Guide to Visiting Krakow, Poland – Our Tips on The Best Things to Do

We’ve dreamt of visiting Krakow for many years, after having been told it was the perfect city break destination. Whether it’s the culture, history, tasty food or cheap alcohol prices, many tourists flock to this incredible city year after year.

In April 2024, we found ourselves cheap flights and accommodation, so began the job of working out what to do when we were there. Interestingly Krakow has plenty of attractions for visitors, but sadly many opt to visit simply for the cheap beer. Hopefully this guide will be enough to entice you into leaving the bars and seeing as much of this amazing place as possible. The best part about Krakow is that there’s plenty to see for free, so if you’re travelling on a tight budget then don’t worry, we have you covered.

Krakow is the perfect city break for everyone, and the moment we walked into the main square of the old town we knew it would be a special trip. The old-world charm hasn’t been lost with the invading tourists, and it quickly became one of our favourite places in Europe. Generally, if we’ve visited somewhere we don’t go back for a few years, mainly because there are so many other places to see. But Krakow is one of the few places where upon returning home, we instantly wanted to go back.

We’re hoping that by the end of this guide, whether you’ve booked your trip to Krakow, or you’re thinking about it, you will have everything you need. Although we managed to do a lot in our short time, we obviously couldn’t do it all, but we’ll bring you as many of the attractions as we can and the information you need as to whether to add it to your list.

If we haven’t persuaded you enough already, then please keep reading and hopefully you’ll soon be enjoying an obwarzanek krakowsk as you meander along the cobbled streets.

Where is Krakow and Why Visit?

Most of us know that Krakow is a city in Poland, but you may not know that it can also be spelled as Cracow, in fact when you’re there you will see this more often. You can find Krakow in the southern part of Poland on the Vistula River, and it is comprised of 18 districts.

It is also the second largest and one of the oldest cities in the country, in fact it was the capital of Poland until 1596. Being a hub of history, culture and academia led to its Old Town area being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, and interestingly it was one of the world’s first sites to be granted this status.

Krakow’s beauty is self-evident, which is why the city welcomes over 14 million tourists yearly. The city originated in 985 as a hamlet on Wawel Hill, and a busy trading location in central Europe. In 1038 it became the seat of Polish monarchs and the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth, until the late 16^th century. With over ten centuries of history under its belt, you’re in for an architectural feast as you wander around. Many renowned artists and craftsmen were brought into the city, so you can witness Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque styled buildings.

We’re all fully aware of Krakow’s Jewish influence, but unfortunately it tends to be for the sadder parts of the city’s history, which we still recommend you visit. One of the best parts of visiting the many districts in the centre, is that you can explore more of the Jewish impact on the city’s growth, both culturally and economically.

This historic old town known as Stare Miasto, includes many of the main attractions we’ll recommend in this guide. The best part is they’re all within easy walking distance so no expensive transport required. Whether it’s the Rynek Główny or Market Square, the Cloth Hall, St. Florians Gate, St Mary’s Basilica, the district of Kazimierz or the impressive Wawel Castle, we are certain you won’t be bored during your trip.

So why would you visit there? Where do we begin. It could be for the endless museums, impactful historical sites such as Auschwitz and Schindler’s Museum, the amazing people and their culture, the tasty food or just a mish mash of it all. Another aspect for many visitors is how incredibly cheap it is to visit, and by that we include accommodation and the attractions you will visit.

Krakow is one of Europe’s best-preserved cities, where you feel as though you have magically stepped back in time. It’s almost as though you are living in history, and this makes it the ideal romantic getaway or mini break.

How Long Do I Need in Krakow?

Half the battle when deciding how long you’ll need for a city break, is balancing the cost with ensuring that you have enough time to get everything done. As you will determine from this guide, Krakow has plenty of attractions and activities for you to visit, so much so that even we didn’t manage everything on our list.

Most of the time when we’re planning a city break, we will book three or four full days. The bigger the city, the more days, because we know there will be plenty to do, and it gives us time to have moments to relax and take it all in.

Depending on what you choose to see when you visit Krakow, you may find that you need more time than in other cities. Some of the attractions which are popular for tourists, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine are quite a distance from the historic centre. Because of this you’ll need to book some form of transport or an excursion, and you’ll lose a big chunk of a day to both. We visited Krakow for 4 days and spent most of a day at Auschwitz-Birkenau, so we decided to leave the salt mines for a future trip. This is because there was so much we wanted to do, and we knew that we’d lose a further day travelling and visiting the mines. There are excursions which tie both the salt mines and Auschwitz-Birkenau in together, meaning that you will only lose the one day, but it’s a whopping 11-hour trip which would be exhausting. If it sounds like something you would want to do, then check out the likes of Viator to see what they have on offer.

As to how long you should book will depend on a myriad of factors including the cost of flights and accommodation, although you will be surprised at how much cheaper decent hotels are in Krakow. Another aspect to consider is the time of year, because peak tourist seasons such as the summer months lead to lots of people heading to the area. This can lead to lots of queuing and difficulty getting into many of the popular attractions. Even when we visited in April 2024, entrance tickets to places such as Wawel Castle sold out quickly, so you need to be up early and choose wisely what you want to see.

Weekends and public holidays will also be busier, or attractions may shut down, so if you can be choosy then it’s wiser to visit during a weekday.

Although we gave ourselves four days to visit this beautiful city, we’re wishing that we had stayed for longer. We sadly hadn’t realised there would be two major bank holidays in Poland during our visit, and although it was exciting to see the parades in the centre, it meant a lot of museums and attractions closed on those days.

If you have mobility issues, or you prefer to take your time and enjoy relaxing in local restaurants or bars throughout the day, then we’d look at four days minimum. Sometimes giving yourself more time than needed is a better option, because you can always pace yourself or simply relax in the market square and enjoy the views.

Where to Stay in Krakow?

So, we’ll begin by saying that we stayed in the P&J Apartments on Florianska Street, which was a perfect location and decent accommodation. We chose an apartment so that we had a kitchenette which suits our style of travelling. The only problem is that it was a crazy ninety-nine steps up; we didn’t count how many floors but let’s just say it was silly. There were no elevators and so we had to heave our suitcases up many flights of stairs when we arrived and left, but also our weary bodies at the end of the day. We know there are many apartments similar throughout Krakow, so just make sure you read the reviews and consider how tough this would be on a daily basis, especially if you have mobility issues. If you book a hotel then the likelihood of this happening is reduced, but still, it’s wise to check. Most accommodation in the town centre of Krakow are in old buildings which have been adapted, and as you can imagine elevators were not common.

The actual location of our apartment was on the main street between St. Florians Gate and the main square of the historic centre, so it was ideal. Most of the activities on this list can be located in the old town area, so staying near Stare Miasto which is the centre of the city would be our recommendation. But as you can imagine this is where you will pay more for your accommodation, so if you’re making it a cheap one then there are other options which we will go through.

If you’ve taken a look at a map of Krakow and you’re wondering how you’ll get around, don’t be too disheartened because the city is easy to walk around, and most activities are within easy reach. Aside from Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Salt Mines, there are a couple of other spots which require a little walking such as Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory. But if you want to be close to everything and begin your day surround by beautiful architecture, then the old town is a pretty special place to locate yourself.

So that we provide you with everything you need, we will bring you a summary of all the central districts, including those which are less touristy and easier on the budget.

