Recently I visited Krakow and fell in love. Cliche, I know, but I adored this city.
Whether you’re a history enthusiast, foodie, or simply seeking a city break that will leave you feeling relaxed, Krakow has something unique to offer everyone.
In this post, you’ll find experience-based tips to make the most of your trip to Krakow. I’m including information on where to stay, how much money you need for your trip, the best places to eat and drink, what activities to do, how to get around, and tips and tricks!
Jump into my Krakow travel guide below to make the most of your time in this beautiful city.
- The best time to visit Krakow
- How much money do I need to visit Krakow?
- Where to stay in Krakow
- Must-see sights in Krakow
- The best places to eat in Krakow
- Things to know before visiting Krakow
The best time to visit Krakow
A quick Google search will tell you that the most popular time to visit Krakow is June to August when the city is buzzing, the banks of the Vistula come to life, and evenings have that quintessential European summer breeze.
But personally, I’d recommend avoiding peak season. With popularity comes a price; queues are long, restaurants are more difficult to get into, and the cost of accommodation and activities is higher.
Instead, choose Krakow for your spring or autumn holiday. We recently visited in May and thought that it was a lovely time to visit. The temperatures were still warm during the day (although it can get pretty chilly at night, so take a jumper!), and the city was much less crowded. Fewer crowds meant we really got to enjoy everything the city offers – I couldn’t recommend off-season enough!
Tip: walk around the city in the evening to see the sun setting and the Krakow Main Square Markets glow.
But if you’re looking for a winter break, Krakow has some of the best Christmas Markets in Europe, and the city comes to life in a haze of Christmas-card perfection. I haven’t visited at this time, but it sounds incredible and fewer tourists = cheaper prices.
How much money do I need to visit Krakow?
Krakow is a very affordable travel destination!
Their currency is złoty, which you’ll often see abbreviated to PLN. $1 NZD works out to be about 2.5 złoty and 1€ is approximately 4.5 złoty.
Hostels (dorms with 8-10 beds) can cost around 50 PLN per night and usually have free breakfast included. Self-contained accommodation can cost about 300 PLN per night, but this is a great option if you’re travelling with friends.
Polish food is hearty (meals include potatoes, bread, meat and vegetables) and fill you up! A sit-down dinner in a local restaurant costs around 35 PLN per dish, whilst street food can start from as little as 3 PLN.
Beer costs around 16 PLN, and cocktails start at approximately 25 PLN (depending on where you drink them and whether you’ve struck gold with Happy Hour!).
Keep reading for recommendations on where to eat in Krakow below!
If you have self-contained accommodation, you can cook some of your meals. Supermarkets are easy to find, and you can expect to pay around 150-200 PLN for a week’s worth of basic groceries.
I’d recommend a budget of around 200-250 PLN ($75-$100 NZD) per person per day, allowing you to stay in nice accommodation, do some activities and try the local cuisine!
Where to stay in Krakow
There’s no question about it; the best place to stay is Krakow Old Town. You might be persuaded to book accommodation further out to save a few coins, but I implore you to reconsider. You can’t beat the heart of this city!
If you are visiting cities like Milan, Paris, London or Rome, staying in the centre of town might be a very expensive option, but the cost of accommodation in Krakow is still reasonable!
Being near the Old Town means you are just a minute’s walk from many of the city’s best activities, and you’ll have Krakow’s main attractions right on your doorstep.
I recently stayed at Apartment Na Groblach, less than 1km from the Town Hall Tower. This location was perfect as it meant we were close enough to pop into town, but thanks to the construction of the large buildings (and the park that runs through town), we didn’t get any of the noise typically associated with city-centre accommodation.
Must-see sights in Krakow
Explore Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle took the top spot for my favourite view in Krakow. Built in the 13th century, Wawel Castle is one of Poland’s largest castles and the most historically and culturally important site. It also represents many different architectural styles, including the Medieval, Renaissance, and Baroque periods! Admission to Wawel Hill is free, and entry into the castle and Royal Gardens ranges from 5-46 PLN. If you visit in summer, access on Mondays is free, so take full advantage of that!
Wawel Castle
Tour Wieliczka Salt Mine
This salt mine was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage sites and was first used to produce table salt in the 13th century. You can tour 135m underground and explore a labyrinth of passages, visiting chambers, statues, chandeliers and cathedrals – all made from salt! Getting to Wieliczka from Krakow is easy on the bus, costing just 6 PLN per person. Entry into Wieliczka Salt Mine starts from 109 PLN and includes a 3-hour guided tour.
Visit Auschwitz concentration camp
Auschwitz-Birkenau is the site of a former concentration camp used by the Nazis in World War II. Approximately 1.1 million people were killed there during its operations from 1940-1945. Visiting Auschwitz is solemn and sobering and should not be taken lightly. Admission as an independent traveller is free, but it is much more meaningful and educational to take a guided tour which starts from around 160 PLN.
Discover the Kazimierz District
South of the city centre is the Kazimierz District – the former Jewish ghetto. Now, this town is vibrant, lively and home to artists and students. It’s also a great place to grab a bite and try traditional Jewish food. You can visit at all times of the day, but Kazimierz really comes to life at night! Hit up the cocktail and vodka bars (you can thank me later).
