I remember learning in high school all about Kraków (Cracow in English), the history, its importance, its kings and dragon stories. It all seemed a fairy tale, a very real tale. I was in Kraków many times, usually just for a day, sometimes though I want to indulge myself with a few days in this charming city. Without a doubt it is the most visited place in Poland by tourists from other countries. It is also a rather popular city break for the Poles.

A perfect city break in Krakow: what to see and do

Updated May 2024

Kraków is lively. During the day the streets are filled with people enjoying the atmosphere and architecture. At the main square the sound of horses echoes against the walls while the people enjoy some local food in one of the terraces. The streets are rarely empty even if it is pouring down rain. Then it transforms into an umbrella town. Kraków is too pretty to be hiding from it.

There are mixed opinions about Kraków. Some say it is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe, other think it is overrated and compare it to Prague, Vienna or Budapest. As much as I understand the variety of viewpoints, I find it difficult to compare Kraków to other places. It is not prettier nor less attractive, it is simply different and one of a kind. I certainly think of Kraków with some kind of sentiment given that I come from Poland. I remember dreaming of having my student life there and frequent visits to the castle where many legends are buried. My unable to settle feet however took me elsewhere. I admit though that I always come back to Kraków with pleasure and I might be biased to say that it is in fact one of the most charming cities in Europe.

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Use my favourite travel resources to plan your dream trips

• Booking.com for searching best prices on accommodation.
• Discover Cars is a great website as they search both local and international car hire services, so you can choose the best deal for yourself. Make sure though, that the company has a good reputation and reviews.
• Get Your Guide is my place to go for searching and booking tours and excursions, especially when I travel solo.
• World Nomads and EKTA travel insurance. I like them because they have quite extensive coverage of different activities.
• Jack’s Flight Club is a service that can save you hundreds of dollars on flights, it works especially well in Europe.
• Trivago where you can search and save on hotels.
• Go City is a perfect site for booking bucket list experiences and attractions all in one to avoid paying for multiple tickets. Easy and saves money.
• Trip Advisor– amazing for good quality recommendations.
• Skyscanner is a perfect website for searching flight routes and comparing prices.

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Why visit Kraków

Why not? It is truly charming, offers many attractions and history, live music in cellar bars, cheap food in milk bars and stories about dragons. Some people go there just for a nightlife, which seems to be quite vivid. Well, I wouldn’t know, I have never sacrificed my sleep there for a party, but I met many people who visit Kraków especially for that.

I honestly haven’t met anyone who would not like Kraków. There is always something there happening that anyone can find something for herself or himself. It is a student city with the oldest and most famous university in the country, which gives it a special young vibrance. It is not an industrial or business city. Culture, art and academia is what creates this extraordinary vibe that draws so many people to it. What I also like about Kraków is that as oppose to many touristic  cities in Europe it is not filled with so many shops with cheap souvenirs. Of course they exist, but it is not as popular and annoying as in other places. Maybe as its popularity grows it will change, but for now it is still a lovely and charming place as I’ve been seeing it for the last years. May it last.

Book Krakow one day sightseeing tour– perfect option if you are short on time.

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See also:

• A guide to Gdansk for first time travellers.
• 21 most beautiful castles in Europe you must visit
• A quick guide to Sevilla: what to see and do on a city break
• How to spend 4 days in Prague: a comprehensive guide.

The dragon story- the Dragon from Wawel Hill

There is no castle without a good legend. The one that comes from the Wawel castle in Kraków involves a very nasty dragon. We like stories about knights and dragons, don’t we?

Once upon a time when Kraków was a capital of Poland at feet of the Wawel Hill where the castle and cathedral are located, comfortable in its cave lived a dragon. It was a nasty creature that every week asked for cattle offerings. People feared it badly and all attempts of stopping the beast were unsuccessful until arrival of poor shoemaker, who came up with a trick. He filled a sheep skin with sulphur and gave to the dragon. After eating it the dragon become very thirsty, so it drank and drank the water from Vistula river until it blew up. It was the end of life of the monster.

