Find your holiday
Krakow city breaks bring together grand architecture, a strong cultural scene and lively underground nightlife.
A city with two sides
Krakow shows two very different sides, and that’s part of its appeal. The Old Town has grand buildings, quiet courtyards and cheap places to eat. The Main Market Square is the standout – it’s the largest town square in Europe and a great spot to slow down with a coffee and watch the city go by. Beneath the surface, things feel very different. Cellars and basements under the Medieval streets have been transformed into clubs, live-music venues and relaxed bars.
Affordable short breaks
Krakow works well if you want a culture-packed city break without stretching your budget. There’s a strong arts scene, with regular exhibitions across galleries and museums, so there’s usually something new to see. Coffee shops are dotted everywhere, and eating out suits most budgets – from simple street food to proper restaurants. In the evening, you can head to the theatre, catch a live performance or finish the night with a drink in a traditional Polish vodka bar.
Stories from the past
If history is high on your list, Krakow gives you plenty to explore. The city’s museums and guided tours cover its wartime past in detail. A key stop is Ghetto Heroes Square in the Jewish Quarter, marked by 70 cast-iron and bronze chairs – each one represents 1,000 people and the belongings they were forced to take with them into the Ghetto. Many visitors also choose to travel to Auschwitz Concentration Camp while they’re here – it’s around an hour’s drive from the city and is a powerful, sobering experience.
Best time to visit
June, July and August are the most popular months to visit Krakow – temperatures usually sit in the low to mid-20s, which makes it ideal for sitting outside in the Main Market Square and enjoying long, sunny days. If you prefer fewer crowds and better off-peak prices, spring and autumn are good alternatives, though it’s worth packing a waterproof jacket, as rain is common. For atmosphere, November and December are hard to beat – the Christmas markets fill the Main Market Square and the city looks especially festive. Just be ready for cold weather, with temperatures dropping below zero.
Krakow highlights
WARTIME SITES
Visit Krakow’s museums and join guided tours to find out what life was like here during WWII, or take a daytrip to Auschwitz Concentration Camp to get a real glimpse into the past.
NIGHTS OUT
Evenings in Krakow’s underground bars and clubs are the best way to end a day of sightseeing – choose a centuries-old venue for an evening drink.
CULTURAL CAPITAL
Krakow has something for everyone – from music and theatre to art and history. Plus, the compact city centre makes it easy see all the main attractions.
BUDGET CITY BREAK
Compared to other European cities, Krakow’s super budget-friendly – food and drink are cheap, and there are loads of free things to do.
Your guide to Krakow
Must-visit places
Start with these timeless sights on your city break to Krakow…
Wawel Royal Castle – This is Krakow’s most famous landmark. Tour the Royal Chambers, climb the Sandomierska Tower and admire the Crown Treasury. Try to book in advance to avoid the queues.
Rynek Główny (Main Market Square) – The largest Medieval square in Europe, surrounded by historic townhouses and horse-drawn carriages.
St Mary’s Basilica – Home to the famous wooden altar sculpted by Veit Stoss. Listen for the trumpet call (hejnał) played from the tower every hour.
The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) – Historic trading hall filled with amber, crafts and art. Head upstairs to the 19th-century Polish Art Gallery.
Wawel Cathedral – The spiritual heart of Poland. Visit its royal tombs, Sigismund Bell and Baroque chapels.
Kazimierz – The former Jewish quarter, now a cultural hub filled with synagogues, street art and vintage cafés.
Historical sites
Visit one of these places to find out about Krakow’s historic past.
Barbican and defensive walls – Impressive 15th-century fortifications that once protected the Medieval gate into the Old Town.
Schindler’s Factory Museum – A moving WWII museum telling the story of Krakow under German occupation.
Collegium Maius – The oldest building of Jagiellonian University. Tour its historic halls and ancient astronomical instruments – famous astronomer, Copernicus, studied here.
Nowa Huta – A communist-era planned district. Take a guided tour and discover Cold-War bunkers and socialist-realist architecture.
Arts and culture
From Gothic masterpieces to independent galleries, Krakow has plenty of creativity to explore.
National Museum – Home to Da Vinci’s Lady with an Ermine and Poland’s most important art collections.
