Krakow

Gorgeous in any season!

---

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.

We always say that Poland is a country often overlooked by tourists, but one of its most popular cities for visitors is Krakow! It’s especially loved by tourists from the UK due to the great level of English that most residents speak, the affordable (and delicious) food and drinks, and the absolutely gorgeous old town. If we had to sum up what Krakow is like to someone who's never visited, we'd say it’s a charming, friendly city, with so much to see, and somewhere you’ll feel instantly at home.

One thing we absolutely adored about Krakow is the main square (called Rynek Głowny) with the town hall and tower. It’s a place that’s beautiful any time of day, or night, always atmospheric and full of people, and often somewhere you’ll find street performances or buskers. The town hall tower is a sight to see in itself, but the hall beneath it also houses a market filled with souvenirs and local crafts. 

The main square in Krakow - Rynek Glowny

Wander through the square during the day, or in the evening, and take in the sights such as the Church of the Virgin Mary, and the incredible atmosphere. You can also stop for a traditional polish vodka tasting at a bar like Wodka, or a glass of wine just tucked away from the main square in Dzikie Wino Wine Bar.

A short walk from the main square, you’ll find another major attraction of Krakow - Wawel Royal castle. You can explore parts of the ground for free, but if you want to see all of the interior and the exhibitions, you will have to pay for an entry ticket or a guided tour. 

An iced coffee and Polish bagel at Zarowka cafe, Krakow

Exploring the old town is one of the best ways to spend time in Krakow - just take your time wandering through the streets, enjoying the architecture and finding cosy cafes and bars to stop in along the way. A great example is Zarowka cafe - where you can get great coffees, cakes and snacks, including a traditional Polish bagel called Obwarzanek krakowski.

Krakow is a very walkable city, so if you’re able to, explore on foot, as there is so much to be seen! However, public transport is easy to use if you do need it. Don’t miss the unique bridge of locals while you’re exploring, and the riverside bars and restaurants nearby. And if you love to shop - head down to the main train station which is attached to a huge shopping centre - Galeria Krakowska.

As always, we have a few hidden gems for you aside from the main attractions and the city centre. If you’re looking for a day away from the old town, seeing some nature and even going for a swim, weather permitting, head to Zakrzowek. It’s a lake - made in an old quarry, and popular with both tourists and locals. It’s quite a long walk from the city centre, but you can easily jump on a bus, tram, or order a taxi straight from your phone using apps like Uber and Bolt. It’s a stunning location to hike, swim, or just sit back, relax and enjoy the views.

Zakrzowek lake, Krakow

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.

Keep an eye out for pop-up markets and events, which are popular close to Christmas and in the peak Summer season - we visited during the national pierogi (Polish filled dumplings) festival last year which was a dream! Whether you visit during a market or festival, or in the off-season, you absolutely need to try pierogi whilst visiting Poland. It’s one of their most famous dishes and loved by locals and tourists alike! There’s lots of different fillings, so there’s something for everyone. 

Spaghetti Aglio Olio and a glass of white wine at Pasta Bar, Krakow

On the subject of food - Krakow actually won European Capital of Gastronomic Culture in 2019, and for good reason. You’ll find authentic, delicious Polish food here such as Rosół (a Polish soup with chicken broth and noodles), zapiekanka (a toasted, open sandwich with different toppings) and Paczki (a local type of filled doughnut with lots of different flavours).

Not only this, you’ll also find incredible cuisine from all over the world, especially in the Jewish quarter. One of our favourite restaurants in this area was called Hamsa and specialised in Middle Eastern food. We also ate a lot of amazing Italian food - including at a gorgeous, central restaurant called Pasta Bar. 

You also can’t go to Krakow without making the most of the affordable drinks prices and spending some time in bars. And at Sightseekr, we never visit a new city without trying a rooftop bar or restaurant - in Krakow our favourite was Sky Bar, where they do a selection of food, drinks and cocktails. A spritz in the sun on a roof terrace is never a bad idea (unless you’re visiting in Winter, in which case it might be snowing). 

There’s also lots of cosy indoor bars with hot drinks in Winter like mulled wine and even mulled vodka drinks! We also loved Klub Re for an evening drink - it has an amazing atmosphere and both indoor and outdoor seating. 

Krakow also has a great offering of excursions that aren’t too far away. You can visit Auschwitz which, although not an upbeat day, is such a valuable and educational day trip. It’s definitely worth booking a guided tour, so you can get the full experience and learn as much as possible. The tour we took was exceptional, we visited two different camps and learnt a lot from the guide, who was very sensitive and helpful throughout the whole day. It also had transport included. 

Don’t miss the Wieliczka Salt Mines either - a completely unique experience to Krakow.  It’s a maze of corridors, chambers, and even chapels made completely of salt! They’re accessible either through a guided tour with transport included or just get on the public bus and book your tickets through their website directly. 

Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie or just love to explore, Krakow really does have something for everybody. Perfect for winter and festive Christmas markets, or a sunny, summer city break! You’ll find all the practical information to answer any other questions about what Krakow is really like below.

Additional information:

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?

We stayed in Leonardo Boutique Hotel which has a perfect location in the city centre, amazing staff and a brilliant breakfast option too. It is near a tram line which can be heard throughout the night - but we were that exhausted from all the exploring we barely noticed! The rooms are stunning - we would 100% recommend staying here.

If you don't fancy this one, don't worry, there are plenty of other options for accommodation in Krakow. Have a look for something that will suit your group size and budget below:

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 may charge you to withdraw money, even if your bank doesn't. It's always best to pay in local currency.

We found that almost everywhere takes both cash and card in Krakow.

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. This is the current weather in Krakow:

What's the time zone in Krakow?

Wroclaw is in the Central European Time Zone, usually an hour ahead of the UK.

What are the best things to do in Krakow?

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.

---