Choose from 60 Fun Things to Do in Krakow
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Tatra Mountains Museum
Dr. Tytus Chalubinski was a Polish physician who first established Zakopane as a health resort during the nineteenth century. He was also a known admirer of the culture and folklore of the local people living in the Tatra Mountains. In 1888, a group of the doctor’s friends founded The Tatra Mountains Museum in his honor.
The collections at the Tatra Mountains Museum cover a range of topics, from natural history and ethnography to Tatra art from the early nineteenth century. The oldest items in the collection are the 400-plus taxidermy birds and mammals, as well as Tytus Chalubinski’s moss herbarium and a set of Tatra rocks. The collection has since expanded to include more than 70,000 items that showcase the natural and cultural history of the Tatra Mountains.
Practical Info
Pick up an informational sheet in English when you purchase your entrance ticket.
Address: Krupowki 10, Zakopane, Poland
Hours: Wed -Sat 9am to 5pm; Sun 9am to 3pm
Admission: 7,00 zl
From $ 44
Tatra Mountains
Spilling over Poland’s southern border into Slovakia, the Tatra Mountains are the highest part of the Carpathian range and make up Tatrzański Tatra National Park. Protected as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, this wild and mountainous region is rich with snow-topped peaks, alpine lakes, and sparkling waterfalls.
The Basics
Most visitors opt to explore the Tatras Mountains on a day trip, and tours run from Krakow in Poland or from Poprad in Slovakia. Popular destinations for a day tour include the resort town of Zakopane, where you can visit the Tatra Museum and ride the funicular to the top of Mt. Gubalówka; Morskie Oko Lake, where horse carriage rides are a fun activity; the mountain village of Zdiar in Slovakia, known for its traditional log cabins; and the ski resort of Kasprowy Wierch, reached by cable car. If you want to venture farther into the mountain landscapes, you’ll also find plenty of options for hiking in the High Tatras Mountains.
Things to Know Before You Go
- The Tatras Mountains are a must for avid hikers and outdoor adventurers.
- The weather in the mountains can change quickly, and it can get cold at high altitudes even in the summer months, so pack for all seasons.
- Unless you are an experienced hiker, it’s recommended to hike with a local guide.
- A 4WD is recommended for driving in the Tatras Mountains.
- Facilities for hikers are very limited, so take everything you need, including sunscreen, snacks, and plenty of water.
How to Get There
The most convenient entry point to the mountains on the Polish side is Zakopane, about a 2-hour drive south of Krakow. To reach Zakopane by public transportation, it’s a scenic 3.5-hour train ride or a less-scenic but quicker 2.5-hour bus ride from Krakow. To get around in the mountains, transportation is limited so it’s best to book a group or private tour.
When to Get There
May through September are the best months for hiking and visiting the lakes. While resorts like Zakopane can get busy in July and August, the vast mountains make it easy to escape the crowds. For winter visitors, the main ski season runs from December to early May.
Outdoor Activities in the Tatras Mountains
During the summer months, you can hike the Tatras’ 155-mile (250-kilometer) network of trails, ranging from challenging mountain summits to short scenic walks, or venture into the caves around the Koscieliska Valley. Other popular activities include mountain biking, horseback riding, rock climbing, and even paragliding. In winter, Kasprowy Wierch is the go-to destination for skiing and winter sports, with around 9 miles (15 kilometers) of runs.
Address: Poland
From $ 36
Wawel Royal Castle (Zamek Wawelski)
The political and cultural centre of Poland until the end of the 16th century, Wawel Royal Castle, also known as Zamek Wawelski is, like Wawel Cathedral, the very symbol of Poland's national identity. The original, rather small residence of the Zamek Wawelski was built in the early 11th century by King Bolesław Chrobry beside t he chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary (known as the Rotunda of SS Felix and Adauctus). King Kazimierz Wielki turned it into a formidable Gothic castle, but when it burned down in 1499, King Zygmunt Stary commissioned a new residence. Within 30 years a splendid Renaissance palace, designed by Italian architects, was in place. Despite further extensions and alterations, the 3-store Renaissance structure, complete with a courtyard arcaded on three sides, has been preserved to this day.
