Choose from 60 Fun Things to Do in Krakow
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New Square (Plac Nowy)
Lying at the heart of Jewish Krakow and today the gritty, edgy focus of the city’s subversive underground scene, Plac Nowy in Kazimierz is re-emerging from its Communist-era slump. It is a rather bleak square surrounded by once-handsome townhouses and was incorporated into the Jewish quarter in the late 17th century as its main market place; the landmark Okrąglak (Rotunda) was built around 1900 in the center of the square and it served as a kosher slaughterhouse right up until to the Nazi occupation of Krakow in 1939.
Today, the Plac Nowy is jumping with life once more; the daily food market morphs into a sprawling flea market at the weekends, when a young crowd pours in to snap up antiques, pre-loved clothes, Soviet memorabilia and Jewish ephemera. Butchers still operate in the Rotunda and they run a series of takeaway food hatches through which the Cracovian street food of choice, zapiekanki (baguette-shaped pizzas with a choice of toppings) are sold until the wee hours. Around the square is a burgeoning club-and-bar scene, which also stays open and buzzing until late. The Galicia Jewish Museum and several historic synagogues are close by and can be visited on sign posted walking tours of the district.
Practical Info
Plac Nowy, Kazmierz, Krakow. Admission free, open 24/7. Trams 6, 8, 10 or 13 from the Old Town or a 20-minute walk.
Address: Plac Nowy, Kazmierz, Krakow, Malopolska 33-332, Poland
From $ 116
Oskar Schindler's Factory
A wealthy German and member of the Nazi Party, Oskar Schindler bought an enamel factory in Krakow following the German invasion of Poland during World War II. By insisting that his Jewish employees were vital to the workforce and often advocating for them, he saved more than 1,000 people from death. Today, Schindler's Factory, part of the City of Krakow Historical Museum, houses a highly emotive, interactive, and visually stunning permanent exhibition on the Nazi occupation of Krakow.
The Basics
Within the Schindler Factory, a series of exhibits tell the story of the Nazi occupation of Krakow from 1938 to 1944. Plan to spend up to two hours going through the exhibits. You can visit the Schindler Factory independently or stop by as part of a Krakow walking tour, a film sites walking tour, or a Jewish heritage tour. To see more, book a combo package that includes a guided tour to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum and a two-day museum pass that offers admission to the Schindler Factory.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Admission is free on Mondays, but entry and hours are limited.
- It's best to book tickets in advance online, as same-day tickets may not be available.
- Note that the Schindler Factory closes early on the first Monday of the month.
- The last tickets are sold an hour and a half before closing time.
- English explanations are available throughout the museum.
How to Get to Oskar Schindler's Factory
The Schindler Factory is located on Lipowa Street, several miles southeast of Krakow's Old Town. If you are not visiting on a tour, public transport is available by bus or tram. Take the bus to the Krakowska Akademia stop on Herlinga Grudzinskiego street, or take tram 7, 13, or 24 to Ghetto Heroes Square (Plac Bohaterow Getta).
When to Get There
The Schindler Factory is open throughout the year, with extended hours from April 1 to Oct. 31. It is busiest on weekends and holidays.
Krakow's Jewish Heritage and Schindler's List
To learn more about Krakow's Jewish heritage and the significance of Oskar Schindler's actions during World War II, visit the Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz) and view the 33 memorial chairs in Ghetto Heroes Square, which symbolize the tragedy of the Holocaust. Also check out the Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery, the oldest in the city, and stroll along Szeroka Street, the heart of the Kazimierz, to see remnants of the old ghetto wall. Finally, follow in the Schindler's footsteps and visit several real-life filming locations used for Schindler's List, the 1993 Steven Spielberg film that immortalized him.
Address: 4 Lipowa Street, Krakow 30-702, Poland
Admission: Varies
From $ 9
Pieniny National Park
Visitors come to the park for its mountains and massifs - the most famous peak being Tri koruny (Three Crowns), standing high at 982 meters above sea level. It is possible to climb to its summit and take in the view from an observation deck, but the most popular way to admire the scenery of the Pieniny National Park is to navigate through the picturesque limestone ravine known as the Dunajec River Gorge. This is one of the most scenic canyons in Europe, with cliffs often as high as 300 meters. The rafting trips, which have been organized in the park since the first half of the 19th century, last two to three hours. Hikers and cyclists will also find interesting trails, totaling 34 kilometers. The fauna and flora is to be seen - around 6500 animal species have been proven to live in the Pieniny, but it is believed that up to 15,000 species actually live in it, along with the hundreds of plant species who thrive in the park thanks to its waterways, including 640 kinds of mushrooms. Even though Pieniński Park Narodowy is small in size at 23.46 km2, making it the smallest in Poland, it is the most visited national park in the country.