• Old Town (Stare Miastro) – This is the ideal location for your first visit to Krakow, because it is essentially the heart of the city. As you tick off those bucket list attractions, you’ll find that most of them are in this location including Wawel Castle, St Mary’s Basilica, the Wax Museum and Rynek Główny. But it’s the incredible bars and restaurants which really draws the crowds to the old town, especially when you can sit back, relax and take in the views of this 13^th century market square. If you’re heading there between November and December, then you’ll be excited to hear that Krakow has a wonderful Christmas Market. As you can imagine, easy access to everything and a beautiful setting, means that the old town is a little more expensive than the other neighbourhoods in Krakow. Simplicity comes with a price, but in reality, the cost of accommodation there is so reasonable that even expensive areas are really cheap. You’ll find all types of hotels and apartments, from old traditional buildings to modern options. A final thing to consider is how long you’re staying in Krakow, because if it’s only a couple of nights then you want to be somewhere that’s convenient enough for you to get as much done as possible. To be completely transparent there is one big disadvantage to staying in this area and that is the noise. But this will again depend on your accommodation. If you’re in a modern hotel with air conditioning, then you may not even notice it. But if like us you’re in a traditional apartment and it’s a hot day, then you’ll want to open windows and that means letting the noise in from the street below. It did calm down later in the evening, but we will admit that the noise made it hard to sleep.
• Kazimirez – Otherwise known as the Jewish Quarter, this area is about a 20-minute walk south from the old town. For many travellers heading to Krakow who are on a limited budget, it’s the ideal location to stay. There’s simply a different vibe, although it may be because the whole area tends to be less touristy. If you have the time to simply wander, then we’d recommend exploring the area and looking at the synagogues, quaint boutiques and galleries. There is plenty of affordable accommodation, whether you’re looking for hotels and apartments or those small boutique spots which offer a higher level of authenticity. If you’re interested in a little night life when you travel, then Kazimierz is the perfect spot, because this is where you will find a number of the city’s best clubs.
• Stare Podgorze – This large district of Krakow is about 2 miles, or a 30-minute walk south of the old town. You’ll know if you’re heading in the right direction because you need to cross the Vistula River. We recommend heading over the Father Bernatka foot Bridge at least once, because there are beautiful bronze statues of what look like acrobats balancing in poses which defy the laws of gravity. Stare Podgorze used to be an independent city, before it was incorporated into Krakow in 1795. Other than the old town, this is the main area where you will find lots of attractions, including Oskar Schindler’s Factory, the Old Jewish Cemetery, Pharmacy Under the Eagle and The Empty Chairs of Krakow. For those of you looking to dive into the city’s difficult history, then this is the area to head, and you can feel it as you wander around. Although many of the travel blogs don’t include it, we’d recommend taking a moment to pay your respects at the Ghetto Wall Fragment. This is the only piece of the original wall which surrounded the ghetto during World War Two and it’s a lasting reminder of the atrocities which occurred in the area. If you’re ok with a little walking, then this is a great area to locate yourself from. Alike Kazimierz you’ll find a range of accommodation, with lots of affordable and luxury options. Although there will be plenty of things you want to see and do within this area, it’s still a trek from the centre which offers so much more. This wouldn’t be our recommendation for a first visit (unless you want to engross yourself in history), but it may be a great option for your return trip.
• Kleparz – This is a smaller district found just north of the old town, and it’s quite a short walk from market square. We found this area quite handy because it has the Galeria Krakowska, a large shopping centre which pretty much has everything you need whether it’s clothing stores, supermarkets or takeaways. You may wonder why you’d be shopping during your travels, but who knows if you need to pick up extra items or simply get out of the rain. Kleparz is a great location for families with attractions such as the Womai Center and the Ogród Kasztanowy Park. But you’ll also find the Church of St. Florian and Old Kleparz Market. What makes this a great option for those of you visiting Krakow, is because it’s a pretty short walk from the old town. The walk from St. Florians Gate to Galeria Krakowska is only 7-minutes. You may want to choose your accommodation within this area, as it may not only be cheaper, but it’ll also feel less touristy too. One of the issues that we experienced was the noisy streets in the old town, but this probably isn’t something you’ll have an issue with in Kleparz. If you’re planning on travelling to other areas in Poland during your trip, then this may also be the perfect spot to base yourself. Only 10 minutes from the Galeria Krakowska is the Main Train Station (Kraków Glowny), which has routes to most of the main spots in the country.
• Nowy Swiat – This district can be found to the west of the old town (about a 10-minute walk) and is growing in popularity, with new attractions such as the Museum of Illusions and plenty of new restaurants. There’s a modern and lively atmosphere, which makes it a great place to head after a long day of museums and sightseeing. But again, because it’s out of old town district, you can grab lovely accommodation at affordable prices.
• Grzegórzki – We’ll begin by saying that this is about a 30-to-40-minute walk from the main market square, so yeah, it’s a lot of extra steps in your day. But if you’re looking for the authentic local vibe then this is a great location, because it is essentially a residential neighbourhood. It’s incredibly close to the University of Krakow which is the second oldest university in Central Europe, having been founded in 1364. This creates a student hipster vibe, with lots of small cafes and restaurants. Although heading to the old town is feasible, if you wanted to go to Stare Podgorze to discover some history, then you’re looking at an hours walk each way. Krakow’s Botanical Garden can be found there, but in reality you’re away from most of the popular attractions. If you’re looking for affordable accommodation then you’ll certainly find it there, but it comes at a price, and that is your time and energy each day as you venture into Krakow’s old town.

As we’ve already mentioned, there is something for every type of traveller and their budget in Krakow. The further away from the old town the cheaper it gets, but is that worth the time you’ll lose each day. That decision is yours, but again just research if there’s an elevator, especially if you have mobility issues; the hike up every day to our apartment wasn’t fun.

When to Visit Krakow?

Our trip to Krakow was in April 2024 and during our time there we had endless sunshine; in fact, it was a little too hot for our liking. Deciding when to visit is getting harder and harder, because Europe is becoming increasingly difficult to predict weatherwise. But there are some seasons, where you’ll have a better chance with the weather, whilst dodging the masses of tourists. Either way it is always best to prepare, so our first bit of advice is to check those weather apps for the period of time you’re going away. They’re not always perfect, but they will help you gauge both the weather and temperature whilst you’re there.

Having an idea about seasonal changes can give you a great place to start, because you’re probably booking this trip a few months in advance. For most people it’s difficult to travel outside of school holidays, but if you can, then we tend to recommend Spring and Autumn months as the better times to visit. April and May, or September and October are the sweet spots, mainly because the summer can get incredibly hot and make it uncomfortable to walk around.

It’s not just the heat which can make the summer months unbearable, because they also tend to be the peak time for tourists. This can make it harder to get into those popular attractions, which is difficult if you’re trying to cram a lot into a short space of time.

In contrast, you will find the queuing times shorter in the winter months, but the attractions may close earlier. This is why we recommend Spring or Autumn, because we had light until 8 or 9pm and attractions were open a little later.

Another consideration is public holidays in Poland, because they can impact what is open. We unfortunately booked in May when there were two public holidays. Aside from the usual Christmas, New Years and Easter, the bulk of the holidays can be found in May, January and November. But there is pretty much one public holiday in each month, making it hard to work around.

Hopefully by taking all this into consideration you’ll be lucky enough to find a sweet spot, where it’s not too busy and the weather is perfect. If the weather isn’t on your side, then fear not because there are plenty of things to do on our attractions list which are inside.

What to Pack for Krakow?

This can be a difficult one to answer, because it will depend on the time of year you visit this vibrant city. Our advice to any travellers is to pack layers, especially if you’re in warmer seasons because you can remove if you’re too hot or wrap up if you need to. Obviously in the winter you’ll want to prepare for the cold, especially because some of the main attractions are outside. The best thing to do is before you begin to pack, take a look on Google at the weather and temperature so you can gauge what to wear.

Clothing can range from the usual t-shirts and jackets, to something a little more formal for the evening if you’re heading out for a meal. As you can imagine comfortable shoes are essential, because the best way to get around the city is by walking. You will get a lot of steps in, meaning it can be pretty tiring on the feet.

Other than clothes, the rest of your case will be the usual items you would take anywhere, such as medication and plug adaptors. You will find plenty of shops to buy bits should you forget anything, so don’t worry too much.

Getting Around Krakow – Transport Options

For those of you who travel a lot, you’ll know that getting around big cities can be difficult. We’ve taken the metro in Berlin, used hop on hop off buses in Rome and cycled in Barcelona. But for us, the easiest way to get around is to throw on a pair of comfy shoes and walk. Krakow is the ideal walking city, because although there are plenty of cobbled roads, they’re generally quite flat. Most attractions are less than an hours walk from the main square, in fact Podgorze is probably one of the furthest away areas and that is only 30 minutes.

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Depending on what you have on your Krakow bucket list, most of the attractions tend to be quite close together. Of course, we’re not including Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Salt Mines in this grouping, but everything else is walkable for most people. Yes, you will rack up those steps, but Krakow is the ideal size where it’s not too big, but you’ll venture to various parts of the city in search of its attractions.

If you follow our guidance then you will have booked closer to the Stare Miasto or main market square, which means that everything is a decent walk. Most of the main attractions are literally in the square, so you can tick a lot off your list in quick succession.

There are plenty of public transport options should you prefer to rest those tootsies. Although there is no underground metro, you’ll spot the famous trams everywhere you go. But our information can purely come from research as we didn’t use anything ourselves when we were there. The only exception is the Ubers we took too and from the airport and the tour bus to Auschwitz, which was for sheer convenience. It’s not that we’re against public transport, in fact it can be a blessing, but we love to walk as we travel and truly experience the place we’re visiting.

Walking

As we have already mentioned above, walking is the way we made our way around Krakow. We found it easy enough, with the only steep hills being around Wawel Castle. We know that not everyone has the mobility to walk all day, but if you do then it’s a great option for getting around this exciting city. You can explore to your hearts content and wander down quaint little streets, as you make your way to the next attraction. This would all be missed if you took public transport everywhere.

Taking the above comment into consideration, we do like to add our list of attractions into Google maps. This is so we can move from one to the other without getting lost and wasting energy needed to get through the day. But it doesn’t mean you can’t veer off the suggested route on occasion if you see something pretty.

Buses and Trams

Trams and buses are the main forms of public transport in Krakow, and they can be quite a fun way of getting around the whole area. The tram network covers every inch of the city with over 20 lines and 400 stops. This means that no matter where you are within the city, you’ll only be a few minutes’ walk from a tram stop.

So, we provide you with the full information, there are two zones in Krakow called Strefa I which covers the city itself and then Strefa I +II Aglomeracja (Agglomeration). Strefa II covers the areas out of the city, just look for bus numbers which start with 2, 3 and 9. But the reality is that you’ll probably only use public transport when you’re in Strefa I.

Trams and buses run daily from 5am to 11pm, but you will find night routes, even if they are less frequent.

Most of the major stops have ticket machines, but you can also pay when you’re onboard the bus or tram. Just beware because not all ticket machines will accept notes or bank cards, so if you plan on using public transport then make sure you have some coins at your disposal.

Interestingly the tickets for buses and trams are interchangeable, but they are timed, meaning that once activated you can use both the tram and bus lines within the allotted period of time. Currently the cheapest fare is around 4zł which is less than a pound and covers you for 20 minutes of travel. This is perfect if you’re heading from the old town to districts such as Podgorze. If you’re over 70 or under the age of 4 then you can use buses and trams for free.

If you’re planning on using buses and trams to get around, then the better option is to purchase a 24-hour, 48-hour, 72-hour, or unlimited weekend family pass. Another choice is the KrakowCard which offers free entrance into a long list of museums throughout the city and there is the option of adding unlimited public transport throughout Krakow.