Repeatedly sacked and vandalized by the Swedish and Prussian armies, the castle was occupied after the Third Partition by the Austrians, who intended to make Wawel a citadel. Their plan included turning the castle into barracks, and the cathedral into a garrison church, moving the royal tombs elsewhere. They never got that far but they did turn the royal kitchen and coach house into a military hospital and razed two churches standing at the outer courtyard to make room for a parade ground. They also enveloped the whole hill with a new ring of massive brick walls, largely ruining the original Gothic fortifications. The castle was recovered by Poles after WWI and the restoration began immediately and continued up until the outbreak of WWII. The work was resumed after the war and has been able to recover a good deal of the castle's earlier external form and its interior decoration.
Practical Info
Wavel Royal Castle is on Wawel Hill, 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. The castle is now a museum containing 5 separate sections, each requiring a different ticket that is valid for a specific time. There's a limited daily quota of tickets for some parts, so arrive early if you want to see everything or phone ahead to reserve. You will need a ticket even on 'free' days (Mondays in summer).
Address: Wawel 5, Krakow 31-001, Poland
Hours: 6 am- 5 pm
From $ 6
St Mary's Basilica (Mariacki)
The lop-sided towers of the majestic St Mary’s Basilica dominate the northeast corner of Krakow’s lively central square, the Rynek Główny. A church has graced this spot since medieval times, but this incarnation was built of red-brick in Gothic style and consecrated in 1320 after the original was destroyed by invading Tartars in the 13th century. The northern tower was raised to 263 feet (80 meters) and became the city’s watchtower.
The interior is handsomely decorated with a star-spangled blue ceiling, heavy Gothic ornamentation and stained-glass windows that shaft sunlight into patterns in the floor. The showpiece is the magnificent carved altar, constructed with wood by the German craftsman Veit Stoss in 1489; it took him 12 long years to finish his creation, which measures 47 feet (13 meters) across and is carved with 200 biblical figures. The altar is opened daily at 11:50 a.m. to reveal gilded scenes from the life of the Virgin Mary.
St Mary’s Basilica is most famous for the much-loved bugle call that rings out across the city on the hour, every hour, played by a trumpeter standing at the top of the structure’s taller, northern tower.
Practical Info
St Mary’s Basilica is located at Plac Mariacki 5, and it is open Monday through Saturday from 11:30 a.m. until 6 p.m. and from 2 p.m. until 6 p.m. on Sundays. Admission costs 10PLN, and concessions cost 5PLN.
Address: Plac Mariacki 5, Krakow 31-042, Poland
Admission: 10PLN
From $ 3
Wolski Forest
The Wolski Forest (Las Wolski in Polish) is close to Krakòw city center but has thus far remained well off the tourist radar; it is a hilly, protected forest of beech and oak woodlands covering 422 hectares and hemmed by the River Vistula. A refuge for wildlife such as badgers, red deer and wild boar, in summer the forest is given over to cyclists, hikers and horseback riders and in winter it is riven with tracks for cross-country skiers. It has a number of manmade attractions, too. Kids will love the Przewalski horses and sleek wild cats of Kraków’s zoo and petting farm as well as the bizarre Piłsudski Mound, topped with a granite cross and dedicated to Poland's inter-war leader Józef Piłsudski in 1937.
The slightly sinister Camaldolese Monastery (Klasztor Kamedułów) sits moodily on Srebrna Góra (Silver Mountain); it was founded by Mikołaj Wolski (hence the name of the forest) in 1604 and is occupied by Camaldolite monks who shun contact with the world. Its Baroque secrets are revealed to male visitors on a daily basis but alas, women can only visit on 12 days per year (Easter weekend and Christmas Day included). Wolski Forest is also home to Przegorzały Castle, which today houses Poland’s Centre for Holocaust Studies as well as a romantic restaurant with fantastic views across the Vistula and sometimes even to the Tatra Mountains in the south.
Practical Info
Wolski Forest is eight km (five miles) west of Krakow and is not easily accessed by car. Instead take the regular bus service no. 134, which leaves about every 30 minutes from Stadion Cracovia and heads for the zoo at the center of the Wolski Forest. Here maps are available showing the direction and duration of the walking trails.
Address: Aleja Zubrowa, Krakow, Poland
From $ 38
Skalka Sanctuary
The Skalka Sanctuary and St Stanislaw's Church are a Roman Catholic Church and monastery on the banks of the Vistula River in Krakow. The original Romanesque church which stood on this site was the place of one of Poland's crucial historic events - the murder of Stanislav, bishop of Krakow by the king, Boleslav. There are differing reasons why this happened but regardless, the people were not happy and Stanislav was eventually made a saint by Pope Innocent IV in 1253 - he has been called the saint of moral order. He was the first n ative Polish saint and remains patron saint of Poland. His relics are now in Wawel Cathedral.
