21 Best Things to Do in Krakow For A Weekend

While Krakow lacks international fame, trust us, it’s one of the best cities to visit in Europe. As Poland’s original capital city, Krakow has more historic sites than any other in the country. There are plenty of things to do in Krakow, even if you stay in this small city for a week. 

Krakow's history spans over 1,000 years, with all manner of wars, conquests, and cultural changes that have made it a fascinating historic site as it is today. That’s why when you walk through the beautifully preserved buildings, including those spared the Luftwaffe bombs, you can feel like the past is right in front of you. 

Additionally, the city has a moderate crowd and affordable accommodation. Full of characters and life, Krakow makes for a great European city break for solo travellers, couples, families, and digital nomads alike.

The Ultimate Krakow Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

It takes no more than a few days to visit all the important landmarks in this millennia-old seat of kings (remember to get a Krakow card to save money). But you can also take it slow and soak in the day-to-day life of city on a week-long trip.

One essential tip: explore on foot. Kraków’s compact layout means everything is within walking distanc. And don’t forget to grab a day pack to stay hands-free and your escape easier and more enjoyable. 

1. MOCAK - Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow

MOCAK is home to many unusual and thought-provoking modern artworks. Fred Romero from Paris, France, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

A must-do thing in Krakow once you visit the Zabłocie district. MOCAK welcomes visitors with a cool presentation of contemporary art from the 20th and 21st centuries. In the neighbourhood famed for history, the museum is a nice contrast that brings visitors back to the present and future through Polish art. 

Besides the constant flow of temporary exhibitions, MOCAK is home to 300 artworks on permanent display. Sarah Lucas, Trevor Gould, Ai Weiwei and Edward Dwurnik are just some of the familiar names you’ll come across here. 

2. Market Square And Old Town

Horse carriage waiting for passengers in Rynek Główny. Photo by Mazur Travel - stock.adobe.com

Main Market Square is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and was once an important trading point in the region. Surrounded by pastel yellow and peach buildings, including beautiful architecture like St Mary’s Basilica, it’s also the beating heart of Krakow in present days.

Notable sites include the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, which was built in the 16th century, while the Twin Tower was built even earlier in the 14th century. Now, numerous bars, souvenir shops, cafes, hostels, hotels and landmarks fill the 40,000 square foot square. And every hour, you can hear a trumpeter playing a tune from the nearby St. Mary's Tower. A walking tour may be the best way to explore this.

CabinZero tips: Always invest in a hip pack to store your personal essentials such as passport or anything you need on the go. Choose one with RFID block to safeguard your credit cards and personal information.

3. St Mary’s Basilica

Everything under the blue-star vaulted ceilings of this church will take your breath away. Photo by Xavier Allard - stock.adobe.com

We’ve seen a fair share of Gothic churches around Europe, but this one is different. Looking over the Market Square, St Mary’s Basilica is easily recognisable with its two uneven towers. 

Erected in the 1300s, the church's interior is a sight to behold. St Mary’s Basilica also houses an altarpiece by Veit Stoss, which took a decade to complete. Every day at 11:50 AM, the altarpiece opens its wings, giving you a chance to marvel at one of the most beautiful sights, and no doubt the best thing to do in Krawkow - the stunning sky blue covered in gold stars.

Every hour, there’s a bugle call sound from the Hejnalica, the higher tower of St. Mary's Church. You can notice the call cuts short, as it honours a bugler who was shot by an arrow when using his instrument to warn the city of a Tatars attack.

CabinZero tip: The Euro is not accepted in Poland. You should use Polish zloty for cash payment. Debit and credit cards are accepted, but remember to pay in zloty, not your home currency.

4. Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory 

Schindler Factory's primary products were metal items and enamelware. Adrian Grycuk, CC BY-SA 3.0 PL, via Wikimedia Commons. Image resized.

Perhaps you’ve probably known the story of the hero who saved more than 1,000 Jewish people from the Nazis, thanks to the Oscar-winning film Schindler’s List (or maybe the book it’s based on). You can see where it all happened with your own eyes here - at Oskar Schindler's old factory, which has been turned into a museum since 2010.

You won’t get to see all the factory, but a part of it. It’s one of the best things to do in Krakow for history buffs and normal folks like. The museum offers a glimpse into the history of Krakow and how its residents lived during World War II through everyday objects and documents.