MOCAK – Krakow’s contemporary art museum, showcasing bold exhibitions in a former factory site near Schindler’s Factory.
Street art in Podgorze – Murals and creative spaces fill this riverside district – perfect for photography lovers and urban explorers.
Krakow Philharmonic and Opera Krakowska – Enjoy classical concerts or catch a performance in the city’s elegant opera house.
Film route – Visit famous shooting locations used in Schindler’s List and other Polish cinema classics.
Festivals and events
Krakow’s has a line-up of events for every season.
Wianki, June – Midsummer festival on the Vistula River, with live music and firework displays.
Jewish Culture Festival, July – Concerts, workshops and street parties in Kazimierz celebrating Jewish heritage.
Krakow Christmas Market, December – The Main Market Square transforms with twinkling wooden stalls, mulled wine and traditional ornaments.
Krakow Film Festival, May/June – One of Europe’s oldest film events, showcasing documentaries and short films.
All Souls’ Day, November – A beautiful tradition, honouring loved ones that have passed away with candlelit cemeteries and cultural events.
Live like a local
See what daily life looks like with Krakow’s cosy cafés, riverside walks and traditional treats.
Morning coffee in a cellar café – Try Café Camelot for a traditional coffee to start the day.
Pierogi and vodka in Kazimierz – In the evenings, locals get together for dumplings and flavoured vodkas in local bars.
Sunday stroll along the Vistula River – Rent a bike or walk the riverside paths lined with leafy trees and food trucks.
Food market at Stary Kleparz – One of the oldest markets in Krakow – perfect for trying local cheeses, honey and fresh fruit.
Wisła Krakow or Cracovia match – Catch one of the local teams’ matches and experience the city’s football rivalry.
Tram ride to Salwator – Hop on an old yellow tram and ride out to the peaceful Salwator district for beautiful views.
Daytrips
Take a daytrip out of the busy city to see salt mines, mountains and powerful history.
Wieliczka Salt Mine – Just 20 minutes by train, you can explore underground chapels and salt-carved sculptures in this UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial – A powerful and moving site that’s essential for understanding Polish and European history. About an hour and a half by bus from Krakow.
Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains – Around two hours by bus. It’s perfect for hiking, wooden architecture, and taking in the mountain views.
Ojców National Park – Limestone cliffs, caves and Medieval castles make this place a great nature escape, just a 30-minute car ride away.
Wadowice – The birthplace of Pope John Paul II and home to the famous cream cake, ‘kremówka’ – about one hour away by train.
Local dishes
Krakow’s cuisine is hearty and full of flavour.
Pierogi – Classic filled dumplings. Try ruskie (cheese and potato) or a meat version. They’re boiled or pan-fried and served with sour cream.
Zurek – A sour rye soup served in a bread bowl, often with sausage and egg inside – a super warming Polish speciality.
Obwarzanek Krakowski – A chewy, twisted bread ring sold from street carts all over the city – it’s basically Krakow’s version of a pretzel.
Bigos – Traditional hunter’s stew made with cabbage, sauerkraut and slow-cooked meat. It’s rich, smoky and perfect in the colder months.
Kremowka – Pope John Paul II’s favourite cream cake – layers of delicate puff pastry with vanilla custard in between.
Local drinks
Enjoy a drink with the locals...
Żubrówka – Bison grass vodka with a mellow, herbal flavour. Usually enjoyed chilled and neat.
Nalewki – Traditional fruit or herbal liqueurs – popular flavours are cherry, quince or honey. It’s often homemade and served in restaurants.
Polish craft beer – Krakow’s craft beer scene is thriving. Try local breweries like Browar Trzech Kumpli or Pracownia Piwa.
Grzaniec – Polish mulled wine – grab a cup from a Christmas market and stroll around the Main Market Square.
Nightlife
Riverside cocktails, hidden cellar bars and underground clubs – Krakow has plenty of options for a night out.
Kazimierz – Packed with quirky bars, candlelit cafés and vintage speakeasies. Try Alchemia
for atmospheric drinks.
Old Town cellar bars – Head to the Medieval cellars beneath Rynek Główny and you’ll find cosy pubs and live-music venues like Piwnica pod Baranami.
