11 Things to Do in Krakow in Fall

Fall is the last season to visit Auschwitz. A few weeks later, freezing temperatures can make this trip nearly impossible. But Krakow has so much more to offer at this time of year! During this season, you can hear some of Europe’s best pianists, and the city also hosts some of the country’s most important festivals, such as Independence Day and the Conrad Festival. Keep reading to discover what to do in the fall!

It’s not the most pleasant plan, but visiting Auschwitz is a must if you’re traveling to Krakow—a way to delve into contemporary European history and learn about the atrocities committed there.

For this, I recommend booking a tour so you don’t have to worry about how to get there. This way, you’ll also be accompanied by a professional guide who will provide all the details of this terrible place’s history. You also have the option to combine your trip with a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine, an underground complex that will leave you speechless. Below are the different options:

• Tour to Auschwitz from Krakow, starting at $35
• Tour to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum from Krakow, starting at $63
• Tour to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow, starting at 63
• Tour to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow, starting at $144
• Tour to the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow, starting at $149

In Poland, Halloween is overshadowed by the celebrations of All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day. On these dates, Polish families gather to clean their relatives’ graves, lay wreaths, and light candles. The scene is very evocative, and it’s worth visiting a cemetery to understand this aspect of local culture. Please approach this activity with due respect.

I recommend visiting Rakowicki Cemetery, the largest and most important in the city. The cemetery is located at 26 Rakowiecka Street and covers an area of 43 hectares. It is famous for its funerary art and for housing the graves of notable historical figures. In one section, you’ll also find the graves of British soldiers who fought in the Battle of the Rhine. If you enjoy these kinds of visits, I recommend reading the post about the best churches in Krakow.

And to get here from the city center, you can take the tram (Line 2 from Teatr Bagatela) and get off at the last stop (Cmentarz Rakowicki). My recommendation, in fact, is that you book the Krakow Card with a museum and transport pass so you can make the most of your trip.

The International Piano Festival is the only cultural event in Krakow that is entirely dedicated to music. According to the organizers themselves, this festival aims to bring the world’s piano elite to the city.

To ensure high standards of quality, the event features artists who have competed in international competitions in Warsaw (Frédéric Chopin), Fort Worth (Van Cliburn), and Moscow (Tchaikovsky).

The festival takes place at various venues throughout the city. If, after a night out, you want to delve deeper into music, I recommend the Harris Bar (Rynek Główny 28), a venue that has hosted big names in international jazz, or you can also book tickets for a Chopin piano concert.

November 11 marks Independence Day, a very important date for the Polish people. In 1918, following the signing of the armistice between the Allies and Germany, Poland regained its independence after 123 years! During that long century, the country had literally disappeared from the map, having been partitioned among three foreign powers: the Austro-Hungarian Empire, Russia, and the German Empire.

Unfortunately, the holiday could be celebrated only on very few occasions because the country was annexed by Germany in 1939 and subsequently fell under Soviet rule. The Poles had to wait for the fall of the Berlin Wall to celebrate it again!

For these reasons, Independence Day is deeply felt. In the morning, a mass is held at Wawel Cathedral, followed by a military parade that departs from Wawel Hill, travels along the Royal Route, crosses Florianska Street, and ends at Matejko Square. The army band accompanies the infantry platoons and the mounted troops. In the evening, the crowd gathers in the Market Square to sing patriotic songs. Take this opportunity to book a tour of Kraków’s Old Town and learn more about this chapter of history.

Herbaciarnia Czajownia is a must-visit for tea lovers and a cozy spot to warm up after a walk. The establishment is located in Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, so I recommend stopping by after your tour of Kraków’s Jewish quarter.

The place is known for its cozy atmosphere that invites you to spend some time inside. It has good Wi-Fi, so it’s not uncommon to see freelancers and digital nomads there. If you have a true passion for tea, you’ll find a wide variety of flavors. Below is a list of the most unique ones:

• Bai Mao Houe, a white tea native to the Taimu Mountains in Fujian Province, China. Also known as “White Monkey,” it is characterized by its strong grassy aroma.
• Darjeeling, a black tea grown on the slopes of the Himalayas. Like Champagne, this variety can only be grown in a single region.
• Gyokuro, a Japanese green tea with a high antioxidant content. Its sweet fragrance softens the vegetal notes.
• Chi Tse Bing Cha, a tea from southern China that is often given as a gift at weddings.
• Yogi Masala Chai, a blend of honey, ginger, cardamom, white pepper, anise, cloves, and other spices.