Practical Info
Pieniny National Park is located in the heart of the Pieniny Mountains in the southernmost part of Poland, on the border with Slovakia. It can be reached by car from Krakow in two hours via routes A4, E77, and DK47. Entry to the park is free, however, some areas and attractions do carry an entrance fee, notably: the Czorsztyn Castle is 5 złoty, observatory at the Three Crowns and Sokolica peaks are both 5 złoty, and the water trail is 4 złoty. Visitors should also factor in the price of the excursion, which varies depending on the destination.
Address: Jagiellońska 107B, Kroscienko n/Dunajcem 34-450, Poland
From $ 104
Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK)
Housed in two light-filled, concrete-and-glass galleries in Podgórze, an up-and-coming district south of the Old Town, Krakow’s first dedicated modern-art gallery opened in spring 2011. Designed by Italian architect Claudio Nardi, the Museum of Contemporary Art (Muzeum Sztuki Współczesnej w Krakowie) stands on land formerly occupied by Oskar Schindler’s enamel factory, which was immortalized in Steven Spielberg’s movie Schindler’s List.
MOCAK’s permanent collection holds contemporary sculpture, installations, photographs and paintings from the cream of Polish and European artists including Kristof Kinter, Tymek Borowski, Krzysztof Wodiczko and Robert Kusmirowski, all exhibited in minimalist white space. The collection is still growing, with the new interactive installation Live Factory 2, based on Andy Warhol’s studio-cum-factory in New York. A constantly changing repertoire of temporary exhibitions concentrates on conceptual art from across the world and for contemporary-art devotees, MOCAK has a good selection of books in its store and a well-stocked research library.
Located on the southern edge of the Jewish ghetto constructed in the 1940s, a visit to MOCAK can be combined with a side trip to the Oskar Schindler Factory next door, now a museum dedicated to the horrors of World War II.
Practical Info
Ulica Lipowa 4, Krakow. Open Tue–Sun 11am–7pm. Admission 10 PLN; aged over 70 1 PLN; seniors, students & school children 5 PLN; family ticket 20 PLN (admission free on Tue). Tram to Plac Bohaterow Getta.
Address: Rynek Główny 1, Krakow 30-702, Poland
Hours: Tue–Sun 11am–7pm
Admission: 10 PLN; Seniors: 1 PLN; Children: 5 PLN; Family ticket: 20 PLN (admission free on Tue)
From $ 4
Old Synagogue (Stara Synagoga)
Built during the fifteenth century blending German and Bohemian Gothic architectural styles, the Old Synagogue (Stara Synagoga) is the oldest surviving synagogue in Poland. The structure was rebuilt in 1570 by Italian architect Mateo Gucci, who added a Renaissance aesthetic, and was subsequently renovated several times throughout the early twentieth century. During World War II, Germans took over the building and used it as a warehouse, during which time the furnishings and the ceiling were destroyed.
Today, the reconstructed synagogue houses a Jewish history and culture museum; the collection includes Jewish ceremonial items, Ark curtains, Torah adornments and holiday costumes and craft items, as well as a permanent exhibit on family and private life.
Practical Info
An English audio guide with descriptions of some of the collection’s most fascinating objects is available at the ticket desk for an additional fee.
Address: 24 Szeroka Street, Krakow, Poland
Hours: Monday - 10am to 2pm; Tuesday to Sunday - 9am to 5pm
Admission: zł 10
From $ 3
Kazimierz (Jewish District)
Krakow’s Jewish Quarter—the Kazimierz—has been the heart of the city’s Jewish community since medieval times. Traces of its turbulent past remain, but today it’s reinvented itself as a thriving cultural hub, where historic synagogues and museums sit side by side with art galleries, cocktail bars, bold street art, and vintage boutiques.
