Krakow Travel Guide

Best Time to Visit Krakow

Krakow has a temperate continental climate.

Spring (April–June) is ideal, with temperatures of 12–23°C, blooming parks and outdoor terraces. The Wianki midsummer festival and the Jewish Culture Festival in late June are highlights.

Summer (July–August) is warm, around 22–28°C, and busy, with outdoor events and concerts.

Autumn (September–October) offers pleasant weather, golden colours in the Planty park and fewer crowds.

Winter (November–March) is cold, around -4–3°C, but magical. The Christmas market in the Main Square runs from late November to late December, and Krakow's unique nativity scenes (szopki), recognised by UNESCO, are displayed in December.

Top Places to Visit in Krakow

1. Main Market Square (Rynek Główny)

One of Europe's largest medieval squares, surrounded by colourful townhouses, cafés and churches. In the centre stands the Renaissance Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), with souvenir stalls and the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art. Beneath the square, the Rynek Underground museum reveals medieval Krakow.

2. St Mary's Basilica

A Gothic church with a magnificent wooden altarpiece by Veit Stoss. Every hour, a trumpeter plays the Hejnał from the tower, stopping abruptly in memory of a trumpeter allegedly shot by an arrow during a Mongol attack.

3. Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral

The symbol of Polish history, where Polish kings were crowned and buried. Visit the State Rooms, Royal Apartments, the Crown Treasury and Wawel Cathedral, then descend into the Dragon's Den to see the fire-breathing dragon statue by the Vistula River.

4. Kazimierz

The former Jewish quarter is now a vibrant district of synagogues, cafés, bars and street art. Visit the Old Synagogue, the Remuh Synagogue and cemetery, and try a zapiekanka (a Polish baguette pizza) at Plac Nowy.

5. Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory

The museum tells the story of Krakow under Nazi occupation from 1939 to 1945, including the story of Oskar Schindler, who saved more than 1,000 Jewish workers.

6. Old Town and Planty Park

Walk along the Royal Route from the Barbican and St Florian's Gate to Wawel. The Planty park encircles the Old Town on the site of the former city walls.

7. Collegium Maius

The oldest building of the Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364, where Nicolaus Copernicus studied.

Also worth visiting: the Czartoryski Museum (home to Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine), Podgórze and the Ghetto Heroes Square, Krakus Mound for views, Nowa Huta, a communist-era planned district, and the Krakow Barbican.

Beyond the City

• Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum: The former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp, about 1.5 hours away. Entry passes are personalised and should be booked six to eight weeks in advance for popular dates. Visitors are recommended to be at least 14, and strict bag-size limits apply. Check the official website before visiting.
• Wieliczka Salt Mine: A UNESCO-listed mine with underground chapels carved from salt, 30 minutes away.
• Zakopane: The Tatra Mountains, about 2 hours away.
• Ojców National Park: Limestone cliffs, caves and castles.

Suggested 4-Day Krakow Itinerary

Day 1 – Old Town: Explore the Main Market Square, Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica, listen to the Hejnał and visit Rynek Underground. Walk the Royal Route to Collegium Maius.

Day 2 – Wawel and Kazimierz: Visit Wawel Castle and Cathedral and the Dragon's Den, then explore Kazimierz and enjoy its nightlife.

Day 3 – Auschwitz-Birkenau: Visit the Memorial and Museum with a licensed guide.

Day 4 – Wieliczka and Podgórze: Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine, then Schindler's Factory in Podgórze.

Krakow Food Scene

Krakow offers delicious and affordable Polish food. Try pierogi, żurek, gołąbki (cabbage rolls), placki (potato pancakes), oscypek (smoked mountain cheese) and the obwarzanek krakowski, a ring-shaped bread sold from street carts and protected by EU geographical indication. Krakow also has Michelin-recognised restaurants and many milk bars (bar mleczny) for cheap traditional meals. Try Polish vodka or craft beer in Kazimierz.

