15 things to do in Krakow in Summer

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Many people visit Krakow as a winter city break to explore the city in the snow and experience the often freezing temperatures. With Poland being so cold in the winter, people assume it will only get up to mild temperatures in the summer, but Krakow actually becomes beautifully warm and sunny in June, July and August!

This Polish city is such a gorgeous summer destination - think long, riverside walks with ice cream, strolls through the park, even swimming and hiking a short distance away from the centre. Add Krakow's unique culture, history, and incredible food, and you've got the ideal city break!

So, to help you to make the most of your summer trip to Krakow (or to inspire you to get those flights booked), here's our list of all the best things to do!

15 things to do in Kraków in Summer:

1. Explore Wawel Castle (this should be on any list of things to do in Krakow, but it's especially gorgeous on a summer's day)

Wawel castle is only a short walk from the main square and one of the top attractions of Krakow. You can explore parts of the grounds and gardens for free, which are particularly stunning in the sun. There are flowers everywhere and the buildings look even more striking with a bright blue sky behind them! If you want to see all of the interior and the exhibitions in the castle, you will need to pay for an entry ticket or a guided tour. 

2. Grab an iced latte and a traditional Polish bagel (called a Obwarzanek krakowski) from Zarowka Cafe

   This beautiful cafe is a bit of a hidden gem, just tucked away from one of the main streets. It has a comfortable outside area, friendly staff - and one of the best iced coffees we tried in Poland! Plus, they sell traditional Polish bagels which originate from Krakow, an absolute must-try when you're in the city.

   
   

   

   
   

3. Go for a long walk with an ice cream through the old town, or by the river

   This is one of the simplest, but best things to do in Krakow in summer. There are some brilliant ice cream shops across the city(one of our favourites is Lodziarnia Rinella) and day or night, a scoop of ice cream or gelato is the perfect accompaniment for a long stroll! Whether you wander through the streets of the old town and explore the ancient buildings, shops, cafes, bars and museums, stumbling across street performers on every corner, or you head straight for the river and cross the famous "Bridge of Locals", there's plenty to explore. You could walk and walk and walk for a full day and still not see every corner of this sprawling city!

   
   

4. Sit with a spritz in the sun on a rooftop bar

Nothing can compare to watching the sun setting over a city you love, with your favourite drink in your hand, from a beautiful rooftop bar. The top one that we visited was definitely Sky Bar - but there's lots of options in Krakow city centre. In winter, these bars are often closed due to the weather, but in summer you'll have plenty of options of places to relax with a great view.

5. Head to Zakrzowek for swimming, hiking and sunbathing with beautiful views!

   Ready to escape the city and get into nature for a day? Jump on the bus or tram, or grab a taxi to Zakrzowek. It’s a lake that's made in an old quarry which is popular with both tourists and locals, and only a short drive from the city centre. It's the perfect place for summer sunbathing, for swimming, running or for hiking, and so picturesque!

6. Enjoy Krakow's range of markets, events, festivals and street performances

   Summer is the season for events and performances - so you'll be sure to see lots if you're visiting Krakow at this time of year. The main space for markets and events is the main square: Rynek Glowny. In the day, you'll find bustling markets filled with local produce, and into the evening you'll see huge crowds watching street performers with unique acts, creating an incredible atmosphere. But you'll also find smaller markets and street performances scattered throughout the city centre too, so keep your eyes peeled!

   
   

7. Eat Pierogi, Paczki and Zapiekanka

   Poland has a huge range of traditional foods - but a lot of them are soups and hearty, meaty meals that aren't the best grab & go options on a summer city break! But Pierogi is a must-try in Krakow, and it's available at every Polish restaurant you'll find. It's a type of dumpling, but packed with various fillings such as meats, cheeses, cabbage, potatoes and so on.

   
   

   Paczki is Poland's traditional doughnut, usually available to take-away from many kiosks around the old town for €1-2 and Zapiekanka is a toasted open sandwich, usually topped with fried mushrooms, cheese, and ketchup. However, if these toppings don't sound like your thing, there are lots of stalls that have a huge menu of different style Zapiekanki so there is something for everyone!