The Basics
A sightseeing tour of Krakow isn’t complete without a visit to the former Jewish district, and the best way to explore Kazimierz is on foot. Learn more about Krakow’s Jewish history and visit filming locations from Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-winning Schindler's List on a guided walking tour, join a food tasting tour and sample the quarter’s famous street food, or explore by Segway, bike, or in a classic Trabant car.
For a more personalized experience, opt for a small-group or private tour, visit independently as part of a hop-on hop-off bus tour, or choose a tour that includes other attractions, such as Wawel Hill, Wieliczka Salt Mine, or Oskar Schindler’s Factory.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Tourist Information Center on Jozefa Street offers maps of Kazimierz and advice on exploring the area.
- Most of the main attractions of Kazimierz are wheelchair accessible, but some of the cobblestone lanes and squares might be tricky to navigate.
- If visiting during the cold winter months, dress appropriately with boots, hats, and gloves to help keep you warm.
How to Get There
Kazimierz is located within the Historic Centre of Krakow, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, on the north bank of the Vistula River, opposite the Podgórze neighborhood. It’s possible to walk from the Old Town (around a 15- to 20-minute walk), or else the closest tram stations are Miodowa and Stradom. The closest train station is Kraków Zabłocie on the south bank of the river.
When to Get There
Kazimierz is atmospheric both by day and night, and many visitors opt to return in the evening hours to experience the nightlife. The district is at its busiest during the peak summer season, but other popular times to visit are during the holidays, when it hosts one of Krakow’s most popular Christmas markets, or in June for the annual Jewish Culture Festival.
A Walking Tour of Kazimierz
The many historic landmarks, shops, and bars of Kazimierz are easily explored on foot, starting with a stroll down Szeroka Street, where you’ll find the Remuh Synagogue, the Remuh Jewish Cemetery, and the Old Synagogue. Nearby, pay a visit to the 19th-century Tempel Synagogue, the Galicia Museum, and New Square (Plac Nowy), which hosts a lively weekend market and is just a couple of blocks from the magnificent Corpus Christi Church.
Address: Krakow 31-055, Poland
Admission: Free
From $ 10
Photography History Museum
Welcome to Poland’s only photography museum! Although modest in size, the Photography History Museum will captivate shutterbugs of both amateur and professional levels, with its fascinating exhibitions that relate the development and evolution of the eight art. It features several compact rooms filled with ancient cameras (over 500, to be exact), various antique pieces of equipment, historical photographs of Krakow, and even an old darkroom. It also boasts an extensive collection of rare photographs, some dating as far back as the turn of the century. As the only one of its kind in the country, the museum is famous for housing temporary exhibits by famous photographers from around the world.
Practical Info
The Photography History Museum in Krakow is located at Józefitów 16 just northwest of the historical city center, reachable in a 10-minute walk from Rynek Glowny, or by tram via lines 4, 8, 13, 24, and 38. It is open from 11am to 6pm Wednesday through Friday and from 10am to 3:30pm on Saturday and Sunday. The site is closed on Monday and Tuesday. Last entrance is 30 minutes before closing. Admission is 8 złoty per adult and 5 złoty per child. Entry is free of charge on Sundays.
Address: Józefitów 16, Kraków, Poland
Hours: Wed-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun 10am-3:30pm
Admission: Adult 8 złoty, Child 5 złoty
From $ 29
Ojcow National Park
Located about 10 miles north of Krakow, Ojcow National Park may be the smallest of Poland's national parks, but it offers plenty to see and do. You'll find two river valleys, limestone cliffs, more than 400 caves and the ruins of two castles. The largest cave is the 1,000-foot-deep King Lokietek’s Cave, while the park's impressive rock formations include the Hercules Club, a limestone column standing more than 80 feet high. Ojcow is also very biodiverse, with more than 5,500 species of insects, birds and mammals living here.
Tourist routes marked as red, blue or yellow serve to guide visitors through the park. Highlights include the ruins of a Gothic castle at Ojcow and a Renaissance castle at Pieskowa Skala, as well as the Wladyslaw Szafer Natural Museum. The castle at Pieskowa Skala is also home to a branch of the National Art Collection.