Rooftop terraces – For the best views over the Old Town, try the rooftop at Hotel Rubinstein.
Podgórze district – This local area is filled with street-art, craft beer taprooms and relaxed wine bars.
Couple’s holidays
From cobbled lanes to candlelit cellar bars and riverside strolls – Krakow is ideal for a couple’s city break.
Evening walk around the Main Square – Watch the lights come on across Rynek Główny and listen to street musicians under the arcades.
Dinner in a Medieval cellar – Book a candlelit table in one of the Old Town’s brick-vaulted restaurants for a romantic meal.
Wawel Hill at sunset – Climb up for views of the Vistula River and the illuminated cathedral.
Family holidays
Castles, dragons and hands-on museums make Krakow popular with kids.
Legend of the Wawel Dragon – Follow the dragon trail and finish at the fire-breathing dragon statue by the river.
Rynek Underground Museum – An immersive, interactive museum beneath the Main Square, exploring Medieval Krakow.
Planty Park – The leafy ring surrounding the Old Town is perfect for a picnic or scooter ride.
Pierogi-making classes – Fun, delicious and ideal for children who love to get involved.
Group holidays
Krakow’s perfect for a group trip – with a busy social scene and great-value venues.
Vodka and food tours in Kazimierz – Try different flavours of vodka with classic Polish snacks on a guided group tour.
Escape rooms in the Old Town – Krakow has some of Europe’s best immersive escape rooms.
Riverboat cruise on the Vistula – Hire a private boat for sunset drinks with views of the castle.
Craft-beer crawl – Visit local breweries and taprooms across Podgórze and Kazimierz.
LGBTQ+ holidays
Krakow is welcoming, artsy and is becoming more inclusive.
Slay Space– A popular LGBTQ+ friendly spot for late-night dancing and socialising.
Equality March, June – A huge celebration of diversity, visibility and queer joy.
Kazimierz arts scene – Open-minded and creative, this neighbourhood is full of inclusive bars, cafés and cultural venues.
Daytrip to Zakopane – A scenic mountain escape and a great place for some relaxation after a night out in the city.
Solo holidays
Friendly, safe and easy to explore – Krakow’s a great city for solo trips.
Stay in the Old Town or Kazimierz – Central, walkable and full of solo-friendly cafés.
Join a walking tour – Free walking tours leave daily from the Main Square and are a great way to meet other travellers.
Coffee and people-watching – Grab a window seat at Café Camelot and watch the world go by.
Explore museums solo – Rynek Underground, Schindler’s Factory and MOCAK are ideal for moving at your own pace.
Popular shopping spots
From charming streets lined with boutique shops to modern shopping centres, Krakow has plenty of places to browse and buy.
Floriańska Street – Krakow’s main shopping hub. A mix of historic buildings home to the well-known high-street names, plus souvenir and independent shops.
Galeria Krakowska – Modern shopping area next to the main train station, with over 250 international brands and cafés.
Kazimierz boutiques – Independent stores and vintage shops are scattered around Józefa Street and Plac Nowy.
Bonarka City Center – A huge shopping complex, only a 15-minute taxi from the centre, where you’ll find fashion brands, a cinema and lots of restaurants.
Souvenirs and local finds
Take home a piece of Krakow with these traditional and much-loved favourites.
Amber jewellery – Poland’s famous for Baltic amber – look for certified pieces in shops around the Main Market Square.
Hand-painted ceramics – Traditional Polish pottery from Bolesławiec makes for one-of-a-kind gifts that are also practical.
Wooden toys and folk crafts – Find traditional carved toys and embroidered fabrics at stalls inside the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice).
Markets and fairs
If you want to keep your shopping budget friendly, then support small businesses at Krakow’s markets.
Stary Kleparz Market – One of the city’s oldest food markets, perfect for picking up fresh produce, cheese, flowers and seasonal specialities.
Plac Nowy flea market, Sundays – A weekend market in Kazimierz where you can hunt for antiques, vinyl and pre-loved pieces.
Christmas Market, November-December – Immerse yourself in the festive spirit in the Main Square – buy presents from the stalls or warm up with some mulled wine.
Walk
Krakow’s Old Town and Kazimierz are compact, flat and very walkable – make sure you pack some comfy shoes, so you stroll around all the sights.
