The best things to do in Krakow for first time visitors
- Mar 24
- 6 min read
All the must-sees PLUS a practical guide to the city
Just so you know, some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you book something through our link, it won't cost you any more, but we might get a small commission.
Krakow is the perfect introduction to Poland for first time visitors as it’s a friendly, comfortable city with so much to see, do and explore. You’ll get to try delicious local and international food, learn so much about Polish history, and experience the culture throughout the city.
As a first time visitor to Krakow, it can be overwhelming to try and narrow down the hundreds of things to do across the city, and nearby. There’s lots of advice we can share with you about the best things to do, and the things to avoid in Krakow. That's why we created this first-timer’s checklist for Krakow, filled with all the absolute must-sees across the city, and important things to remember on your visit.
I
f you’re looking for a more detailed guide with additional things like food and drink recommendations, excursions to take, language and cultural information, and even a fully planned 3-day itinerary, you can download our Krakow Travel Toolkit.
It even comes with access to our Ultimate Map of Krakow, a custom-made interactive online map where you can see which of our tried and tested recommendations is closest to you at any time. Perfect for on the go, exploring the city, to avoid wasting precious time scrolling through lengthy blog posts, review apps or social media!!
Anyway, here’s our first-time visitors guide to all the best things to do in Krakow:
Visit the main square (Rynek Główny): The main square in Krakow's old town is home to a daily market, halls and the Church of Virgin Mary. Here, you’ll find lots of street food stalls, and the square is completely lined with bars, cafes and restaurants. The atmosphere here is amazing, and it’s somewhere you’ll find regular street performances and busking.
This is definitely somewhere you’d stumble across anyway, but as a first time visitor to Krakow, it’s a good idea to intentionally spend some time in the square. Even if you get a drink to go from a local cafe and just sit on a bench and enjoy watching the world go by for a while!
Explore St. Mary's Basilica: The Church of the Virgin Mary is right in Krakow's city centre. It's free to go in and look around too - don't miss it! You do have to pay 18zł if you want to see the famous altar, and 20zł to go up the Bugle Tower (which is only open from May to October). The view is so worth it though!
Wander through Stare Miasto (Old Town): The old town of Krakow is a large area of historical, cultural and architectural sights to see! Plus, it’s filled with lovely cafes, bars and restaurants. This is where we’d suggest you spend most of your time on your trip, exploring and getting lost in the smaller, winding streets.
Spend a few hours admiring Wawel Castle: An absolute must-see, this castle is a complex made up of several stunning, and very important buildings, including the royal castle and state rooms, cathedral, and lots of smaller structures housing museums and exhibitions. It's free to enter the grounds, but to explore all the buildings and rooms you will have to pay for an entry ticket or a guided tour.
Explore the Kazimierz Neighbourhood: Krakow's historic Jewish Quarter, now packed with museums, galleries, and independent shops, cafes and restaurants. This has a completely different feel to the old town of Krakow, and we’d say it’s an absolute must-visit for a first time visitor to Krakow, even if you only have time to wander around for an hour and grab a bite to eat.
Visit Auschwitz Museum and Memorial Centre: This isn’t a fun, happy day out, but something we genuinely believe everyone should visit if they have the opportunity to. Seeing the sites where a lot of the atrocities of the Holocaust happened for yourself is heartbreaking, but a good reminder of what happened in fairly recent history to Jewish communities across Europe.
Venture outside of the city to Wieliczka Salt Mines: An experience that is completely unique to Krakow, and a must-visit on your trip. These 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 directly.
Did we mention that in our Krakow Travel Toolkit we provide direct ticket links for major attractions and sightseeing spots?
There are so many third party providers who charge a lot more than booking directly, or could cancel on you at the last minute, especially for experiences that are in high demand. Save time spent on research, and money on upcharges, and download our full guide to Krakow here.
You’ll also get access to our food and drink guide to Krakow, with all the best restaurants and bars across the city listed (personally tried and tested, not just found on social media). It’s the perfect resource for first time visitors to Krakow, especially when you consider our Ultimate Map of Krakow is included too!
Here’s some more practical information about Krakow that could help you on your visit:
How do I get to Krakow as a first time visitor?
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 as a first time visitor?
On our first 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 a little 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! If this doesn't sound like it will suit you, you can search below for other accommodation in Krakow:
Do I need a visa to visit Krakow for the first time?
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 have changed. 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?
Like most of Poland, Krakow is very cold in winter and spring, but really warms up a lot in the summer. But even in the winter when temperatures drop, and there's snow and ice around, it's often still bright and sunny.
Here's the average high / low temperatures for each season in Krakow
Spring: 13°C / 4°C
Summer: 24°C / 13°C
Autumn: 14°C / 5°C
Winter: 3°C / -4°C
Always make sure to check the forecast before your trip so you pack the correct clothing.
What are the best things to do in Krakow for first time visitors?
Here's we've given you a list of must-sees, but if you're looking for more in-depth information and advice, as well as lots of hidden gems - take a look at our downloadable Krakow Travel Toolkit, which is a digital guide containing everything you need to know about Krakow.
For a 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.
