12 Best Things To Do in Krakow

Discovering the secrets of Krakow and exploring its streets and monuments is the ideal plan for a long weekend. The city and its surroundings offer experiences that will remain in the traveller's mind forever. Here's what you can't miss on your trip to Krakow.

Located approximately an hour and a half by road from the centre of Krakow, the Auschwitz concentration camps are one of the most visited places in Europe. What was once the capital of horror is now a museum dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Nazi regime.

You can visit the Auschwitz camps on your own (here is more information on how to get to Auschwitz from Krakow) or by booking an excursion to Auschwitz. I definitely recommend the latter option. Here is some information on excursions to Auschwitz and prices for tickets and guided tours of Auschwitz. You'll see that it's worth it.

However, do bear in mind the opening hours of Auschwitz when booking your visit. I would suggest booking for first thing in the morning, as visits and tours of the Auschwitz concentration camps usually last around two hours, leaving you more time to see other things afterwards. Here are some suggestions:

• Excursion to Auschwitz from €46
• Excursion to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines from €110
• Excursion to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum from €46
• Excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz-Birkenau from €128

Useful information about organised excursions

Many packages include, in addition to admission to the Auschwitz complex, transport from Krakow and are available in several languages. What you will see in the Auschwitz concentration camps are the remains of a historical period that is essential to learn about and never forget.

This tour is not recommended for children under the age of nine and, on a personal level, I would not recommend it to very sensitive travellers either because, although enriching, it can be quite hard to take in, even though the guides do not dwell on gruesome details at any point. Here are some tips if you are going to visit the Auschwitz concentration camps from Krakow.

After Auschwitz, the excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines is the most popular visit in the Krakow area among travellers passing through the Polish city. It is also a World Heritage Site, so if you are wondering whether it is worth visiting the salt mines from Krakow, the answer is yes.

The most important thing to know is that it is advisable to book tickets well in advance. Even if you choose to visit the Wieliczka Salt Mines on your own, visits are always guided tours available in several languages and are usually in high demand.

Here is more information on how to get to Wieliczka from Krakow and tickets for the Wieliczka Salt Mines: how to buy, prices and discounts with a guided tour or a combination of both options.

Useful information about visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines

If you are wondering what you will see in the Wieliczka Salt Mines, I can tell you that the list will be headed by a chapel carved out of salt, a lake, chambers connected by a network of underground tunnels and sculptures of famous people made of salt (the latter will provide some of the best photo opportunities in the Wieliczka Salt Mines).

They are located about half an hour away from Krakow, and the visit to the salt mines lasts about two and a half hours. Here are some recommendations for your visit:

• You can take a combined tour to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines from Krakow to get a discount on the price of tickets to the Wieliczka Salt Mines.
• The best advice for visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines is to wear warm clothing regardless of the time of day you choose to visit.
• The temperature inside the mines is low, and especially if you are visiting the Wieliczka Salt Mines with children, the cold can play tricks on you.

Krakow's Old Town and Jewish Quarter are the city's most iconic locations due to their history. Although a solo stroll through both places is visually enjoyable, booking a guided tour of Krakow to explore them is infinitely more enriching. Below, I'll tell you about the best guided tours of the Jewish quarter.

A local, specialised guide will show you the city through their eyes and help you learn about its history and anecdotes. They will also show you monuments and places of great cultural interest that you might otherwise miss. There are different options for guided tours of Krakow:

• Book a bike tour.
• Book an electric car tour.
• Book a tour of Krakow's Jewish quarter.
• Book a food tour.
• Book a tour of Krakow's old town.
• Book a ghost tour of Krakow.
• Book a tour of the Nowa Huta district.

Those who have seen Steven Spielberg's masterpiece will understand the significance of this place. For those who haven't: Oskar Schindler was a German businessman who saved a large number of Jews from concentration camps by employing them as workers in his factories.

After the war, Schindler was executed, but the descendants of his employees still honour him to this day.

Booking a guided tour of Schindler's factory in the centre of Krakow is a history lesson that offers a glimmer of hope, as even amid the horror that the city experienced under Nazi occupation, there were people who refused to be part of it.

Near the historic centre stands Wawel Hill and the imposing castle of the same name. From there, you will have perfect views of the city from above and you can also see this 14th-century Renaissance castle.

It is open every day from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. (until 5 p.m. in summer) and inside you will find the crown jewels, the royal armoury, the royal chambers, the crypts of famous figures and my favourite place, the dragon's cave.

