vibrant nightlife, and many students. Whether you are looking for the city’s attractions, cultural scene, or simply the home-like feeling, Krakow is a full package. If you’re planning a visit to Krakow anytime soon, check out my Krakow Guide and find all the necessary info about what to see and do in this amazing city!
Table of Contents
1. Top Things to Do in Krakow
Explore The Old Town
Krakow is one of the best preserved medieval cities in Europe. It is also one of only few that escaped the war destruction. Its Old Town, protected by UNESCO, is known for a vibrant cultural scenes. It is also home to Europe’s largest square Rynek Główny (over 40 000 metres). The squre has an imposing Cloth Hall (Skiennice), world’s oldest shopping center.
You can see the Gallery of the National Museum, the new Underground Museum and many other market stalls. The historic site is surrounded by the Planty Park, ideal for chilling on fresh air. If this is not enough reason to visit Krakow, I ensure you will chnge your mind.
Visit Wawel Castle
The mighty Wawel Castle is a symbol of national identity and a former home of the Polish kings and queens. The castle is a combination of Gothic, Rococo, Renaissance and Romanesque architecture. It contains five separate sections: Crown Treasury & Armoury, Royal Private Apartments, State Rooms, Exhibition of Oriental Art and Lost Wawel.
The number of visits is limited per day to preserve the castle, so all tickets have an exact entry hour. It is open daily from 09:30h to 17:00h.
Climb Kościuszko Mound
The super-interesting hill of Kościuszko was raised in 1823 to honour the national hero, Tadeusz Kościuszko. Once you climb to the top, you can enjoy fantastic panoramas of the city. On clear days you can see all the way to Tatra peaks on the south. It is also a place where you can learn about the history of the Polish march to freedom, see memorials to remarkable individuals and a historic 19th-century fort.
Visit Dragon’s den
Former home of the legendary Wawel Dragon is a must-see knowing that the entire city has been built on a legend about a defeated dragon. The entrance to the cave is next to Baszta Złodziejska, from where you will have a great panorama view over the Vistula River and Krakow’s suburbs.
After buying a ticket, descend 130 steps and walk for 70 m through the damp interior only to emerge onto the bank of Vistula, next to a status of fire-spitting bronze dragon, the work of sculptor Bronisław Chromy.
Explore Barbikan
Built at the end of the 15th century, the Barbican is connected to the aforementioned Floriańska Gate via a drawbridge over a moat which surrounded it. The Gothic Barbikan is topped by seven turrets and includes not less than 130 defensive slots used by the army men.
Today the site is used for various events and can be visited as an outdoor museum in the period from April to October.
Read out ultimate list of things to do in Krakow to learn even more.
2. Outdoor Activities
There is no shortage of activities when in Krakow. Zakrzówek, a hidden lagoon nestled in an old mined quarry, is a well-kept secret, with some even considering it mythical. Surrounded by limestone cliffs and lush greenery, the lake boasts stunning natural beauty and becomes a summer hotspot for swimming, sunbathing, and cliff jumping. Krakus Mound, the city’s oldest structure, provides breathtaking panoramic views from its 16-meter peak, surrounded by Krzemionki cliffs, Płaszów fields, Liban quarry, and Podgórze cemetery.
Just 5 km from the Old Town, Bagry Lagoon in Płaszów offers a popular spot for swimming, sailing, and water sports. Krakow’s Botanical Garden, established in 1783, spans nearly 10 hectares and houses over 6,000 plant species in flora-filled paths, herb gardens, and ponds, though it is a seasonal attraction. Krakow Zoo, operational since 1829, delights families with over 1400 animals from 285 species, including wild cats, white camels, and pygmy hippos, making it an affordable and enjoyable activity for children.
3. Day Trips from Krakow
Auschwitz Birkenau
A former Nazi concentration camp founded in World War II is a must-see destination for anyone who’s interested in history. Although it is quite disturbing and depressing image, it is important to learn about this horrific time in Europe’s recent history. The site is home to a large State Museum as well, so you can see where captives lived, worked and died under the Nazi regime.
