9 Things to Do in Krakow

Krakow is like a scene from a medieval fairy tale, an historical city bursting with color, culture and curiosity. Whether you’re looking for a romantic weekend away, a fun getaway with friends or you’re keen to learn about its significant history and the impact of World War II on the city, Krakow covers all grounds.

There’s something quite welcoming about Poland’s coolest city. It’s cheap, it’s beautiful and there are so many unique and incredible sights and attractions to discover. Who knew you could text a fire-breathing dragon? With that in mind, you’re going to need some help prioritizing everything that you’ll want to see. So, here are some of the top things to do in Krakow in a day.

What are the best things to do in Krakow?

Ξενοδοχεία στον προορισμό Κρακοβία

1. Krakow Main Market Square

Rynek Główny is the heart of the city

Καλό για: Οικογένειες, Ιστορία, Φωτογραφία, Οικονομική διαμονή

One of the largest squares in medieval Europe, Krakow’s 4-hectare Main Market Square is the center of the city around which everything else gravitates. The square’s Adam Mickiewicz Monument is the go-to meeting place for visitors and locals alike and is the ideal spot to begin your explorations.

Much like the rest of the city, the Main Market Square is steeped in history and boasts intricate ancient architecture, from elegant townhouses with unique names to the 14th-century Gothic St. Mary’s Basilica and the 16th-century Renaissance Cloth Hall. Be sure to explore inside the famous Cloth Hall as it’s one of the first shopping malls in the world and houses the Rynek Underground hi-tech museum.

Τοποθεσία: Main Square, Stare Miasto, Krakow, Poland

Εξερευνήστε ξενοδοχεία κοντά στο σημείο ενδιαφέροντος Πλατεία Κεντρικής Αγοράς

2. Krakow’s Old Town

A traditional way to see the city

Καλό για: Ζευγάρια

Hop on a horse and cart from the Main Market Square for a fun and unique way to see Krakow’s Old Town. You can’t miss the line of horse-drawn carriages, waiting for you to climb aboard for a unique tour of the city. Considering it’s so surprisingly cheap, you’ll feel like royalty as you’re chauffeured through the cobbled streets and up towards Wawel Castle.

Krakow’s Old Town has earnt itself UNESCO World Heritage status, and your driver and guide will show you all the key points of interest and tell you all about the area’s history. The Old Town’s fairy-tale architecture all around you just adds to the magical experience.

Εξερευνήστε ξενοδοχεία στην περιοχή Παλιά Πόλη της Κρακοβίας

3. St. Mary’s Basilica

The 14th-century Gothic church

Καλό για: Ζευγάρια, Ιστορία, Φωτογραφία, Οικονομική διαμονή

One of the dominating features of the Old Town’s Main Market Square, St. Mary’s Basilica is just as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside. From the outside, you’re drawn to its looming brick structure, with its asymmetrical twin towers. The taller of the 2 displays a bright golden crown on top of its Gothic spire.

Step inside the church doors and you’re treated to an explosion of color. From the breathtaking kaleidoscope of 14th-century stained-glass windows illuminating the altar, to the brightly colored wall paintings and the mesmerizing deep-blue ceiling, twinkling with golden stars, it’s worth every bit of time to explore. Visit on the hour to hear the famous bugle call sound from the top of the tallest tower.

Τοποθεσία: St. Mary’s Basilica, plac Mariacki 5, 31-042 Krakow, Poland

Ώρες λειτουργίας: Daily from 11.30 am to 6 pm

Τηλέφωνο: +48 12 422 07 37

Εξερευνήστε ξενοδοχεία κοντά στο σημείο ενδιαφέροντος Βασιλική St. Mary

4. Oskar Schindler’s Factory

An insight into World War II Krakow

Καλό για: Ιστορία, Φωτογραφία

What was once Oskar Schindler’s working enamel factory has now become a fascinating interactive museum in Krakow’s bleak industrial district. Schindler, the Nazi industrialist, became famous for saving the lives of 1,200 Jews by employing them to work in his factories during the Holocaust.

Nowadays, the Schindler’s Factory museum is devoted to his story and the history of Krakow during the World War II Nazi occupation. There are often temporary exhibitions taking place in the museum, but the permanent one is worth the visit on its own. Walk the recreated Krakow wartime street and see Schindler’s office, preserved just how he left it, complete with his desk and huge map of Europe.

Τοποθεσία: Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, Lipowa 4, 30-702 Krakow, Poland

Ώρες λειτουργίας: April–October: daily from 10 am to 8 pm (Mondays until 4 pm, every first Monday of the month until 2 pm). November–March: daily from 10 am to 6 pm (Mondays until 2 pm)

Τηλέφωνο: +48 12 257 10 17

Εξερευνήστε ξενοδοχεία κοντά στο σημείο ενδιαφέροντος Εργοστάσιο του Όσκαρ Σίντλερ (Σημείο ενδιαφέροντος)

5. Auschwitz

The infamous Nazi concentration camp

Καλό για: Ιστορία, Φωτογραφία

Auschwitz stands as a poignant and stark reminder of the dire conditions Jews faced during the Holocaust of World War II. A journey to this infamous extermination camp is sobering, emotional, but altogether unmissable. It was the largest of the Nazi concentration camps and now serves as a moving memorial to the 1 million Jews who lost their lives there.