Poland is famous for its mushrooms to the point that its most famous epic poem, “Pan Tadeusz,” contains a famous mushroom-picking scene. However, this practice is much older and comes alive every year during one season: autumn. Starting in the second half of October, the citizens of Kraków head out early to the forests surrounding the city. Mushrooms taste best if you cook them on the same day they’re picked.

In Kraków, you can sample some delicious mushroom-based dishes at Pod Aniołami, a restaurant housed in a 13th-century building that served as the residence of Kraków’s goldsmiths for over three hundred years.

In the fall, the chefs recommend two specialties: boletus soup with noodles and white mushroom soup with noodles. In both recipes, the mushrooms used by the chefs were picked in Gorce National Park, located just over an hour from Zakopane. Consider booking a trip to Zakopane!

In autumn, the leaves turn red, yellow, and orange, transforming every park into a magical place. Krakow has several green spaces where you can admire this phenomenon. Book a tour of Krakow and discover them. I’ve also included a list of must-see destinations below:

• Zakrzowek, a park just a short distance from the city center. It’s known for its blue lake, which fills the hollow of an old stone quarry. It’s very popular with locals who come here to have barbecues or take walks in the woods surrounding the pond (Salezjańska 19). To get there from downtown, just take the tram (line 52, Poczta Główna stop).
• Planty, a green belt encircling Kraków. In the late 18th century, the old city walls were demolished, and the space once occupied by the walls was gradually transformed into a garden. In the fall, there’s nothing better than strolling through the English gardens and past the Belle Époque buildings.
• Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden (Mikołaja Kopernika 27), the oldest in Poland. To escape the cold, you can see the tropical plants growing in its greenhouses. For more info, I recommend checking out its official website.
• Wolski, a forest stretching across the hills. It is located 8 km from the Old Town and features marked trails for hikers and cyclists. There is also a trail for horseback riding and a cross-country ski trail. In addition to the trees, with a little luck you’ll spot deer, badgers, foxes, and other wildlife. If this interests you, I recommend reading the post on the best day trips from Kraków.

The Conrad Festival is the city’s most important literary event. The event is named after Józef Teodor Konrad, better known as Joseph Conrad. The author of “Heart of Darkness” was born in Berdyczów (then part of the Russian Empire) on December 3, 1857, into a family involved in the Polish nationalist movement.

He was orphaned at an early age, had to leave the country, and ended up signing on to a ship in Marseille. This event changed his life, as it inspired him to write adventure novels.

After his death, the people of Kraków paid tribute to him by establishing a festival in his honor. The festival’s goal is to showcase the most significant works of world literature and foster artistic and social discussions. Polish and international writers participate in this event, which explores a specific theme each year. On the final day, the Conrad Award (a statuette shaped like a telescope) is presented to the author of the best debut work of prose.

The Krakow Book Fair takes place during the same dates as the festival. During these days, the Polish city is an ideal destination for all novel lovers.

The event takes place at Expo Krakow (9 Galicyjska Street) and brings together publishers, authors, translators, and literature enthusiasts. It’s on the outskirts of the city but very easy to get to. You can take the bus (lines 174 and 178) or the tram (lines 1, 14, and 22).

Did you know that gospel and Krakow are linked by a double thread? The genre derives from the songs that Black slaves used to sing on plantations in the southern United States. In the 1930s, this music experienced a boom in America and gradually spread to other parts of the world.

Since 2006, it has found a niche in the Polish city, which every fall hosts 7xGospel, a unique and undoubtedly fascinating festival. The events are usually held at the Kärcher Hala concert hall (Aleja Marszałka Ferdynanda Focha 40), located just a stone’s throw from Błonia Park, a highly sought-after spot during the summer months in Kraków.

Another musical festival in Kraków is the Sacrum Profanum Festival, which combines classical masterpieces with jazz and other genres. The first edition took place in 2003, and within a few years it has become a must-see event for lovers of artistic fusion. The event usually takes place in the city between late September and the first half of October. The concerts take place at various venues:

• Congress Palace (Marii Konopnickiej 17).
• Łaźnia Nowa Theater (O siedle Szkolne 25).
• Florianka Hall (Sereno Fenn'a 15).

The people of Kraków often refer to autumn as “Zlota Polska Jesień,” which translates to “Poland’s Golden Autumn.” During this season, the trees turn orange and red, and temperatures rarely drop below freezing. Therefore, visiting Kraków in the fall is ideal! If you want more info, I recommend reading the post “10 Tips for Traveling to Krakow.”

If you’re looking for an affordable getaway, Kraków is your ideal destination. During this season, you can book a hotel room or a vacation rental at very affordable prices. Plus, in the fall, the city isn’t crowded with tourists, so you can visit the main attractions without dealing with large crowds.