The current Gothic church which stands on the site dates from the 14th century, with a Baroque update from the mid-18th century. Beginning in the 19th century, the church became a place for burial for well-known artists and writers, including Nobel Prize winning poet Czeslaw Milosz. Each year on May 8th, the Bishop of Krakow carries the bones of St Stanislav from Wawel Cathedral to St Stanislav's church.
The church or sanctuary is a short walk down the Vistula River from Wawel Cathedral, in the Kazimierz district of Krakow. Begin at the base of Wawel Hill and walk south along the river bank, just past the Grundwald Bridge you'll see the Pauline Church of SS Michael & Stanislaus, also known as Skalka, It is still an active church.
Address: Ul Skaleczna 15, Krakow 31-065, Poland
Hours: Open Daily
Admission: Free
From $ 116
Polish Aviation Museum
Located in what used to be a regional airport, the Polish Aviation Museum is indeed dedicated to old aircrafts, engines, and aviation history. The military airfield on which the museum is located is one of the oldest in the world, having been established by the Austro-Hungarian Empire in 1912. It was soon used to train crews and repair aircrafts throughout the war; it became a major Polish Air Force Base until World War II, during which it was used by Germans to supply the Eastern front.
The rather large collection consists of over 200 aircraft, including several unique and extremely rare models from World War I, as well as a massive collection of archives and photographs; it, therefore, doesn’t come as a surprise to know that CNN deemed it the world’s eighth best aviation museum in the world.
Practical Info
The Polish Aviation Museum is located at Aleja Jana Pawła II 39 on the northern outskirts. It can be reached by car from the city center in 15 minutes (5 kilometers) via Mikołaja Kopernika Street, Mogilska Street, and Mariana Markowskiego Street. It is also possible to take the tram 52 from the main train station in central Krakow and alight at Muzeum Lotnictwa. The museum is closed on Mondays, but open from 9 AM to 5 PM every other day of the week. The ticket office closes 30 minutes prior to the museum’s closing time. Admission is 14 złoty for adults and 7 złoty for children and students. Admission is free for everyone on Tuesdays. Guided tours are available in both English and German for 65 zloty.
Address: Aleja Jana Pawła II 39, Krakow, Poland
Hours: The museum is closed on Mondays, but open from 9 AM to 5 PM every other day of the week.
Admission: 14 złoty for adults, 7 złoty for children & students. Free on Tuesdays.
From $ 5
Tyniec Benedictine Abbey
Perched in an awesome setting on a limestone crag above the River Vistula, Tyniec's Benedictine Abbey is the oldest of its kind still in operation in Poland. Founded by Benedictine monks in 1044, the abbey wasn’t necessarily built out of spiritualism; in fact, the monks were invited to Krakow in order to restore order and strengthen the position of the newly-found Kingdom of Poland, in the light of major turmoil with the Czechs. This partly explains why the abbey boasts such a defensive and austere allure, as well as its strategic location atop a limestone mountain overlooking the Vistula River. The configuration changed quite drastically over the years as the site underwent raids, cosmetic remodeling and invasions, and it even served as a fortress to rebel Poles during the 1768 War of the Bar Confederation against the Russian Empire.
Nowadays, the Baroque-style complex consists of the abbey itself, the twin-spired church of Saints Peter and Paul, a museum highlighting its turbulent history, tranquil cloisters and courtyards, a souvenir shop selling produce made by the monks—including beer and wine—and a simple restaurant. Visitors can only see the abbey by guided tour, but it's also possible to join the Benedictines for days of contemplation, attending prayer services and eating with the monks.
Practical Info
The Benedictine Abbey is located at Benedyktyńska 37 in Tyniec, roughly nine miles (15 km) southwest of Krakow. It can be reached by car in 25 minutes via route DW780, DK7 and Bolesława Śmiałego. The site can also be reached by public transit using bus #112 from the main train station. Guided tours run throughout the day. The abbey is open daily from 10am to 6pm, and admission costs 6 złoty per person.
