13 fun things to do in Krakow, Poland

Krakow is the most popular tourist destination in Poland and the country’s second-largest city. After having a pleasant day in Warsaw, we continued our road trip to Krakow.  

Why was Krakow not bombed?

Unlike Warsaw, Krakow was not bombed during WWII, sparing most of the places. Surprised? I was too.  The main reason was, Nazi Germany had Krakow as its military base. They had a lot of soldiers forming large troops. So one wouldn’t bomb his territory. The Allies also didn’t bomb because Krakow held a large number of prisoners in camps. As a result, Krakow’s scars are not very evident in the city. Even today, one can see the original buildings dating back to the 10th century.

Places to see in Krakow

Day 1

1.Krakow Old Town

The first stop in any European city will be the Old town. Krakow’s old town is alive all day and it is filled with cathedrals, museums, market hall, pubs, bars, and restaurants.

2.The Main Square

Krakow’s main square was bustling with stalls all over. Horse carriages were lined up to carry tourists. Kids were enjoying feeding the doves and adults were busy shopping and enjoying the bright sunny morning while sipping coffee. The old town of Krakow was one of the best squares I have ever seen in Europe.  Traditional Polish restaurants are spread throughout the square. The food prices are affordable so you have too many options. There were too many coffee shops, each inviting customers with innovate and creative boards. 

3.Cloth hall

Known as the pearl of Renaissance architecture, the Cloth Hall is Krakow’s oldest commercial centre. The centre was initially called as Sukiennice building and is in operation for over 700 years. So Cloth Hall is arguably the oldest shopping mall in the world. Former times, the textile trade was the main business; hence the name. Currently, the Hall hosts souvenir shops, stalls on the ground floor and Krakow National Museum upstairs. 

For FAQs, scroll down to the bottom.

4.St. Mary’s Basilica

Erected in the 13th century, St. Mary’s Basilica is the first thing one can notice in the old town. Dominating over 260 feet high, the church’s interior is made of the Gothic style. The front part of the Basilica is allowed for tourist visits while the rear part is allotted only for prayers. 

Not a big fan of visiting churches, I waited for my friends to finish touring inside. The entrance fee is 3€.  

Opening times

Visitors: 11.30 am – 6 pm Further info is listed in the official website Mariacki

5.Planty park

One of the largest in Krakow, the Planty park wraps the old town with a green blanket. Tired after exploring the old town, the park was a perfect place for an afternoon break.  We grabbed a refreshing lemonade and rested under a tree. The gentle breeze around the park made me take a small nap.   Interested in cycling or up for a walk? River Vistula flows adjacent to Planty Park and is a perfect getaway. 

Day 2

6.Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral

Symbol of the nation’s pride, the Wawel castle dates back to the 14th century. The castle looked stunning from outside. The area also hosts Wawel cathedral, open for visitors.

The castle neither sells tickets online nor accepts foreign currencies like Euro at the ticket counter.  The entrance fee varies depending on what you want to see. For example-Staterooms for 25 zl (Polish zloty), Royal private apartments for 27 zl, Sandomierska Tower for 5 zl. See the complete list in Wawel Krakow and choose your options. Read my Warsaw post to know more about the Polish currency.  The whole area takes around 3-4 hours to visit. We skipped visiting because there was a huge line waiting to get in. Also, we didn’t have enough time. 

7.Wawel Dragon

When you walk along the river Vistula towards the Wawel castle, suddenly a Dragon over 20 feet greets you. 

The dragon is known to be the symbol of Krakow. Every 5 minutes, the Dragon flames up, which is made possible through a gas nozzle. The dragon was hugely popular among kids. They were climbing in all possible ways. 

8.Barbican

Barbican served once as an old town’s gateway. The Poles erected the Barbican fearing the Ottoman empire. It is built of brick and stone and consisted of 7 watchtowers. 

9.Kazimierz – The Old Jewish Quarter

A Jewish Quarter is an area in the city where the Jewish inhabitants reside. Strolling this area takes you back in time. The shops outside are old and authentic, the buildings speak up the history.  

This Jewish square feels like a separate little town inside a city consisting of numerous Synagogues, New Jewish Cemetery and historic homes of its kind. These are the main attractions of Krakow. If your stay is long, then consider visiting places listed in the culture trip like 10. Wieliczka Salt Mines – Listed as a world UNESCO heritage site, 810 steps lead to this old Salt mine.  11. Plac Bohaterów Getta – Public square belonging to Jewish war times. 12. Market Hall Unitarg – serving fruits, flowers, clothing, electronics. A 15th-century market that provides anything you ask for. 13. St Florian gate – One of Poland’s best Gothic towers. 

Desserts are famous and are a must-try. We happened to find a shop on our way from the old town to the Planty Park. The shop outside exhibited a rich variety of mouth-watering desserts.

I tried the Raspberry Poetry. The king-size dessert had layers of cake topped with fruits and it tasted lovely. To know much more about Polish cuisine, read our post about Warsaw.

Two days in Krakow just flew. I wish I had one extra day to explore other places. A three-day trip would be ideal for tourists visiting Krakow. Interested to know more? Read my blog on ‘All you need to know about Krakow‘ Wishing you a happy visit to Poland’s number one destination – Krakow Overall experience:⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ out of 5

FAQs

1. Is Poland expensive? Compared to its Western neighbours, Poland is pretty cheap. A complete meal would cost 6-7 €, desserts for 2-4 €, hostel beds from 5 €. 2. What is the best time to visit Poland? Pleasant weathers are from April – October with July and August being peak summers. Polish winters can be extremely cold and uncomfortable for tourists. 3. Which city is the best to visit in Poland? Undoubted Krakow is the best city. After a thorough google search, we decided to visit Krakow and it met the expectations. 4. Is Poland safe? Yes, pretty much. After our pub crawl, we returned home by bus. I didn’t get any insecure feelings. 5. Does Poland accept Euros? Yes, major restaurants and shops accept. But enquire before proceeding. In general, remember to use the local currency to get the best rates. 6. Can I find guided tours in Poland’s old town? Yes, there are many guided old town tours, some even offer free. We happened to take one in Warsaw.  Just don’t forget to offer a tip. 7. Is it safe to drink tap water in Poland? Generally, tap water is safe to drink. Since the country is cheap, I recommend a tourist to buy water bottles. Time of visit: May 2018

“Live, travel, adventure, bless, and don’t be sorry” – Jack Kerouac