   
   

8. Cool off in the salt mines - which are kept at a moderate 17–18°C at all times of year

   The Wieliczka Salt Mines are a great place if you have a particularly hot day in Krakow (or a rainy one) and want something to do where you'll have shelter. They're an experience that is completely unique to Krakow, and a must-visit on your summer trip.   The mines are a maze of corridors, chambers, and even chapels made completely of salt - the guide will even encourage you to lick the wall to test it!

   
   

   

   The mines are accessible either through a guided tour with transport included or use public transport to get there, and book your tickets through their website directly. 

   
   

   If this is all sounding like a lot to fit into your trip - and you don't even know where to start, why not check out our new travel planning service called MakeTheMost. We can create a personalised itinerary for your trip to Krakow with an interactive map included, so all the places that you want to visit are saved to your phone! You can read more about our service or enquire here.

   
   

9. Chill in a bar with a garden or terrace area

   Krakow has bars dotted all across the city, but we have a few summer favourites that are just gorgeous in the warmer months.

   
   

   One Sightseekr favourite is Dzikie Wino Wine Bar, which we found just tucked away from the main square. It has a surprisingly peaceful feel for such a popular area, and doesn't feel right in the middle of all the city-centre chaos, but still has an atmosphere. The terrace is perfect for a warm summer evening! Another option for a bars with an outdoor area is Klub Re which has a beautiful garden space and regular live music and events. They even offer vodka tasting - something that anyone who drinks alcohol should absolutely try when in Krakow!

   

10. Venture out of Krakow and take a day trip to Zakopane

    Zakopane is a Polish town about an hour and a half's drive from Krakow, at the foot of the Tatra mountains. It's the perfect spot for a summer day trip, or even an extension of your trip for a few extra nights, as you'll get all the beautiful views and scenery, but still be in a town with easy access to shops, cafes and information. You can visit Zakopane by yourself, either by car or by train, or alternatively you could book a guided day trip.

    
    

11. Sit on a bench and people watch in Rynek Glowny

    We mentioned earlier that Rynek Glowny is the main, market square and the hub for all of the street entertainment and events. This is true - but it also has a lot of bars, restaurants, street food, and attractions like the Church of the Virgin Mary and the Town Hall Tower - both iconic sights you need to go and see on your trip. But one of the best things to do in Krakow in summer is simply sit in the market square and watch the world go by. You'll see tourists and locals all passing through, enjoying the sights and the atmosphere.

    

    Do be aware that this area is a well-known tourist hotspot and therefore you will find a few common tourist scams around - read our post about how to avoid tourist traps for more information on this.

12. Wander through Planty Park and take in the scenery

    There's nothing better than a beautiful city-centre park on a sunny day, with locals taking their daily walk passing by excited tourists and workers taking a lunch break. Something as simple as walking through a central park can give you a real sense for the quality of life and customs of a new country. Planty Park in Krakow is simple yet beautiful, and runs in a ring around the whole of the old town, so also helps you to sightsee! It's well kept, with grass, trees, flowers and benches on every corner.

    
    

13. Take a sightseeing cruise along the Vistula River, or even attend one of Krakow's Saturday night boat parties

    Summer is the perfect time to take a boat trip along the Vistula River, and see the city from a different perspective. There are lots of options, from daytime sightseeing cruises, to sunset boat trips, and even weekly boat parties where all of your drinks are included (one of the most recommended things to do in Krakow in Summer)!

    
    

14. Explore the Jewish Quarter and try some traditional food

    The Jewish Quarter of Krakow is very different to the old town in our opinion, and both are worth dedicating just as much time to explore. Wander through the streets, try some street food, or visit a restaurant serving authentic food such as Hamsa. Some of the best food we had in Poland was in this district, and it was very affordable too. And make sure to visit a synagogue or two!

