Krakow is the capital of the Malopolska region, Lesser Poland, and without a doubt one of the most most famous cities in the country. With its medieval squares, beautiful streets and impressive history, it is a destination that you want to wander through endlessly. You will discover churches, hidden courtyards, special museums and vibrant neighborhoods. In this article you will discover what to do and see in Krakow Poland, where I am not only taking you along the highlights and most beautiful places to visit, but also giving you my tips for the best experiences, tours, hotels, things to do, and places to settle down for coffee or dinner.
Krakow is one of the oldest cities in Poland. During the Middle Ages, Krakow grew into an important cultural and trading center. It served as the royal capital of Poland for centuries, which is evident in the many churches, castles and universities spread throughout the city. Despite its difficult past during the Second World War, Krakow managed to preserve its historic center very well, something that we as visitors can fully enjoy today.
Sights and places to visit such as the historic centre, the Kazimierz district and Wawel Hill in Krakow Poland have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1978 and are worth discovering. And Krakow also has a lot to offer in terms of creativity, with festivals, street art, cool museums and countless cosy cafés and restaurants. Enjoy my tips for things to do while discovering Krakow in Poland. I hope that this article will help you get the most out of your visit.
Krakow tips: Are you planning to visit several sights and attractions in Krakow? The Krakow City Pass offers access to 35 museums and places to visit. In addition, you can use public transport free of charge. You can purchase the pass here for 1, 2 or 3 days.
The old city center of Krakow was completely surrounded by city walls and a wide moat. The old walls have largely disappeared and the former moat was transformed into an atmospheric city park in the 19th century: the Planty, making it still clearly visible where the medieval city ended. In the historic city of Krakow Poland you will find beautiful buildings, squares and countless sights and attractions. These are my tips for the best things to do and see in the center of Krakow Poland, with all the highlights listed.
First of all, it is good to know that in Krakow you will not have enough ears and eyes when it comes to history and architecture. To get to know the city better, it is a good idea to go on a tour with a guide. Not because Krakow and its sights are difficult to discover on your own, but to learn more about the history. On top of that, you will visit places in Krakow that you will otherwise not see.
One of the famous places to visit in Krakow is without a doubt the Rynek Glówny. Not only do you come here to see monuments and sights such as St. Mary’s Church, the Town Hall Tower and the Cloth Hall, this old market square consists of a mix of the most beautiful architecture in which Gothic, Art Deco, Renaissance and Baroque alternate, and that in different colors. Rynek Glówny square is with 40000 m2 one of the largest squares in Europe. It is therefore busy here all day long, so if you really want to take good photos? Then there is only one thing to do and that is to wake up early.
St. Mary’s Church (Kościół Mariacki) is one of the most iconic sights and places to visit in Kraków Poland. The church is known for its uneven towers, something that immediately catches the eye. One tower is 69 meters high and the other 81 meters. Since the fourteenth century, a trumpet melody has been playing every hour from the highest tower, day in and out.
Inside you will find an impressive Gothic altar, which is opened and closed daily according to a fixed ritual. When it is closed, you will see richly decorated panels, and when it opens, more than two hundred life-size figures, both telling stories from the lives of Jesus and Mary. Whether or not you are interested in religious art, you should definitely go inside to admire the altar.
The Cloth Hall is also one of the things to do and see that you cannot miss in Kraków. This 100-meter long building divides the Rynek Glówny square into two parts. It used to be an important place for trading textiles, hence the name, and spices including salt from the Wieliczka mine. Today you will find numerous stalls with typical Polish handicrafts, jewellery and other souvenirs. It is bice to take a look and see the architecture.
Krakow tips: On the top floor there is a gallery of Polish art from the 19th century, part of the National Museum, and a great café with a view over the square.
In the Rynek Underground Museum, you enter a completely different world and are taken back to the Middle Ages. You walk along original streets under the Main Market Square, past archaeological excavations and finds. Along the way, you learn more about Medieval Krakow through projections and sound. It is one of the interactive places to visit when in Krakow.
There are only a limited number of tickets available per day, so it is recommended to reserve your entrance ticket online in advance.
Another famous building on the square is the 70-metre-high Town Hall Tower, which was part of the now demolished Town Hall.
In Krakow, you can still find a number of important remains of the 15th-century fortifications that protected the city from external attacks. One of the medieval attractions in Krakow is the Barbicane, a large round brick building, with seven watchtowers and a three-metre-thick wall, which was connected to the city gates via a covered walkway. It is worth taking a walk around the building and looking at the city walls. Want to learn more about medieval history? The Barbicane is also open to the public, but you need a ticket.
Florianska street is one of the oldest streets and one of the iconic images that is often seen when talking about Kraków in Poland. The street is part of the former Royal Route, and connects the Florian’s Gate (Brama Floriański), a remnant of the former city wall, and the Wawel Castle. Unfortunately, this street is also one of the busiest nowadays, due to the huge range of shops. Nevertheless, it is worth taking a moment to soak up the atmosphere. On this street you will also find the birthplace of Jan Matejki, one of Poland’s most important artists of the 19th century, which is now an art museum and part of the National Museum of Kraków.