To use the bus or tram after you’ve bought your ticket, simply hop onboard and look for the small ticket machines which will stamp your ticket. This is a requirement even if you bought your ticket onboard, because there are inspectors who check tickets to ensure they are valid and they will hand out costly fines if unstamped, even if you are a tourist.

For those of you who are considering using public transport to get to and from the airport, the easiest option is by train (generally a 20-minute journey). But because they only run every 30 minutes, another choice is the bus, which will take between 30 and 50 minutes to reach the city centre.

Bicycles

Europe is the ideal place for cyclists, with cities such as Amsterdam and Copenhagen being renowned for biking culture. This can be a shock for any tourists heading to those locations, because us Brits generally don’t see the same enthusiasm or accessibility. Firstly, we always prewarn our readers to watch out for bikes, because we have nearly met our match with a cyclist in Amsterdam on more than one occasion. So, what is it like in Krakow?

In all honesty we didn’t find it as bad as other European countries, but you could still see there was a cycling infrastructure with a multitude of cycling paths connecting the city. Thankfully you won’t find yourself ducking out of the way from an onslaught of bikes, or having to dash across the road if you find a gap from endless cyclists. Krakow is perfect for cycling if you want to get from one location to another quickly, mainly because there are plenty of bike lanes.

Personally, we wouldn’t choose to cycle to get from A to B, but that’s because we love to walk and enjoy taking in the sights at a slower pace. There are numerous bike rental companies throughout Krakow, or you could book a city highlights by bike tour. You’ll have a simplified way of getting around the city and the added bonus of a tour guide with a wealth of knowledge about Krakow and its sights. There are lots of companies who offer this option, but we prefer to book through places like Viator.

If the thought of cycling sounds perfect, then we have a few tips before you get to Krakow. If you reach a pedestrian crossing make sure you dismount and walk over, unless there is a specific bike lane. Failure to do so could lead to you being fined, especially because Krakow police can be quite strict about enforcing the rules.

Something else to look out for are the ‘No Cycling’ signs on what may look like a cycle friendly route. This means the path is pedestrian only and if you’re caught it could again lead to a fine. Also, there are bike lanes which merge or intersect with tram lines, so be careful of approaching trams.

Finally, we know you’re on holiday and normally that means enjoying a tipple, but our recommendation is that you don’t drink alcohol if you’re going to get on a bike. Police are known to breathalyse cyclists and with a 0.2% maximum blood/alcohol limit, you may be over if you have a single beer.

If you decide to hire a bike, then just keep your wits about you and always wear a helmet.

Taxis and Uber

The ride share company Uber was the only type of transport we used during our trip (aside from the excursion bus to Auschwitz-Birkenau). In all honesty we find Uber to be much easier and cheaper than local taxis. Other than to the airport we’re not sure why you’d even need a taxi or ride share, when everything is walkable, or you can hop on a tram. If you decide to use taxis for your airport transfer, then you’ll be delighted to know that it’s probably one of the cheapest and quickest we have ever taken, at a mere 16-minute transfer costing around £15 to £20 (September 2024).

But if you need to get somewhere simply and quickly, then you will find plenty of taxis and Ubers available. When we booked ours, we only waited a few minutes before it turned up. Taxis in Krakow are much safer than they used to be and calling ahead will get you a cheaper fare. Our advice is to ask at your accommodation for taxi numbers, or Google to see which companies are better.

The taxi should have the company name clearly marked on the vehicle and a phone number displayed. You will also see a sticker indicating the prices that will be charged, and the driver is legally required to print a receipt at the end of your trip. As you would find at home, there are peak times such as nighttime and on Sundays.

Golf Buggy Tours – Hop On Hop Off Bus

As you wander around the main square area, you’ll see a number of what look like golf buggies. These are tours which are very similar to the hop on hop off buses you see in many other cities. Although we didn’t use the buggy tour, we saw many others who did, and we could understand why. There is the usual audio guide and an English-speaking driver who adds a local touch to the experience. From our research the experience isn’t cheap (someone quoted £24 each, but that is for an hour and a half), but we’re finding hop on hop off buses are going the same way.

We’d probably only recommend this if you struggle with mobility and are looking for an easy way to get around the various districts, especially the Jewish quarter and ghettos. Or if you’re in Krakow for the day and want to see as much as possible.

If small golf buggies don’t sound comfortable, then there are the usual sightseeing buses you’re used to. WOWKrakow has a similar route around the main tourist attractions and you’re looking at around £20 for a 24-hour ticket. Just a quick tip to those who have never used this kind of transport before. The 24 hours covers the day you’re using the bus and not the hour you activate it. Say for example you begin at 1pm on a Tuesday, the 24-hour ticket will only cover the Tuesday and not until midday on the Wednesday.

Hopefully this gives you all the information you need, but as you can tell we’re biased when it comes to getting around a city. We’ll always be big fans of walking, because it’s cheap, fuss free and means you can wander around areas that vehicles cannot go. Taking that aside, Krakow’s public transport system is well developed and covers everywhere we think you’ll need to go, so combining the two is a great solution for those of you who need to rest a little.

Krakow Tourist City Tax – Does It Have One?

Travel comes with lots of hidden costs, we’re all aware that most cities or vacation locations have an added tourist city tax. What was a tax for the bigger cities and capitals, seems to be the norm as more and more destinations are jumping on the bandwagon. It’s common place for many European cities to add a few Euros per guest, for each night you stay in a hotel or similar accommodation.

But interestingly Krakow doesn’t have a tax, and this could be one of the reasons why so many tourists flock there. Now this is accurate at the time of us writing our guide which is 2024, so just double check and make sure this hasn’t changed.

Currently there is debate about the introduction of a tax on tourists, but the government has stated that they cannot do so because Polish law does not allow it. This may change due to the growing number of visitors every year, with many discovering that Poland is a country for every type of traveller. They have it all, whether you are looking for skiing in the mountains, health spas by the beach or their extensive history.

KrakowCard Museum and Travel Pass

We’ll admit that we are huge fans of attraction passes and have used them in many cities over the world such as Boston and New York. They’re a great way of reducing your overall attraction costs (if used wisely) and you tend to end up seeing more things than you would have if you paid for each activity individually.

During our visit to Krakow, we decided not to use an attraction pass, although we would consider it next time. The pass predominantly covers museums, and we hadn’t planned to visit that many during our trip to warrant the cost.

The pass in Krakow is called the KrakowCard and you can buy one for 1, 2 or 3 days. Purchasing the pass gives you access to almost 40 museums and galleries in the city and there is a further pass which offers unlimited travel on buses and trams. This is ideal if you’re using public transport to Wieliczka Salt Mine and the airport, as those routes are included, and you can jump on and off buses and trams without the need to deal with ticket machines.

If you’re simply looking for a Museum and Attraction Pass (without transport) then you can buy a 3-day option for 52 Euros. But if you want to get around using the cities buses and trams as well as unlimited attractions, then you should opt for the Krakow Tourist Card. You can choose a 1 day for 30 Euros, 2 days for 45 Euros or 3 days for 52 Euros (2024).

Our advice would be to work out what attractions you plan to see when you’re there and how many of them are on the card. The more museums on your list, the more worthwhile it is to buy the pass. If you get the KrakowCard, then consider how far away the attractions are from your hotel or accommodation. This will impact whether it’s worth purchasing the upgraded pass, so that you get unlimited transport included.

We didn’t have many museums on our list, and we found everything quite walkable. In reality entry prices to attractions and transport costs are really cheap, so you’d need to visit a few museums to make sure the KrakowCard was worth it.

If the pass sounds perfect for your city break, then you can purchase it online at discovercracow.com. Once you choose the pass and pay for it, you’ll be sent a voucher which you need to print and exchange for a card in one of three locations. At the point you are handed your card, it will have been activated, and that day will class as your first. The days are based on full days and not time, for example if you activate a 2-day pass on a Tuesday at 2pm, you will have use of the card for the Tuesday and Wednesday only. Bear in mind that on Mondays most museums are closed, so it’s essentially a wasted day.

• John Paul II International Airport: Go to the tourist information counter in the Arrivals Hall. Opening times are 9am to 7pm.
• Szczepański 8: This is a tourist information point a few minutes to the northwest of Kraków’s main square. Opening times are 6am to 7pm.
• Wolnica 13: This is a tourist information point close to the Ethnography Museum in Kazimierz. Opening times are 6am to 7pm.

If you decide to buy when you arrive in Krakow, then there are plenty of locations around the city, especially at tourist information spots and train or bus stations. Alike the online version, the card will be activated at the moment you purchase, so only buy if you intent to use immediately.

Examples of some of the museums available on the KrakowCard are.

• Rynek Underground Museum,
• Kraków Town Hall Tower,
• The Czartoryski Museum,
• Adalbert’s Church,
• Pharmacy Under The Eagle,
• Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory,
• Ethnographic museum in Kraków-Kazimierz,
• Pomorska Street Former Gestapo Headquarters.

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Our List of Attractions and Things to do in Krakow Poland

For most of you looking at guides on Krakow, this is probably the main thing you’re looking for. Krakow doesn’t fail when it comes to attractions, in fact the likelihood is that you won’t get to see everything you want on your first trip. So, the key is to prioritise your list to make sure the essential activities are done.

Hopefully our list is extensive enough to give you all the information you need to plan your city break. Although we didn’t manage everything on our list, or chose not to head to certain museums, we have still added the main ones to this guide so you can choose what you do or don’t want to see.

