General guide
to the city of Krakow
Getting around
The majority of the best things to see in Krakow are within a walking distance of the Old Town. This guide is prepared so that you can see most of the important things in a day or two. For that amount of your time here, I would recommend spending some of it in the areas listed below in the walking route section. It's made in a way that you will make a complete circuit on the map when visited in order - this route will show you most of the beautiful things to see here.
The most efficient way to get around Krakow is by trams and buses. The public transport system is very complex and can get you anywhere. Stops are located close to each other. To track your route, I recommend using Google Maps in public transport mode, as all the schedules are supported. Tickets can be bought at ticket machines located near the stops or on board. Visa and Mastercard cards are usually accepted. Regular ticket costs 4.00PLN/20min or 6.00PLN/60min ride. Remember to validate the ticket at a validation machine after you get inside.
Another way to get around the city is by a taxi. Companies offering such services are Uber, Bolt and FreeNow. You can order one by using the corresponding app on your phone.
Krakow is a very safe city, and if you decide to take a walk at night, all you can encounter are some night drinkers. One thing worth noting is to try to avoid strip clubs in the Old Town area - there is a common scam scheme in Krakow aimed at tourists.
Check out the information below and enjoy your stay in Krakow!
Hello
Cześć
Thank you
Dziękuję
Excuse me
Przepraszam
Weather
Krakow has a varied climate with four different seasons. Summers are warm but do see occasional rain, and winters are cold but atmospheric with snow.
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Time for a walk [0/15]
Take a walk in the following order to see the best places in Krakow. It should take you about 2-5 hours. You can assist with a map and mark the places you visit to track your progress.
-
Start your walk at the heart of Krakow, the Main Square. It's one of the biggest town squares in Europe (the shape of a regular square with sides of 200m x 200m), filled with old buildings, cafés, and street performers. Here, you can enjoy the busy scene, taste delicious Polish food, or shop at small stores.
-
Right in the middle of the Main Square is the Cloth Hall, an old building that reminds of Krakow's past as a trading center. Today, it's a great place to find souvenirs like jewelry, fabrics, and wooden crafts.
-
Right by the Cloth Hall is the Town Hall Tower. Why is only the tower left? At the beginning of the 19th century, a decision was made to demolish the old granary adjacent to the building. During the work, the walls were so badly damaged that the entire building had to be demolished in 1820.
-
Two characteristic towers are a true symbol of Krakow. Step inside to see the stunning interior, highlighted by the magnificent wooden altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss, and make sure to catch the hourly trumpet-call, played from the taller tower.
-
From the Main Square, turn into Grodzka Street. Extremely scenic street connecting the Main Square and the Wawel Castle with the first baroque church in Krakow. Its body and façade are modeled on the Roman churches.
-
You can continue on Grodzka Street or go past the little square into Kanonicza Street and turn left. You'll end up at the Castle. Located on a hill overlooking the Vistula River, it is the impressive seat of Polish monarchs and royal court.
-
On the Castle grounds. The final resting place of Polish kings and queens. For a small additional fee, you can go to the royal tombs and a climb up the tower where the magnificent Sigismund Bell was hung in the 16th century.
-
From the Castle, head towards the Vistula River boulevards. There, you'll find the legendary statue. According to myth, the dragon terrorized the city until it was defeated by a clever shoemaker. Today, the statue breathes fire, delighting people and keeping the legend alive.
-
Go around the Castle walls and enter Bernardyńska Street, then turn right into Stradomska Street and continue straight. A square is a part of the former Kazimierz Square. It is dominated by the mass of the former town hall, which, after numerous building interventions, has only slightly preserved its former architectural form. Today, it houses the Ethnographic Museum. Now you are in the Kazimierz district.
-
Go into Bożego Ciała Street and then right into Beera Meiselsa Street. "Okrąglak" is one of the more charming urban spaces in Kazimierz. A shopping square with a centrally located round building that sells the famous zapiekanki.
-
Either through Miodowa or Józefa Street, head towards the Jewish Square on Szeroka Street. A place where the heart of Jewish Kazimierz beats. It is on this street that five of the seven surviving synagogues of Kazimierz are located, including the Old Synagogue. It is also here that the final concert of the annual Jewish Culture Festival takes place and where you can find the house of Helena Rubinstein.
-
Go into Starowiślna Street, turn left and go all the way straight. Go past the Planty Park until you reach the Small Market Square, which is located behind the St. Mary's Basilica. It is a supporting place for the Main Square for various artistic performances, exhibitions and festivals, like the "Pierogi" Festival in summer.