To reach Ojcow National Park, you can catch a private Unibus from a lot on ulitsa Pawia in Krakow, across from Galeria Krakowska. King Lokietek’s Cave is generally open to visitors April through November, although opening hours vary by month. Pieskowa Skala Castle is open Tuesday through Sunday year-round, and the Wladyslaw Szafer Museum is open daily year-round, with shorter hours in the off-season. Admission is charged for each attraction.
Address: Ojców 9, Sułoszowa 32-045, Poland
Hours: Daily
Admission: Varies on activity
From $ 60
Krakow Old Town
The cobblestone Main Square (Rynek Główny) of Krakow Old Town is Central Europe’s largest and has been the center of the city’s social, religious and political life since the Middle Ages. Today it still serves as Krakow’s modern pulse, dominated by the splendid Renaissance arcades of the Sukiennce (Cloth Hall), the lop-sided St Mary Basilica and an endless supply of cafés and bars.
From the square, Krakow’s complex medieval alleyways peel off in all directions and work as the focus of most visits. The district contains Baroque churches by the handful, a gorgeous ensemble of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture, as well as about 25 museums covering subjects as diverse as Japanese manga, photography and stained glass. The standout historical collections are found in the many branches of the National Museum and in the Rynek Underground below the Cloth Hall.
The so-called “royal route” leaves the square down Grodzka and leads directly to the great architectural mish-mash of Wawel, perched on a rocky crag south of the square. Some of Poland’s most important buildings are assembled here, including the Renaissance castle, the flamboyant cathedral and the Crown Treasury, which houses the Polish crown jewels.
Practical Info
Krakow Old Town is 10 minutes from the Główny railway station on foot.
Address: Krakow, Poland
From $ 22
Katedra Wawelska (Wawel Cathedral)
Wawel Cathedral - or Katedra Wawelska - has witnessed most of the coronations, funerals and entombments of Poland's monarchs and strongmen over the centuries, and wandering around the grandiose funerary monuments and royal sarcophagi is like a fast-forward tour through Polish history. The cathedral is both an extraordinary artistic achievement and Poland's spiritual sanctuary. The building you see is the third church on this site, consecrated in 1364. The original cathedral was founded sometime after the turn of the first millennium by King Bolesław Chrobry and was replaced with a larger Romanesque construction around 1140. When it burned down in 1305, only the Crypt of St Leonard survived.
The present-day Katedra Wawelska is basically a Gothic structure but chapels in different styles were built around it later. Before you enter, note the massive iron door and, hanging on a chain to the left, huge prehistoric animal bones. They are believed to have magical powers; as long as they are here, the cathedral will remain too. Once inside, you'll get lost in a maze of sarcophagi, tombstones and altarpieces scattered throughout the nave, chancel and ambulatory. Among a score of chapels, a highlight is the Holy Cross Chapel (Kaplica Świętokrzyska) with its unique 15th-century Byzantine frescoes and the red marble sarcophagus (1492). The showpiece chapel, however, is the Sigismund Chapel (Kaplica Zygmuntowska) up the aisle and on the southern wall. It is often referred to as 'the most beautiful Renaissance chapel north of the Alps' and recognized by its gilded dome from the outside. Diagonally opposite is the Tomb of St Queen Hedwig (Sarkofag Św Królowej Jadwigi), a much beloved and humble 14th-century monarch whose unpretentious wooden coronation regalia are on display nearby. In the centre of the cathedral stands the flamboyant Baroque Shrine of St Stanislaus, the bishop of Kraków, who was canonized in 1253 and is now the patron saint of Poland.
Practical Info
The Katedra Wawelska is part of Wawel Castle on Wawel Hill. It is a short walk from the Old Town or you can catch tram number 10. Make sure you validate your ticket on the tram - plain clothes inspectors are vigilant in Krakow.
Address: Wawel 3, Krakow 31-001, Poland
Hours: Open daily. Museum closed Mondays.
From $ 6
Planty Park
Surrounding Krakow's Old Town, Planty Park stretches about 2.5 miles (4 km) and covers 52 acres. It was established in the early 19th century to take the place of the Old Town walls after they were destroyed. The park is really a chain of gardens designed in different styles, connected by walkways and lawns and topped off with a variety of fountains and sculptures.