We’ll begin by bringing you the favourites from our trip and then the popular options. You’ll be surprised by how many of these are completely free, which will hopefully leave you a few pennies to try out some incredible authentic Polish food or buy a Krakow dragon teddy; yes we’ll admit it we bought one.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp

For most people travelling to Krakow, one of the places they want to visit is the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp. Whether you’re purely fascinated by history, you wish to pay your respects or both. We chose to visit the site to gain a deeper understanding as to the atrocities that occurred during World War Two by the Nazis, on the Jewish population. Although we have read many books and watched countless documentaries, actually visiting the site and learning first hand gives it a deeper meaning.

What surprised us initially as we began our research is that the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum is over an hours’ drive from Krakow. So, once you factor in the drive there and back, plus the museum itself, you’re going to take up a large chunk of a day.

Because this is such an important thing to see in the area, we wanted to provide you with as much information as possible. We have written a specific ‘Guide to Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau – What to Expect and Helpful Tips’ which covers a brief history, how to book your tickets, what happens on the day and any tips we could provide.

One of the most important things we can advise is to book your tickets as soon as possible, because they will sell out fast. Also, even though you can take public transport, it’s so much easier booking an excursion through a company. They will pick you up and drive you to the museum, you’ll be taken around by a tour guide who has extensive knowledge about the site. You will then drive from Auschwitz to Birkenau, where again you will be guided through the area and finally driven back to your hotel in Krakow. This entire trip cost us £40 (April 2024) which we thought was incredibly cheap for the amount of time it took and everything that was included.

If this is something you want to do then make sure you read our guide, as it should cover any questions you may have.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Aside from the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp, the most popular tourist attraction in Krakow must be Wieliczka Salt Mine. As we have already mentioned we chose not to visit the mine, simply because of time restraints. We didn’t realise that alike Auschwitz, Wieliczka Salt Mine is a nearly 30-minute drive and as such would require a tour or public transport.

Trying to plan everything you want to do into a few days can be difficult and we had heard hit and miss reviews about the mines, so decided to leave them. It’s worth noting that they are one of Poland’s historic monuments and around 1.2 million people visit annually.

Wieliczka Salt Mine is an attraction where you will see dozens of statues and four chapels, which have been carved out of rock salt by the miners who worked there. Some of the older sculptures have been changed with newer carvings created by contemporary artists.

The mine itself was continuously used from the 13^th century to 1996 and was one of the world’s oldest salt mines. Because of flooding and the falling price of salt it was discontinued. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site with attractions including shafts and passageways which display historic salt mining technology. There’s also an underground lake, four chapels and many sculptures for you to enjoy.

Within the mine you can visit the Tourist Route and Museum Route, the first takes about an hour and a half to complete and is on the first three levels of the mine. This trail is popular with tourists because of the famous St. Kinga Chapel, as well as beautiful designs carved in salt and brine lakes. After the Tourist Route you then see the Museum Route which is famous for its collection of the horse mills, exhibition of salt crystals and monumental chambers such as Maria Teresa and Saurau Chamber. The museum is on level 3 and should only take about 50 minutes to enjoy.

As with Auschwitz-Birkenau, we would recommend booking a tour guide, so that you’re picked up and taken to the mine but also navigated in past the crowds. If you choose to make your own way via public transport, then check the opening hours online as they can vary depending on the day of the week and time of the year. Also, prices can vary so it’s best to check before you book on their website.

One of the other reasons we chose not to visit the mine, was because we had been told that there are lots of steps and one of us was recovering from an injury. From our research there is a wooden staircase which goes down 64 metres or 210 feet. Thankfully there is a lift (elevator) back to the surface, so you don’t have the painstaking walk back upwards.

Some reviewers mentioned that it can feel a little claustrophobic, but that it was worth it for the experience.

Stare Miasto – Krakow Old Town

After arriving in Krakow this was the first place we headed, mainly because it’s the tourist hotspot and the central location of Krakow old town. Although Stare Miasto isn’t exactly a thing to do, it is a thing to see and you’ll find a number of our bucket list items can be found within this area, especially around the market square.

Stare Miasto means old town in Polish and this historical district has been the centre of Poland’s political life since 1038, until it was relocated to Warsaw in 1596. Because of the beautiful architecture and historic significance, it was granted UNESCO World Heritage status in 1978, in fact it was one of the first few sites named. Within the area you will find Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic buildings.

Medieval Krakow was surrounded by defensive walls and towers, but sadly due to the city’s growth, most were removed. Of course, you will still find the beautiful St. Florians Gate nearby, which is a must see.

The Stare Miasto which you can see today is from the 13^th century and was created as a merchant’s town. Its central feature is the Rynek Główny, or Main Square, which is surrounded by many of Krakows historic landmarks such as St Marys Basilica, The Renaissance cloth hall known as Sukiennice and the Town Hall Tower, as well as numerous museums. Between this area is the Royal Road which was the coronation route used by the kings of Poland. It begins at St. Florians Gate and takes you down Floriańska Street and through the main square, up Grodzka to Wawel Castle which was the former seat of Polish royalty.

Surrounding the old town is Planty Park which is one of Krakow’s largest green spaces and divides Stare Miasto from the other districts. This would have been where the city walls and watch towers stood in the medieval times.

It’s not just the buildings which makes Stare Miasto a popular place for tourists, because the square itself and surrounding streets are packed with traditional Polish restaurants, quaint open-air cafes and lots of souvenir shops. In fact, the Sukiennice cloth hall has rows of market stalls selling the usual tourist bits.

We absolutely loved our time in Krakow’s Old Town, whether it was seeing the sights, simply wandering around, or sitting in one of the restaurants for a drink and bite to eat. During our visit there was a parade for the local football team Wisła Kraków, so the Rynek Główny square was full of football fans cheering and celebrating. Make sure you take some time to look at the many sculptures in the main square and old town, especially the Monument of Adam Mickiewicz and the Eyeless head or Eros Bendato which was created in 1999.

Just beware of the horse drawn carriages, we personally don’t promote anything like this, but they are popular with many tourists. The only problem is you may have to move out of the way as they trot around the square and head towards Wawel Castle. It did become a little irritating after a while, but that’s one of the things you accept in a heavy tourist spot.

Rynek Główny Square

We’ve pretty much covered the history and things you can see in Rynek Główny Square, through our section on Stare Miasto (above) which is Krakow’s Old Town. Although the old town itself is an important tourist spot, you will find that most people tend to congregate within the 10-acre main square, which is the largest in any of Europe’s medieval cities. This is why it’s such an important location when you are choosing accommodation, because essentially most of the attractions are within this area.

Rynek Główny Square is perfect for people watching, whether you’re wandering around looking through the market stall in the Sukiennice cloth hall or sitting in a nearby café with a coffee.

St. Florian’s Gate

If you Google Krakow you tend to see pictures of two things, the first being St Marys Basilica and the second St. Florian’s Gate. This isn’t technically an attraction, more of a thing to see when you’re there. We love adding items like this to our list because they’re free and quick to do, but also you have the opportunity to learn about the city’s history as you wander around.

St. Florian’s Gate is a short walk from the main square and is a beautiful sight as you wander down the street. We were lucky that it was close to our apartment, so we got to see it every day. If you’re interested in a little history, then this Gothic tower was built in the 14^th century and is part of the fortifications which encircled the city. As well as protection, St. Florian’s Gate was also the main entry way to the old town area which was a thriving market square.

Eight gates were built originally, but as the city grew, the boundary wall ended up with 47 watch towers. St. Florian’s Gate is the only original gate, which was built in the Middle Ages, making its presence even more impactful. The others were removed throughout the 19^th century as a modern Krakow grew. Alongside St. Florian’s Gate there are connected city walls which remain, and two smaller towers. These have become a focal point for amateur artists who display their works for sale. It’s such a pretty place to wander around and you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time (if you ignore the McDonalds nearby).

St Mary’s Basilica

On our first night in Krakow we wandered up to Rynek Glowny, which is the main square in the old town of the city. As we walked closer, we spotted a beautiful church which turned out to be St Mary’s Basilica. This is one of the most important religious buildings in Krakow and is a must on your to do list. As with most churches and basilicas there was no charge to enter, but you can only get so far inside before you’re stopped by a barrier. We’re not sure if we went in the wrong entrance and that’s why we didn’t have to pay a cost to enter. Not being able to wander all the way into the basilica is disappointing because you can’t get closer to the altar area. But it does means that you have a clear view of everything, without anyone walking in front of you. Sadly, during our visit, the front of the building was covered in scaffolding, so we didn’t get the full impact we had hoped. Fingers crossed when you visit that will have been removed and you can enjoy St Mary’s Basilica at its finest. Due to the fact the Basilica can be found in the Stare Miasto area, it is included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978.

Before St Mary’s Basilica was built, there was a parish church in that spot from 1222, which is before Krakow was even established. It explains why the current building is angled the way that it is, facing towards the main market square. The basilica was built where the first church originally stood, with its Romanesque remains buried deep below the floor.

St Mary’s Basilica was built in the 14^th century and is a brick Gothic church, with two striking towers of different heights. The wooden altarpiece which was carved by Veit Stoss is famous for very good reason, it is simply beautiful. It is a late Gothic portrayal of St Mary and Jesus’s life, including scenes from Mary’s death and assumption. During the 15^th and 16^th centuries the church added the side chapels, and the main entrance porch was completed in the 18^th century.

The taller of the two towers is known as the guard or bugle tower, mainly because it was originally where a guard kept watch day and night. This was to look out for fires or to spot approaching enemies attempting to invade. Another of the guard’s duties was to play a bugle call on a trumpet, initially at dawn and dusk to indicate opening and closing the gates. But from the 16^th century it changed to every hour to indicate the time. The lower tower has five bells with the oldest dating back to the 15^th century.