This is a highly recommended visit to do alone or in a group by booking a guided tour of Wawel Castle, as Wawel Castle is one of the emblems of the city of Krakow.

In every city, there is a place to get lost, browse shops, watch the locals, eat something without rushing, or sit down and rest. In Krakow, that place is Krakow's Market Square, a medieval-style square surrounded by colourful palaces.

You will pass through it many times during your visit, so enjoy it and take your time exploring every corner because it is well worth it.

And, of course, it is included in the itinerary when you book a tour of Krakow's Old Town and other city tours.

Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains with their hot springs are two of the must-see destinations on your trip to Krakow. On the one hand, in Zakopane you can stroll through its streets and admire the wooden chalets from the early 20th century. And on the other hand, you can climb Gubalowka Hill and admire the breathtaking views of the Tatra Mountains. A unique way to enjoy nature and breathtaking views.

Would you like to visit both places? If so, I recommend booking an excursion to Zakopane and Tatra, which lasts approximately 10 hours and means you don't have to worry about how to get there.

And if you want to continue travelling around Krakow, you can also add another destination to your list: Wadowice.

Krakow Cathedral is located on Wawel Hill, is dedicated to St. Stanislaus and is over 1,000 years old. It is one of the most important buildings in Poland and is therefore included in the tour of Krakow's old town. Admission is free.

You can't take photos inside, and if you want to go up the tower to see the aerial views of the city, you'll have to pay around four euros. If you find this visit interesting, don't hesitate to add some of Krakow's other best churches to your itinerary. You won't regret it.

No list of things to see and do in Krakow would be complete without a mention of Polish cuisine. The most popular drink in the country is vodka, but what about traditional dishes?

In Krakow's restaurants you'll find delicacies such as pierogi, paprykarz and zurek, all of which are mainly made from meat, pasta and spices. What's more, if you're looking for a safe bet, you can check out the best food tours in Krakow.

Polish cuisine takes elements from other cuisines such as Armenian, Slavic, Turkish, German, Jewish and French. The result is exquisite, and the best way to experience it first-hand is by visiting some of the city's traditional restaurants or booking a food tour of Krakow.

This sturdy fortification is located in the centre of Krakow and measures about 25 metres. It was built in the 15th century to protect the city from the advance of the Ottoman Empire, and although a visit inside is not essential, it is worth walking around it to appreciate its Gothic style.

You will find it past the Florian Gate and, like other sites we have already mentioned, it is of great historical interest and is usually included when booking a tour of Krakow's old town.

Another tip I can give you when planning your trip to Krakow is not to limit yourself to the city itself. Many people wonder before their trip whether it is better to visit Krakow or Warsaw, but the truth is that there is no need to choose.

If you have enough time during your trip, you can go from Krakow to Warsaw on your own or on one of the organised excursions around Krakow. Don't miss out on either city! And if you're left wanting more, here's a post on how to get from Krakow to Wroclaw.

I recommend booking an excursion to Warsaw from Krakow in advance so you don't get caught out. Poland is waiting for you!

Located in Krakow's old town, the building where Copernicus studied stands out for its beautiful interior courtyard.

If you're interested in astronomy, you have to visit the University Museum, but if not, you can still go at sunset, when the organised tours are over, to relax in the garden while admiring the architecture. To get there, you can check out all the information about the Krakow tourist bus.

As you can see, Krakow has a lot to offer tourists. In addition, there are various tours and excursions from Krakow that you should include in your list. Of course, being a large capital city, it also has seasonal events that you cannot miss.

Choose the date of your visit to Krakow (my recommendation is to travel to Krakow at Christmas, especially if you are visiting Krakow with children) and then check this list to find out what to do in the Polish city:

• What to do in Krakow in January.
• What to do in Krakow in February.
• What to do in Krakow in August.
• What to do in Krakow in October.
• What to do in Krakow in November.
• What to do in Krakow in December.

Every season has its advantages. Whether you visit Krakow in winter, summer, autumn or spring, you will find things to do, so set aside at least three days for your visit.

If you are staying for less time and want to save time, I recommend booking your transfers between the airport and Krakow in advance. However, here are several itineraries you can consult, regardless of how many days you are staying:

• What to see and do in Krakow in 1 day.
• What to see and do in Krakow in 2 days.
• What to see and do in Krakow in 3 days.
• What to see and do in Krakow in 4 days.
• What to see and do in Krakow in 5 days.
• What to see and do in Krakow in 7 days.