While on Florianska street, be sure to stop by Cafe Jama Michalika, a former bakery where the atmosphere has not changed much compared to a hundred years ago. The interior, the jugendstil lamps and the minimal light, make you feel like you are going back in time. Our guide told us that the works on the walls are from former students of the art academy. They did not have the money to pay and therefore paid the bakery with their art.
Around the historical center of Krakow you will find the Planty, a green city park that is like a green strip around the city. The park was built in the 19th century on the site of the old city walls. Especially on a nice day it is a lovely place to relax, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
One of the top things to do and places to visit when you are in Krakow Poland is the Wawel Castle. This castle, located on the Wawel Hill on the banks of the Vistula, was the residence of Polish kings for many years. Today it is open to visitors and is on the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the castle you will find numerous rooms with impressive art collections.
In the adjacent Wawel Cathedral, which is also the burial place of Polish monarchs and national heroes, you can climb to the top for a view of the city and surroundings. And don’t forget the royal gardens, that are also worth a visit.
To visit the castle and cathedral from the inside, you need a ticket. It is also possible to just walk around the courtyard and enjoy the view for free. Are you interested in art and architecture? Then you can easily spend a few hours here. But even if you don’t have much time, you definitely want to walk around here and let the history sink in. Do you want to learn even more about this historical place? Then you can book a guided tour and you don’t have to wait in line.
The Jagiellonian University in Kraków, dating back to the 14th century, is one of the oldest universities in Europe and an important scientific institution in Poland. It was the place where astronomer, Nicolaus Copernicus, studied. The later Pope, John Paul II, was also a famous student. There are still more than 40000 young people studying at this university. According to figures, Kraków has a total of more than 200000 students.
The Collegium Maius, the oldest building, can now be visited. If you want to learn more about its history, you can take a guided tour inside. But for many people, one of the main reasons to visit this place in Krakow is the medieval clock, which plays the university song in the courtyard several times a day. Several figures of famous professors and kings pass by for a few minutes.
It is one of the famous tourist attractions and for me personally, it is definitely not one of the highlights, but because it is so well-known, the place should not be missed in this list of tips for things to do in Krakow Poland. Don’t forget to take a walk in the beautiful professors’ garden next door.
One of my favorite neighborhoods is Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter of Krakow. The district has a tragic history with countless places that remind us of that. But today Kazimierz in Krakow is more than a district with a past, you will find cozy squares, courtyards, sights and places to visit such as synagogues, museums and street art and many restaurants and bars. In the evenings and weekends it is an absolute hotspot for both locals and visitors and a district where you will want to keep coming back. Curious? In the next article you will find my tips for visiting Kazimierz in Krakow Poland, including the best things to do.
With a father working in one of the largest museums in the Netherlands, I was already interested in the art form of stained glass at a young age. But something I wouldn’t have expected is that one of the highlights of my visit to Krakow would be the stained glass museum. This small museum in Krakow is housed in a historic studio from 1902. And artists are still working here every day to keep this craft alive.
During a visit you will get to know works by famous Polish artists such as Stanisław Wyspiański and Józef Mehoffer and I loved looking at all the details. You will learn about the process of making stained glass and understand about the major role that stained glass art plays in Poland.
The cool thing is that, after the tour in the museum, you can take part in a small workshop where you create your own piece of jewelry. From choosing a design, cutting and grinding glass to soldering: There is an incredible amount of work involved and it is interesting to experience this. In my opinion, it is one of the activities you absolutely want to do in Krakow Poland, if you are looking for a unique experience that you will not easily find elsewhere.
Have you been to the Stained Glass Museum and are curious about Mehoffer? Józef Mehoffer was a Polish artist from the 20th century and known for his beautiful stained glass windows and paintings. A few blocks from the Stained Glass Museum you will find the Mehoffer Museum, his former home and studio where an extensive collection of his work can be seen. Don’t feel like going inside? Then make sure to at least visit the secret garden, located behind the building. Here you can have a seat on one of the benches or have a drink in the adjoining Meho Cafe.
One of the most beautiful viewpoints over Krakow and its things to do can be found at the Krakus mound. A short walk from the Vistula River takes you through the former Jewish ghetto Podgorze to a park and the top of this small hill. Also a place of historical value, because it is said to have been the final resting place of the Polish prince and founder of Krakow, Krakus. At the top, you look out over Krakow and you can see the castle and the cathedral in the distance. It is not known though how old the hill exactly is and whether someone is actually buried there.
Dragons play an important role in Polish folklore and in Kraków you will encounter them in several places. As a statue, in a pictured way or as a toy in one of the many souvenir shops. An important story tells of the Wawel Dragon that is said to have lived in a cave under Wawel Hill, on the banks of the Vistula, and terrorized the inhabitants of the former capital. When the then king promised his daughter to the one who would kill the dragon, a shoemaker made sure that the fire-breathing dragon went up in flames, while he drank the Vistula River dry. After that, nothing was ever heard of the dragon again.
