33 Must-Visit Attractions in Krakow
Krakow, the second largest city in Poland, delivers fairytale views, with the towering Wawel Castle, as well as people-watching meccas such as Florianska Street and the Market Square. Dark times in the city’s recent history are evident in the Jewish ghetto memorial and Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp and green spaces such as Planty Park offer plenty of headspace. Get some inspiration with our guide to things to do in Krakow before planning a trip with Culture Trip to these amazing destinations.
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1. Market Square
Market
2. Wawel Castle
Building
4. Barbican
Building, Museum
5. St Florian's Gate
Building
6. Ko?ciuszko Mound
Building
7. Florianska Street
Architectural Landmark
Cutting through the very heart of the northern half of the Old Town district, the bustling drag that is Florianska Street hosts craft beer bars, souvenir emporiums and vodka tasting joints. You’ll need to be in the mood for ambling and taking in the atmosphere during the high season, as it’s often packed with tourists making their way from St Florian’s gate to the Market Square.
8. The Sukiennice
Building
9. St Mary's Basilica
Church
10. The Jewish Quarter
Architectural Landmark
Set within walking distance of the Old Town, the historic Jewish Quarter (also known as Kazimierz) was once a separate city in its own right, founded in the 15th century, and considered a model Jewish community. Jews were forcibly moved to a ghetto shut off from the rest of the city in 1941. Today, it retains a unique vibe with its crumbling tenement blocks, great synagogues and cool bohemian beer joints.
11. The Dragon's Den
Natural Feature
12. Vistulan Boulevards
Natural Feature, Architectural Landmark
As the winding courses of the Vistula River snake through the heart of Krakow, its banks host wide spaces of greenery, ad hoc summertime markets, beer bars and bobbing boat cafes. Hire a bike or go jogging, stop and watch passing boats on the river, or stroll along as you decide what to see in Krakow next.
13. Slowacki Chamber, Wieliczka Salt Mines
Natural Feature
14. Auschwitz-Birkenau
Memorial, Museum
15. Wawel Cathedral
Cathedral, Church
16. Cmentarz Rakowicki
Cemetery
17. Ojców National Park
Forest, Park, Ruins
18. B?onia
Park
19. Plac Bohaterów Getta
Building
20. Market Hall Unitarg
Market, Polish
21. Oskar Schindler’s Factory
Museum
22. Museum of Stained Glass
Museum
23. Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow
Museum, Shop
24. Lost Souls Alley
Museum
25. Lovers' Bridge
Bridge
Colorful, lovable and entertaining all at once, Krakow’s version of the so-called Lovers’ Bridge (a phenomenon that has spread right across the continent since first being coined in Paris) finds its home on Father Bernard’s Footbridge. Everyone knows how it works: couples come to attach a padlock on the bridge and throw the key into the Vistula below in the hope that it will cast their union in iron. A little soppy? Perhaps, but just check out the views of the river and Podgórze district across the water. Oh, and Forum Przestrzenie is always close by for an al fresco beer.
26. Wódka Café Bar
Bar, Cafe, Beer, Polish, Coffee
27. Pharmacy Museum
Museum
28. Rynek Underground
Market, Museum
Galeria Plakatu
A Haven for graphic designers, art lovers and culture buffs alike, the Polish Poster Gallery is a fantastic place to get inspired. Hosting over 2,500 Polish posters and promoting the culture around them, the petite gallery is a grass-roots organization dedicated to understanding the graphic history of the city. Covering areas like painting, theater, cinema, literature and food, the posters here are all-encompassing in their artistic merits!
Bania-Luka
Nothing short of an institution on the Krakow nightlife scene, this almost all-night watering hole is always packed out with locals, visitors and students alike. Some of the city’s cheapest vodka and beer flows from behind the bar, while plates of hearty pierogi dumplings and tartar offer some welcome late-night indulgence. Just don’t expect a smile at the bar!
29. Alchemia
Bar, Polish
30. Shop for antiques at Plac Nowy
Market, Polish
31. Church of Corpus Christi
Church, Monastery
Additional words by Eliza Marin.
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