More about: 12 Best Things to Do in Krakow
Discovering the secrets of Krakow and exploring its streets and monuments is the ideal plan for a long weekend. The city and its surroundings offer experiences that will remain in the traveller's memory forever. Here's what you can't miss on your trip to Krakow.
1. Visit the Auschwitz concentration camps
Located approximately an hour and a half by road from the centre of Krakow, the Auschwitz concentration camps are one of the most visited places in Europe. What was once the capital of horror is now a museum dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Nazi regime.
You can visit the Auschwitz camps on your own ( here's more information on how to get to Auschwitz from Krakow) or by booking a trip to Auschwitz. I definitely recommend the latter option. Here's some information about trips to Auschwitz and prices for tickets and guided tours of Auschwitz. You'll see that it's well worth it.
Just keep in mind the opening hours of Auschwitz when booking your visit. I would suggest booking it first thing in the morning, as the visits and tours of the Auschwitz concentration camps usually last about two hours, and that way you'll have more time to see other things afterwards. Here are some suggestions:
- Excursion to Auschwitz from £27
- Excursion to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines from £96
- Excursion to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and museum from £39
- Excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz-Birkenau from £112
- Excursion to Auschwitz-Birkenau from £29
Important information about organised excursions
Many packages include, in addition to admission to the Auschwitz complex, transport from Krakow and are available in several languages. What you will see in the Auschwitz concentration camps are the remains of a historical period that it is essential to learn about and never forget.
This tour is not recommended for children under the age of nine and, on a personal level, I would not recommend it to very sensitive travellers because, although enriching, it can be quite harsh, even though the guides do not dwell on gruesome details. Here are some tips if you are visiting the Auschwitz concentration camps from Krakow.
2. Take a trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mines
After Auschwitz, the trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mines is the most popular excursion in the Krakow area for travellers visiting the Polish city. It is also a World Heritage Site, so if you are wondering whether it is worth visiting the salt mines from Krakow, the answer is yes.
The most important thing to know is that it is advisable to book tickets well in advance. Even if you choose to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines on your own, you will always have to take a guided tour, which is available in several languages and is usually in high demand. Here are several options:
- Half-day excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines from £56
- Excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines with hotel pick-up from £55
- Excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines from £68
Here is more information on how to get to Wieliczka from Krakow and tickets for the Wieliczka Salt Mines: how to buy, prices and discounts with a guided tour or combine both options.
Useful information about visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines
If you are wondering what to see in the Wieliczka Salt Mines, I can tell you that the list will be headed by a chapel carved out of salt, a lake, chambers connected by a network of underground tunnels and sculptures of famous people made of salt (where you can take some of the best photos of the Wieliczka Salt Mines).
They are located about half an hour from Krakow and the visit to the salt mines lasts about two and a half hours. Here are some recommendations for your visit:
- You can take a combined tour to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow to get a discount on the price of admission to the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
- The best advice for visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines is to wear warm clothing regardless of the time of day you choose to visit.
- The temperature inside the mines is low, and especially if you visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines with children, the cold can play tricks on you.
3. Take a guided tour of Krakow
Take a guided tour of Krakow
Krakow's Old Town and Jewish Quarter are the city's most iconic places due to their history. Although a solo stroll through both places is visually enjoyable, booking a guided tour of Krakow to get to know them is infinitely more enriching. Below are the best guided tours of the Jewish quarter.
A local, specialised guide will show you the city through their eyes and help you learn about its history and anecdotes. They will also show you monuments and places of great cultural interest that you might otherwise miss. There are different options for guided tours of Krakow:
- Book a bike tour.
- Book an electric car tour.
- Book a tour of Krakow's Jewish quarter.
- Book a food tour.
- Book a tour of Krakow's old town.
- Book a ghost tour of Krakow.
- Book a tour of the Nowa Huta district.
4. Visit Oskar Schindler's factory
Those who have seen Steven Spielberg's masterpiece will understand the significance of this place. For those who haven't: Oskar Schindler was a German businessman who saved a large number of Jews from concentration camps by employing them as workers in his factories.
After the war, Schindler was executed, but the descendants of his employees still honour him to this day.
Booking a guided tour of Schindler's factory in the centre of Krakow is a history lesson that offers a glimmer of hope, as amid all the horror experienced in the city under Nazi occupation, there were people who refused to be part of it.
5. Take a tour inside Wawel Castle
Near the historic centre stands Wawel Hill and the imposing castle of the same name. From there, you'll have perfect views of the city from above and you can also see this 14th-century Renaissance castle.
It is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (in summer until 5 p.m.) and inside you'll find the crown treasure, the royal armoury, the royal apartments, the crypts of famous people and my favourite place, the dragon's cave.