Where to Stay in Krakow

• Old Town (Stare Miasto): Close to the main sights.
• Kazimierz: Trendy and lively, with bars and restaurants.
• Podgórze: Quieter and good value, across the river.
• Near the main station: Convenient for trains and airport transfers.

Compare hotel prices and availability in Krakow here.

Getting There & Around

Flying to Krakow

Krakow John Paul II International Airport (KRK) in Balice is about 15 km west of the city, with flights across Europe. A train connects it with Krakow Główny station in about 20 minutes. Katowice Airport (KTW) is an alternative, about 1 hour away. Search and compare cheap flights to Krakow to find the best fares.

Note: in 2025 and 2026, some airports in eastern Poland, such as Rzeszów and Lublin, were briefly closed during Russian drone attacks on Ukraine. Krakow was not affected by the most recent closures, but check your flight status before travelling.

By Train and Bus

High-speed trains connect Krakow with Warsaw (about 2.5 hours), Wroclaw, Gdansk, Vienna, Prague and Budapest. Buses run to Zakopane, Auschwitz and Wieliczka.

Getting Around Krakow

• Walking: The Old Town is pedestrian-friendly.
• Trams and buses (MPK): Cover the city.
• Electric carts (meleksy): For guided sightseeing.
• Bolt and Uber: Widely available and affordable.

Travel Costs in Krakow

Krakow is very affordable. Poland uses the Polish złoty (PLN).

Visa & Entry Requirements

Poland is part of the Schengen Area.

• EU/EEA and Swiss citizens: Travel freely with a valid ID card or passport.
• Visa-free visitors: Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
• EES: Non-EU travellers register fingerprints and a facial image at their first Schengen entry.
• ETIAS: Officially expected in the last quarter of 2026 (expected fee €20), with reports of a possible delay to 2027. Check the official EU ETIAS website.
• Internal border checks: Temporary controls on Poland's German and Lithuanian borders apply until at least March 2027.

Local Tips for Krakow

• Book Auschwitz and Wieliczka early: Tickets for popular dates sell out weeks ahead.
• Respect at memorials: Behave respectfully and follow photography rules at Auschwitz-Birkenau.
• Pay in złoty: Choose PLN when paying by card.
• Sunday shopping: Most shops are closed on Sundays.
• Avoid tourist traps: Check prices at clubs and bars around the Main Square.
• Tipping: Around 10% in restaurants is customary.
• Wawel tickets: Wawel's exhibitions have separate tickets and limited daily numbers; buy early in the day or online.
• Smog in winter: Air quality can be poor on cold winter days; check the forecast if you have respiratory problems.
• Staying connected: EU roaming applies to EU SIM cards; non-EU visitors can use a travel eSIM. Get your Poland eSIM here.

Tours & Experiences

• Auschwitz-Birkenau guided tour: With transport and a licensed guide.
• Wieliczka Salt Mine tour: Explore the underground chapels.
• Old Town and Wawel walking tour: Discover royal Krakow.
• Kazimierz Jewish heritage tour: Learn about Jewish Krakow.
• Polish food and vodka tasting: Taste local specialities.

Browse and book the best tours in Krakow here.

FAQ

How far is Auschwitz from Krakow?

About 1.5 hours by bus, car or organised tour.

Do I need to book Auschwitz in advance?

Yes. Personalised entry passes for popular dates sell out six to eight weeks ahead.

How do I get from Krakow Airport to the city?

By train to Krakow Główny in about 20 minutes.

What is Krakow famous for?

Its Main Market Square, Wawel Castle, Kazimierz, and proximity to Auschwitz and Wieliczka.

How many days do you need in Krakow?

Three to four days, including day trips.

Conclusion

Krakow combines a magnificent royal old town and vibrant Kazimierz with two of Europe's most significant historical sites just outside the city, making it one of Poland's unmissable destinations.

Plan ahead: book your tours and activities on GetYourGuide, and get ready to discover Krakow.