 

What to see and do in Krakow

Historic Sites

• Wawel (read Vavel) Castle and Cathedral: Explore the historic royal residence and the cathedral where Polish kings were crowned and buried. Throughout the centuries, the Royal Cathedral has witnessed numerous coronations, funerals, and burials of Polish monarchs and dignitaries. This is the third church on this site, consecrated in 1364. The original church was established in the 11th century by King Bolesław I the Brave and was replaced by a Romanesque structure around 1140. When it burned down in 1305, only the crypt remained.  Book your tour to Wawel in advance as it is a very popular attraction in Krakow, including among the Polish people.
• Main Market Square (Rynek Główny): Visit one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe, featuring the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and St. Mary’s Basilica. It is on the UNESCO list and there is no trip to Krakow without visiting this place.
• St. Mary’s Basilica (Kosciol Mariacki): Admire the stunning Gothic architecture and the famous wooden altarpiece by Veit Stoss. It is one of the most appreciated churches in Poland due to its unique noon trumpet call.
• Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter): Wander through the historic Jewish district, visit synagogues, and enjoy the vibrant nightlife and cultural scene.
• Collegium Maius (Uniwersytet Jagiellonski): This is the oldest university in Poland and one of the oldest in the world, founded on May 12, 1364. Many of Poland’s most renowned scholars, including Nicolaus Copernicus, studied and taught here, alongside numerous professors from Western Europe. It remains the most prestigious university in Poland, now having lots of foreigners studying there for their degrees.
• House of Jan Matejko: This interesting small museum is dedicated to the Polish artist Jan Matejko. A native of Krakow and one of Poland’s most important artists, Matejko’s life, some of his paintings, and his furniture are preserved in this house. Visitors can also see what his studio looked like. You can find lots of books about Matejko on Amazon, some of his paintings are really unique and beautiful, Stanczyk being the most recognizable.

 

Museums

• Oskar Schindler’s Factory: Learn about Krakow’s history during World War II and the story of Schindler’s efforts to save Jews. Although you might know this site due to Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List movie, Oskar Schindler’s factory is a historical landmark you can visit. Founded in 1937 for the production of sheet metal and enamelware, the factory was taken over by German businessman Oskar Schindler and its name was changed to the German Enamelware Factory.During World War II, Schindler initially gathered intelligence for the Nazis but soon began to secretly protect Jewish lives by employing them in his factory. These workers, who became known as Schindler’s list survivors, were saved from the Holocaust. Book your ticket with guided tour here.
• Rynek Underground Museum (Old Town underground): Explore the archaeological site beneath the Main Market Square. The exhibition showcases archaeological excavations conducted between 2005 and 2010. Archaeologists dug as deep as 5 meters below the Main Market Square, uncovering 11,000 artifacts. These findings relate to the trade of salt, lead, and copper, as well as the ancient daily life of Krakow.
• National Museum: Discover Polish art, culture, and history through extensive collections.
• Pinball Museum: This is a perfect places if you love games. You can play as many games as you like with your admission ticket that is under 20 Euros for the full day. Book your entrance ticket here. 
• Pharmacy museum: it’s an unusual museum in Old Town. You can see there pharmacy furniture in various styles (baroque, empire, biedermeier), pharmaceutical vessels from different times, ancient medicinal substances, old prints (e.g., Greek/Latin editions of all of Hippocrates’ works, medieval and early modern pharmacy handbooks, official and unofficial pharmacopoeias, herbals, handwritten pharmacy manuals) and many more.

Cultural Experiences

• Attend a Chopin Concert: Enjoy a performance of Poland’s most famous composer in an intimate setting.
• Krakow Philharmonic: Experience a classical music concert in this historic venue.
• Krakow Opera: Take in a performance at the city’s opera house.

