Visit Krakow: What are the best things to do and see in the Polish cultural capital? Zoom on the 12 must-have things!
Cultural, traditional and scientific center of the country, Krakow is the second city of Poland and its former capital. Because of its rich history, Krakow has an exceptional heritage, whether historical, cultural or architectural. The historic centre of Krakow is even a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Visiting Krakow will allow you to leap into the history of Central Europe and the millennial traditions of Poland. In addition to historical monuments and buildings, Krakow offers historic frescoes, an exceptional culinary tradition and a pleasant festive atmosphere.
If you ask that to do in Krakow during your stay, here is the answer with the 12 things to visit in Krakow!
1. The former Auschwitz-Birkenau camp
Not far from the city of Krakow is the former concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau . Evil, moving and dark, visiting this place will allow you to take the measure of the terrible drama that Europe suffered during the Second World War, of the horrors suffered by Jews and other minorities under the Nazi Cup.
The memorial, along with the museum, is an hour's drive from the city centre. Many tours are offered to this place of memory.
2. Château du Wawel
Photo credit: Flickr – smif
Located on the hill of the same name, the Castle of Wawel overlooks the Old Town and the Vistula, below. It is a magnificent complex of different buildings, fortifications and churches, mixing several styles: Gothic, Renaissance, Roman and even Rococo! This castle once welcomed the kings and queens of Poland, the visit will allow you to discover the past glory of Krakow.
At the foot of the castle, by the Vistula, you can also admire the legendary Dragon of the Wawel, or at least its statue, which even spits fire: an amazing attraction to visit in Krakow.
3. Kazimierz Jewish Quarter
Photo credit: Flickr – Jan Kraus
Before the Second World War, one third of the population of Krakow was Jewish. At that time, Kazimierz was the Jewish quarter of the city, located south of Old Town. Today, many efforts are being made to preserve the Jewish heritage of this neighbourhood. Thus, many historic buildings and synagogues can be observed during your visit.
Despite the disasters of the past, the neighbourhood is today very vibrant and dynamic, with typical and charming restaurants, street art and art galleries. The local community is trying to revive Kazimierz, and it works! It is therefore a unique place and a must if you want to visit Krakow. To eat on the inch in the neighborhood, go to Plac Nowy, around Okrąglak (the Rotonde), to enjoy a Zapiekanka, a local specialty. It is a half of chopped baguette all along, with butter or olive oil. On top you can choose what to put: mushrooms, ham tomatoes, chicken, onions... All is sprinkled with cheese and baked.
4. Kościuszko
Photo credit: Flickr – MCA / Mike Allyn
Le Monticule de Kościuszko was erected by the inhabitants of Krakow in 1823 to honor the national hero Tadeusz Kościuszko . This monument is inspired by the other prehistoric mounds that overlook the city: the Krak and Wanda mounds, to be visited in Krakow as well. At the top, visitors enjoy a magnificent view of the city. The days of good weather, it is even possible to admire the Tatra Mountains in the South!
To take height and breathe a purer air in Krakow, you can also take the direction of Kopiec Krakusa, whose route to get there is detailed in this article . You can go on foot after crossing the Kladka Bernatka bridge or taking trams 3 and 24 for the stop “Powstańców Wielkopolskich”.
5. Old Town Market Square
In the heart of the Old Town of Krakow, a picturesque historic centre, you will find the beautiful and immense Place du Marché Also called the Rynek! It is divided into two by the Halle aux Draps, which also houses a museum of popular art.
East side, you can admire the fabulous Basilica of St. Mary , of which the two arrows rise to heaven. A blend of baroque, gothic and new art, the basilica is one of the most emblematic and sumptuous monuments of the historic city!
On the other hand, you can contemplate the Tour de l’Hôtel de Ville, another magnificent building of the Old Town. The market place is an excellent starting point to visit Krakow.
6. Wieliczka salt mines
Photo credit: Flickr – Mihai Lucîț
It would be a shame to visit Krakow without exploring them Wieliczka salt mines ! Open from the Middle Ages, these mines are one of many Polish sites classified as UNESCO World Heritage. On the programme of the visit: underground stairs, crystal chambers, marvelous salt monuments and fabulous lakes at the heart of the depths. Visiting the salt mines of Wieliczka is a real trip to the center of the Earth, which lasts more than two hours!
