10 Things to Do in Krakow in Summer

Krakow is much more than just its many monuments. This Polish city offers a wealth of cultural events, culinary delights, and, of course, entertainment. While this is true at any time of year, it is especially true during the summer months.

With the winter cold now behind us, the summer season allows visitors and residents of Kraków to head out and enjoy the area around the Vistula River, experience the nightlife to the fullest in its countless venues, or attend fascinating festivals such as the one celebrating pierogi or the one honoring Jewish culture.

One of the favorite summer activities for Kraków residents is taking a leisurely stroll through one of the city’s best-known parks: Planty. I recommend following one of the most famous traveler’s maxims, “wherever you go, do as the locals do, ” and join young and old alike on walks through this green space, which stretches over 4 kilometers.

In ancient times, the entire medieval city of Kraków was surrounded by defensive walls. Starting in the 18th century, a green belt known as Planty began to be built. Today, as you walk along its paths, you can still see some remnants of the old walls. Among the most notable points of interest are:

• Florian Gate: Located in the northern part, it is one of the park’s most striking features and one of the original entrances to the walled city. It’s the perfect starting point for a 2-day itinerary in Kraków.
• Statues: As you stroll through the park, you’ll see several sculptures depicting important figures from Polish history, such as Nicolaus Copernicus, who attended the famous Collegium Maius in Kraków.
• Surroundings of Wawel Castle: This is the most popular and visited part of the park. There, along a boulevard that runs along the riverbank, many people gather—sitting on the grass, walking, or enjoying the views.

You might want to book a guided tour of the Old Town to learn more about this and other points of interest in the city.

I have no doubt that during your stay in Kraków you’ve booked a tour of the Jewish quarter, Kazimierz. The Jewish quarter is home to numerous sights worth seeing. This very neighborhood is the venue for one of the country’s most renowned cultural events: the Jewish Culture Festival. If the dates align, you shouldn’t miss the events organized there.

The festival is held annually for 10 days in late June or early July. When it began in 1988, it was conceived as a series of events to commemorate the importance of the Jewish community in the city, as well as to recognize its historical and cultural contributions.

Since that first edition, the festival has grown in popularity and now attracts nearly 30,000 people each year. You’ll certainly have plenty of activities to choose from: lectures, workshops, guided tours, and traditional music concerts taking place at various locations throughout the neighborhood. Other activities held during the festival include film screenings, Jewish cooking classes, and book presentations.

Although summer is generally considered the best time to visit Kraków, the truth is that it has one small drawback: the crowds of tourists on many streets. One way to avoid them for a while is to book a cruise on the Vistula River.

This trip will let you explore part of the city in a more relaxed and peaceful way, something you’ll appreciate after visiting the bustling Market Square, for example.

The cruise lasts about an hour. The most striking sights, besides the views of the castle, are the Pilsudski and Dębnicki bridges, which the boat passes under. The final stop on most routes is the fascinating Benedictine monastery. Another option for exploring the river, suited for those who are more physically fit, is to rent a kayak and paddle leisurely for a while.

A truly interesting activity to do in the summer, weather permitting, is to book a bike tour of Kraków and head to Tyniec Abbey.

A bike path starts from the center of Kraków, allowing you to cover the 12-kilometer route safely and comfortably, just as you can to other places in the city’s surroundings.

Tyniec was once an independent village, but today it is part of Kraków. There, on the banks of the Vistula River, a Benedictine abbey was built on a hill in the 11th century. If you’d like to round out your trip with a visit to the abbey, keep in mind that it’s open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Although Zakopane is known by the nickname “winter capital,” the truth is that in summer there are a number of activities that make it worth booking an excursion, whether on your own or through an organized tour.

The most popular activity in this town located at the foot of the Tatra Mountains (about two hours from Kraków) is the hiking trail that leads to the spectacular Morskie Oko Lake. If you want to hike this trail, keep in mind that the trailhead is located some distance from the town.

If you’re traveling on your own, you’ll need to take one of the minibuses that run continuously from the town’s bus and train station and drop you off at the trailhead. The area offers many other trails, some featuring attractions like churches, small waterfalls, or breathtaking viewpoints. If you’re lucky, you might even spot a deer along the way.

Whether you love opera or just want to enjoy a performance in a magical setting, the Kraków Summer Opera Festival is a great opportunity.

This festival is usually held in July and is considered one of the most anticipated events of the entire arts season. Performances take place in different parts of the city, both in Kraków’s many concert halls and at some less formal venues.

Although tickets are hard to come by, the event everyone wants to attend takes place in the courtyard of Wawel Castle. In this beautiful setting, surrounded by buildings such as the Royal Palace and Wawel Cathedral, a stage is set up so that opera lovers can enjoy the performances.