Walking through Planty Park is like walking through Krakow’s history. You will pass a small segment of the old walls, as well as the 13th-century Gothic-style Florianska Gate and the Barbakan, a defensive fortress dating to 1499. Other notable landmarks include a Carmelite monastery that was once used as an Austrian prison, the 17th-century bishop’s palace from whose window Pope John Paul II once greeted the residents of Krakow and the Church of the Snowy Mother of God, built in 1635. More modern structures along the park are the art nouveau Palace of Art and the Bunkier Sztuki, a concrete exhibition hall that has been transformed into a museum and bar.
Practical Info
Allow an hour or two to walk around the entire park. Admission is free, and while you can enter anywhere, the most interesting route may be to start at the base of the historic Wawel Castle and go from there.
Address: Plantry, Kraków, Poland
Hours: Daily
From $ 17
Krakow Archaeology Museum
While not nearly as big as other archaeology museums in the world, that of Krakow’s has the particularity of being home to the world’s only Slavonic god to ever be unearthed – an 8-feet tall, 4-faced piece of stone. There are hundreds of other artifacts inside the museum, which offers fascinating information on the ancient people that once commanded Eastern Europe. The permanent collection consists of two exhibitions: one called Prehistory and the Early Middle Ages that focuses on the evolution of the Neanderthal cavemen to the early-medieval Poles, and another called Gods of Ancient Egypt displaying a mesmerizing collection of Egyptian antiquities. There is also a space reserved for temporary collections, which have gained quite a reputation throughout the years for being particularly interesting.
Additionally, the museum is housed in a 14th-century fortress with a fascinating history, having gone from being a lavish medieval palace to an Austrian prison later in the 19th century.
Practical Info
The Krakow Archaeology Museum is located at Senacka 3 within the historical center and very close to Krakow’s main market square, Rynek Glowny. It is therefore easily reachable by foot from anywhere within the city center. The museum is open from 11 AM to 4 PM on Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 9 AM to 3 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Admission is 6 złoty, except on Sundays, where entry to permanent exhibitions is free for everyone.
Address: Senacka 3, Krakow, Poland
Hours: Open from 11 AM to 4 PM on Sundays, from 9 AM to 6 PM on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and from 9 AM to 3 PM on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
Admission: 6 zloty; free on Sundays
From $ 3
Michalik's Cave (Jama Michalika)
Originally opened in 1895 by Jan Michalik, this cave (also known as Jama Michalik) is one of the most famous cafes in Poland. Referred to as a cave because of the lack of windows, it has looked very much the same for the last hundred years and is one of Krakow’s best examples of art nouveau décor. The eclectic interior is a result of Michalik’s policy prior to World War I to accept payment in kind from his customers, many of whom were artists who chose to pay with their art work. The café is also known as the birthplace of the Young Poland artistic movement and the Zielony Balonik (Green Balloon) cabaret, which became a model for other literary cabarets throughout Poland.
For decades a popular haunt of Polish artists, politicians and professors from the nearby Jagiellion University, Michalik’s Cave continues to be frequented by popular writers, artists and academics today. It is also quite popular with tourists, many of whom come in groups for dinner and a folklore show. In addition to serving traditional Polish cuisine, the café is known for its excellent selection of cakes, ice cream, and traditional Polish alcoholic drinks made from honey.
Practical Info
Michalik’s Cave is located at ulitsa Florianska 45 in Krakow’s Old Town and is open daily from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m.
Address: ulitsa Florianska 45, Krakow, Poland
Hours: Daily 9 a.m.-11 p.m.
From $ 29
Little Market Square (Maly Rynek)
Tucked away behind the flying buttresses of St Mary’s Basilica, the Maly Rynek is the baby brother of Krakow’s landmark Rynek Główny, just as beautiful but without the constant crowds. The oblong square is lined with townhouses painted in muted greens, yellows and reds, some with Baroque embellishments dating from the 17th century. The brick-red apse of the Church of St Barbara backs on to the piazza; with its origins in the early 14th century, it was Krakow’s Jesuit church for centuries and its interior has a mix of Gothic and Baroque architecture, several rare icons and an mournful sculpture depicting Christ in the Garden at Gethsemane.