Indulge at the Main Square Market
This has to be my favourite part of Krakow. Located in the centre of town is the Main Square – home to a Christmas Market that is operational all year round. You’ll get to see street performers, an assortment of different souvenirs and sample Polish street food (don’t go past a plate of pierogi or a chimney cake!!).
Get lost in the Old Town
After your trip to the Main Square Market, get lost amongst the streets of the Old Town. I’ve never been to somewhere with SO many great views. Around every corner is another beautiful building to marvel at.
Stretch your legs in Planty Park
Planty Park is a large green space that stretches 4km around the Old Town. It was a great escape from the hustle and bustle of the city centre and is a fab place to sit and people-watch or relax with a good book!
Have a picnic up Krakus Mound
Just 45 minutes walk from the centre of town is Krakus Mound. It’s a great walk, free to visit and has expansive views of the top of the city! We visited on a Sunday, and seeing so many locals out and about with their families was charming. My tip is to take a picnic and waste away a few hours watching the world go by.
The best places to eat in Krakow
The Polish are known for being proud of their cuisine, and rightly so! From delicious bread and sweet treats to pierogi and plates of pork chops accompanied by heaping servings of potatoes, Krakow’s foodie scene is a carb lover’s dream come true. There is no shortage of restaurants and food vendors, but if you head out of the centre of the city, you’ll find lots of options (that are a little kinder on the wallet!).
Here are my top recommendations:
- Kuchnia U Babci Maliny – for authentic Polish food (it was so good we went back twice in one week!)
- The Spaghetti – for people watching in the Old Town
- Trivoli
- Lobay – for delicious ice cream
- The Main Square Market – for street vendors and cheap eats (make sure to visit Egrikurtos chimney cakes!)
- Moment Resto Bar – for great cocktails at sundown in the Kazimierz District
- Sekret Smaku – for unreal pierogi
- RETRO – for drinks and people watching
Things to know before visiting Krakow
Learn a few words in Polish: For a native English speaker, Polish can be a bit daunting. But learning a few basic words like “hello” or “thank you” can go a long way with the locals!
Here are a few words you might want to know:
- Goodmorning/good afternoon = Dzień dobry = (jane-doh-brih)
- Goodbye = Czesc = (cheshch)
- Please = Proszę = (proh-sheh)
- Thank you = Dziękuję = (jen-koo-yeh)
- I don’t understand = Nie rozumiem = (nye ross-umyea-mhm)
- How much is it? = Ile to kosztuje? = (eel’e tho kosh-two-yeah?)
- Yes = Tak = (tahk)
- No = Nie = (nyeh)
Carry some cash with you: Cash is still king in Poland, and many shops in Krakow (especially the stalls around the market) don’t accept cards. So you’ll want to make sure you have some with you. Although it’s in the EU, the Polish don’t use Euro. Instead, Poland uses złoty (zł) which you’ll often see abbreviated as PLN in the currency converter. 1zł works out to be about $0.40 (NZD).
Ditch the car and explore Krakow by foot. Or live like the locals do and travel via public transport! Parking can be difficult and expensive, so renting a car is unnecessary. Seeing Krakow this way will save you money and allow you to walk through the beautiful parks surrounding the city.
Book in advance! This isn’t 100% necessary, but Krakow’s popularity is growing constantly, so I’d recommend booking your accommodation ASAP. Popular tours are also worth booking in advance, especially if you’re visiting in peak season.
Polish tap water is safe to drink. So there’s no need to buy bottled water. Bring a reusable bottle with you and fill it up as needed. While we’re on water, you will be charged for bottled water in restaurants. This is customary, but if you don’t want to pay, bring your own (or opt for a beer instead!).
Keep your wits about you. Krakow feels incredibly safe (and is in the world’s top 20 safe destinations), but still have your wits about you and don’t leave your belongings unattended.
Bring a travel adapter if you’re coming from outside Europe. Polish electricity sockets use a standard European plug, so UK, US and NZ/AUS visitors will need a travel adapter.
Pack layers! The temperature can vary greatly (especially in the shoulder season), so bring layers with you. I was warm during the day but freezing at night, and very pleased I had a winter jacket!
Learn tipping etiquette. It is customary to tip 10% for good service and more for excellent service at restaurants. You don’t need to tip in cafes, bars or takeaway shops. But it is customary to tip tour guides 10-15%.
Respect the religion. The main religion in Poland is Catholicism, and there are many beautiful churches in Krakow. Many are free to enter (and you should!) but remember to respect the religion. You should lower your voice and remove any hats/caps, and women should have their shoulders and knees covered.
There is a trading ban in Poland on Sundays. As such, shopping malls, large supermarkets and smaller shops are all closed. However, restaurants, corner shops, cafes, pharmacies, bakeries and post offices remain open. But be sure to factor this into your itinerary.
Opt to visit Kazimierz on a Thursday night or Sunday. If you’re considering visiting Kazimierz (The former Jewish District), the Jewish Sabbath is observed every week from sunset on Friday evening to after-dark on Saturday evening. As such most shops and synagogues will be closed.
So, that’s a full round-up of my tips and tricks for visiting Krakow. I loved my time in this city and hope that this guide helps you experience the very best Krakow has to offer.
Have you visited Krakow? Let me know in the comments below!
Notes to Home 