On the southern section of the church, close to the entrance, there are iron rings called Kuny. If you were accused of things such as adultery, theft or drunkenness, then you would be chained to the rings; it would be fastened to the neck. As you can imagine this was a form of humiliation because people would be jeered at by anyone entering the church.

Of all the churches and basilicas we have visited, this is one of the more prominent in our mind. Mainly because there were more colours than you would expect in a basilica, including vibrant blues in the ceiling alongside gold. The vault imitates a star filled sky and the walls are adorned with paintings of heraldic themes, including images of angels playing instruments and the Virgin Mary.

St Mary’s Basilica is open Monday to Saturday from 11.30am to 6pm, and on Sundays 2pm to 6pm. During our research we saw that they accept donations of 15 PLN which is about £3, but we didn’t see anything when we visited. You can visit the taller tower during the summer season, with tickets costing 20 PLN.

We enjoyed this beautiful building, and it was an easy one to do when you first arrive in the area. It’s iconic Krakow, so really it’s a must on your to do list, and it only takes a few minutes.

Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

There are a few places that people visiting Krakow really want to see, the obvious one is Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum, and the other is Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory. Since the release of Steven Spielberg’s movie Schindler’s List in 1994, the story of the narcissistic German businessman turning good and protecting his Jewish workforce from persecution during World War Two, has made Oscar Schindler famous. Many head to the factory simply to pay homage, whereas most visit to learn about life under Nazi occupation.

So, we’ll start off by saying that we would advise you prebook your tickets before you go. This can be a pain because it means that you need to have an idea of what day and time you want to go there. Also, as we have already mentioned it gets incredibly busy, and you need to book a guided tour in your language. We paid about £20 each for our tickets and chose a guided tour in English. You can visit the museum unguided, but in all honesty, there is so much to see and read it can become overwhelming. Because of this we’d recommend that for your first visit you take a guided tour, they will distil all the information down and help you move through the museum easier.

The walk from our apartment near St. Florian’s Gate to the museum felt quite a distance and it’s not the easiest route. You may want to use public transport instead, or the hop on hop off bus options. Remember that this is an old factory, so when you arrive in the area it may not be exactly clear which building is the museum. There are pictures of the people who were saved by Oscar Schindler in the window sections, so keep an eye out and hopefully you will find it, or simply Google which is what we did. Opening times for the museum are Monday 10am to 2pm and Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 7pm, but just a note that it is closed the first Tuesday of every month. Also, entry is free on Mondays, but bear in mind that there are shorter opening hours on that day which means it will be busy.

When we entered the museum we showed our e-ticket and was told to wait until the next tour time. Obviously, you will need to decide if you want to take a guided tour or simply wander around on your own. There is plenty of information around the museum for those who choose the self-guided option. As we mentioned above, we felt it was easier having an expert. The only problem with this option is that it takes an hour and a half to fully navigate the museum and most of that time you are stood listening to the guide, which can get a little tiring. If we were to go back and do it again, we would probably just wander on our own, but it made sense to choose a tour the first time to fully grasp the importance of the factory to the Jewish workers.

Because this is a hugely popular attraction in Krakow, you are given a time slot to enter the museum, even if you have chosen not to have a tour guide. This helps manage the flow of visitors throughout the building. If you miss your time slot, then you may not be allowed to enter, so our advice would be to head there early to avoid disappointment.

Once you have purchased your tickets then you can either make your way up the flight of stairs, or use the lift provided. Someone will scan your ticket before you make your way up. For those of you waiting for a tour, then there are a few seats available on the ground floor entrance, but they fill up fast. When your tour guide arrives, you will follow the same process and have your ticket scanned and then head upstairs to the first room.

We’re not going to go through what you will see in the museum, because you’ll want to experience that for yourself and there are 45 rooms spread over three floors. It is quite an immersive exhibition which covers a large area, with the most poignant section being a recreation of what a ghetto would have looked like. You will see a huge collection of photographs, films and objects such as military equipment and uniforms. But it’s the recreations which makes this special, although it can feel a little claustrophobic and cramped. Also, for those with mobility issues you may find it difficult to get around, as the floors are uneven.

The museum covers the history of life under Nazi occupation and is designed to be followed sequentially, to make it an engaging experience for visitors. As you would imagine there is quite a bit about Oskar Schindler, his factory and the many Jewish workers he saved from the death camps. We had visited Auschwitz the day before we did the factory tour and found this made the latter more poignant. Although we thought we were quite knowledgeable, we learnt a lot during our tour, especially the impact on the people in Krakow. What this museum portrayed well was the sense of urgency that was felt by the citizens of Poland, and the speed in which their lives changed. This sense of chaos left us considering the real-life impact on people’s lives, which can sometimes be missed in movies and books.

The final room in the Oskar Schindler Factory Museum is the Hall of Choices, which is a tribute to Oskar Schindler and the people who were saved.

Aswell as the museum itself, there are a number of facilities within the entrance of the museum. This includes toilets, a cloakroom and lockers, a small café and gift shop. You can take small bags into the exhibition, but larger backpacks or luggage are not allowed inside because there is very little space.

As to whether you should visit the Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory Museum, will depend upon the time you have in Krakow. Seeing the entire museum can take some time, even if you choose to see it unguided. Because of the subject we wouldn’t recommend it for children, as the images can be distressing. If you have plenty of time then for us this attraction is a must, especially if you’re visiting Auschwitz during the same trip. The immersive museum brings to life the various aspects of World War Two and the plight of the Jewish people in Poland and more specifically Krakow.

Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral

Wawel Castle is only a 10-minute walk from the old town area of the city. It’s quite a prominent feature of Krakow as it stands atop Wawel hill and can be seen from pretty much everywhere. But it also has significant historic and cultural importance to both Krakow and Poland, which is why Wawel Royal Castle is a popular attraction to see for many visitors. The best part about this attraction is that even if you are short of time or money, then you can simply head up and walk around the grounds without paying to enter any of the buildings. This alone is a wonderful experience and provides great views of the city and river, as well as enjoying the spectacular castle structures. We will prewarn you that getting to the top of the hill is quite a hike, whether it’s steep slopes or lots of steps.

If you’re interested in some of the history of Wawel Royal Castle, the current castle was built in the 14^th century as a fortified residency. It was built on the orders of King Casimir III the Great, and additional buildings were added over the centuries, creating the renaissance courtyard you can see today. As with many buildings throughout Europe you will see a mixture of architectural styles, including Medieval, Renaissance and Baroque. Wawel Castle and Cathedral has such a historical significance to Poland, because this is where many Polish monarchs were crowned and buried. Some sections of the buildings have been traced back as far as 970 CE.

Visiting the castle is not only the opportunity to see where many kings and queens of Poland lived, but it’s also a combination of various museums. This includes paintings, tapestry, arms and armoury, ceramics and an array of other collections. Each building offers a specialised museum, which is why there is a separate ticketing option for the various areas. It’s also important to note that the Cathedral is completely independent to the castle and as such you would have to queue and buy separate tickets.

As with many other museums in Krakow, the castle has free admission to a select number of exhibitions on Mondays. You will still be required to get tickets, and they can be accessed between 10am and 4pm. The available areas include Castle II, Wawel Recovered and the Royal Gardens.

During the rest of the week Wawel Royal Castle is open between 9am and 5pm. In all honesty we found the whole thing highly complicated, because when you arrive you will see a list of different exhibits, each with their own price. Next to that is the number of tickets left for each exhibit, and you will find there are fewer available for the main castle areas, so they sell out fast. There is a ‘Wawel for Enthusiasts’, which is a combined ticket offering access to all the exhibits in the Royal Castle. We ended up choosing this option because we hadn’t researched enough about each exhibit. But in all honesty, we’d only recommend this if you’re really interested in the history of Polish royalty and seeing an extensive range of various collections. It will take up a huge chunk of time and we felt like we rushed through a lot, without really appreciating each area. You will be given audio guides, and they will work in the usual way, i.e. you input a number, and you are given information and history about that section. But it felt like each bit went on forever and they could have been easily summarised. Because of this you will end up skipping sections or listening to it all and getting tired and a little overwhelmed with information.

It sounds like we didn’t enjoy it, but we really did, we just didn’t have the time to appreciate this big museum or expect it to be such a long attraction. To help you decide which tickets you would prefer, we’ll bring you a summary on each section of the castle.

We won’t add in the prices for each section of the castle, because obviously that will change over time. Our advice is to read the summary below, head to the price section of their website and then work out if it’s better for you to purchase individual tickets or the ‘Wawel for Enthusiasts’ combo option.