In the Middle Ages a meat market took place in the Maly Rynek, and these days a thrumming weekend market offers up plenty of street entertainment and has all manner of stalls offering hand-painted eggs, amber jewelry and dolls in national costume as well as traditional sweets and the ever-present pierogis; in August the square plays host to the Pierogi Festival, when thousands flock to sample different takes on Poland’s favorite dish.
Practical Info
Maly Rynek, Krakow. Accessible 24/7 for no charge. Best reached on foot in the largely pedestrianized Old Town.
Address: Maly Rynek, Krakow, Małopolska, Poland 31-041, Poland
From $ 85
Pieskowa Skala Castle
One of only three castles in Poland that remain completely intact, the Renaissance Pieskowa Skała is on the Eagles’ Nest Trail, a scenic route that wends past medieval castles and watchtowers built as defense strongholds between Częstochowa and Krakow in Malopolska.
Located in Ojców National Park and surrounded by beautiful formal knot gardens, the castle is one of the best examples of Renaissance architecture in Poland. Although it was a defensive fortification of Casimir the Great in the 14th century, the castle acquired its present beautiful façade two hundred years later, when the two-story, balconied loggia, the onion-topped clock tower, a chapel and an arcaded courtyard were added. Nevertheless, from the rear, the castle still resembles the medieval fortress of its beginnings, standing proudly on its rocky outcrop with austere walls overlooking the Prądnik River Valley.
The castle now houses three small museums, one of Polish history and two of art, all of which allow visitors to gain a glimpse of the lavishly decorated interiors, including artwork on loan from Wawel Castle in Krakow. The Maczuga Herkulesa (Hercules’s Club) limestone pinnacle stands nearby in Ojców National Park.
Practical Info
The Pieskowa Skala Castle is open Tuesday through Thursday from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m., on Fridays from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m., and on the weekends from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. Admission to all three museums costs18PLN, while concessions cost 11PLN and parking at the castle costs 6.50PLN.
Address: Ojcow National Park, Krakow 32-045, Poland
Admission: 18PLN
From $ 60
Nowa Huta
Communist repression came to Poland in 1945 after the end of World War II and lasted until the collapse of the Iron Curtain in 1989. During this time, the suburb of Nowa Huta was constructed six miles (10 kilometers) east of Krakow’s center.
Nowa Huta could not be more different from fairytale Krakow. Built as a piece of Communist propaganda to “house the people” in a garden city, it sprang up at an alarming speed during the late 1940s. At its peak, the area housed 100,000 residents among its wide boulevards, public parks and regimented apartment blocks all designed in the architectural style of the day, Socialist Realism. As with many idealistic plans, the Soviet dream town was never completed, and Nowa Huta became a hotbed of political rebellion during the Solidarity strikes of the early 1980s. Today it is one of Krakow’s biggest suburbs, the Orwellian home to 200,000 people, largely composed of rows of pre-fab apartment blocks (ironically added after the demise of Communism), a steel mill with vast entry gates and imposing office blocks flanking open piazzas.
Practical Info
Nowa Huta is located 20 minutes from central Krakow on trams 4 or 15 from Główny railway station.
Address: Krakow, Poland
From $ 10
Podgorze
Podgorze is a district of Krakow on the southern bank of the Vistula River and at the base of Lasota Hill. It was originally a separate city, but in 1915, as the Austro-Hungarian Empire was beginning to collapse, the town was combined with Krakow. The neighborhood was home to a large Jewish population, and thousands of its residents were sent to concentration camps during World War II. Several signs of the neighborhood's past can still be found here. One significant memorial is Plac Bohaterow Getta (Ghetto Heroes Square), a monument using large metal chairs that commemorates the heroes of the ghetto and the victims of the Holocaust. This is where many waited to board trains that took them to Auschwitz and Birkenau concentration camps.
There are several other memorials including Eagle Pharmacy and Plaszow Camp Memorial. Schindler's Factory, which is now a museum, is also located in this district. This is the factory the movie Schindler's List was based on. There are also several museums, galleries, parks and squares in this neighborhood.
Practical Info
Podgorze is easy to reach from the city center. Take tram 3, 8, 10 to the “Korona” stop, or take tram 9, 13, 19, 24, 50 to the ‘Plac Bohaterów Getta’ or “Powstańców Śląskich” stop.