Address: Benedyktyńska 37, Kraków 30-398, Poland
Hours: Open daily 10am-6pm
Admission: Adults: 6 PLN
From $ 38
Stained Glass Museum
Operating as Krakow’s homage to stained glass, the city's Stained Glass Museum combines art exhibits with a 1902 stained glass workshop, where visitors can learn about the centuries-old production process of creating stained glass, in addition to exploring the preserved workshop's various rooms, furnishings and equipment. Museum guides share interesting stories of the many pieces on display, one of which was forgotten for decades when it was hidden away in the basement for protection during World War II.
The churches of Krakow are renowned for their sparkling stained-glass windows, an art form that reached its peak in the Art Nouveau years at the start of the 20th century. At that time, many famous Polish stained-glass craftsmen—including Józef Mehoffer and Stanisław Wyspiański—created their swirling, colorful and patterned masterpieces at this workshop, opened by Polish artist SG Żeleński in 1902. In the exhibition space, travelers will find both historical and contemporary pieces, some of which are from the most renowned artists of the Polish Art Nouveau period.
Practical Info
The Stained Glass Museum is located at Aleja Krasińskiego 23 and open Tuesday to Saturday from noon to 6pm. Guided tours in English showcase today's artisans at work and are held at every hour. The museum is a short walk from Krakow’s Old Town.
Address: aleja Zygmunta Krasińskiego 23,, Krakow 31-111, Poland
Hours: Tues–Sat noon–6pm
From $ 10
Rynek Underground
Krakow’s long-awaited history museum finally opened in 2010 and is literally carved out beneath the Old Town’s lovely Rynek Główny, the largest — and arguably most beautiful — medieval square in Europe.
The Rynek Underground (Podziemia Rynku) lies 13.25 ft (4 m) below the square at the level of 10th-century Kraków and, against a backdrop of an excavated medieval marketplace, tunnels and an 11th-century cemetery, narrates the backstory of the city’s development from its early settlement 4,000 years ago right up to the death of Pope John-Paul II in 2005. As one of the most family-friendly museums in the city, this fun-filled march through the centuries is achieved with the help of a host of multilingual interactive displays, special effects, holograms, multimedia touchscreens, short documentaries and 4-D movies. Subjects addressed include trade and transport through the ages as well as vampire burials, and all the hi-tech is augmented with numerous collections of coins, scraps of textile and even a horse’s skull found during excavation of the site. Tickets are available for timed slots; book online at least a day in advance of a visit or go to the ticket office hidden away at the rear of the Sukiennce (Cloth Hall) the day before a visit.
Practical Info
Rynek Główny 1, Krakow. Open Apr–Oct Mon, Wed–Sun 10am- 10pm, Tue 10am–4pm; Nov–Mar Mon, Wed–Sun 10am–8pm, Tue 10am–4pm (closed first Mon of month). Admission adults 19 PLN; seniors & students 16 PLN; younger than 7 go free; family ticket 38 PLN (admission free on Tue). The Rynek Główny is in Krakow’s pedestrianized Old Town and best accessed on foot.
Address: Rynek Główny 1, Krakow 31-042, Poland
Hours: Open Apr–Oct Mon, Wed–Sun 10am–10pm, Tue 10am–4pm; Nov–Mar Mon, Wed–Sun 10am–8pm, Tue 10am–4pm (closed every first Mon of month)
Admission: Adults: 19 PLN; Children: Free; Family ticket: 38 PLN (admission free on Tues)
From $ 21
Sanctuary of Divine Mercy
The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is a church located on the outskirts of Krakow, Poland. The church was consecrated in 1891 and dedicated to St. Joseph. It was originally built as part of the convent of the Sisters of Our Lady of Mercy. This church is home to the tomb of St. Faustina, a nun who saw a vision of Jesus in 1931. It is said that when he appeared to her, he instructed her to commission an image of him along with the quote, “Jesus, I trust Thee.” This image, painted by Adolf Hyła, has spread in the form of copies and reproductions throughout the world.
St. Faustina rests in a white marble coffin below the original image of the Merciful Jesus along with other relics. It is a popular place for pilgrimages for Catholics from around the country and even from other parts of the world. Attached to the church is a tower that provides spectacular views of the city.
Practical Info
The Sanctuary of Divine Mercy is located at ul. Św. Siostry Faustyny 3 (Łagiewniki).
