Best Things To Do In Krakow, Poland

Krakow is currently one of the most visited cities in Poland and for good reason, the city houses several tourist attractions and activities. Whether you are interested in history, art, architecture, music, or theatre, there is simply no shortage of things to do in Krakow, a city that was once the capital of ancient Poland. 

Wawel Royal Castle And Cathedral

I believe that the tour of Wawel Castle cannot be missed, this is a gothic and renaissance castle on the Wawel Hill in Krakow close to the river Vistula. Wawel Castle has been the spirit of the whole of Poland for more than a thousand years ago for political cultural and spiritual aspects. Visit the State Rooms to see the beautiful tapestries and fine antique furniture that have been brought in from Antwerp. Enter the Lost Wawel chamber to unveil the archeological secrets of the castle and become a true explorer of the past. Be sure to visit the Royal Private Apartments, the Crown Treasury with the splendorous Polish Crown Jewels, and the Dragon’s Nest under the castle, in which a legendary dragon is believed to have resided. Further enhance your experience of Krakow castle by visiting the neighboring Wawel Cathedral which contains the tombs of Polish Kings, the country’s biggest bell – Zygmunt’s Bell, and the Chapel of Zygmunt with Renaissance paintings.

Get to know the Krakow Old Town.

Get lost in the twisted medieval walls of Krakow’s Old Town heart – a city with a unique blend of Renaissance and Gothic architecture that is listed by UNESCO. The Main Market Square is the largest medieval town square in Central Europe, stretching 40,000 square meters, and hosting pastel-hued townhouses, the visible steeple of St. Mary’s Basilica, and the legendary wooden Cloth Hall. The wooden Gothic altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss is in St Mary’s Basilica and it is a recommended visit. Go for a leisurely walk along Ulica Florianska Street which has many cafés and bars at sidewalk level for good viewing. Try to find out whether you can hear the famous trumpet at the taller tower to St. Mary’s every hour. For more extended exploration from Main Square, try the wonder Grodzka Street or the medieval district of Kazimierz which is the Jewish district with synagogues, galleries, and even ruins.

Discover Krakow's Jewish History

In this case, it is obvious that Warsow was a very influential Jewish community, and therefore, no trip to Krakow is complete without getting acquainted with the Jewish tradition of the city. Begin your tour in Kazimierz, which was once the Jewish district of Krakow. Surf from the Old Synagogue to the Jewish Community Center; this is the oldest Jewish prayer house in Europe. If someone wants to understand the suffering of the Jewish people during the Second World War, one should visit the factory of Oskar Schindler in Krakow. After that, visit Podgórze, the area where the Jewish ghetto and the concentration camps of Plaszow described in the movie Schindler’s List were located. Take the time to visit some highly charged museums here – ranging from the discreet small museum at the former Oskar Schindler car factory to the fascinating museum located at the former Ghetto pharmacological warehouse. You can also ask a Jewish scholar to take you on a Jewish heritage tour of Kazimierz.

Day Trip To Auschwitz-Birkenau

One of the most important and shocking one-day tours from Krakow is Auschwitz Birkenau – the largest Nazi concentration and mass murder camp established during the Second World War, situated approximately 1 hour, 45 minutes’ drive west of Krakow. Take a guided tour of Auschwitz I and learn about the atrocities that took place here; and stand in front of the infamous ‘Arbeit Macht Frei’ sign and take a tour of the prison cells, gas chamber, crematorium, and visiting exhibitions. Next, drive a few more kilometers to Birkenau where more than a million lives were lost brutally. Due to its large size, one can only imagine the magnitude of the Nazi horrors that occurred in the camp at Birkenau. Before visiting this place, emotionally arm yourself for the heartbreak that is in store for you. Even though it is a moving and highly emotional experience due to the atrocities that took place at the concentration camp, it is impossible to fully and truly visit Poland without visiting the site and paying our respects to the victims of Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Take The Funicular To Glowny In Krakow

For the spectacular city perspective try the two minutes long funicular railway to Wzgórze Lasoty Zwierzynieckie station more familiar as Krakow Glowny. As a piece of architectural heritage that dates back to the late 19th century, this funicular tram takes people 289 meters up the hill to get spectacular views of the roofs of Old Town with the spires rising before the Vistula River and Wawel Hill in the background. Have your camera ready! At the top, you may simply take a walk on the terrain of the green park or get inspired by the bizarre café End of the World constructed into the old city defense ramparts. Funicular operates daily at 2 sets of 15 minutes per set.

Stroll Through Planty Park

Planty is located where Old Town used to have walls and a moat – it is a green belt around the Old Town. This park was built in 1822 after the removal of the city walls and is one of the most celebrated parks in the region. Enclosed by the promenade that is illustrated with the Linden and chestnut trees, the park winds around the greater part of the historic quarter. These include fountains, monuments, sculptures, cafes, and flower gardens within its 21 hectares. 

Taste Delicious Polish Meals Including Pierogi

The Poles are proud of their native culinary traditions, and Krakow is no exception. For a taste of the local dish, try out pierogi – those delicious little pockets of meat, cheese, potatoes, sauerkraut or fruit. Also, do not neglect Polish soups (żurek), pork cutlet (kotlet schabowy), gołąbki or stuffed cabbage, kanapki, placki ziemniaczane or potato pancakes, and makowiec with poppy seed cake. E.g.: Taste some of the cheap and delicious foods from the numerous food-selling joints surrounding the Main Market Square. Or dine at a restaurant serving an expertly prepared meal followed by dessert at a milk bar (bar mleczny), especially if the milk bar in question is Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą, whose tradition dates back decades. 

Celebration in Kazimierz taverns and pubs

Being the most popular area for night parties in Krakow, Kazimierz hosts numerous fantastic and colorful bars where people come for drinks, merriment, and great company, or for dancing till the morning. Start your evenings enjoying some terrific gin and tonic or any number of other creative cocktails & beers at the über-hot Alchemia with its dim candle-lit medieval dungeon-like lower level. Move from the quiet Ulica Estery Street from one pub to the other and from flashy clubs to electrifying discos. Hungry after dancing? Try Polish stews and snacks at Singer and Hamsa restaurant indoors. Or sip wine and munch on fusion food at Starszy Syn located within the gates of a stunningly restored red-brick former synagogue. 

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