It’s possible to catch a bus from the center of Krakow to Auschwitz, but it can be a little challenging to get to. So, to get the most out of the experience, it’s advisable to book an excursion, which includes travel to and from Krakow, and a fully-guided tour of the concentration camp, prison blocks and gas chambers.

Τοποθεσία: Memorial and Museum Auschwitz-Birkenau, Więźniów Oświęcimia 20, 32-603 Oświęcim, Poland

Ώρες λειτουργίας: Daily from 7.30 am (closing hours vary by season)

Τηλέφωνο: +48 33 844 80 99

6. Wawel Royal Castle

Krakow’s iconic attraction

Καλό για: Ζευγάρια, Ιστορία, Φωτογραφία

Climb Wawel Hill and experience the imposing Wawel Castle with its dramatic fairy-tale spires; the most famous attraction in Krakow. It’s not just iconic to the city, but it’s a symbol of Poland’s national identity, too. Visible from nearly every corner of Krakow, you’ll get superb views from the top as you wander the castle grounds.

Now a museum, the castle consists of 5 separate sections (each requiring separate tickets): The State Rooms, the Royal Private Apartments, Lost Wawel, the Crown Treasury & Armory and the Exhibition of Oriental Art. Make sure you time your visit well, as you’ll want at least a couple of hours to look around everywhere and you may experience some queues while waiting to get in.

Τοποθεσία: Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel 5, 31-001 Krakow, Poland

Ώρες λειτουργίας: Opening hours vary by season and by section

Τηλέφωνο: +48 12 422 51 55

Εξερευνήστε ξενοδοχεία κοντά στο σημείο ενδιαφέροντος Κάστρο Wawel

7. Wawel Dragon

The legendary Wawel Hill statue

Καλό για: Οικογένειες, Φωτογραφία, Οικονομική διαμονή, Ασυνήθιστα

Head just outside the grounds of Wawel Castle and witness the fierce Wawel Dragon breathe real fire before your eyes. Legend has it that the mythic creature once dwelt in a cave beneath the castle, wreaking havoc with city dwellers during King Krakus’ reign. That was until Skuba, the poor shoemaker, stuffed a sheepskin with sulphur and tricked the dragon into eating it. It caused the beast to become so thirsty that it drank from the Vistula River until it exploded.

Nowadays, the 6-meter-tall and 7-headed Wawel Dragon statue – named Smok Wawelski – can be found by the banks of the Vistula River. It shoots flames from its mouth every 5 minutes, but you can also text “SMOK” to 7168 to summons the flames yourself.

Τοποθεσία: Smok Wawelski, Stare Miasto, 31-001 Krakow, Poland

Εξερευνήστε ξενοδοχεία κοντά στο σημείο ενδιαφέροντος Smok Wawelski Statue (μνημείο)

8. Wieliczka Salt Mine

A fascinating underground labyrinth

Καλό για: Ζευγάρια, Ιστορία, Φωτογραφία

An underground maze filled with ornate statues and elaborate chandeliers, the Wieliczka Salt Mine has to be seen to be believed. Now a protected UNESCO World Heritage Site, the former mine features 300 km of tunnels and chambers spread over 9 levels, the deepest of which is 327 meters below ground level.

Make the 14 km journey from Krakow city center and experience the wonder of one of Poland’s most popular attractions for yourself on a 2-hour guided tour. See the impressive Chapel of St. Kinga built entirely from salt, the dense waters of the salt lake and the 36-meter-high Stanislaw Staszic Chamber. Your ticket also includes a 1-hour tour of the Krakow Saltworks Museum.

Τοποθεσία: Wieliczka Salt Mine, Jana Mikołaja Daniłowicza 10, 32-020 Wieliczka, Poland

Ώρες λειτουργίας: April–October from 7.30 am to 7.30 pm. November–March from 8 am to 5 pm

Τηλέφωνο: +48 12 278 73 02

Εξερευνήστε ξενοδοχεία κοντά στο σημείο ενδιαφέροντος Αλατορυχείο Wieliczka

9. Kazimieriz

The trendy Jewish quarter

Καλό για: Καταναλωτές, Ιστορία, Φαγητό, Νυχτερινή ζωή

After an action-packed day exploring the city, there’s no better place to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a drink or 2 than in Krakow’s popular Kazimieriz neighborhood. The lively Jewish quarter is as bursting with history and synagogues as it is boutique shops, unique galleries, colorful street art and bustling bars and cocktail dens.

This thriving part of the city oozes character and provides the perfect setting to sample some traditional Polish wódka with the locals. If you feel wobbly at the thought of neat shots of vodka, then try a refreshing Zubrowka bison grass vodka and apple juice instead.

Εξερευνήστε ξενοδοχεία στην περιοχή Kazimierz

Το άρθρο αυτό περιλαμβάνει απόψεις της συντακτικής ομάδας Go Guides Η Hotels.com αποζημιώνει τους συντάκτες για τα κείμενά τους που εμφανίζονται στην ιστοσελίδα αυτή. Μια τέτοια αποζημίωση ενδέχεται να περιλαμβάνει ταξίδια και άλλα έξοδα.