Address: Siostry Faustyny 3, Krakow, Poland
From $ 49
St Adalbert Church
This church is one of the oldest stone-built religious buildings in all of Poland, with some of the eldest relics dating back to the 10th century. In fact, it has been around for so long that its floor is actually situated roughly two meters under the current level of the square, which was covered with different layers of pavement throughout the centuries. The church underwent several renovations according to the style that was fashionable from one era to the next, but it has remained relatively untouched since it was revamped in Baroque style in the 1610s. In opposition to the grand and voluminous St. Mary’s Basilica on the other end of the square, St. Adalbert Church is actually quite small and confined.
According to the legend, the church was erected on the site where St. Adalbert preached a famous sermon before he left on a mission to bring Christianity to Prussia that would lead him to his untimely and martyr death – it was later on proven by records that this was not the case and that St. Adalbert was alive and well as the official priest of the church for the better part of his life.
Practical Info
St Adalbert Church is located on Mariacki Square, the southeastern tip of Rynek Glowny in central historic Krakow. Entry is free of charge, however, there is an admission fee of 65 złoty per person for concerts. There are concerts every odd-numbered days of the month at 6 PM. Visitors should note that this is still a place of worship for a lot of locals, and should behave respectfully in that aspect.
Address: plac Mariacki, Kraków 31-042, Poland
From $ 20
Wieliczka Salt Mine
An eerie world where everything has been carved from salt blocks, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is made up of a labyrinth of tunnels, the deepest of which lies 1,075 feet (327 meters) underground. The ancient UNESCO World Heritage site is a major part of Poland's salt mining history, one of the country's most popular attractions, and one of the world's oldest salt mines, having produced table salt from the 13th century until 2007.
The Basics
Three of the mine's nine levels are open to visitors. Explore these upper areas and see underground lakes, pits and chambers that have been made into detailed chapels, and an array of statues and monuments, all carved from salt. The mine's claim to fame is its ornate Chapel of St. Kinga, made entirely of salt—from the chandeliers to the altarpieces—over the course of 30 years. Wieliczka is a popular site for travelers to Krakow, often visited on a half-day trip with a tour guide or combined with a trip to the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
How to Get to Wieliczka Salt Mine
While the easiest way to arrive from Krakow is via a guided tour, buses to Wieliczka run from Krakow’s main post office every 10 minutes and drop passengers off at the bottom of the road leading up to the mine's entrance. Trains between Krakow and Wieliczka depart every 45 minutes—the Wieliczka train station is about one mile (1 km) from the mine.
When to Get There
The Basics
Three of the mine's nine levels are open to visitors. Explore these upper areas and see underground lakes, pits and chambers that have been made into detailed chapels, and an array of statues and monuments, all carved from salt. The mine's claim to fame is its ornate Chapel of St. Kinga, made entirely of salt—from the chandeliers to the altarpieces—over the course of 30 years. Wieliczka is a popular site for travelers to Krakow, often visited on a half-day trip with a tour guide or combined with a trip to the nearby Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Visitors to the mine are guided in groups, with most salt mine tours lasting two hours.
- To avoid long lines often seen in summer, book your tour in advance.
- Tours through the mine involve walking about 1.25 miles (2 km) and descending dozens of stairs (the return trip up is by lift).
- Temperatures are cool below ground, so dress accordingly and wear comfortable shoes.
- Admission to the onsite Krakow Salt Works Museum is included with mine entry.
How to Get to Wieliczka Salt Mine
While the easiest way to arrive from Krakow is via a guided tour, buses to Wieliczka run from Krakow’s main post office every 10 minutes and drop passengers off at the bottom of the road leading up to the mine's entrance. Trains between Krakow and Wieliczka depart every 45 minutes—the Wieliczka train station is about one mile (1 km) from the mine.
When to Get There
The most popular months to visit the salt mine are July and August, though it is open year-round. During these summer months, English-language tours depart every half hour between 8:30am and 6pm. At all other times of year, six to eight English tours are offered daily.
Address: ul Daniłowicza 10, Wieliczka 32-020, Poland
Hours: 8 am- 7:30 pm
Admission: 65 PLN
From $ 18
St Florian's Gate (Brama Florianska)
Built in 1300 as part of extensive fortifications to protect against Turkish attack, St Florian’s Gate (Brama Florianska) once served as the main entrance to Krakow. It was also the starting point of the Royal Road, the route Polish royalty and nobility would follow from the city entrance to the castle. Today, it’s the only remaining gate of the original eight in the old city walls, the others having been dismantled during the nineteenth century modernization of the city.