English translations are available, but we highly recommend you sign up for a guided tour to make the most of the experience and learning. Most museums like this one and MOCAK are free on Mondays. However, the queue and the wait will be long. So arrive early or avoid Mondays altogether.

5. Wieliczka Salt Mine

The chandeliers of St. Kinga's Chapel are made entirely of salt crystals. Photo by EnricoPescantini - stock.adobe.com

If you have the time, definitely visit this place with a tour guide. Some 14km south-east of Krakow, the Wieliczka Salt Mine has been providing the city wealth and power since the Middle Ages. With up to 9 levels, this salt mine is a labyrinth of caverns and tunnels that spans nearly 300 kilometres. 

As you descend about 135 metres underneath, you’re surrounded by everything carved out from salt. There are grand statues, sculptures, and the spectacular underground cathedral named St Kinga’s Chapel, all carved out by generations of miners. 

This 700-year-old mine is so impressively large that on a 3-hour tour, you will only cover 1% of its space. If you’re a return visitor, you can sign up for an immersive miner route to explore deeper into the mine.

6. The Cloth Hall 

Sukiennice or Cloth Hall - the oldest mall in the world. Photo By pkazmierczak On Adobe Stock

While strolling the Market Square, you should definitely check out the Renaissance-era Cloth Hall that dates back to the 13th century. For over 700 years, traders have been setting up shop here, selling everything from salt from the famous Wieliczka mine to all sorts of colourful Cracovian crafts.

You can also find the Sukiennice Museum on the upper floor, which houses the largest 19th-century art collections in Poland. If you’re hungry, Sukiennice Restaurant dishes up tasty and authentic Polish fares and has the best view of the Market Square from its terrace. 

CabinZero tip: Given Krakow’s popularity, it’s no wonder that there are numerous scams. Avoid all sorts of ‘gentlemen’s clubs’ and people who try to lure you there or you may get drugged and lose thousands of dollars.

7. Plac Nowy

No holiday to Krakow would be complete without a good few zapiekanki. Photo by Longfin Media - stock.adobe.com

Plac Nowy is also within the Kazimierz, but its own characters and activities earn it a worthy mention on this list. In the past, Plac Nowy has a former life as a local poultry slaughterhouse. Now? It’s the it place to start your exploration of the old Jewish Quarter.

On Saturday and Sunday, it’s home to a weekend flea market, with stalls selling everything from books to clothes and antiques. On weekdays, the crowd will check in those scattered tables that display fresh produce and souvenirs for sale.

Street foods at Plac Nowy are also amazing. We’re talking about the Krawkow real food, zapiekanka - a cross between an open sandwich and generously topped pizza bread. Or try the krakowski - Polish version of a bagel. The food stalls are the best thing to do in Krakow for night owls, as they open until 2 am. 

8. Wawel Hill

Many Polish monarchs were born and died within these old walls. Photo by romanslavik.com - stock.adobe.com

Wawel Hill is the most concise introduction to Polish culture and history. On the 228-metre-high limestone outcropping, you can find grand buildings that uncover some of the most important pieces of Polish past lives. 

The cathedral itself has many architectural styles, from Gothic and Renaissance to Baroque, as it was built and expanded by several rulers. Interestingly, Wawel Castle was once Nazi headquarters, and it’s a miracle to know that it survived the war.

Within its ancient walls, there are several exhibitions to check out. Purchase a joint ticket to see the whole thing in one go. It takes at least 3-4 hours to visit all the exhibitions on the property. However, if you’re short on time, we highly recommend visiting the State Rooms and the Royal Private Apartments first.

9. Alchemia

Located in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, Alchemia is popular among locals and tourists alike. This bar has a lots of characters and feel like a cosy old Polish house. It’s one of the best places to visit in Krakow if you want to have a few drinks and bites with your friends in a vintage and atmospheric setting.

There is a cupboard. Walk through it will lead you to a candle-lit room full of conversations in a Narnia-like fashion. Pretty neat, isn’t it? The music is also an excellent mix of different genres. One moment, you might hear the Bay City Rollers, and the next, Eros Ramazzotti.

