25 Very Best Things to Do in Krakow

Looking for cool things to do in Krakow? Check out this list of the very best things to do in Krakow, Poland.

Krakow is the second-largest city in Poland. And it’s one of the most popular cities for a short break in Europe! The former capital of Poland is packed with historical sights and beautiful medieval buildings, creating an adventurous atmosphere.

Are you planning a trip to Krakow? Well, it’s absolutely perfect! Here’s a list of the very best things to do in Krakow, Poland.

 

The best things to do in Krakow:

1. Main Market Square (Rynek Glówny)

The Main Market Square in Krakow dates to the 13th century. In fact, this is the largest medieval marketplace in Europe! The square lies in the heart of Krakow’s Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Restaurants, cafes, and bars stand side by side in the Main Market Square, making it the most important gathering point in the city. This is also where you’ll find some of the greatest sights and very best things to do in Krakow.

The square is surrounded by an impressive number of beautiful medieval buildings. Some of the most impressive buildings are St. Mary’s Basilica, Sukiennice Cloth Hall, and Town Hall Tower.

 

2. St. Mary’s Basilica (Bazylika Mariacka)

On the Main Market Square stands St. Mary’s Basilica. It was built in the 14th century and is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Krakow. Inside the Gothic basilica, there’s a beautiful decoration to admire. Oh, and you can even get a glimpse of the world’s largest Gothic altarpiece.

If you’re looking for a great vantage point in Krakow, I recommend climbing the 239 steps to the top of the Basilica Tower. However, you must reserve tickets in advance. Due to the stunning views of Krakow from here, it’s really worth the effort!

Every full hour, you can hear a trumpet from the basilica tower. However, the sound stops very suddenly. Rumor has it that this melody was played from a trumpet blower in the tower hundreds of years ago. He wanted to warn the city of a Mongol attack. Unfortunately, he was hit by an arrow in the throat. Today, the melody stops at the exact same verse as he did.

 

3. Sukiennice Cloth Hall

The 15th-century Sukiennice Cloth Hall is the centerpiece of the Main Market Square. It was once the main trading center of Krakow. At that time, exotic products such as spices, silk, leather, and wax were imported. All the while textiles, lead, and salt was exported from the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

Even though the Sukiennice Cloth Hall no longer functions as the International Trade Center in Krakow, you can still shop here. Today it functions as a tourist center where you can buy all kinds of souvenirs in the many stalls.

 

4. Rynek Underground

One of the very best things to do in Krakow is to visit Rynek Underground. To find this underground museum, you must move down under the Main Market Square in the Old Town. When visiting the Rynek Underground, you’ll embark on a historical journey back to the Middle Ages in Krakow.

Rynek Underground covers a huge area of ​​6,000 square meters. Here you’ll find archeological excavations of artifacts, ancient trading stalls, and a medieval cemetery. There are also reconstructions of workshops and technological exhibitions, teaching you about life in Krakow 700 years ago.

 

5. Town Hall Tower

When visiting Main Market Square, you cannot fail to notice the Town Hall Tower. The 70-meter-high tower was built in the 14th century as part of the first town hall in Krakow.

To open around the Market Square, the town hall was demolished in 1820. Fortunately, the Town Hall Tower wasn’t demolished and now stands alone. The Town Hall Tower is also called “the Leaning Tower of Krakow” because it slopes 55 cm to one side. The slope is said to have occurred after a violent storm in 1703.

Inside the tower, you’ll find a few exhibits and a vantage point. However, it isn’t exactly something to write home about. So, after seeing the Town Hall Tower from the outside, I recommend moving on to one of the other essential things to do in Krakow.

 

6. Florianska Street (Ulica Florianska)

Florianska Street is one of the most popular streets in Krakow. In fact, it was once one of the most important shopping streets in Krakow. The street stretches from the Main Market Square to St. Florian’s Gate. Florianska Street is surrounded by historic and charming old buildings. As you stroll down the street, you’ll find plenty of small shops and a few great restaurants and bars.

 

7. Lost soul’s alley

If you have the courage to try something insanely scary and fun at the same time, I highly recommend visiting Lost soul’s alley. Here you can meet your worst nightmares in an eerie mix of a haunted house and an escape room.

Your group will have about 30 minutes to solve the puzzles to escape the horrors of the dark rooms. Along the way, many sinister things happen because staff walks around trying to scare you. By the way, did I mention that it really is a spooky place!?

Before starting, you must choose a pain level that helps determine how eerie you want it. You should be aware that there’s no access for children under the age of 14. The lowest level is still quite eerie. In addition, you shouldn’t wear your favorite clothing, as you may risk it being damaged.

 

8. St. Florian’s Gate

At the end of Florianska Street stands St. Florian’s Gate, a Polish Gothic tower from around the 14th century. Originally, the tower was part of the massive city walls built to defend the old town against enemies. Today, there aren’t many remains of the city wall left but St. Florian’s Gate is still preserved.

St. Florian’s Gate also marks the start of Krakow’s Royal Road. For centuries, royals traveled through the gate to reach Wawel Castle. Today, you can walk on the remains of the old city walls. There’s a great view of Florianska Street from up here.