The Gothic-style stone tower stands 110 feet (33.5 meters) tall and features a decorative metal Baroque topper that was added in the seventeenth century. A bas-relief on the southern wall of the gate houses a statue of the gate’s namesake, while the north side has a stone carving of an eagle. Vendors can often be found selling art and souvenirs around the base of the gate.
Practical Info
St Florian’s Gate is located at the intersection of Pijarska and Floriańska streets.
Address: ul Floriańska, Krakow, Poland
From $ 17
Tempel Synagogue
Tempel Synagogue dates from around 1862 and was built by Krakow's Reform Jews. It is the only still functioning synagogue in Kazimierz, the Jewish area of Krakow which had its population decimated during World War II. The building is a Neo-Classical style with Moorish interiors. It was badly damaged during the war when the Nazi's used it to store ammunition, but it was repaired and services resumed after the war.
These days services are only held a few times a year, but the synagogue remains a place of worship. It also hosts concerts of Jewish and classical music. it is worth seeing for the contra st between the austere facade and the brightly decorated interior of gilded woodwork and ceiling, lit by stained glass windows.
These days services are only held a few times a year, but the synagogue remains a place of worship. It also hosts concerts of Jewish and classical music. it is worth seeing for the contra st between the austere facade and the brightly decorated interior of gilded woodwork and ceiling, lit by stained glass windows.
Practical Info
Kazimierz is a short walk from the Old Town of Krakow.
Address: Miodawa 24, Krakow 31-057, Poland
Hours: Open Sunday - Friday, Closed Saturdays and Jewish holidays
From $ 116
National Museum
The biggest museum in all of Krakow, the National Museum, is actually the regional (and most important) branch of Poland's National Museum - There are over 21 departments in Krakow alone, made up of 12 conservation workshops, 2 libraries and 11 galleries, each divided by art period, for a grand total of over 780,000 artworks. The museum came to be after Henryk Siemiradzki, one of Poland's most celebrated painters, offered one of his works to the city of Krakow; soon after, hundreds of other artists and collectors started doing the same "“ forcing the city to adopt a special motion to house this invaluable collection. By creating the museum, the Polish government wanted to promote the achievements of the Krakow artistic community and the fine arts in general to the people of Poland, and, later on, to visitors from around the world.
Practical Info
The National Museum consists of several different buildings scattered across Krakow. The Main Building, which houses three permanent collections (Gallery 'Arms and Uniforms' in Poland, Gallery of Decorative Arts, and Gallery of 20th-Century Polish Art) is located outside the historical center at aleja 3 Maja 1. There is a paid municipal parking across the street; alternatively, it is possible to reach the museum by tram via line 20, or even by foot, seeing as it's just a 15-minute walk from Rynek Glowny. The museum is open every day except Monday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and exceptionally until 4 PM on Sundays. Entry is free for children under 7; it costs 1 złoty per children under 16 and students under 26, and 26 złoty per adult. Entry to permanent collections is free for everyone on Sundays. Audioguides are available for hire for 7 złoty per person. A museum pass is available for 35 złoty and entitles its owner to enter all the branches and permanent exhibitions of the National Museum in Krakow.
Address: Al. 3 Maja 1, Krakow, Poland
Hours: Open every day except Monday from 10 AM to 6 PM, and exceptionally until 4 PM on Sundays.
Admission: 26 zloty per adult, 1 zloty for children 7-16 and students
From $ 6
Wawel Hill
The very symbol of the nation, the hilltop Wawel, pronounced vah-vel; is more steeped in Polish history than any other place in the country. It was the seat of the kings for over 500 years from the early days of the Polish state, and even after the centre of power moved to Warsaw in the late 16th century it retained much of its symbolic power. Today it is the silent guardian of a millennium of Polish history and the most visited site in the country.
The way to Wawel Hill begins at the southern end of ul Kanonicza, from where a lane leads uphill. Past the equestrian statue of Tadeusz Kościuszko, it turns to the left leading to a vast open central square surrounded by several buildings, of which the Wawel Cathedral and Wawel Castle are the major attractions. Plan on at least four hours up here if you want anything more than just a glance over the place. In the southwestern part of the complex you'll find a visitors centre as well as a gift shop, post office and café with outside terrace.