    

    
    

15. Take an umberella - and be prepared to use it!

    Many first-time visitors are shocked at the rain in Krakow in summer - but actually, June and July are the rainiest months of the year in Poland. Now this doesn't mean you're guaranteed to lose days of exploring time due to the rain, but it does mean that if you're in Poland for a week or more over this time period, it would be rare to not experience a heavy shower or two! Although in our experience, you don’t as often have full rainy days in Poland, but it suddenly rains quite heavily, then clears up again, and you can go about your day. Not to worry - there are always shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and museums to duck into if the rain does start to pour!

    
    

    A great thing to do on a rainy day is visit the main shopping centre of Krakow - Galeria Krakowska. It's got a range of high street, and designer brands, and is conveniently located right next to the main train station.

    

    There is one more completely unique thing to do in Krakow that we can't miss out of our post. It is perfect for a cloudy or rainy day in summer, but we would recommend even missing a couple of hours of sun to do it! It's called the "Into the darkness" experience at Womai. In a nutshell - you experience what it is like to be completely blind for an hour, and take part in a series of experiences to use your other senses, all accompanied by blind guide who supports you, and tells you about their experiences. It's fun, informative, and something so extraordinary that it's absolutely not worth missing. You can get more information about this experience and book tickets on their website here.

Krakow is packed full of things to do and see, and we hope that this list helps you make the most of your summer trip! Of course, you might also need some practical information about the city too. Here's some of the most important questions about Krakow, answered below:

How do I get to Krakow?

Krakow is easy to access by air, as it has an airport only half an hour's drive from the city centre. There are regular direct flights from several airports in the UK, and they’re generally pretty affordable too. A Bolt or Uber from the airport is generally affordable, but you can also take the metro or the bus! You can also access Krakow easily by train or coach from major cities in Poland and surrounding countries.

Where should I stay in Krakow in summer?

On our summer trip to Krakow, we stayed at the Leonardo Boutique Hotel, which is right in the middle of the city – the location couldn’t have been better. The rooms were gorgeous, and the breakfast was absolutely delicious too. The staff were friendly and helpful, and couldn't do more for us! You can hear the tram at night since it’s nearby, but honestly, we were so wiped out from exploring all day that we barely noticed. We'd definitely stay here again, and encourage you to go!

Do I need a visa to visit Krakow?

Citizens of most countries do not need a visa to visit Poland for a stay of up to 90 days. Read our Schengen Agreement post to find out more details about this rule.

The rules of entering Europe are changing. Take a read of our handy European travel rules post for more information.

What's the currency in Krakow?

The currency of Poland is the Polish Złoty. The conversion rate is around 5 Złoty= £1 (GBP). You can change money when you arrive or withdraw from ATMs, but be aware of high conversion fees! Some ATMs (especially the ones branded with "Euronet") may charge you to withdraw money, even if your bank doesn't.

We found that almost everywhere takes both cash and card in Krakow. It's always best to pay in local currency if you're offered an option when paying by card - so you're paying your bank's exchange rate rather than the card provider's (which is always extortionate).

What languages are spoken in Krakow?

The official language of Poland is Polish, but English is widely spoken in Krakow as it is a major tourist destination. It's always polite to learn a few phrases, though!

What's the weather like in Krakow in summer?

As we mentioned earlier in the post, the weather in Krakow tends to get lovely and warm in the Summer, sometimes reaching high temperatures of 30°C on sunny days. However, summer is also the rainiest season in Poland, so take your umberella! Here's the average high and low temperatures for each month of the summer season in Krakow:

June: 23°C / 12°C

July: 24°C / 13°C

August: 24°C / 14°C

Be aware that there can be up to 10 days of rain per month in the summer season!

Always make sure to check the forecast before your trip so you pack the correct clothing. This is the current weather in Krakow:

What's the time zone in Krakow in summer?

Krakow will be in Central European Summer Time between the last Sunday of March and the last Sunday of October. The time zone is GMT + 2 (an hour ahead of the UK, and the same as a lot of mainland Europe).

What are the best things to do in Krakow in summer?

We always try and give you a few great recommendations of things to do on our Sightseekr Inspiration posts but if you're looking for a more detailed, personalised itinerary, check out our MakeTheMost travel planning service.

Or, if you're just looking for an activity to fill another day, have a look for the best activities, excursions and other things to do in Krakow on GetYourGuide here.