Cycle
If you want to explore at a faster pace, choose a Wavelo bike – Krakow’s version of London’s Lime bikes – to get around the city.
Tram and bus
Trams are fast and efficient for getting between districts, and buses fill the gaps where trams don’t go.
Train
For daytrips to Wieliczka, Wadowice, Warsaw and Zakopane, take the train from Krakow Główny. There’s also a direct train to the airport from here.
Taxi and rideshares
Taxis are quite cheap and they’re useful for direct trips. Rideshare services like Uber and Bolt also operate in Krakow.
Why we love Krakow
Here are some top tips from our team
Expert recommendation
“The Wieliczka Salt Mines are a must-visit. The sparkling crystals, turquoise water and carved sculptures are like something from ‘The Lord of the Rings’. You’ll learn all about the Medieval mining days, plus how it was used as a concert venue in the Victorian era.” – Daisy Colley
Non-touristy activities
For a laidback snack in Kazimierz, head to Judah Food Market. There are loads of different stalls selling street food and plenty of seating. It’s an open-air space, but there are canopies that cover some of the seating area – great if it’s raining or you’d like some shade.
Free things to do
There are loads of free activities in Krakow – and the city’s compact centre means you don’t have to spend money on getting around, either. Walk through the Old Town and Planty Park, admire street art in Kazimierz and Podgórze, and visit churches like St. Mary’s or the Franciscan Basilica.
Krakow FAQs
Two or three full days is enough time for seeing Krakow’s main sights and exploring the city. Add an extra day if you want to include a daytrip to the Salt Mines or Auschwitz.
A great option is the direct train from the airport to Krakow Główny station, which takes about 20 minutes and costs around 17 PLN (£3.50). Otherwise, taxis take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and cost around 120-140 PLN (£23-£28).
Krakow is affordable compared to other popular cities in Europe. Excluding accommodation, around 250-400 PLN (£50-80) per day should cover your food, getting around and attraction tickets. Eating outside touristy areas like the Main Square or Kazimierz can make your money go further, too.
Krakow’s nightlife scene is varied – from jazz cellars and craft taprooms to cocktail bars, live music venues and underground clubs. Head to Kazimierz and the Old Town for the best spots.
Because of its sensitive content, the museum’s website says it’s not suitable for children under 14. For younger children, other historical activities like Rynek Underground or Nowa Huta tours are more appropriate.
Polish (Polski) is the official language, but English is widely spoken in hotels, museums and most restaurants in the Old Town and Kazimierz. In local markets and small neighbourhood cafés, English is less common. Locals appreciate it when visitors try a few Polish words, even a simple dziękuję (thank you) goes a long way.
Some useful Polish phrases:
Hello / good day – Cześć / Dzień dobry
Thank you – Dziękuję
Please – Proszę
Excuse me / sorry – Przepraszam
Do you speak English? – Czy mówi Pan or Pani po angielsku?
How much does this cost? – Ile to kosztuje?
Tipping is not mandatory, but it is appreciated. In restaurants, around 10% is typical for good service, or you can simply round up the bill. Taxi drivers, tour guides and hotel staff don’t expect tips, but will usually welcome something small.
Krakow locals tend to dress smartly, especially in the evening, while smart-casual works well – trousers, nice tops and comfortable shoes for the cobbled streets are ideal. If you’re planning on visiting any churches or religious sites, it’s respectful to cover your shoulders and knees, plus a scarf or wrap is handy to carry with you.
Yes, tap water in Krakow is safe to drink. Some locals still prefer bottled water, but refillable bottle stations and public drinking fountains are becoming more common, especially in parks and around the Old Town.
Poland uses the Polish złoty (PLN), however cards are widely accepted across Krakow, including Visa, Mastercard and contactless payments like Apple Pay and Google Pay. That said, small market stalls and older neighbourhood bars may only take cash, so it’s worth carrying a small amount of złoty with you.
There are plenty of ATMs (bankomaty) around the Old Town, train station and shopping areas, and they usually offer better rates than exchange offices. If an ATM offers to charge you in euros, it’s best to decline and choose to be charged in złoty instead. Letting your bank know you’re travelling before you go can also help avoid any card blocks.
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