The way to Wawel Hill begins at the southern end of ul Kanonicza, from where a lane leads uphill. Past the equestrian statue of Tadeusz Kościuszko, it turns to the left leading to a vast open central square surrounded by several buildings, of which the Wawel Cathedral and Wawel Castle are the major attractions. Plan on at least four hours up here if you want anything more than just a glance over the place. In the southwestern part of the complex you'll find a visitors centre as well as a gift shop, post office and café with outside terrace.
Practical Info
Wawel Hill is a short walk from the Old Town of Krakow. Or catch a number 10 tram but be sure to validate your ticket onboard as there are often inspectors roving around. Be aware of the different opening hours of all the attractions. In summer it's best to come early as there may be long queues for tickets later in the day. Alternatively, you can prebook your tickets in advance.
Address: Wawel, Krakow 31-001, Poland
Hours: Open Daily 6am - 8 pm (April - September), 6am - 6pm (October - March)
Admission: Free
From $ 23
Zakopane
Zakopane is a small town located in southern Poland at the foot of the Tatras Mountains near the border with Slovakia. Known as the winter capital of Poland, it is a popular tourist destination for skiing, snowboarding and ski jumping. Nearby ski resorts include Mount Gubalowka, Kasprowy Wierch and Nosal, and cross country ski trails can be found in the forests surrounding Zakopane. Mount Gubalowka can be reached directly from the town center via funicular.
Zakopane is also a great summer destination, with opportunities for hiking, climbing and spelunking in the surrounding mountains, as well as longer excursions to the Dunajec River Gorge and Niedzica Castle, just 25 miles (40 km) away. It is also a great place to experience the traditional Goral culture—a group of indigenous people with their own unique language, food, music, architecture and dress.
The city sees a quarter of a million visitors each year, and no visit to Zakopane is complete without a stroll along Krupowki Street. This popular street in the center of town is lined with shops and restaurants and is a great place to buy traditional Zakopane souvenirs.
Practical Info
Zakopane is most easily reached from Krakow, which is about two and a half hours away by bus. Buses leave Krakow regularly throughout the day, and tickets cost just a few dollars. It is also possible to get to Zakopane by train from Krakow, Warsaw or Wroclaw.
Address: Zakopane, Poland
Hours: Daily
From $ 44
Remuh Synagogue (Synagoga Remuh)
Remuh Synagogue (Synagoga Remuh), the smallest of the historic synagogues in Krakow’s historic Kazimierz district, was founded by Israel ben Josef in honor of his son, Rabbi Moses Isserles. The Jewish community began worshipping in the synagogue in 1558, and it’s one of only two active synagogues in the city, as well as the site of the last well-preserved Renaissance Jewish cemetery in all of Europe (Rabbi Moses Isserles is buried there).
Like many of Krakow’s religious buildings, Remuh Synagogue was used as a storehouse by Germans during World War II and looted of its ceremonial objects and furnishings, though the building itself was spared. The cemetery houses some of Poland’s oldest surviving tombstones.
Practical Info
Men are required to cover their heads with a skull cap or other head gear, and women should have their shoulders covered when visiting the synagogue.
Address: Szeroka 40, Krakow, Poland
Hours: Sun-Fri 9am to 6pm
Admission: zl 5
From $ 17
Wadowice
A small town in southern Poland, Wadowice is best known as the birthplace of Pope John Paul II. The town has been the site of ermanent settlement since the 10th or 11th century and was once a regional center of crafts and trade. Today its primary industry is tourism, attracting 200,000 visitors each year. The primary attractions are the Museum of John Paul II, set in the home where he lived between 1920 and 1938, and the nearby Church of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin May, which is where the Pope was baptized, confirmed and served as an altar boy. Stop at the tourism office to pick up a booklet outlining a trail of 11 sights related to Pope John Paul II.
Also worth seeing are the 19th-century houses surrounding Pope John Paul II Square, the Municipal Museum of Marcin Wadowita and the monument to writer Emil Zegadlowicz, who often wrote about Wadowice. Don’t leave without trying kremowka, the town’s famous pastry made of cream, eggs, sugar and brandy.
Practical Info
Wadowice is located about 30 miles southwest of Krakow. Trains from Krakow are infrequent and slow, so a bus or mini-bus is a better option. Mini-buses leave from a parking lot across from the Galeria Krakowska mall, and buses leave from a station on the other side of the mall. The Museum of John Paul II is generally open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., with tours conducted in groups of up to 25 people.
Address: Wadowice, Poland
From $ 63