10. Wawel Cathedral

This beautiful Gothic cathedral has been around for 1,000 years. Photo by Pawel Litwinski - stock.adobe.com

Standing on the same site as Wawel Castle, Wawel Cathedral is where many historic events in Poland took place. In fact, Wawel Cathedral is where St. Stanislaus, their patron Saint, is laid to rest.

The cathedral’s bell tower houses the renowned Sigismund Bell, one of Poland’s largest bells. You can climb the bell tower to see this massive bell and take in the beautiful views of Krakow. And right next door, the John Paul II Cathedral Museum is a treasure trove of artefacts that make learning about the old Krakow as captivating as possible.

11. Barbican And St. Florian’s Gate

St. Florian’s Gate during the day. Photo by Longfin Media - stock.adobe.com

Along with the Wawel Castle, Barbican is among the most visible city defences still standing today. It used to be connected to St. Florian's Gate and was like a checkpoint for people entering into the city’s walls. The only way to get to St. Florian's Gate was the narrow passage running over a moat.

Barbican is among Europe’s best examples of medieval Barbican. The circular bastion has seven turrets and 130 loopholes in its 3m-thick walls. During the Siege of Krakow in 1528, this cleverly designed fortress held off an attack by the Ottoman Empire. 

Don’t forget to check out St. Florian's Gate, an equally crucial part of Krakow's defences back in the 14th century. It's the only one of the eight original medieval gates that are still surviving in Krakow.

12. Rynek Underground Museum

Rynek Underground is a must do thing in Krakow for fan of  Archaeology. Steven Lek, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Resized from original

Just beneath the paving stones of the Cloth Hall is the Rynek Underground Museum. Half of the museum is an archaeological dig, and the other half is cutting-edge exhibitions with holograms and multimedia to showcase 1000 years of Polish history. 

On the underground route to this secret world, you can notice the original cobbled slabs discovered during an archaeological dig in 2005. Much of the museum’s exhibitions, including those multimedia wizardry, show what life in the Middle Ages was like. There's even an old cemetery with some spooky vampire graves that kids will love.

13. Vistula River Cruise

Wawel Castles viewed from the water on a cruise on the Vistula River. Photo by A.Jedynak - stock.adobe.com

You won't find another river like this in any European city. The left bank is where the party's at, with great restaurants, cafes and stalls. Just grab a bite at a riverside place and soak in the vibes. But cross the bridge, and you're in a natural habitat, home to several species of birds.

It's one of the best unique things to do in Krakow when you want to spend your last day here in this city. The best way to appreciate the river, however, is to sign up for a boat tour that runs along the banks.

Cruises are normally on offer from April to September. The most common starting point is below Wawel Castle Hill, passing through critical landmarks like Norbertine Monastery, Dębnicki Bridge, and other momunents, all the while hearing stories about them.

If you know folks in Poland, you can join them on a Saturday booze cruise for some drinking and games on the deck. Hiring a kayak is also an option. You can see the river at your own pace, venturing as far as Clifftop Benedictine abbey at Tyniec.

14. Nowa Huta

Legends said that the area was built so meticulously that every street had its own bomb shelter. Photo by Mazur Travel - stock.adobe.com

Nowa Huta is a city built from a communist dream. Also known as “The New Steel Mill”, it was one of the two cities in Poland built to reflect the spirit of Socialist Realism. Here, you’ll find historical focal points, including Arka Pana - one of the oldest (and arguably most beautiful) churches in Krakow.

Even a trip to the local shopping centre (or any other building) feels like stepping back in time, with interiors that look like they’ve been frozen in the 1950s. Last but not least, going to a milk bar in Plac Centralny is an essential thing to do in Krakow, so don’t miss it.

15. Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter)

Kazimierz has been a centre for Jewish culture for centuries. Photo by espiegle - stock.adobe.com

Just a 15-minute walk from the Main Square, you can find the unique Kazimierz where the Jewish culture thrived for over 500 years. Though the neighbourhood had its fair share of misery during WWII, it now has morphed into a hippy and tourist-friendly area of Krakow.

One of the best things to do in Krakow is to lose yourself with plenty of buzzing bars, restaurants, beer joints, and quirky boutiques at Kazimierz. We love the district because it felt authentic, without being overly commercialised for tourists. This is where you can grab some of the best zapiekanki (Polish pizza) in Krakow, and come across crumbling tenement blocks here and there. 