• Castle – This ticket is a combination of the Castle I and Castle II tickets and allows you into the first and second floors of the castle.
• Castle I – This ticket covers the first floor of the castle which has the Royal Private Apartments, The Porcelain Cabinet and Wawel Recovered.
  • Royal Private Apartments – The first floor of the castle held the private apartments for the king and queen, but also rooms for any royal attendants. Walking through the various rooms gives you a look into how the Polish rulers of the past lived.
  • The Porcelain Cabinet – Displays crafted porcelain works from the factory in Meissen which was founded by King Augustus II. But it also presents a range of items from the 18^th
  • Wawel Recovered – This newer exhibition focuses on how Wawel Castle came to be. From the loss of Poland’s independence in 1795, through to the castle’s restoration.
• Castle II – This ticket covers the third floor of the castle, which is the State Rooms and halls. But also, an exhibition which shows a beautiful collection of Turkish tents.
  • State Rooms – The main exhibition of the castle’s interior includes apartments on the second floor which were intended for state functions. Sessions of the sejm and senate, royal audiences, and wedding receptions and balls were held in these grand rooms. You will see a myriad of decorations from over the centuries including 18^th century tapestries, 16^th century Italian furniture and portraits of Polish Kings.
  • Ottoman Tukish Tents – Within a section of the castle there is a huge collection of oriental art which consists of Turkish tents and banners, textiles, armour and East Asian ceramics.
• Castle Underground – This exhibition is located in the basement of the castle, and it includes Wawel Underground: The Lapidarium and The Lost Wawel.
  • The Lost Wawel – This exhibition delves into the archaeological-architectural excavations that occurred within the site. It includes scale models of the buildings and a large collection of Renaissance Tiles.
  • The Lapidarium – This collection of early modern architectural details and stone sculptures were discovered during archaeological excavations and preserved from the 19th century to the present day.
• Crown Treasury – This large exhibition covers a big section of the castle and is focused on artifacts from the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Poland and later of the Polish Lithuanian Commonwealth. Since the 14^th century the crown jewels and other important artifacts were kept in the treasury, which you can explore. The collection is vast including crown, orbs, swords, jewels, diplomatic gifts and artwork.
• Wawel Town and Viewing Platform – You can enjoy beautiful views of Krakow including the Vistula River and The Sandomierska Tower. This observation tower is 101 steps high, so not as tall as others but still a hike, and the deck can be found on the roof.
• Royal Gardens – The gardens can be found around the back of the main portion of the castle buildings. They were designed to evoke a Renaissance style using plants, pathways and architecture synonymous of that period. There is an upper and lower terrace, plus a small vineyard, all with beautiful views of the city below. The space isn’t as big as we expected and the walk down is a bit of a slope, but it’s still a wonderful garden spot in the midst of a sprawling city.
• Dragons Den – This was one of our favourite things to do at Wawel Castle and begins at the top of the mount, not far from the main ticket office in Thieves Tower. You climb down a staircase into the cave which was formed nearly 12 million years ago. The cave is 270 meters long, but you will only have access to 81 meters. We will prewarn you that it is dark and cold down there, so be prepared. There are a number of chambers you will walk through, before you exit on the Vistula Boulevard below and this is where you will be confronted by the Wawel Dragon. This is a popular attraction in Krakow and can be seen without the need for a ticket. But it feels extra special to see the creation by Władysław Chromy in 1972, after you descend from darkness onto the waterfront. The Dragon will blow fire periodically which is a delight to see. If you decide not to visit the caves, then we would recommend at least heading to the river and seeing the dragon.
• Sandomierska Tower – The Sandomierska Tower is quite a prominent sight on the side of the castle. During wars it was used as a firing tower, but also a prison for people of higher social status. You can climb the 137 steps up the tower to enjoy the views over the city and river. There are a number of platforms as you make your way up, with exhibits about the tower. But if you’re anything like us, then you’ll rush to the top to enjoy the incredible sights that you can only expect from a city like Krakow.

What you choose to see when you’re at Wawel Royal Castle will completely depend on how long you have available and your level of interest. We loved Sandomierska Tower, Dragons Den, the Castle, Royal Gardens and the Crown Treasury. But it did take a lot of time and energy to make our way around each section and listen to the audio guide. To be honest we gave up with the audio guide after a while, unless there was something we saw which stood out. As we mentioned above the descriptions were quite long and got a little tedious after a while.

For those of you with only a couple of days in Krakow, then our advice is to walk up to the central area of the castle and wander around the free bits. It won’t take you too long and then you can head back down to see the dragon, before moving on to the next attraction.

You may have noticed that we haven’t mentioned the Cathedral, which is a must visit for many people. After we bought the tickets for the castle, we realised this didn’t include Wawel Cathedral and there was in fact another ticket office opposite the cathedrals entrance. Yes, this meant an additional cost and even more annoyingly another queue.

But it was worth it to see this nearly one thousand-year-old Cathedral, which was the coronation site of many Polish monarchs. The Wawel Cathedral you see today is the third edifice on that site, with its construction starting in the 14^th century. Its design has changed and even expanded over time, as such you can see examples of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Neoclassical and Neogothic elements on the façade and interior.

Upon entering the cathedral, you will see many signs indicating that picture and video taking is not allowed. We saw many people being ‘told off’ by members of staff, but to be fair if you hadn’t spotted the sign then you wouldn’t have known.

As well as the central nave of the cathedral, you will see many Gothic side chapels. The main door from the 14th century was clad in iron sheets and had the initial of King Casimir the Great emblazoned on it. There is a crypt below the cathedral which holds many royal tombs from over the centuries, but to access this you need a ticket which admits you to the Sigismund Tower and the Cathedral Museum. The crypt follows around like a maze underneath Wawel Cathedral and brings you back up outside, so make sure that is the last area you visit.

If you bought the ticket for Sigismund Tower then you can enjoy views of the castle and grounds, but also see the famous bell named after King Sigismund I the Old. It was cast in the 16^th century and at the time was the largest bell in Poland.

As to whether you visit the cathedral, again will depend upon the time you have and your preferences. We enjoy looking at religious buildings, but we will admit that the queues for the cathedral were quite long, even though we visited Krakow out of season. Add to this that by visiting the different sections of the castle and cathedral, the cost can really rack up. Although we enjoyed Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral, they wouldn’t make it to the top of our list (with exception of the Wawel Dragon). There are plenty of other attractions we would recommend to fill your time, but if you love history and royalty then there is plenty for you to see.

The Ghetto Heroes Square

As we wandered through the district of Kazimierz and then into Podgorze, we knew that we were walking through areas where significant moments of historic injustice had occurred. Our direction was to the Ghetto Heroes Square, which for anyone walking past could look like any other random paved square in Krakow. What may seem unusual are the 70 metal chairs which are dotted throughout the square, but they symbolise something which is important to the history of Krakow and its Jewish communities.

Ghetto Heroes Square was originally known as Zgody Square and as we mentioned above, it is found in Podgorze. This district was transformed into the Krakow Ghetto during the Nazi’s forced occupation in World War Two. But what makes this specific square so important, is that before the Jewish population were deported to the nearby Auschwitz and Plaszow concentration camps. The Nazi’s took them from the ghetto and gathered them in Zgody Square during their implementation of the Final Solution. Selections were made in the square and certain residents of the ghetto lost their lives, mainly due to being elderly, too young or sick.

You will find information and photographs on a board about the events which took place in the square. Whether it was the humiliation and suffering caused by the Nazi soldiers, or the fact that resident’s furniture and belongings were piled up and discarded. Zgody Square has a chequered history, because although so much turmoil happened in such a small area, it was also an important market area for many centuries including when it was a ghetto. Residents would meet and trade goods, as well as keeping each other informed.

With such historic importance it was decided in 2005 that a monument would be created in the square to commemorate the people of the Krakow Ghetto; especially those who lost their lives. The reasons why chairs were used as the memorial is because of a description of the events from the Polish pharmacist Tadeusz Pankiewicz, who ran a pharmacy in Krakow Ghetto. He said that “In Plac Zgody, an incalculable number of wardrobes, tables, sideboards and other furniture was rotting.” The chairs symbolised the items left behind in the square, as their owners embarked on a journey to a hell they couldn’t fully comprehend.

In the square there are 33 large chairs (each chair represents a thousand lives) and around the outside a further 37 smaller ones, which people can sit on and look in at the memorial. When we were there, we saw a number of locals sat having lunch and watching the world go by. It felt like the perfect place to find a moment of peace and contemplate how blessed we are in life. The larger chairs are arranged in a row facing the Pharmacy Under the Eagle, comparable to the way Jewish residents had to stand during rollcalls. Three face Lwowska Street where a fragment of the original ghetto wall has been preserved as a memorial.

You’ll see a line marked out on Ghetto Heroes Square, which symbolised where the ghetto wall could be found. Finally, there are two dates on the façade of the former bus station, which commemorate when the ghetto was established (1941) and then liquidated (1943).

Should you decide to go and see the Ghetto Heroes Square memorial, then we would recommend visiting the Pharmacy Under the Eagle. It’s connection to the Jewish ghetto and community is profound and you will learn so much about the impact this little pharmacy had on people’s lives. Sometimes we find that memorials struggle to convey the sheer horror of the holocaust, but this one left a lasting impression on us. Yes, you will see people simply walk by or children may sit on the chairs, but if you are aware of the significance then it will feel like a powerful reminder.

Pharmacy Under the Eagle

Located on the Ghetto Heroes Square Memorial is the museum known as Pharmacy Under the Eagle. This was the only available pharmacy in the Jewish ghetto during World War II, but it became much more to the people who relied on it. Whether it was hair dye to help older Jewish women look younger, sedatives to keep children quiet so they could be hidden or medicinal herbs for the sick. It was even used as a safe meeting point for the Jewish leaders. The decisions taken by the pharmacist Tadeusz Pankiewicz kept many Polish Jews alive and this museum powerfully tells their stories.

Pharmacy Under the Eagle survived the war and closed in 1967 but has since become an informative and poignant museum. We arrived at the ticket office which is next door to the actual museum and because it was a Wednesday entrance was free. Normal entry is about four pounds, and opening times are Wednesday to Sunday between 9am and 5pm. Once you have your ticket you will exit the office and head to the corner front door of the pharmacy, which is where the museum will begin.