-
Turn right at the St. Mary's Basilica into the Floriańska Street. One of the most famous streets in Krakow. On either side of it rise beautiful historical houses. This is also where you will find the house where Jan Matejko lived and worked.
-
Medieval city walls were demolished in the 19th century (today their course is marked by the greenery of Krakow's Planty Park). Krakow's main gate, the Florianska Gate and the 15th-century circular fortress surrounded by a moat - the famous Barbican - have survived to the present day.
-
Finally, from the Barbakan head west to take a pleasant walk through Planty Park until you reach the Collegium Novum, Jagiellonian University building, which is one of Europe's oldest universities.
Traditional dishes
Traditional Polish cuisine is a real calorie bomb, but once you try it, you won't be able to resist the temptation.
-
1. Pierogi
The most Polish dish you can think of, need no introduction. These delicious crescent-shaped dumplings come with all kinds of fillings: minced meat, mushrooms, sauerkraut, mashed potatoes or sweetened quark. In warmer seasons they are often served with seasonal fruits like blueberries or strawberries.
-
2. Schabowy
Tender breaded cutlet with a crispy, golden exterior, revealing a satisfying meaty interior. Paired with young potatoes and a refreshing cucumber salad, it creates a legendary Polish Sunday dinner combination.
-
3. Bigos
Very traditional dish, almost a symbol of Polish cuisine and its basic ingredients are sauerkraut, various meats and sausages, dried mushrooms, prunes, onions and spices.
-
4. Gołąbki
The name of this dish literally translates as “little pigeons” but mind you, it has nothing to do with the said animal. They are rolled cabbage leaves, most often stuffed with minced pork and rice. Usually boiled and topped with home-made tomato sauce and served with mashed potatoes or bread.
-
5. Placki ziemniaczane
Polish cuisine relies heavily on potatoes. Mashed potatoes, boiled potatoes, potatoes in soups and in dumplings... Potatoes in their countless forms and shapes, including potato pancakes.
-
6. Żurek
A rich soup soured with fermented rye starter, served with a boiled egg and a white sausage. Every respectable restaurant serving Polish cuisine has Żurek on their menu.
-
7. Kiełbasa
Polish sausage. You can find it sold straight from the grill with some bread and ketchup/mustard at any city festival or fair. Rarely found in restaurants, but possible to buy in good meat stores (the ones that have a lady at the meat counter, not supermarkets).
-
8. Zapiekanka
Probably the most beloved street food in Poland. Zapiekanka is a baked open sandwich, made from white baguette and similar in style to French bread pizza. It is typically topped with ingredients such as mushrooms, cheese, ham and splattered with ketchup or mayonaisse.
-
9. Smalec
Animal fat based paste to smear on bread and eat with dill pickles. Pretty neat, served in restaurants with slices of bread. The true one needs to have "skwarki" in it (little pieces of deep fried bacon).
-
10. Oscypek
Characteristic, spindle-shaped sheep cheese that comes from the Podhale region in the south of Poland. As a rule, it is handmade by a senior shepherd called "baca", shaped in a specially carved mould and smoked for days in a little mountain hut.
Something sweet
Either just for yourself, or as a gift, these are regional sweets worth buying.
-
1. Pączki
Traditional Polish donuts, often filled with jam or other sweet filling. Round, deep-fried, and typically coated with powdered sugar, icing, or bits of dried orange zest. Particularly popular on Fat Thursday. Can be bought in bakeries and cookie shops with the best place being "U Śliwy" confectionery.
-
2. Ptasie Mleczko
Soft, fluffy marshmallow-like filling covered with a thin layer of chocolate. The name literally translates to "bird's milk". They come in various flavors, recommended are Vanilla and Cream. Found in almost every shop.
-
3. Śliwka Nałęczowska
Made from dried plums coated in dark chocolate. Combination of the chewy fruit and the rich, sweet chocolate creates a delicious flavor. Named after the town of Nałęczów in Poland. Found in almost every shop.
-
4. Mieszanka Krakowska
Refreshing fruit jelly candy in chocolate. The mix includes a variety of flavors. Very popular and good sweets by Wawel (a local sweets company).
-
5. Krówka
Traditional Polish fudge, soft and creamy in texture, with a rich, sweet, caramel-like flavor. The name means "little cow". They often come individually wrapped and are a popular treat.
What next?
Check out the guides to the city's districts, go beyond by booking a tour , or enjoy this excellent aerolapse video of Krakow.