Practical Information

First and foremost, I recommend that you start looking for tickets as soon as possible. The festival’s popularity, especially for the performances held in the castle courtyard, means that seats sell out quickly.

To buy them—since you won’t be able to do so at the box office—the best option is to check the official website dedicated to this type of event in Kraków. Another option, if you’re a classical music lover, is to book a ticket for a Chopin piano concert.

The presence of thousands of students in the city—both local and international—plus the many tourists who visit in the summer make Krakow’s nightlife the liveliest in all of Poland. Don’t hesitate to book a pub crawl in Krakow and fully immerse yourself in the experience.

Nightlife in Krakow is concentrated in two distinct areas. On one hand, the Old Town, where tourists visiting the city tend to gather. And on the other, the Jewish Quarter, packed with bars and pubs and boasting an incredible atmosphere on every street.

My advice is to start by eating a delicious zapiekanka in New Square (Plac Nowy). This dish is basically a baguette topped with mushrooms and other ingredients, baked until golden brown. In the same square, you’ll also find other food stalls serving grilled meat or sausages. After eating, it’s time to wander through the lively streets of the neighborhood until you find a spot you like to enjoy the night.

A Quieter Spot at the Forum

If nightlife isn’t your thing but you want to enjoy a beer in a relaxed setting, one of the best spots in the city is the Forum. It’s a former hotel from the communist era that’s been converted into a bar; to find it, you’ll need to cross the river from the Jewish Quarter. Summer is undoubtedly the best time to visit this spot, as they set up hammocks so you can enjoy a drink with views of the river and Wawel Castle.

In August, Kraków hosts a festival dedicated to a rather appetizing theme: pierogi, similar to stuffed ravioli. Anyone who has booked a food tour of Kraków or simply stepped into a restaurant in Kraków will have had the chance to try what is, in its own right, one of Poland’s traditional dishes.

Throughout the festival, all the restaurants showcase their best creations featuring this type of dumpling as the star. Some of them experiment with new fillings that go beyond the typical pierogi ruskie or pierogi kirniki (with chicken). Thus, you can try some made with venison, smoked cheese, or lamb.

Perhaps the highlight of the celebration is the contest to determine the best pierogi dish of the entire festival. This event takes place in Maly Rynek, where you can enjoy live music and, of course, sample some recipes at a very low price.

Those traveling to Kraków during the summer solstice will be able to witness one of the city’s most beloved traditions: Wianki, a festival of pagan origin that celebrates the arrival of summer.

The tradition in Kraków is to throw wreaths into the river, a custom linked to a local legend: Princess Wanda, daughter of the city’s legendary founder, chose to throw herself into the Vistula rather than marry Rydygier, a German leader who had invaded the city.

But the highlight of this festival takes place at night. Every year, a large crowd gathers at the base of Wawel Hill to listen to concerts and enjoy the food. At midnight, those present throw their wreaths of flowers into the water, followed by a truly incredible fireworks display. You can also attend concerts and parties held in other squares, where medieval markets are also set up.

You probably don’t associate Kraków (or Poland in general) with ice cream. However, Poles love this treat, and you’ll find plenty of places to buy it in the city. Just learn the word lody and point to your favorite flavor to enjoy a delicious treat.

Although shops are open year-round, summer is the peak season for ice cream. Long lines form at the best ice cream shops, which will help you know where to go for a guaranteed treat.

To help you get it right the first time, here are two recommendations for buying your ice cream:

• Good Lood: just by looking at the lines, you’ll realize it’s one of the locals’ favorite spots in Kraków. Fun fact: every evening at 8 p.m., they post on their app the flavors they’ll be adding the next day to their four regulars (chocolate, cream, raspberry, and salty caramel)
• Lody na Starowislnej: located on Starowislna Street, near the Jewish Quarter, it’s one of the most traditional and popular ice cream shops in Krakow.

Summer in Krakow features very pleasant temperatures, without ever becoming stiflingly hot. Thus, July and August have an average high of 23.4°C, while the average low remains around 12.7°C.

September is a bit different, as temperatures begin to drop. By the end of summer, highs hover around a pleasant 19°C, but lows can drop to an average of 8°C.

One thing to keep in mind is that the chance of rain is always present, as it rains an average of 8 days a month. The best way to ensure you can carry out your plans is to check the weather forecast shortly before traveling.

Summer is the peak tourist season in Krakow, so crowds are common in the city’s most touristy areas. However, if you venture a bit outside the historic center (including the Jewish Quarter), the situation is somewhat calmer.

This large influx of tourists leads to higher prices for accommodation and flights. Fortunately, the low prices for food, transportation, and admission tickets offset this increase.