Ogrodzieniec Castle
Although in ruin, the castle is still a beautiful site of interesting history. It was built in the 14th century on top of a large hill, a location ideal for sweeping view over the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland. Swedish occupation in the 17th century partly destroyed the castle which plays a big role in many legends and myths in Polish culture. See the castle’s remains, enjoy the views and check out the remains of the torture chamber.
Ojcow National Park
Despite being the smallest national park in Poland, the park named after the town and castle ruins in Ojcow is a popular spot for its rich wildlife where you can see beavers, bats, badgers and more than 100 bird species. There are also few castles nearby, such as Gothic and Renaissance castles.
Zakopane
The destination is a winter wonderland and one of the most popular ski destination in this part of Europe. Nestled in the heart of the Tatra Mountains, the city is famous for its beautiful wooden villas dating from the 19th century. Some house museums and others have been turned to hotels or have remained private properties. You can go hiking or do some shopping along the Krupówki promenade as well.
Tarnow
The beautiful city of Tarnow is proud of its charming medieval town square situated in its heart along with many building dating back to the 14th century. The most important building on the square is the Town Hall. From there you can see a great collection of Polish armor and beautiful paintings of Polish artists. Don’t miss out on several historic Jewish sites and three traditional wooden churches too.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Visit the city of Wieliczka to come across its highlight – salt mines and related museum. This otherworldly experience is unlike any other salt mine on the planet. Here, you will be able to see churches and ballrooms carved from salt while walking down the underground saline corridors. You can also spend the night there in beautifully decorated rooms.
4. Things To Do in Krakow at Night
According to the urban legend, Krakow has the highest density of bars in the world. Without any exaggeration, hundreds of bars can be found in cellars and stretching from the Old Town to Kazimierz and further on. Sadly, prices are not that cheap as they used to be (but still much cheaper than in European cities).
Whether you’re interested in pubs or clubs, Krakow has it all, so listen up! When it comes to more relaxing atmosphere in pubs, the best places to go to are Piec Art with awesome beer offer, Boogie Bar and Shakers Club popular among locals, or Budda Drink and Garden where students love to meet. Other cool pubs are House of Beer, Omerta Pub and Propaganda.
After few drinks you will probably want to dance the night away, so we recommend you Frantic with two dance rooms, Goraczka with the most popular dance hits, Rdza that offers drum and bass performances, Kitsch – Push, Shine, Cocon, or simply ask a local, he’ll tell you where to go.
5. How to Get to Krakow
By Bus:
Krakow has one main bus terminal located right in the city center. It has over 100 daily departures both to cities in Poland and 20 other European countries like Germany, Italy, etc.
By Plane:
Saint John Paul II International Airport Kraków–Balice is only 11 km from the city center. Also, it is well connected to the city.
By Train:
Krakow’s main train station is only 1 km northeast of the city center. It is Poland’s first subterranean railway station with five double-track platforms.
6. Public Transportation in Krakow
MPK S.A. provides services of public transport in Krakow through the network of tram and bus lines. One-way ticket for a municipal bus or tram is 3,8 zlotys (0.9€) and is valid for 40 minutes. You can buy it at newsstands and from ticket machines, as well as directly from the driver in some buses. But keep in mind that drivers sell 60-minute tickets for the price of 5 zlotys. You can also buy a 20-minute ticket for 2,8 zlotys or a one-day card for 15 zlotys.
Minibuses run by private companies don’t accept these tickets, and sell their own on board for 2 zlotys.
7. Find Parking in Krakow
It is not easy to find a convenient parking place anywhere in the city. So it’s always better to use public transport. However, if you are arriving by car, parking in the city center is Zone C which is paid between 10:00h and 20:00h on weekdays. Parking meters sell 20-minute tickets for 1 zloty, 60-minute tickets for 3 zlotys and 3-hour tickets for 10,6 zlotys.
Once you buy the ticket, leave it on view behind the windshield of your parked car. There is a spacious underground parking area beneath Plac Na Groblach square. It is next to Krakow Sheraton Hotel where one hour costs circa 1€. You can also look for a subterranean parking garage in front of the Krakow National Museum. Zone A is strictly pedestrian district, while Zone B is for pedestrians and police, ambulance, etc.
8. Shopping
There is a reason why Krakow has a reputation of one of the best shopping places in Poland. It is a city where you can find a variety of great products at very affordable prices, so let’s start. The top shopping areas are the open air market on Plac Nowy, ulica Jozefa or the Cloth Hall on the main square.
Stroll along Florianska Street, Szewska Street, Grodzka Street, or Slawkowska Street as well. These are the perfect places to bargain for unique, home-made products and crafts. If you’re looking for a shopping mall, visit Galeria Krakowska, Pasaz 13 or Galeria Kazimierz.
What to Eat in Krakow
Krakow offers a diverse and delicious array of Polish cuisine. When in Krakow, don’t forget to explore local markets and eateries to discover even more regional specialties and flavors. However, I recommend avoiding eating at the main streets and squares as the prices are way more high than they should be. The more you go from the city center, the cheaper the prices will be.
And let me tell you, the quality is the same, if not better! Polish cuisine is known for its hearty and comforting dishes, and trying these local foods is an essential part of experiencing the culture. Here are some of my favorites:
- Pierogi: These are dumplings filled with various ingredients such as potatoes, cheese, meat, or cabbage. They can be boiled or fried and are often served with sour cream.
- Zurek: A sour rye soup typically served with sausage, potatoes, and hard-boiled eggs. It’s often eaten during Easter.
- Bigos: Known as “hunter’s stew,” bigos is a hearty dish made with sauerkraut, various meats (such as sausage and pork), and sometimes mushrooms.
- Kielbasa: Polish sausage is popular in various forms, and you’ll find a variety of kielbasa options, both smoked and fresh.
- Obwarzanek Krakowski: This is a traditional Krakowian bread ring that’s boiled and then baked. It’s a popular street food and comes in various flavors.
Money Exchange
The official currency in Poland is złoty, so make sure to have some when you arrive. Euros are generally not accepted, but you can always pay with a credit card in case you ran out of cash. There are ATMs all over the city and they offer services in few European languages.
If you need to exchange money, don’t do it at the airport as there are unfavorable exchange rates, so head to one of the smaller exchange bureaus called ‘kantor’, located in city center, hotels, train station and shopping malls. But keep in mind that they usually accept only major European currencies like dollar, pound, franc or koruna.
Useful contacts
Emergency
- Common EU emergency number: + 48 112
- Ambulance: + 48 999
Hospital
- SP ZOZ Szpital Uniwersytecki w Krakowie: +48 12 424 70 00
- Emergency Line (for foreigners only in the summer season): +48 608 599 999, +48 800 200 300
Tourist helpline
- +48 222 787 777, +48 608 599 999
Police
- Local police: +48 997
- Municipal police: + 48 986
Tourist Information Center
- Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), Rynku Glowny, +48 124337310
- Wyspianski Pavillon, 2 Plac Wszystkich Swietych square, +48 126161886
- Tourist Information Center, 2 Sw. Jana street, +48 124217787
- Tourist Service Centre, 11 Powisle street, +48 124175812
- Tourist Information Center, 25 Szpitalna street, +48 124320110
How many days do you need for Krakow?
The number of days you need to spend in Krakow depends on your interests, travel pace, and the activities you want to do. However, many travelers find that spending around 3 to 4 days in Krakow allows for a good exploration of the city and its major attractions. I was there for 4 days and managed to visit all the attractions I planned to visit. Of course, Krakow is a beautiful city with many hidden gems, so if you wish to stay longer, you won’t make a mistake. But, make sure to stay at least 3 days if you want to visit all the major attractions.
Is Krakow cheap in Poland?
In Krakow, you can find reasonably priced accommodation, dining, and entertainment options compared to cities in Western Europe. Local transportation and daily expenses are also relatively affordable. However, keep in mind that prices can vary depending on where you stay, dine and what museums or tours you want to visit. But all in all, Krakow has something for everyone, be that you are a student traveling solo or a businessman on a trip.