16. Planty Park

Not the most unique thing to do in Krakow, but still a must. Photo by Michal45 - stock.adobe.com

Planty Park, where the old city walls used to be, is a chill spot right in the heart of Krakow. It's got awesome winding paths that lead you past chill fountains, and even some old brick towers. 

Only a 3-minute walk from the main square, the park loops around the old city. There's usually a small group of people watching the world go by, and some folks grabbing coffee from the Bunkier Sztuki Café. Come during autumn and you can see the foliage and fallen leaves give the park an extra vibe to it.

17. Mound Kościuszko

Krakus Mound is one of the best places to watch the sunset in Krakow. Photo by Artur Kowalczyk - stock.adobe.com

Have you wondered about those weird, lumpy hills around Kraków? Kopiec Kościuszki or Kościuszko Mound, is an artificial hill that honors the Polish hero Tadeusz Kosciuszko.

The Mound is like a fat cone with a spiral footpath that leads to the summit. When standing 326 meters above sea level, you can get the best view of the Vistula River, the city, and on a clear day, the distant Tatra Mountains.

The older mounds - Kopiec Krakusa and Wandy - were built several thousand years ago. So long that their origin has been lost in the midst of time, but many believe that the pagan tribes built them for sun worship. On the summer solstice, you can even see the sun rising at Kopiec Wandy and setting at Kopiec Krakusa.

18. Zakrzowek Park

An accessible retreat for a day out during your visit to Krakow. Photo by as - stock.adobe.com

Once a limestone quarry, Zakrzowek Park has become a beautiful lake with turquoise water and cliffs since 1990. On a hot summer day, you can see locals and visitors come here for a walk, swim or simply chill out with BBQs. 

Zakrzowek Park now has 5 swimming pools open to the public (including one for kids), which are guarded until they’re closed. Even if you’re not coming for the pools, the treks through forests to reach them are also worth the time. 

19. Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp

It could be your most emotional trip yet. Photo by mlau888 - stock.adobe.com

Be prepared, as a half-day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau can be heavy. Auschwitz-Birkenau remains the largest of the Nazi concentration camps in the world. Auschwitz I, the first camp, is still mostly there. A quick bus ride away is Birkenau, where you can still see remnants of the original camp. If you come to know the best of Krakow, Auschwitz-Birkenau is not to be missed.

20. Dragon’s Den

Good fun for the children: the Wawel Dragon shooting out a fiery breath. Photo by havoc - stock.adobe.com

A tour of Dragon’s Den is definitely recommended if you travel with kids. Climb down 135 steps and you’ll discover two creepy caves with eerie, intermittent lights. The den is actually a limestone cave of more than 80 m in length, with chambers of fossils and karst formations. You can clearly feel the cool moist microclimate inside.

Legend says a huge dragon called Smok Wawelski used to live under Wawel Castle, scaring the folks in town. The corridor eventually leads you out onto the banks of the Vistula River, where you can meet a sculpture modelled after the Wawel Dragon. One of the most unique things to do in Krakow is seeing the statue breath real flames from it mouth (if it doesn’t, just wait a few minutes).

21. Eat And Drink Like A Local

Poland's second-largest city offers exciting culinary experience. Photo by Curioso.Photography - stock.adobe.com

It’s a fact: Polish food is shockingly good. Having your first bite of Krakowski is simply a best thing to do in Krakow, the dining scene is top-notch. You can find these Polish bagels in the Old Town, and simply choose those stalls with a line of locals, as they know which one serves the freshest. 

Also, don’t think about leaving Krakow until you taste the local Pierogi (Polish dumplings). Pod Aniołami and Starka are the masters of this dish. If you’re bar hopping around Plac Nowy, drop by Zapiekanki U Endziora for their signature Zapiekanki. Considering a bar crawl? There’s no better way to start than checking out Wodka Cafe Bar for its famed vodka. 

Let The Good Times Roll In Krakow!

Those ancient walls, castles, and barbicans in the city all leave the marks of the past Krakow, all the way from the Middle Ages to the present. The city is also cheap and cheerful, meaning that a week-long vacation here is guaranteed to be a great time.

Pin this article as your guide to the top things to do in Krakow when you’re ready to book the plane tickets. Please also share it with those planning to visit Krakow just like you. Happy travel!

Kelsey