7. Planty Park
Photo credit: Flickr – Xavi
Surrounding the Old Town, the Planty Park is absolutely sublime. If you are visiting Krakow, we invite you to take a tour and enjoy a delicious stroll around the historic city. Enjoy it also to relax on one of the many benches, and to observe the tumultuous local life!
8. The Cathedral of the Wawel
Also known as Basilica-cathedrale Saints-Stanislas-et-Venceslas de Krakow , this monument was destroyed and rebuilt three times. It is one of the most important historical Polish monuments. Like the historic centre of Krakow, the Cathedral has been listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1978. A true national sanctuary, many kings, queens or Polish poets are buried there. When you go to Wawel Castle, you can visit the Cathedral independently in book your ticket online .
9. Oskar Schindler’s factory
Photo credit: Wikimedia- Dennis Jarvis
In addition to his appearance in the film "The Schindler List", Oskar Schindler’s factory is one of the most popular places in Krakow. Visit this must-see will allow you to discover how this Nazi industrial has saved the life of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust . The permanent exhibition “Cracovie under the Nazi Occupation, 1939-1945” will immerse you in the history of Krakow and the Jewish ghetto during the Second World War. It is possible to perform one guided tour of the Oskar Schindler factory .
10. La Barbacane
Photo credit: Wikimedia- Own work
Built in the 15th century to protect the city and especially in the face of the Ottoman threat, this fortress is a must to visit in Krakow! A true wonder of the military architecture of the Middle Ages, it is one of the barbacanes the best preserved in Europe.
11. The Old Synagogue (Stara Boznica)
Photo credit: Flickr – Fred Romero
Old Synagogue is one of the oldest synagogues in Poland. Its interior may seem disappointing, knowing that it has been plagued by the Nazis, destroyed and reformed many times, but does not remove the historical value of the place. You can learn more about the history of Jews in Krakow through the liturgical elements and ancient documents it houses.
12. See also in Krakow and the surrounding area
If you are still wondering what to do in Krakow, here are more attractions to visit and activities to enjoy in and around the city:
- Dinner in the picturesque and traditional restaurant, Pod Wawelem, to the atmosphere and the dishes typical Polish !
- Discover the Porte de Saint-Florian, north of Old Town, vestige of the fortifications surrounding Krakow.
- Enjoy life along the Vistule. The green edges of the river are very lively in the summer and host musical and festive events.
- Admire the sublime Church of St. Joseph, in the south of the Jewish quarter, one of the most beautiful neo-Gothic buildings in Poland.
- Not far from Krakow is the Ojcow National Park, one of the most beautiful in the country, which houses cliffs, ravines, dense forests and many small caves – a wonderful introduction to the nature and Polish landscapes!
- Visit the Polish historic village Tyniec and its abbey, located about 15 kilometers from the city centre of Krakow.
- Visit Zakopane, about two hours’ drive from Krakow, it is the capital of winter sports in Poland!
How to go to Krakow?
To visit Krakow, you can fly, train or car, everything will depend on your departure location. Krakow has its own airport: Krakow-John Paul II Airport, the second airport in the country. Ryanair and easyjet low-cost companies serve Krakow Airport. It is also interesting to watch flights to Katowice, located about 1h drive from Krakow. You'd have to make a reservation. transfer between Katowice Airport and Krakow . To find cheap flights to our partner, you can visit our partner's website Ulysses .
Where to stay in Krakow?
If you want to visit Krakow, you should know that there are plenty of housing options. To make the most of the cultural and tourist attractions, we recommend the historic centre or the former Jewish quarter Kazimierz. The latter is rapidly changing and is certainly the most authentic district in Krakow. They're part of it best areas to stay in Krakow !
To find a hotel at the best price, don’t hesitate to take a look at this site Compare hotels . And if you opt for more atypical housing, you can turn to Airbnb .
Now you know what to do in Krakow and its surroundings during your traditional and cultural stay in Poland!
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