This is a highly recommended visit, either on your own or in a group, by booking a guided tour of Wawel Castle, as it is one of the symbols of the city of Krakow.
6. Stroll through the market square
Every city has a place where you can lose yourself, browse shops, watch the locals, grab a bite to eat or sit down and relax. In Krakow, that place is Krakow's Market Square, a medieval-style square surrounded by colourful palaces.
You'll pass through it many times during your visit, so enjoy it and take your time exploring every corner because it's worth it.
And, of course, it's included in the itinerary when you book a tour of Krakow's Old Town and other city tours.
Book a tour of Krakow's Old Town
7. Travel to Zapokane and Tatra
Book a tour of Krakow's Old Town
Zapokane and the Tatra Mountains with their thermal waters are two of the must-see destinations on your trip to Krakow. On the one hand, in Zapokane you can stroll through the streets and admire the wooden chalets from the early 20th century. On the other hand, you can climb Gubalowka Hill and admire the breathtaking views of the Tatra Mountains. A unique way to enjoy nature and breathtaking views.
Would you like to visit both places? If so, I recommend booking an excursion to Zakopane and Tatra, which lasts approximately 10 hours and takes care of all the logistics.
And if you want to continue travelling around Krakow, you can also add another destination to your list: Wadowice.
8. Enter Krakow Cathedral
Krakow Cathedral is located on Wawel Hill, is dedicated to St. Stanislaus and is over 1,000 years old. It is one of the most important buildings in Poland and is therefore included in the tour of Krakow's old town. Admission is free.
You can't take photos inside, and if you want to go up the tower to see the aerial views of the city, you'll have to pay around four euros. If you find this visit interesting, don't hesitate to add some of the other best churches in Krakow to your itinerary. You won't regret it.
9. Try Polish cuisine
No list of things to see and do in Krakow would be complete without a mention of Polish cuisine. The most popular drink in the country is vodka, but what about traditional dishes?
In Krakow's restaurants you'll find delicacies such as pierogi, paprykarz and zurek, all of which are mainly made from meat, pasta and spices. If you're looking for a safe bet, check out the best food tours in Krakow.
Polish cuisine takes elements from other cuisines such as Armenian, Slavic, Turkish, German, Jewish and French. The result is exquisite, and the best way to experience it first-hand is by visiting some of the city's traditional restaurants or booking a food tour of Krakow.
10. Don't miss the Barbican Fortress
This sturdy fortification is located in the centre of Krakow and measures about 25 metres. It was built in the 15th century to protect the city from the advance of the Ottoman Empire and, although a visit inside is not essential, it is worth walking around it to appreciate its Gothic style.
You will find it just past the Florián Gate and, like other sites we have already mentioned, it is of great historical interest and is usually included when booking a tour of Krakow's old town.
11. Visit Warsaw from Krakow
Book a tour of Krakow's old town
Another tip I can give you for planning your trip to Krakow is not to limit yourself to the city itself. Many people wonder whether it's better to visit Krakow or Warsaw before their trip, but the truth is that there's no need to choose.
If you have enough time during your trip, you can travel from Krakow to Warsaw on your own or on one of the organised excursions around Krakow. Don't miss out on either city! And if you're left wanting more, here's a post on how to get from Krakow to Wroclaw.
I recommend booking a trip to Warsaw from Krakow in advance so you don't get caught out. Poland is waiting for you!
12. Discover the Collegium Maious
Located in Krakow's Old Town, the building where Copernicus studied stands out for its beautiful inner courtyard.
If you're interested in astronomy, you have to visit the University Museum, but if not, you can still go at sunset, when the organised tours have finished, to relax in the garden while admiring the architecture. For directions, check out all the information on the Krakow tourist bus.
Plan your visit to Krakow in detail
As you can see, Krakow has a lot to offer tourists. In addition, there are various tours and excursions from Krakow that you should include in your itinerary. Of course, being a large capital city, it also has seasonal events that you shouldn't miss.
Choose the date of your visit to Krakow (I recommend travelling to Krakow at Christmas, especially if you are visiting Krakow with children) and then check this list to find out what to do in the Polish city:
- What to do in Krakow in January.
- What to do in Krakow in February.
- What to do in Krakow in August.
- What to do in Krakow in October.
- What to do in Krakow in November.
- What to do in Krakow in December.
Every season has its advantages. Whether you visit Krakow in winter, summer, autumn or spring, you will always find things to do, so book at least three days for your visit.
If you are staying for less time and want to save time, I recommend booking your transfers between the airport and Krakow in advance. However, here are several itineraries you can consult, depending on how many days you are staying: