Visiting Krakow feels both like stepping back into the Middle Ages and discovering a thoroughly modern city. Overlooking the Vistula River, it has some of the best-preserved medieval architecture in all of Europe, from the Old Town (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) to the spacious market square of Rynek Glowny. A tour of Wawel Royal Castle (and Wawel Hill) is a must for visitors, and a stroll through the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz is one of many things to do in Krakow. One of the city’s most unusual landmarks is the Wieliczka Salt Mine located deep underground, but if you prefer staying at ground level, enjoy the fresh air in Planty Park. Visitors can also learn about World War II and the impact of the Holocaust on local Jewish communities at the Oskar Schindler Museum, or during a day trip to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Krakow’s appeal as a quick European vacation spot makes it a popular tourist destination year-round—but especially during the peak summer season of June through August. Things to do in Krakow during summer include attending the Jewish Culture Festival (June/July); Wianki Festival (June), a celebration of the summer solstice; or the Pierogi Festival (August), a foodie festival dedicated to Poland’s iconic dumplings. For pleasant weather and fewer crowds, April, May, and September are also great months to visit.
Its evolution from medieval town to modern city has made Krakow particularly pedestrian-friendly. Most key landmarks—such as the Town Hall Tower, St. Mary’s Basilica, and Wawel Castle—are within walking distance of each other. It takes around 20 minutes to walk from the Old Town to Kazimierz, but if you want to rest your legs, there’s an extensive tram network with around 400 stops around the city. (It’s worth seeing a different side of the city when you explore outlying areas like Nowa Huta). Look up timetables using the Jakdojade app, and buy tickets from machines at major stops or aboard.
For cheap eats (or a late-night guilty pleasure) head to the roundhouse at the center of Plac Nowy in Kazimierz—a place known for the Polish toasted open sandwiches called zapiekanki. Crunchy baguettes are stacked with generous layers of ingredients, such as melty cheese, sauteed mushrooms, salami, and grilled vegetables. You can choose your own custom flavor combinations or pick from the seemingly endless menus on display at the competing kiosks.
Local Currency Polish Zloty (PLN) | Time Zone CET (UTC +1) | Country Code +48 | Language(s) Polish | Attractions 83 | Tours 1,406 | Reviews 81,127 |
Born and raised in Kraków, Artur is a Viator engineer currently living in the UK. He travels to Kraków often to see what’s changed, discover new hidden gems, and revisit his favourite spots.
go to the Main Square, get an obwarzanek (famous local bagel), and then stroll down the Royal Route towards Wawel Castle.
involves breakfast in the Old Town and a bike ride through Planty Park. Take a selfie with Smok Wawelski, the Wawel Castle Dragon, then get dinner and drinks in the Jewish Quarter.
the Main Square. It's Europe's largest medieval market square and a bustling place full of landmarks, museums, restaurants, pubs, live music venues, and shopping opportunities.
get a good local guide to fill you in on the countless Kraków legends, while simultaneously avoiding the many tourist traps.
go up in the tethered hot-air balloon at Bulwar Wołyński. Alternatively, climb up one of the local mounds like Kosciuszko.
is not making good use of the very efficient public transportation, including the airport shuttle train.
Krakow swelled in influence during the 12th and 13th centuries, and any trip must include a visit to its medieval Old Town and Rynek Glowny Central Square (listen out for the hourly bugle call, a tradition that goes back centuries). Browse 19th century Polish art in the Sukiennice, and stroll down the Royal Route towards Wawel Castle and Cathedral (a.k.a. Pope John Paul II’s cathedral).
...MoreYou can experience many of the best things to do in Krakow in one weekend. Stay in the Jewish District of Kazimierz, a treasure trove of coffee shops, cool bars, ancient synagogues, and art galleries; then spend a day exploring the historical wonders of the Old Town such as the Cloth Hall, and Saint Mary's Basilica. Afterwards, plan a separate trip to Warsaw: the capital of Poland.
...MoreYes, it’s safe to walk around Krakow at night, but it’s best to stick to busier well-lit areas such as the Old Town and Kazimierz. The city is a popular bachelor party destination, and sometimes drunk tourists gather in groups in the main square, but they’re unlikely to bother you.
...MoreYes, the concentration camp is roughly 42 miles (69 km) from Krakow, so it’s an ideal day-trip destination. The quickest way to get there is by taxi which takes around an hour. You can also get the train which takes just under 2 hours, or go on an organized tour with round-trip transportation included.
...MoreYes, Krakow is one of Europe’s cheapest cities, and it’s easy to find generous main courses for under US$10. For super cheap eats, go to milk bars (Bar Mleczny), which sell hearty traditional food. Also, look out for zapiekanki stands, Poland’s tasty pizza-style open baguettes.
...MoreYes, Krakow has excellent nightlife options. In fact, it has one of the highest concentrations of bars and clubs per square mile in Europe. There’s something for every taste including swanky cocktail bars, techno clubs, jazz venues, atmospheric cellar bars, beer gardens, '70s music clubs, and the ever-popular vodka shot bars.
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