Things to do in Krakow: The Ultimate Guide with 25 Must-See Places

Introduction to Krakow

If you are planning a trip to Eastern Europe, you are surely wondering things to do in Krakow and why everyone speaks so highly of this city. We felt the same way before visiting… and after exploring it, we understood why it is one of Europe’s best-kept gems.

Krakow combines history, medieval architecture, neighborhoods with a lot of personality, and a youthful energy that makes it super attractive. Furthermore, it is a walkable, affordable city full of cultural plans. In this complete guide, we tell you things to do in Krakow, with itineraries based on the number of days, nearby excursions, and real tips based on our experience as travelers and having lived for a week in this beautiful city.

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Things to do in Krakow Summary

Where is Krakow and why visit it

Krakow is located in southern Poland, on the banks of the Vistula River. It was the country’s capital for centuries and, although Warsaw holds that role today, Krakow remains the cultural and tourist heart.

Why visit it?

• It has one of the best-preserved medieval historic centers in Europe.

• It is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

• It combines a hard history with a vibrant cultural life.

• It is ideal to explore in a few days.

• It is close to key historical sites such as Auschwitz and Wieliczka.

Brief history of Krakow

Krakow was the capital of Poland from the 11th to the 16th century. During World War II, it suffered greatly under Nazi occupation, but, unlike Warsaw, much of its historic center survived intact.

That mix of medieval splendor, Jewish past, Nazi occupation, and modern rebirth is felt in every corner. Understanding its history helps a lot in appreciating things to do in Krakow.

Things to do in Krakow

The Old Town and the Main Market Square

The Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is the soul of the city and one of the most important points things to do in Krakow. It is huge, lively, and something is always happening: musicians, carriages, fairs, and events.

St. Mary’s Basilica

St. Mary’s Basilica is impossible to ignore. Its tallest tower houses the trumpeter who, every hour, plays the famous Hejnał Mariacki. The interior is spectacular, with stained glass windows and a carved wooden altar that left us speechless.

Cloth Hall (Sukiennice)

In the center of the square is the Cloth Hall, an old medieval market. Today it functions as a shopping arcade and museum. It is ideal for buying souvenirs and understanding how trade worked in medieval Krakow.

Other must-see points in the square:

• Church of St. Adalbert

• Old Town Hall Tower

• Terraces and cafes with a view.

Florianska Street, St. Florian’s Gate, and the Barbican

From the square starts Florianska, the most important shopping street in Krakow, which connects to St. Florian’s Gate, an old entrance to the walled city.

Right in front is the Barbican, one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe. It can be visited from the inside and the entrance includes access to the walls.

Wawel Hill: castle, cathedral, and legends

Going up to Wawel Hill is one of the best things to do in Krakow. From there, you get incredible views of the Vistula River and the old town.

Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle is another absolute must-see. Located on a hill overlooking the river, it was the residence of Polish kings and a symbol of national power.

👉 Tip: on Mondays there are free entries, but they are limited. It is best to go early.

Wawel Cathedral

Inside the complex is the Cathedral, where monarchs were crowned and buried. Furthermore, the legend of the Wawel Dragon originates here, a story that adds mysticism to the place. Do not miss:

• The crypts
• The Sigismund Bell
• The royal chapels

The cave and the Wawel dragon

At the foot of the hill is the cave where, according to legend, the Krakow dragon lived. Outside there is a statue that breathes fire every few minutes!

The Jewish Quarter Kazimierz

Kazimierz is one of our favorite neighborhoods. It was once an independent city and today is the Jewish cultural center.

Bohemian cafes, synagogues, street art, and a lot of nightlife. Scenes from Schindler’s List were filmed here.

Things to do in Kazimierz

• Old Synagogue (the oldest in Poland)

• Remuh Synagogue and its cemetery

• Tempel Synagogue

• Corpus Christi Basilica

• Szeroka Street

Nowy Square and nightlife

Nowy Square is ideal for trying the famous zapiekanka (a type of open-faced pizza) and going out at night. If you are wondering things to do in Krakow, Kazimierz has to be included no matter what.