Outdoor Activities

• Planty Park: Stroll through this green belt that encircles the Old Town.
• Vistula Boulevards: Walk or bike along the scenic riverbanks.
• Krakus Mound: Climb this ancient mound for panoramic views of the city.

Other things to do that only locals know about

• Beer Spa: Beernarium Beer Spa is a unique attraction located in the heart of Krakow, set in the cellars of a historic townhouse. This place offers a relaxing, intimate atmosphere paired with an opportunity to try excellent beer. It is so cool to have an opportunity to try nourishing beer, wine, and milk baths, combined with relaxation on straw. The treatments are perfect for unwinding, reducing stress, and nourishing and moisturizing the skin. The spa services are available for individuals, couples, or groups. It’s pretty unique, don’t you think?

Book your Beer Span experience. There is also one in Zakopane. 

• Colourful stair at ul. Tatrzanska: It is a hidden corner that only locals know about. 55 steps were painted in bright colors and decorated with quotes from Polish and foreign literature. If you’re looking for an interesting spot for Instagram photos, the colorful stairs near Tatrzańska Street should definitely be on your Krakow sightseeing itinerary. Originally conceived as an exhibition, these staircases serve a profound purpose. The creators observed the hustle and bustle of modern life, recognizing a deficiency in both smiles and contemplation. These rainbow steps aim to remedy this, offering a pause for reflection amidst the daily rush.

What to see around Krakow: best excursions

Kraków itself is full of attractions, I guess there is no need to make a list of things to see and do there. I think it can be seen in two different ways: by the list of things to see and do or by forgetting a guidebook and getting lost in the streets of Kraków. I personally prefer the latter, because it is the way to feel the special vibes.

Kraków is located in a beautiful part of Poland with quite a few places worth attention.

Wieliczka

Wieliczka and the famous salt mines with the most incredible cathedral made entirely of salt. It is a UNESCO listed site, definitely a must when in Krakow. It is located only 16 km from Krakow and it’s quite easy to visit. You will only need half a day.

How to get to Wieliczka:

• Cheap way: You can take a train from Krakow to Wieliczka. You need to go to Krakow’s Main Station and board a train operated by Koleje Małopolskie, a railway company serving Lesser Poland and the Krakow metropolitan area. This allows you to pay for your trip to Wieliczka as part of Krakow’s urban transportation system fees. Be careful to have a ticket for that specific operator. It only takes 20 minutes to get to Wieliczka by train and then 10 minutes to walk to the mines. The ticket costs just a bit more than 1 Euro (5,5 zl).

You can also reach Wieliczka by bus. The bus line 304 leaves from near the Old Town of Krakow, so it might be even more convenient than taking a train. You can use this app for bus schedules. The bus costs 6 zl, just slightly more that the train. The bus takes around 35 minutes then 5 minutes walking to the mine. Get off at the stop called Wieliczka Kopalnia Soli. 

• More expensive way: Obviously the more price option would be joining a tour (I recommend this tour– it has over 6 thousands of top reviews). There are many tour operators, but keep in mind that Wieliczka is a very popular place to visit among foreigners as well as locals from all over Poland (not to mention lots of Germans visiting the city). Even though going on this trip independently is super easy, it is actually very nice to have a guided tour and learn all about the mine.

Another option would be renting a car and driving there by yourself, which is also super easy to do. Driving in Poland is not too complicated. This would be a great choice if you plan on visiting more places in Poland, like Auschwitz, Zakopane or even further away like Warsaw.

Rent a car in Poland through Discover Cars. I usually use them for my travels and they have a great rage of options, including local companies. 

Oswiecim

Oswiecim (Auschwitz)- a museum portraying one of the most horrible times in history. It is not an easy visit, but important to gain more knowledge.

Zakopane

Zakopane and the Tatras mountains- a town in the mountains. I am personally not very fond of it, but near Zakopane there are beautiful mountains and Morskie Oko lake, which is breathtaking. Book your tour to Zakopane.

You can even visit two countries in one day with Morskie Oko and Slovakia treetop walk tour. 