Address: Krakow, Poland
From $ 10
Krupówki Street
Krupówki Street passes through the heart of Zakopane and ranks among the most famous streets in all of Poland. Stretching for a little over half a mile (1 kilometer), the walking street is lined with restaurants, hotels, bars and boutique shops selling sportswear and luxury fashions. No matter the season, Krupówki Street always bustles with activity; street performers entertain passing tourists while portrait artists draw caricatures. Horse-drawn carriages ferry passengers up and down the promenade.
Each summer, the street hosts the International Festival of Highland Folklore, one of Poland’s oldest and largest folk festivals.
Practical Info
Try to visit Krupówki Street during the day and in the evening, as the vibe will be completely different.
Address: Zakopane, Poland
From $ 44
Krakow Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny)
The gigantic town square of Rynek Glowny is the centrepiece of Krakow’s UNESCO-listed Old Town and the largest medieval square in Europe. Dominated by the Renaissance-style Cloth Hall and flanked by colorful neoclassical buildings, the square is both an architectural landmark and the main hub of local life.
The Basics
As the navigational center of the Old Town and home to many of Krakow’s historic monuments, the main square is seen on almost all city tours. A walking tour offers the best photo opportunities; an experienced tour guide will point out the architectural highlights and explain the many historical events that took place on Rynek Glowny.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Horse-and-carriage rides depart from Rynek Glowny during the summer and Christmas seasons.
- Krakow’s main tourist information office is located at the Cloth Hall.
- Museums on Rynek Glowny include the Historical Museum of Krakow, the Polonia Wax Museum, Rynek Underground Museum, and the Polish Art Gallery.
How to Get There
Rynek Glowny is located in the center of Krakow Old Town and is reachable on foot from several centrally located attractions, including Wawel Royal Castle and Planty Park. It’s about a 20-minute walk from Krakow’s central train station.
When to Get There
Rynek Glowny is buzzing with activity at all hours. Head there early in the morning for crowd-free photo opportunities or in the evening to grab a drink at one of the many bars and cafés lining the square. Although it’s busiest in July and August, the square is at its most atmospheric during the festive season, when it hosts a large Christmas market.
Historic Monuments of Rynek Glowny
Now home to a shopping arcade and an art gallery, the 16th-century Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) stands at the center of the square. Next to that, the Gothic-style Town Hall tower affords views over the Old Town; the magnificent St. Mary's Basilica, which dates back to the 14th century, stands at the eastern end of the square. Other architectural highlights include St. Adalbert Church, Krakow’s oldest church, and a number of notable sculptures including Igor Mitoraj’s Eros Bendato and monuments to the poet Adam Mickiewicz and the cabaret legend Piotr Skrzynecki.
Address: Rynek Glowny, Krakow 30-125, Poland
Admission: Free
From $ 9
Kosciuszko Mound (Kopiec Kosciuszki)
Built by the citizens of Krakow in 1823, the verdant Kosciuszko Mound is as revered as it is beautiful. One of four mounds in Krakow, it sits on top of Blessed Bronislawa Hill in honor of Polish national hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko. The hollow mound is modeled after the city’s prehistoric Krak and Wanda burial grounds and made from soil brought from towns all over Poland. Inside, are urns with soil from the battlefields where Kosciuszko fought. Visitors can follow a serpentine path to the top of the hill, where they will find a granite boulder inscribed with Kosciuszko’s name and spectacular views of the city and neighboring Tatra Mountains.
Next to the mound is a museum that displays artifacts relating to Kosciuszko, who fought in the American War of Independence and later inspired an uprising against foreign rule in Poland. Visitors may also be interested in the neo-Gothic Chapel of St. Bronislawa, which contains several objects related to Kosciuszko, as well as the surrounding fortifications which include additional historical exhibitions.
Practical Info
The Kosciuszko Mound is located in Krakow's Zwierzyniec District, and is open daily from 9:30am to dusk. To reach the site, take tram 1, 2, or 6 to the Salwator stop and catch bus 100 to the top. If you’d rather walk, it is about one mile (1.6 km) uphill from the tram stop. A taxi from Krakow’s Old Town costs about 30 PLN. A ticket to the Mound includes all of the adjacent attractions and exhibitions.
Address: Waszyngtona 1, Krakow, Poland
Hours: 9:30am–dusk daily
Admission: 12 PLN
From $ 4