 

9. Kraków Barbican (Barbakan)

Just opposite St. Florian’s Gate stands the Barbican, a medieval defense post on the outskirts of Krakow’s Old Town. Originally it was connected to St. Florian’s Gate with a drawbridge that crossed over a deep moat. The Barbican is said to be one of three fortified outposts of this type still preserved in Europe.

If you feel like it, you can get into the Barbican. To be completely honest with you, though, it isn’t exactly the most exciting thing to do in Krakow. However, if you’re planning to visit St. Florian’s Gate, you should also consider visiting the Barbican. But why? Because the ticket to St. Florian’s Gate applies to both the historical sights of Krakow. Thus, it’s practically free to visit the Barbican.

 

10. Kanonicza Street (Ulica Kanonicza)

Another historic street in Krakow’s Old Town is Kanonicza Street packed with charming old buildings and cobblestones. In fact, Kanonicza Street is rumored to be the oldest street in Krakow. Therefore, it’s worth a visit if you’re nearby anyway.

 

11. Visit a Milk Bar (Bar Mleczny)

When in Poland, it’s a must to eat a meal at a milk bar. Now you’re probably thinking; what’s a milk bar? I know, it sounds weird. A milk bar can probably best be described as a kind of cafeteria with traditional Polish dishes.

At a milk bar in Poland, you can get an incredible amount of food at extremely cheap prices. However, the quality is also reflected in this. Still, visiting a milk bar at least once during your trip to Krakow is a must. And it’s definitely one of the very best things to do in Krakow too!

After the fall of communism, most milk bars in Poland closed. Fortunately, there are still few left today. You can find milk bars everywhere in the center of Krakow. However, the most popular lies in the old town. Please note that alcohol isn’t served at the milk bars.

 

12. Planty Park

Planty Park surrounds the historic Old Town of Krakow and serves as a kind of replacement for the old city walls. It’s one of the largest city parks in Krakow and consists of several beautifully decorated gardens. Inside the gardens, there are plenty of historical monuments, bubbling fountains, tall trees, fragrant flower beds, and green lawns.

I especially recommend visiting Planty Park in the summer. At this time of year, it’s extremely popular to follow the circular path around the old town. If you’re limited on time, you can easily just enjoy the silence of the park for a while.

 

13. Wawel Castle

The royal castle on Wawel Hill is of great importance to the people of Poland. The castle is clearly one of the most important cultural sights in Krakow. The Wawel Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is built in many different architectural styles, representing the castle’s turbulent past.

For centuries, Wawel Castle has been home to Polish kings and queens. Today, however, the castle houses several different museums and exhibitions. For example, you can visit the private royal chambers, the staterooms, or a treasury with Wawel’s crown jewels and weapons.

Only a limited number of tickets are sold per. day. So, if you’re planning to see one of the exhibits, it’s a good idea to arrive as early as possible.

 

14. Wawel Cathedral (Katedra Wawelska)

Next to the castle on Wawel Hill, you’ll find one of the most important churches in all of Poland. Wawel Cathedral bears an impressive millennial history. However, the current cathedral has “only” existed since the 14th century.

The Wawel Cathedral has served as the coronation site and burial ground for the royals of Poland. But also, for great bishops, national heroes, and other important people. The many different styles on the cathedral facade seem a bit messy. The interior, on the other hand, is very beautifully decorated.

 

15. Wawel Dragon (Smok Wawelski)

At the foot of Wawel Hill in the direction of the Vistula River, stands a dragon statue. According to legend, the dragon once lived in Dragon’s Den behind the statue. The dragon statue spews with real fire and is one of the very best things to do in Krakow with children. It probably isn’t one of the most exciting things to do in Krakow for adults.

Either way, I recommend slipping past the dragon statue if you’re nearby anyway. The whole city is characterized by the Wawel dragon on everything from buildings to souvenirs. In fact, the Wawel Dragon is one of Krakow’s all-time great landmarks.

 

16. Kazimierz

One of the most popular districts in Krakow is the Jewish quarter of Kazimierz. Here you’ll be greeted by a charming atmosphere with crackling buildings, large synagogues, and old Jewish cemeteries. Stroll through the district and visit one of the many specialty shops, galleries, bars, restaurants, and cafes in Kazimierz.

Don’t forget to make your way past the Old Synagogue, the oldest remaining synagogue in all of Poland. The synagogue is also one of the most important landmarks of Jewish architecture in Europe. A visit to Kazimierz is seriously one of the very best things to do in Krakow, Poland.

 

17. Father Bernatek Footbridge

When visiting Krakow, I recommend taking a walk along the Vistula River. You should even cross the river via Father Bernatek Footbridge. Along with the cables of this pedestrian and bicycle bridge, several fun sculptures hang. Besides the sculptures, the fence is adorned with love padlocks from romantic couples in love in Krakow.

So, if you’re a hopeless romantic, you must buy a padlock and hang it on the bridge together with your chosen one. Remember that the key must be thrown into the Vistula River as a sign of infinite love between the two of you.