Thankfully it wasn’t busy, because there are a number of small rooms, and we can imagine they fill up quickly in the peak seasons. The rooms are set up as they would have looked during World War II, with lots of information panels on medicines, their uses and the history of the ghetto. You will also discover more about Tadeusz Pankiewicz and his staff, who witnessed the persecution of the Jewish community between 1941 and 1943. Their bravery to help those who were suffering during a time when to do so could have meant life or death, it is truly inspiring.

Kazimierz the Former Jewish District

As you make your way to the many attractions connected to Jewish heritage, you will find yourself walking through a specific area of Krakow know as Kazimierz. It’s a twenty-five-minute walk from Rynek Glowny central square and before you walk over the Vistula River. Kazimierz was an independent city between the fourteenth and nineteenth centuries, with many Jewish communities settling there. During World War II all Jews were removed from their home and sent to the ghetto, which was created in Podgórze (found just over the Vistula River). As we know, most died in the ghetto or death camps, and Kazimirez looked abandoned. Over the years and with influences such as the release of the movie ‘Schindler’s List’, Kazimirez has become a popular area to live. Not only can you find the trendiest bars and restaurants, but also some of the best nightclubs in the city. There is also a Jewish culture growing again with festivals, lots of kosher restaurants and synagogues.

Kazimierz is ideal as a place to wander, especially if you’re staying within the old town area and heading towards Podgórze, for the many sites and attractions which are linked to the ghetto and Jewish persecution. There is a chilled vibe as you make your way through, whether its people sitting and relaxing in the many squares or meeting with friends in cafes and restaurants. We loved our time simply strolling but also popped into the Ethnographic Museum whilst we were there.

If you have the time to meander around Kazimierz we’d recommend enjoying the areas rich heritage, beautiful cobbled streets and impressive wall murals. Heading to Szeroka Street will help you see more of Jewish Krakow, with lots of restaurants and a 14^th century Synagogue which contains the Jewish Museum and the Galicia Jewish Museum. But there are Synagogues everywhere in that part of Krakow and surprisingly some catholic churches.

For most visitors to Krakow, you will only have a few days to see the city, so items like this can easily be missed over the bigger activities. But even if you spend a short time wandering through, then we are sure you’ll find it an enjoyable experience.

Be Happy Museum

Whenever our friends ask us what our favourite things are to do in Krakow, they’re always shocked when we mention the Be Happy Museum. We’ll begin by saying that although you will discover an immense amount of history during your trip, with some of it being deeply sad and difficult to hear. After a couple of days, you may feel as if you’re in information overload, so it helps to have items on your list which are fun.

We’ll admit that we’re not the most extroverted people, so something like this would normally have us in a sweat. But we loved our time at the Be Happy Museum, and the price is so good that it’s worth taking the time to create a few laughs and pictures with your travel buddies.

So, what is the Be Happy Museum? It’s basically a museum of illusions and items which can create the perfect pictures and selfies. Think of those cute Instagram pictures of ball pools, or fake flamingos and you’re pretty much there.

The best part is that it’s only a 7-minute walk from the main square, so it’s a quick detour from the other items on our list. The building is hard to miss because you will see lots of pink, which should give you an indication of what to expect inside. The Be Happy Museum is open every day from 10am to 7pm or 8pm, depending on the day. The cost of entrance for an adult is currently less than £13 (April 2024) and you can either buy tickets online or when you arrive. If you purchase tickets online then you will be sent an electronic ticket, which will be scanned when you arrive.

In general, the Be Happy Museum will last about 60 minutes, but this completely depends on you and how long you want to spend in there. The minute you walk in, you have an idea of what to expect, because there is a bench surrounded by huge, feathered wings. In the same area you’ll find a café, which although small offers some bright and colourful sweet treats, such as ice cream sundaes.

To begin the fun, you have to climb stairs to the next floor, and unfortunately there is no lift. Once there you’ll find room after room of items set up, to help you take amusing and comical pictures with your friends and family. Once you’ve finished on that floor, there is a whole other level to work through which is why it can take a bit of time.

We’re not going to tell you every room or item which is available, because it’s better seeing it for yourself. But there is a big range from large flamingos and unicorns, a pink boxing ring, an upside-down tea party and a type writing room fit for Taylor Swift. Then add in the ball and sponge pools which offer the perfect holiday vibe, even if they are an absolute pain to get back out of.

Some of our favourite pictures taken in Krakow are from the Be Happy Museum, and we really felt ourselves get into the swing of it; sometimes literally. As to whether you should go there, will depend on how much time you have in Krakow and whether you’re packing it full of other activities. The only problem we can foresee with this attraction is if it was busy, because it’s only a small building and you’d end up queuing to take pictures which isn’t exactly fun.

But, if at any point you feel like you need something fun to do, which is close to the old town then this is almost certainly for you.

Polonia Wax Museum

Before we arrived in Krakow, we hadn’t seen anything written about a wax museum. It was only because the entrance is close to our apartment, that we even knew it existed. As we’ve mentioned in this guide we booked our trip over two major public holidays in Poland, so most of the museums and attractions had closed for the day; all except the Polonia Wax Museum. Because we had the time and it was close by, we thought what the hell and went in.

Before we go into our experience we’ll bring you a few details about the wax museum. If you’re wondering if the Polonia Wax Museum is like Madame Tussauds, then you are kind of right, in the sense that it has lots of celebrity wax works.

Firstly, you’ll find it on the road between St. Florian’s Gate and Stare Miasto, with a huge sign on the front and a wax work of Mr Bean to make it really stand out. The museum is open daily from 10am to 10pm, making it an ideal option to head to once all the usual museums close. We paid around £10 each to enter which for fine for us, but once we give you our full opinion on this attraction then you’ll need to decide if it’s worth it. Again, we had no idea what to expect, but the wax work at the door should have given us an idea.

You can buy tickets online or at the door, but we’d recommend seeing how busy it is before buying a ticket. Hard to do, we know, but if you see people queuing around the front, then leave it for another time. Polonia Wax Museum has a number of small rooms and some of them are upstairs and some downstairs. When we visited there were other people in some of the rooms, but we couldn’t imagine how packed it would feel on a busy day. You’re also there to take pictures with the celebrity wax works which is hard if there’s too many people.

So, let’s get to the crux of it, what did we think of the Polonia Wax Museum? We absolutely LOVED IT! But not for the reasons you’d imagine, in fact we think it’s probably one of the worst wax museums we have ever been to and that takes a lot, because we’ve seen the Museo de Cera in Barcelona. The wax works in general look like deformed versions of the people they’re meant to portray. But because they are so awful, you’ll end up in hysterics, which can be a much-needed antidote after a long day of serious museums. If you are looking for quality entertainment then this definitely isn’t the one for you, but if you’re up for a laugh then we can highly recommend.

Once you have paid for your ticket, then you’ll walk down a red carpet to pose next to a large version of the Oscar statue. After that you will move from room to room, each one is themed whether it’s a type of celebrity or a specific movie. We saw royalty, movie actors and even characters such as Shrek, singers and famous academics. There were plenty to see it kind of felt like you had entered a never-ending maze of rooms, with no clear direction. But we managed to work it out and find our way around, even if we had to back track a few times. The most interesting part is in the basement where you’ll see some political figures from World War Two, we’re not going to lie we gasped a little whilst mentally working out if it was appropriate to display them at all. But you’ll probably find it as laughable as we did, especially because many of the wax works are a little worse for wear, let’s just say that Churchill was missing a few fingers, which would have made his victory sign impossible.

It’s not all wax works in the Polonia Wax Museum, because they also have a mirror maze which ends in a big, mirrored room with lots of lights. Did we enjoy it, yes! Did we bang our faces into the mirror, yes again! Our tip for making it through without a broken nose, is to look for smear marks on the glass and keep your hands out. Still, it was great fun and the perfect ending to what was already a fun time.

If you’re expecting high quality wax works and entertainment, then this place isn’t for you. But if you’re up for a laugh and want to enjoy some of the worst celebrity wax works ever seen, then make sure you head over.

Related Guide – Barcelona Travel Tips

Krakow Town Hall Tower

You’ll find the Gothic Town Hall Tower in Rynek Glowny square on the opposite side of the cloth hall from St Mary’s Basilica. The tower was originally part of the Krakow Town Hall, but it was demolished in 1820 as part of the city’s plans to open the main square. Interestingly the cellars of the tower once housed a city prison and medieval torture chamber.

It was built in the 14^th century from red brick and stone and stands at 70 meters with a lean of 55 centimetres, which was the result of a storm in 1703. As well as being one of the many focal points of the square, it is also an observation deck which you can visit. We chose not to go up the tower because of a previous injury, but there are 110 stone steps to the top floor. From there you can enjoy panoramic views of the old town, and more specifically Stare Miasto the market square.

Admission is currently (2024) 18 PLZ which is around £3.50, but it’s free on a Monday. Aswell as hiking to the top, there are exhibits and historical displays in different areas of the tower. This includes the middle deck where you will find an old clock mechanism which is controlled by radio waves.

The tower is open daily with times depending on the season and day of the week, but generally Tuesday to Sunday it is 10.30am to 6pm and on Mondays 10.30am to 2pm.

As we researched the Town Hall Tower for this guide, we saw many people comment that the steps up are difficult and uneven. But also, that the views are obstructed and make it difficult to see. We’ve done many staircases such as this, so it’s not unusual for the climb to be hard, especially when it’s narrow, and you have people crossing your path.

Whether you simply wander past the tower, or you take the time to climb and take in the views, this is a great item on your Krakow bucket list. You may as well because you’ll probably be visiting that main square for a myriad of other reasons.