Czestochowa

Czestochowa- a nice  town, but mostly known for Jasna Góra Monastery and it is known as a spiritual capital of Poland.

Dunajec

Dunajec rafting– a lovely day trip through Pieniny. It is something that locals do and not many foreigners discover this area outside of Krakow, but if you are into nature and some adventure, this is it.

The Ojcow National Park

The Ojców National Park- it is a trip for nature lovers in the smallest national park in Poland to be around mountains, rivers, forests, caves and gorges.

Where to stay

The city centre is rather compact and full of great places to stay. I’ve noticed that the hotels are not so popular, but you can find really good hostels or apartments at affordable prices. Apartments are usually my first choice as there is so many to chose from, so I can be a bit more fussy than with booking hotels, but there’s something for everybody. I always chose an accommodation in the heart of the city to have as much time as possible to enjoy it without emptying my account. After many visits on my own or with friends and family those are a few places I stayed in so far and absolutely loved:

Hotels:

• Andel’s by Vienna House– a very comfortable hotel with SPA just a few minutes away from the main square.
• Puro Hotel- another excellent choice at affordable price.
• Hotel Polski Pod Bialym Orlem– elegant decór and central location will assure a pleasant stay.
• Metropolitan Boutique Hotel– beautiful and perfect to relax. It is a luxurious but affordable option with over 3 thousand of 5-star reviews on TripAdvisor.

Hostels:

• Ginger hostel– the only hostel I know and it’s a good one! Clean, central and comfortable with nice atmosphere.

Apartments:

• Aparthotel Stare Miasto– I stayed there once and would again: comfortable and
• Apartamenty Parkside– a combination of modern look with 19th century, jacuzzi and sauna in the apartment should be enough to give you a perfect stay. I love it!

What to eat

I have heard many opinions from the foreigners that Polish people eat only meat, cabbage and potatoes. Not exactly. There is many other things that you can try in Poland, although you might notice a few common ingredients.

Book a Polish folklore dinner (a really cool experience)

Book evening folk show with delicious food

• pierogi– probably most beloved dish amongst Polish people. Ravioli-like pasta filled with different things, however the most popular ones are pierogi ruskie (with potatoes, onion and fresh cheese), pierogi z miesem (with meat), pierogi z kapusta i grzybami (with cabbage and mushrooms). Book pierogi cooking class.
• krokiety– crepes with a filling, then rolled in breadcrumbs and fried.
• barszcz– beetroot soup. There are many kinds of barszcz
• golabki- literally this words means ‘little pigeons’, but it is actually rice with meat put in cabbage leaves.
• klopsiki– meatballs in tomatoe sauce.
• makowiec- poppy seeds cake.
• pomidorowa- tomatoe  soup.
• ogórkowa- pickled cucumber soup.
• zurek- fermented flour soup. This one you either love or hate.
• placki ziemniaczane– potatoe-based fried pancakes.
• sernik– cheesecake
• obwarzanki– bagel-like rolls sold at every corner (like the one you see on the photo).

 

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Mindful moment

The people. Minfulness is being aware of the present moment, in short explanation. During our travels the people are the big (if not the biggest) part of the moment and the place we visit. Look at them as part of the destination, look beyond the stereotypes and ideas you might have had before coming to this place. Try to see them with different eyes, think of their lives, their customs, their work. Do not judge. Just appreciate what you see. Travel to learn and travel with purpose. Travel with open eyes not to miss out what really matters.

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So what do you think? Is is a like you would like to visit? Whenever I travel I love reading (or watching in movies) novels set in those places. It certainly affects my imagination and curiosity t learn as much as possible about those places. I especially like the books that have some history in the story. If you are also the kind that likes combining traveling with reading abut destinations you go to, maybe this book will interest you set in pre-war Kraków.

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I’d like to let you know that this post is also available in an app version on GPSmycity if you’d like to have access to it offline while traveling.

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Happy travels everyone!

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