The cave where the dragon is said to have lived can be visited and is guarded by a stone dragon that regularly breathes fire. In addition, you will find little dragons in several places in Kraków that are fun to look for.
Did you know that you can admire an original Leonardo Da Vinci in Krakow? It is probably not one of the first sights that comes to mind when visiting Krakow, but if you are there anyway? The Princes Czartoryski Museum, which is part of the National Museum, houses works by famous Polish artists such as Jan Matejko and Stanisław Wyspiański, as well as a Leonardo Da Vinci: the Lady with an Ermine, one of the four paintings in which Da Vinci depicted a woman, of which the Mona Lisa is of course the most famous.
The National Museum in Krakow is the largest museum in Poland and consists of several locations spread throughout the city. The Krakow City Pass offers access, among other things.
One of the things to do and places to visit in Krakow if you like architecture is the St. Joseph’s Church, located on Rynek Podgórski, the former market square in Krakow Poland. This building stands out because of its Gothic style, red color and numerous towers. It is a short walk from the Kazimierz district. Make sure to take a photo, as it is a wonderful spot.
The Father Bernatek Bridge connects the Jewish district of Kazimierz and the former Jewish ghetto of Podgórze. The bridge is only accessible to pedestrians and offers views of the Vistula River. Make sure to have a look at the works of artist Jerzy Kędziora, hanging on the the bridge. It is a collection of super cool sculptures in the form of balancing acrobats that move with the wind.
One of the nicest parks in Kraków is Bednarski Park, located in the Podgórze district, which was built on the site of a former limestone quarry. It is not only a lovely place to walk through, but also special because of the limestone rocks that surround it.
You can hardly imagine that this place is located on the edge of a big city. Zakrzówek Lagoon is a beautiful turquoise lagoon, created in a former limestone quarry. You can walk, picnic and enjoy the surroundings. In the summer it is a popular place for locals to take a dip in the special swimming areas of the lagoon.
Locals swear by their obwarzanek. They are sold everywhere on the streets in small blue carts. Obwarzanek is a type of bagel, with a crispy crust and soft inside, often with sesame, poppy seeds or salt on top. It is even a protected regional product and can only be sold according to the original recipe. I am someone who can eat all day long and this was a super tasty snack for me. If you are in Krakow, Poland, you will definitely want to try this local snack.
Did you know that the bagel originated in Poland? It is said that the first bagels were eaten in Jewish communities in Krakow in the 17th century. They are said to have been introduced from Poland to other places in the world, including the United States, by Polish immigrants.
One of the tastiest Polish street food dishes in Krakow is the Zapiekanka, a bread roll with a kind of pizza topping. One of the best places to try this in Krakow is the Okrąglak food court on Plac Nowy or Bazaar Bistro, both in the Kazimierz district. Try the vegetarian option with mushrooms.
Want to try more Polish snacks and culinary treats? Book a street food tour in Krakow where you will be introduced to different Polish delicacies and highlights.
Want to get to know the Polish Vodka culture? In Krakow you will find numerous small and secret vodka bars. You will be amazed by the amount of flavors, from fruity to spicy and even creamy. It is fun to do a small tasting, where you try different shots. During this vodka tasting tour, you will visit a secret vodka bar, learn more about the tradition and taste 8 different types. There is also a tour that combines vodka, snacks and sightseeing in Krakow, such as this one. Highly recommended!
Krakow is the capital of the province of Malopolska, Lesser Poland, and here too there are plenty things to do and see. From historical sites to beautiful national parks. In the next article you can read more about what to do around Krakow in Poland and discover Malopolska, with tips, highlights and activities.
Krakow Poland offers numerous places to stay. Here are some of my tips for hotels in Krakow Poland, within walking distance of most places to visit and things to do.
Looking for more hotels in Krakow Poland? This is an overview.
Disover more tours, highlights and things to do in Krakow Poland on Viator.
From street food to gastronomic experiences: In Krakow Poland you will find everything. And every time I visit Poland, I am impressed by the amount of gastronomical experiences. These are my tips for restaurants and cafés in Krakow Poland.
Most things to do and see in Krakow are easy to discover on foot. It is best to choose a new district and route every day to see a lot of the city in a short time. You can also choose public transport to get around. With the Krakow City Pass, which offers access to 35 museums and places to visit, you can use public transport free of charge. You can purchase the pass here for 1, 2 or 3 days.
Do you want to visit Krakow in Poland and its many sights and things to do? You can easily find and book flights here. Looking for an airport transfer? Book an airport transfer here.
Did you enjoy reading this article about the best things to do in Krakow and do you want to read more about Poland? Make sure to have a look at the websites of Krakow city and Malopolska and get inspired by more destinations in Poland in the next articles:
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