Are you wondering what are the best things to do in Krakow Poland? Great you’ve come to the right place!
1. Visit Krakow’s Central Square (Kraków’s Rynek Główny)
Best Things To Do in Krakow Poland? Firstly if you are in Krakow the gravitational pull to visit the old town will be strong. This central square in the middle of Krakow is full of activity with historic landmarks, cafes, museums and beautiful architecture. If you are visiting in the summer you can enjoy a cool drink and people watch. In case of visiting Kraków’s Rynek Główny in the winter great! Kraków’s Rynek Główny is the centre of the Christmas Market. Then be sure to buy some unique handcrafted gifts whilst enjoying a warming mulled wine.
Visiting Krakow’s Central Square is free just soak up the beauty and architecture.
Whilst visiting Kraków’s Rynek Główny you can also visit the Sukiennice Cloth Hall. Next visit gothic spired St. Mary’s Basilica, quaint Church of St. Adalbert and Museum. Underneath your feet you might be surprised to know there is a museum!
2. Visiting the Museums in Krakow’s Central Square
Visiting Rynek Underground Museum
To find out what exhibitions are on when you visit Rynek Underground Museum check out their page. The museum has exhibits which range from the Jewish culture to Children’s fun and games in communist times. Enjoy this multi media museum set underground.
Visiting Lonja de los Paños (Krakow’s Cloth Hall)
Krakow’s Cloth Hall museum offers Polish painting and sculpture, special exhibitions, spread over more than 4 beautiful halls. It is also the location of Cafe Szał and bookstore in the Sukiennice which amazing roof top views.
Other Museums in and around the Krakow’s Central Square include the Historical Museum, Krzysztofory Palace and Town Hall Tower.
Best Things To Do in Krakow Poland? Buy a Discover Krakow 3 day museum card which will allow you to enter up to 40 museums and attractions!
3. Enjoy some Traditional Polish Food Pierogi (Polish Dumplings) and Beetroot Soup is one of the Best Things To Do in Krakow Poland
Pierogi are a delicacy that you can taste throughout Poland. We couldn’t wait to try some on our first evening in Krakow. Why not visit Vincents Pierogi MR Vincent a great little bistro in the back streets of the old town? This area comes alive by night.
Polish dumplings Pierogi will satisfy both the carnivore or vegivore amongst your group. Fillings range from fresh quark, boiled and minced potatoes, or sauerkraut or meat and fried onions.
Beetroot Soup anyone? Borscht is a winter warming soup made from a mixture of root vegetables which includes beetroot of course. You must try Broscht, you won’t be disappointed. Still hungry? Then we recommend a starter of Borscht followed with a main course of Polish Dumplings washed down with a local beer.
Best Things To Do in Krakow Poland eat delicious traditional food!
4. Visit the Old Synagogue and Schindler’s List Passage
The Old Synagogue of Krakow is the oldest still standing in Krakow. Maybe not surprisingly the Old Synagogue was devastated and looted during the second world war.
Only a four minute walk away from Krakow’s Old Synagogue is Schindler’s List Passage. This pictueresque whitewashed passage was used in the filming of Steven Spieldberg’s movie Schindler’s List. Now home to information boards about local Jewish families and Polish resistance during the Second World War. It is also home to some little art galleries and a beer garden. Visiting Schindler’s List Passage is free and is a hidden gem of Krakow.
5. Enjoy a traditional Zapiekanka (Polish open toasted sandwich) for lunch
You are wondering what the the Best Things To Do in Krakow Poland? As you are walking around the beautiful city you will be getting hungry! A cheap, tasty and filling lunchtime treat is a Zapiekanka. Visit the square with a rotunda in the streets around Plac Nowy, Estery 15, Zapiekanki. All around the rotunda are little kiosks which sell the traditional Polish open sandwiches which are delicious. Simply choose your topping and sauce and after a few minutes enjoy this tasty lunch. Zapienkanka are a fraction of the cost of a lunchtime menu. Undeniably a delicious cheap lunch.
There is an old pump in this little town square which you might be forgiven for thinking is a rusted artifact! You would be wrong the old hand pump still works! Whenever you need to clean your hands from the dripping delicious melted cheese no problem.
6. Is Wieliczka Salt Mine worth visiting? Yes it is!
Wieliczka Salt Mine only a few miles outside of Krakow is an exhausting, informative, amazing adventure undergound. Read more about our trip here. A guided tour, underground cathedral where the walls, floor and chandeliers are all beautifully crafted from salt. You won’t be disappointed after a visit to the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Best Things To Do in Krakow Poland from Salt Mines to Toasted Sandwiches we have it covered!
7. Visit Auschwitz and Birkenau
No visit to Krakow would be complete without paying your respects to those who suffered at Auschwitz and Birkenau. Visiting Auschwitz is currently free of charge but you will need to book a ticket in advance. Another key point spaces are limited! If you want to join a guided tour in your choosen language plan ahead and book and pay for your visit.
Travel by bus, train or your own vehicle to get to Auschwitz. After that, to get between Auschwitz and Birkenau which is approximately 2 kilometers away there is a free shuttle bus.
When you visit Auschwitz expect to spend many hours visiting the camps. Walk through the infamous gates of wrought iron with the words “Arbeit Macht Frei”. Step back into a time of horror and sadness nevertheless it is important to visit Auschwitz. You can learn about the extermination of the millions of people who walked through these gates. Hear their personal stories and reflect on how we must ensure it never happens again.
8. Run, Walk or Cycle along the River Vistuala (one of the free and best things to do in Krakow Poland)
Obviously depending on how far you wish to run, walk or cycle a journey along the River Vistuala will be fun. You can travel along one side of the river, cross over one of the many bridges and come back again. Without a doubt enjoying amazing views from a different perspective. Certainly a network of safe, off road paths and cycle ways this is a great way to get a sense of Krakow.
Firstly we recommend you start your walk at the Debnicki Bridge and head to the old Jewish Ghetto.The former Jewish Ghetto is now the trendy Kazimierz neighborhood. Initially a journey of only 3 kilometers, 6 kilometers if you cross over and walk back on the other back of the River Visuala. Map my run has a great map of this scenic route.
Best Things To Do in Krakow Poland explore on foot, by bike or perhaps even boat!
9. Visit Wawel Castle
Perched on a little hill next to the River Vistuala, Wawel Castle is hard to miss on any visit to Krakow. There is so much to see in Wawel castle. Firstly you can expect State Rooms, the Treasury, Armoury, Dragons Den, Tower, Gardens and Courtyard. Hence you could find yourself lost in the wonders of Wawel Castle all day!
Significantly Wawel Castle and the Cathedral are two separate institutions. Have a look at Wawel Castle website to decide which exhibition area you would like to visit and plan your day accordingly. Compared to other months if you are lucky enough to be visiting Wawel Castle in November you might get free entry!