Murals and street art

Krakow has a lot of street art, especially in Kazimierz. There are historical and artistic murals that tell part of the neighborhood’s identity. We recommend exploring it without a specific destination and letting yourself be surprised.

The old ghetto and Podgórze

Crossing the river we arrive in Podgórze, where the Jewish ghetto was during the Nazi occupation. It is a less touristy area but very strong on a historical level.

The Ghetto Heroes Square and Schindler’s Factory are highly recommended visits to understand the city’s recent past.

Key places

• Bohaterów Square (Ghetto Heroes Square)

• Chair monument

• Eagle Pharmacy

• Remains of the ghetto wall

• Oskar Schindler’s Factory (free admission on Mondays, except the first of the month)

It is an area that is emotionally intense, but very important to understand the city’s history.

Vistula River banks

The banks of the Vistula are ideal for walking, especially in summer. There are floating bars, green areas, and it is one of the best places to watch the sunset with the castle in the background.

Planty: the park surrounding the Old Town

Where the medieval walls used to be, today stretches the Planty Park, a green ring that surrounds the entire old town. Ideal for walking, resting, and connecting points without realizing it.

Collegium Maius: the oldest university

The Collegium Maius is the oldest building of the Jagiellonian University, where Nicolaus Copernicus studied.

Saturdays admission is free

Things to do in Krakow in 2 days

If you have little time, this itinerary works perfectly:

Day 1

• Main Market Square

• St. Mary’s Basilica

• Cloth Hall

• Wawel Castle

Day 2

• Kazimierz

• Podgórze

• Schindler’s Factory

Ideal for a first visit.

Things to do in Krakow in 3 days

This is, for us, the ideal time.

Day 1 and 2: same as the previous itinerary.
Day 3:

• Excursion to Auschwitz or

• Wieliczka Salt Mine

If you are looking for things to do in Krakow in 3 days, this combination is perfect.

Krakow from above: Kopiec Kraka Mound Viewpoint

Krakow is also enjoyed from above, and one of the best places to do so is the ‘Kopiec Kraka’ Mound ⛰ viewpoint. This point offers incredible panoramic views of the city, is totally free 👍👍👍 and also has easy access 🙌. It is not usually full of tourists, but of locals who go for a walk or have a picnic. A perfect plan if you want to see the city from another perspective.

Things to do in Krakow and surroundings

Auschwitz-Birkenau

A tough but necessary visit. We recommend doing it with an official guide to understand the historical context. You can get there on your own or by tour.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

A few kilometers from Krakow, this World Heritage site surprises with chapels and sculptures carved from salt underground.

Nowa Huta

The socialist neighborhood built during the communist era. Ideal if you are interested in recent history and want to get off the classic tourist circuit.

Must-see museums in Krakow

• Schindler’s Factory Museum

• National Museum of Krakow

• Rynek Underground Museum

Perfect for rainy days or to delve deeper into history.

Accommodation in Krakow

Krakow offers a wide variety of accommodation options for all budgets, from cheap hostels to boutique hotels and tourist apartments.

The best areas to stay are the Old Town, ideal for getting around on foot, and Kazimierz, perfect if you are looking for atmosphere, good restaurants, and slightly lower prices.

In general, sleeping in Krakow is accessible and offers excellent value for money.

• View Accommodations in the Old Town
• View Accommodations in Kazimierz

Excursions and Tours in Krakow

Practical tips for traveling to Krakow

• It is explored on foot.
• It is cheap compared to other European cities (even so, keep in mind that it tends to be one of the more expensive places in Poland).
• It is advisable to book Auschwitz in advance.
• Winter is cold, but magical.
• Public transport works very well.

Conclusion

Now that you know things to do in Krakow, we can tell you something with complete certainty: it is a city that surprises, moves, and stays with you. It has history, culture, delicious food, and plans for all tastes.

For us, Krakow was one of those cities that we did not expect so much from… and it ended up being unforgettable. If you are setting up your route through Europe, do not hesitate: Krakow deserves a prominent place. ✨

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— Nanu & Facu 🌎 | Recalculando Viajes 💜