Ethnographic Museum

The Ethnographic Museum can be found in the former Town Hall in the district of Kazimierz. When we arrived, we didn’t know what to expect, but this was probably one of our favourite museums during our visit to Krakow. It explores Polish folk culture with exhibits on traditional cottages, workshops and festive costumes. We were astounded as we read the stories of local Polish people, especially the difficulties of being educated and the life of working on a farm.

There are lots of artifacts throughout the three floors of the museum, with the bulk of them being on the second floor, they include tools, clothing and art. We loved immersing ourselves into the local culture through the information provided.

Entrance to the museum was incredibly cheap, in fact we think we paid about 3 pounds which for the length of time we spent there is amazing. They are open Tuesday to Saturday (with Tuesday being free entry), between 10am and 7pm. As we have said many times throughout this guide, if you’re short of time then this museum probably won’t be at the top of your list. But if you have some free time, or it’s raining, and you are looking for something inside then we can highly recommend the Ethnographic Museum.

Boat Sightseeing Tours on the Vistula River

Not far from the Wawel Dragon, you will find a number of booths which offer sightseeing tours down the Vistula River. We paid about eight pounds for half an hour, and it was nice to see the city from another perspective. In all honesty there wasn’t much to see along our route, but it was a great way to take a break from all the walking on a hot day and look at some new sections of the city.

Additional Attractions in Krakow

Above is the list of attractions in Krakow that we visited, but there are still others we didn’t make it to. To give you a comprehensive guide here are the attractions that you may wish to visit. During our time we sadly didn’t have the opportunity, but hopefully we will in the future.

• 2 Pomorska Street – 2 Pomorska Street was used as a gestapo prison by Nazi’s during World War II. This building is now a museum which explains its history and how prisoners were interrogated, tortured and locked up in the cells below. Many people died there, and you can see inscriptions over the walls of inmates who suffered at the hands of Naziism. They are open Wednesday to Sunday between 10am and 5pm, and from our recollection the entrance fee was incredibly low.
• Rynek Underground Museum – We sadly didn’t make it to the museum, because it ended up being a holiday in Poland and as such it was closed. Rynek Underground is normally open each day except Sundays and holidays, but the hours vary depending upon the day, so it’s best to check their website. The entrance to the museum is opposite St Mary’s Basilica by Stare Miasto. The museum focuses on the treasures which were discovered under the city of Krakow, but as well as displays with the artifacts, you can also witness archaeological sites with lasers, smoke machines, holograms and models. One of the exhibits includes a section on medieval burial practices, which shows how suspected vampires were buried.
• Walk up Kosciuszko Mound – Because it was a distance and we would need to take public transport, we didn’t make it to see the Kosciuszko Mound. But this is a homage to Polish National Hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko which was built in 1823. The large artificial mound is shaped like a cone and has a footpath which spirals towards the top. Once you reach the peak you can enjoy beautiful views of the river and city.
• Krakow Old Town Free Walking Tour with CityWalks – This is another option for those of you who have the time and are looking for an in-depth dive into the history of the Old Town area. At 11am (and 2.30pm during the summer) head to the front of St Mary’s Basilica on the main square and look for the plain blue City Walks Krakow umbrellas. The tour is free, takes 2.5 hours and covers the highlights of the famous sights in the Old Town of Krakow and Wawel Castle.
• Czartoryski Museum – Houses an exquisite collection of furniture, porcelain, crystal, tapestry, antiques.
• Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK) – Features paintings, sculptures, photographs and installation art by Polish and foreign contemporary artists.
• National Museum in Kraków – Features an extensive 20th century Polish art collection, including uniforms, armour and furniture.
• Jan Matejko House – Home to one of the greatest Polish painters, Jan Matejko.
• Archaeological Museum of Krakow – Features a collection of over 500,000 archaeological finds from the Palaeolithic period up to the modern era.
• Archdiocesan Museum – Housed in a building where John Paul II once lived, the Archdiocesan Museum has a collection of thirteenth to seventeenth century sacral art.

Our Krakow Top Tips

• Wearing comfortable shoes is a must – Although you could take public transport around the city, we would always recommend walking. Due to the fact that you’ll spend most of the day on your feet, you will find that they will ache. Especially when you spend your trip navigating cobbled and uneven paths, or a multitude of steps. This is why it’s important to wear comfortable shoes, so we always take our trusty trainers to get us through. There’s also a chance that they can get dirty, especially when you’re walking around areas such as Auschwitz-Birkenau which is essentially dirt paths. Travel is hard enough without your feet burning because you picked the wrong shoes.
• Think about the weather – We’ve mentioned this already, but preparing for weather in the place you’re visiting is essential to make it comfortable and enjoyable. Europe can be incredibly hot in the summer, but also have heavy rainfalls thrown in. This is why you should prepare for anything, and by that we mean wet proof gear, umbrella, sun hat and sunglasses. Once you’ve checked the weather apps, you’ll have a better idea of what to take with you. Just an extra tip from us, make sure you look at the temperature as well as the type of weather. Our time in Krakow had beautiful sunny weather, but the humidity was insanely high and made it uncomfortable as we walked around. Had we known we’d have taken extra items such as hats and maybe even a handheld fan.
• Work out your priority attraction wise – There is a lot to do in Krakow and some of it can take up huge chunks of your day, such as Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine where you need to travel out of the city. Most of us will only have booked a few days in the city, so it’s important to prioritise what you want to do. Bear in mind that some attractions may be closed earlier than others or shut on specific days (especially Mondays for museums), so make sure you do your research or keep our guide handy.
• Give yourself time to relax – City breaks mean one thing, lots of walking! But why not take a moment to stop and take in your surroundings, because Krakow is an absolutely beautiful place to be. We’re renowned for keeping ourselves busy as we travel, but because of the public holidays in Krakow we were forced to slow down, and we absolutely loved it. Take a stroll along the Vistula River or stop for a drink in the main market square and people watch with a cocktail. We promise you it won’t feel like wasted time, in fact it’s one of the lovely memories we have from our trip.
• Beware of bikes – Yep, you’re in Europe and that means one thing, lots of bikes. If you’re not used to it, you can get a little complacent which could lead to an accident. We nearly collided with a bike as we crossed a road in Amsterdam, purely because we didn’t realise how much they speed around. Bikes take priority in most cities, so as a pedestrian we just have to manoeuvre around them. In all honesty we didn’t find bikes to be as much of a problem in Krakow as we have in other countries in Europe. But it’s still worth noting, because the last thing you want to do is collide with someone and we had to watch our step a few times as we walked through the old town area.
• Book Auschwitz-Birkenau as soon as possible – This is an important tip and one we wish someone had told us sooner. The minute you’ve finished booking your flight and accommodation, your next thought should be booking Auschwitz-Birkenau. This tends to be the top item on most peoples ‘to do’ list when they are visiting Krakow and as such the museum will book up fast. For some reason we thought we could book our tickets once we arrived, but we were told by friends to do it much sooner. One of the top excursion providers was already booked up, but thankfully we found someone else. Now you can use public transport and find your own way there, but for sheer simplicity, we would recommend booking a tour guide and transfers. You’ll save a lot of time, and they will guide you through the day, which includes taking you from Auschwitz to Birkenau, as well as making sure you get back to your hotel. We were shocked at how cheap the cost was (a mere £40 each), especially when you consider that you’re being driven for over an hour to the site and back, but it also includes entrance with a tour guide. Whatever your reason for visiting this deeply sad place, just make sure you’re prepared for a long, emotional day.
• Dobry Kumpel Pub – It’s not often we specifically mention a bar or restaurant, but this one is such a great place to enjoy a drink, take in some history and listen to fabulous music. Thankfully it was a short walk from our apartment, so if you’re anywhere near St. Florians Gate then make sure you wander down. We say down because it’s a 700-year-old cellar bar, meaning it’s one of the oldest in Krakow. Not only is the look of the bar quirky, but there was a great atmosphere when we went. The bar tender was lovely and made us a special mocktail, which was delicious, and the prices were so good we stayed and had a few. The Dobry Kumpel Pub is known for having great entertainment on, so why not take in some live music and take the weight off your feet.

Should I Visit Krakow?

Our initial trip to Krakow was due to happen in 2020, but then the dreaded Covid arrived, and it felt like we’d never get there. Although we’re not sure what we expected, we did know the attractions we desperately wanted to see. So, after finding cheap flights in 2024, we immediately began planning our trip and discovered that Krakow has something for everyone. Most people though will head to the city for the immensely sad history, culture and incredible food.

Having visited Krakow for five days we can say with certainty that it wasn’t enough. We sadly visited when there were public holidays, which meant that a lot of attractions were closed. Thankfully we still got plenty done but feel that we have enough should we book another trip.

Krakow was one of the few places where upon returning we immediately wanted to go back. Because there are so many beautiful places in Europe we have yet to see, we tend not to return to a city we have already been. But Krakow wormed its way into our hearts with its old-world charm, and we’d love the opportunity to wander around the old town again and maybe even explore further afield.

This is a city which is ideal for everyone, whether you’re like us and love to sightsee, or you prefer a more laid-back approach. Because everything is cheaper in Krakow you can really push the boat out and book a hotel, you’d never normally be able to afford or buy yourself something as a treat.

Our advice is to strap on those comfy shoes and wander around the streets, because every turn of a corner brings another magical sight. Plus, there are so many places to eat and drink, you certainly won’t struggle to find something within your price range.

So should you visit Krakow, that’s a resounding yes! We’re eager to go back, even if it’s simply for the pierogi’s or obwarzanek Krakowski (a traditional Polish Bread).

If you do end up visiting Krakow, then make sure you tag us on Instagram, because we love to see what you’re up to as you tick off your bucket lists.