16 Best Things to Do in Kraków
(Ultimate Travel Guide)
Stepping into Kraków felt like stepping back in time, to when legends were reality and mythical creatures were roaming the streets. In this Polish city, you’ll find medieval architecture, a stunning historical centre and lots of things to explore. Here are the 16 things you can’t miss when visiting Krakow!
I didn’t quite know what to expect when I booked my trip to Krakow, a city I had heard about from my Polish friend but didn’t really know anything about. And yet, I felt drawn to it, a travel sixth sense if you will.
Whatever brought me there, I’m glad it did because I ended up absolutely loving Krakow. The medieval, cobblestoned streets, the delicious food, the amount of different things to do.
Krakow felt alive, yet at the same time I could also feel its history. Here are my top things to do when in Krakow, from the obvious to some more local tips and daytrips.
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Planning your trip?
How to get to Kraków:
You will likely either fly into Krakow Airport or come via train or bus (e.g. Flixbus – often the most affordable) from another nearby country or within Poland.
Flying into Kraków Airport (John Paul II International Airport)
There are two ways to get to the city centre using public transport:
- By train – A KML train takes you Kraków Główny (main station) in under 20 minutes. It runs every 30 minutes during the day and costs 20PLN ($5.50).
- By bus – alternative to train (no 300) and runs hourly through the night (no 902). It costs just 6PLN ($1.66) and takes 20ish minutes. It drops you off slightly outside the Old Town.
For both, there are ticket machines in the arrival hall or by the bus stop. For trains you can also buy tickets on the train itself or on their website.
By Train
If you’re coming by train, you are likely getting off at Kraków Główny, which is the main station. I found it pretty easy to navigate and Google Maps will tell you how to get to your accommodation from here. If you need to take a tram, there are ticket machines right by the tram lines.
The official website for trains within Poland is this one. If coming from another country, I’d recommend checking their local train website for tickets.
By Bus
Where to stay in Kraków?
Krakow centre is incredibly walkable and the Old Town is beautiful. I’d recommend staying within walking distance to it, you can use the Vistula River and Planty Park (which surrounds the Old Town) as guidelines.
Check out my full accommodation guide for Krakow here.
Best hostels and hotels in Krakow:
🛏️ MEININGER Kraków Centrum (great location, nice rooms, clean)
🏬K4 APARTHOTEL KRAKÓW (one of the highest reviewed hotels in the city, central)
🏩THE GATE GARDEN Hotel H15 Palace (right in Old Town, Spa and swimming pool)
Activities to check out:
Top things to do in Kraków
1. Watch the Wawel Dragon Statue breathe fire
The dragon statue just below Wawel castle by the bank of the Vistula river carries a famous Krakow legend with it:
It’s said that the Wawel dragon lived in the castle hill and terrorised residents, who were forced to give him cattle (some more gruesome stories also say virgins). No knight was able to defeat the dragon, until a shoemaker named Skuba came along. He outsmarted the dragon, stuffing a ram with sulphur and giving it to the dragon as bait, who started to burn from the inside. The dragon tried to quench the fire in the river below, but sulphur cannot be extinguished by water and the beast exploded.
The dragon statue now stands at the real entrance of a cave, which you can visit. The statue also breathes fire every 15 minutes, a pretty cool spectacle to witness!
2. Explore the extensive Wawel Royal Castle
When we visited the castle, we found out that parts of the castle are free each Monday, so we got to go to the treasury and some state rooms without paying. They were very impressive though, so would recommend whether it’s free or not (tickets start around 43PLN/10€).
The castle used to be the royal seat of Poland and heart of the country. It dates back to roughly the 11th century, with gradual expansions in the current trending style.
There are quite a few parts to the castle and different tickets. If you are shorter on time, I can recommend the treasury and state rooms.
3. Try some delicious Pierogies
Pierogies are the best food ever and you HAVE to try it while in Krakow. They are doughy pockets usually filled with potato and cheese or meat or Sauerkraut. Don’t fret about which ones to get, just get a bit of everything, trust me. I had great ones at Taste Poland and Restauracja Sukiennice.
Krakow has many other delicious things to try too, such as the donuts at Dobra Pączkarnia, Obwarzanek (bagel like rings topped with seeds), Borscht and zapiekanka (sort of a Polish pizza).
4. Check out Rynek Główny and all it has to offer
Rynek Główny is Krakow Old Town’s market square and a fascinating mix of restaurants, souvenir shops, sights, museums, clubs and more. At the centre stand the statue of Adam Mickiewicz, a famous Polish poet and freedom activist.
Some of the other things to explore here are the sculpture of a head called Eros Bendato, the beautiful St. Mary’s Basilica featuring the world’s largest Gothic altarpiece and last, but not least, the Rynek Underground Museum featuring ancient “vampire burials”.
5. Go souvenir shopping in the MNK Sukiennice
In the middle of the square stand a big open arcade and museum, where you’ll find a ton of souvenir shops. It’s literally like stepping into tourist heaven.
I personally found the shops inside a little repetitive and overpriced, whereas if you check out the outside of the building, you’ll find some smaller stores that sell a few more unique souvenirs. Either way, definitely worth a visit!
6. Join a local Walking Tour
A walking tour will always be my favourite way to explore a new city, and Krakow has A TON of history and culture to learn about. Check the available free walking tours here (remember to tip at the end), they are always local-led and amazing.