 

18. Église Saint-Joseph

When crossing Father Bernatek Footbridge, you cannot miss noticing the Église Saint-Joseph. This Catholic church with an 80-meter-high bell tower sits high above the rest of the area. The church looks like something taken directly out of a fairy tale. Therefore, it’s an obvious place to shoot some great photos for Instagram. There’s also a small cozy park with benches where you can sit and relax for a bit.

 

19. Ghetto Heroes Square (Plac Bohaterów Getta)

During World War II, Ghetto Heroes Square was the largest open square in the former Jewish ghetto in Krakow. Back then, the square was always crammed with people who needed a break from the even more cramped conditions in the apartments.

However, that changed markedly when Poland was taken over by the Nazis in 1939. The square was suddenly transformed into a painful place where families were torn apart due to mass deportations to the concentration camps. The square became a place of regular humiliations, violence, and executions.

Today, Ghetto Heroes Square has been transformed into a memorial with 70 large metal chairs. The chairs represent the nearly 70,000 Jews whose fate was decided on the square. Out of the 70,000 Jews in Krakow, only 15,000 of them were allowed to stay in the city. It’s definitely one of the most moving things to do in Krakow dealing with World War II.

 

20. Oskar Schindler’s Factory

Near the former Jewish ghetto lies Oskar Schindler’s factory. A visit to this place is one of the most popular things to do in Krakow if you’re interested in the history of World War II.

The story of Oskar Schindler became well known after the release of Steven Spielberg’s movie “Schindler’s List”. If you haven’t already seen the movie, I highly recommend watching it before your trip to Krakow.

Oskar Schindler was a German businessman who saved nearly 1,200 Jews from being deported to the brutal concentration camps. Using a list, he was given the opportunity to employ them as cheap labor at his enamel factory in Krakow. That way, he could protect them without any outside suspects.

In the former administration building, you can visit an educational museum where you can learn about Oskar Schindler. You can also learn more about the ravages of the Nazis and the occupation of Krakow during World War II.

 

21. Krakus Mound

Krakow is surrounded by four large green hills, each offering stunning views of the city. The oldest mound in Krakow is Krakus Mound. In fact, it’s so old that simply no one really knows when it originated. Rumor has it that it’s the resting place of King Krakus, the founder of Krakow.

Krakus Mound lies close to the center of Krakow and is ideal to visit if you’re limited in time. It can be difficult to climb the 16-meter-high burial mound. However, the view from the top is well worth the effort! Krakus Mound is very steep, so please be careful not to fall.

 

22. Kościuszko Mound

A little further outside the city, you’ll find Kościuszko Mound. This is the largest and most popular mound in Krakow. It was made in 1820-1823 in honor of the Polish military leader Tadeusz Kościuszko who was a national hero.

With a height of 35 meters, Kościuszko Mound offers a beautiful panoramic view of most of Krakow and the surrounding suburbs. The walk to the top of the mound is tough, but luckily there’s a path, making it much easier. If you’re interested in the history behind Kościuszko Mound, there’s also a museum on site. A visit to Kościuszko Mound is definitely one of the very best things to do in Krakow!

 

23. Polish Aviation Museum

The Polish Aviation Museum is a huge aviation museum located on a disused airfield from 1912. Thus, it’s one of the oldest military airfields in Europe. The museum has on several occasions been named one of the best aviation museums in the world.

Inside the Polish Aviation Museum, there’s a large collection of more than 200 aircraft and about 100 engines. It isn’t only exhibited in the main building, but also in old aircraft hangars and outside the buildings.

Several of the aircraft are unique worldwide. In fact, twenty-two of the planes is even extremely rare! So, did I mention that it’s one of the very best things to do in Krakow for aviation enthusiasts? Well, it really is!

 

24. Wieliczka Salt Mine

Just outside the city is the Wieliczka Salt Mine, one of the main sights in Krakow. This disused mine is a UNESCO site and one of the most popular things to do in all of Poland!

Wieliczka has been extracting salt for more than 700 years, making it one of the world’s oldest salt mines. For hundreds of years, miners have carved underground tunnels and spaces.

They’ve created a large work of art with sculptures, chandeliers, and more carved with decorative details. They’ve also carved three chapels as well as an extremely impressive cathedral consisting only of salt.

 

25. Auschwitz-Birkenau

It may sound strange, but Auschwitz-Birkenau is clearly one of the very best things to do in Krakow and the rest of Poland.

The Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp was the largest and most notorious extermination camp from the Nazi ravages of World War II. From 1941 to 1944, about 1.1 million prisoners were killed in the camp during one of the largest mass murders in human history.

Visiting Auschwitz-Birkenau is a touching and frightening affair. It provides a unique insight into the extreme conditions that the prisoners went through every single day until their death. At the same time, it’s also a memorable experience that leaves most speechless and more informed about World War II.

Although Auschwitz-Birkenau is about a 1-hour drive from Krakow, it’s still easy to reach. If you don’t have a car, there are plenty of buses running from the Krakow Bus Terminal to Auschwitz daily.

That’s all on this list of the very best things to do in Krakow, Poland. What are your favorite things to do in Krakow? What are you looking forward to on your trip to Krakow? Feel free to leave a comment.