If you’re after a more private experience, the below might be more for you:
7. Bike to Zakrzówek Park
Zakrzówek Park & Reservoir is a beautiful park area that features a huge reservoir open for swimming, as well as a pool (also free and has lifeguards, though queues for that can be long). You can also go hiking here or rock-climbing.
A great way to explore the area is renting a bike in Krakow (check out this one for just 60PLN/13.70€) and cycling – it’s a short 15 minute ride.
8. Marvel at the beautiful St. Joseph's Church
The beautiful neo-gothic church can be found in the Podgórze district of Krakow, across the Vistula river. The 80m clock tower is decorated in meticulous detail and stands out through the colour contrast with the main building.
The park behind it is also super peaceful and full of wildlife, plus it has a really nice cafe.
9. Take a tour of the Kazimierz District
The Kazimierz area is the historic Jewish district of Krakow, dating back to the 14th century. All inhabitants were forced to flee during WW2 and many died in the Podgórze ghetto or concentration camps and it was abandoned.
After “Schindler’s List” was filmed here, people started returning and rebuilding the culture that was once here. It is now full of cafes, restaurants, local shops and more.
I’d highly recommend a tour to learn more about the rich history of this area:
10. Visit Auschwitz Birkenau
About an hour outside Krakow, you can find the remains of one of the most horrific concentration camps and extermination centers of WW2, Auschwitz-Birkenau. I think it’s an important educational visit, to learn about the gruesome history and ensure nothing like this ever happens again, but it isn’t an easy visit.
A tour is a good way to get there a little more easily and have a guide explain the history in more detail. I’d make sure to be mentally prepared for what is a very difficult place to see.
11. Enjoy the artworks at Czartoryski Museum
The Czartoryski collection, displayed in the museum across several buildings in Krakow, is one of the oldest and most extensive in Poland. It features famous artists (like da Vinci), Egyptian artefacts, memorabilia of the Czartoryski family and more.
The collection is closely linked to the history of Poland, was moved to Paris after the defeat of the the November Uprising, later moved back and had several items stolen (and most returned) during WW2. It’s a true showcase of resilience and 100% worth a visit.
12. Go on a daytrip to one of the Salt Mines
Krakow has 2 big salt mines nearby: the Wieliczka Salt Mine (more famous and touristy) and the Bochnia Salt Mine (a little further out).
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is the world’s longest active salt mine. It’s also a very interesting mix of business and art, featuring huge statues made of salt. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind experience.
The Bochnia Salt Mine is the oldest in Poland dating back to the 13th century and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Whichever one you visit, remember to bring layers as it can be chilly down there.
13. Learn about Schindler’s Enamel Factory at the Museum of Krakow
Oskar Schindler is one of the most famous protectors of Jews during WW2, credited with saving over 1,000 by having them work in his factory. He was an unlikely man to take on that role, a true opportunist, German spy and member of the Nazi party. During the German takeover of Krakow, he took over several Jewish businesses and used them for profit.
So, why is he now known for his rescues? Well, eventually he started employing Jews at his Krakow enamel factory and protecting them as much as he could, something he continued after he was forced to move the camp to Brünnlitz. It’s a long story and one well worth learning about, something the museum does well. It also features more information on life in Krakow during Nazi occupation.
I’d recommend booking early as tickets do sell out fairly early. There’s also some great guided tours available.
14. Join a day trip to Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains
If you’re after some fresh air, stunning mountain vistas and maybe even a thermal spa, this is the day trip for you.
The Tatra mountains are the only real alpine area in Poland reaching over 2000m, building a natural border to Slovakia. Zakopane is often called Poland’s winter adventure capital, due to the mountain proximity and variety of activities, though it’s also beautiful in summer!
15. Sample delicious Vodka at a tasting
There are many countries who claim Vodka was invented there, and Poland is one of them. That being said, they have a very strong claim to it and vodka is weaved into their history, especially around the World Wars.
I don’t want to spoil all the fun stories that you hear on a vodka taste tour, so this is your sign to do one when in Krakow. I honestly had the best time (at least of what I remember, we ended at an underground club I’m pretty sure), learned a ton about vodka and Polish history and met some lovely people!
We did this one, but I have also heard good things about this one.
16. Check out the Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec
About an hour outside Krakow by bus, you’ll find the oldest existing monastery in Poland, almost 1000 years old. There are still active monks living here, and they even brew their own beer which you can taste there.
It’s location on a cliff overlooking the river is beautiful and the monastery itself full of history that you can learn about. Entry is free, except for the museum which charges a modest price of 15 PLN/3.50€.
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How many days do you need in Krakow?
I’d recommend a minimum of 2-3 days in Krakow, more if you want to do several day trips (Auschwitz, Salt Mines, Tatra Mountains) or explore places like Wawel Castle better (it has several huge exhibitions – some are free on Mondays).
Is Kraków expensive or cheap?
Krakow is pretty affordable compared to many other European cities, with quite a few budget-friendly accommodation options (check my full guide on that here) and fairly cheap food.
That being said, I didn’t find it as crazy cheap as some social media blogs make it out to be. A good restaurant meal will still set you back around 20€ and hotels are well-priced but not insanely cheap, if that makes sense.
Hi, I'm Bell
I’m a solo traveller, writer and designer. I created my blog to share the many different ways to travel the world. Learn more about me here!
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Travel Off Script contains affiliate links to support the running of the blog. If you make a purchase through these links, I will earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you.
