The Very Best Things to do in Krakow, Poland
Krakow is hands down one of my favorite cities in Europe. The food, the excitement, and the ease of exploring make it a perfect destination even if you’re only visiting for a short time. With so many cool historical stops and IG-worthy architecture, you'll only have to trek a maximum of 25 minutes from the city center to see all the best spots. Krakow is a walking city. Your feet are your best form of transportation, allowing you to find little gems tucked in alleyways and around corners as you hit the more significant destinations. Being of proud Polish descent, Krakow inherently has a strong feeling of home for me. The two times I've visited, I've felt a sense of calm, despite being in the midst of a very hectic travel schedule. The people, the beauty and not to mention the overwhelming feeling of comfort that delicious, hearty, Polish food provides, is unmatched in this city.
Stay and Play in Krakow’s Rynek Główny
Krakow's Old Town, or Stare Miasto, is one of the more gorgeous historic city centers in Europe and is the best place to stay while visiting Krakow. The vast, centrally-located pedestrian plaza bustles at all hours from the early morning into the night. I walked out of our hotel at sunrise, and people were already starting to meander through the main square of Rynek Główny, starting their days of work or grabbing a quick coffee. At night, the city comes to life in a completely different way with live music blasting from the open-air restaurants and street vendors selling flowers and light-up toys for the kids. The city center has a vivacious glow about it after dusk, not just due to the gleaming lights of the buildings, but also with the buzz of the people.
Visit One of the Most Beautiful Krakow Sights, St. Mary’s Basilica
The most gorgeous part of Krakow at night (and, let’s be honest, during the day as well) is the absolute stunner of a church, St. Mary's Basilica. When looking up things to do in Krakow, this Basilica, initially completed in 1347 will be at the top of every list. It is the focal point of the town, with two tall towers that rise above all the buildings around it. During the day, you can climb up the winding staircase to the top for views of all the Krakow sights. You may even see the trumpet player sound off a tune every hour, on the hour on your ascent. At night the building is dramatically lit, giving it a regal presence against the dark sky. It's a landmark that will truly take your breath away.
Get Your Shopping in at the Cloth Hall
In the center of the square is the Cloth Hall, the most famous shopping area in Krakow. Inside you'll find stall after stall of people selling Polish gifts such as hand-painted pottery, carved wood trinkets, and amber jewelry. More often than not when visiting Krakow, you will find this place PACKED with people, meaning you'll have to (politely) push your way through crowds to get a good look at what's for sale. But the Cloth Hall is a true staple of the city, having been the center for merchants selling items in Poland since the 15th century.
Other gorgeous buildings you'll want to snap photos of in Rynek Główny include the Town Hall Tower and the Saints Peter and Paul Church. The outer edge of Stare Miasto is also worth a walk. A gorgeous park of trees and greenery wraps around the Old Town of Krakow. As you make your way around the circumference of town, you'll also come across St. Florian's Gate at the north end. This ancient gate dating back to the 14th century helped protect the city from Turkish attacks. It's also the start of Krakow's Royal Road, which runs through the heart of Old Town down to Wawel Castle.
Visit the Iconic Castle in Krakow: Wawel Castle
On the south end of Krakow, along the Vistula River, is the Wawel Royal Castle. Considered more of a complex than a castle, Wawel contains over 70 exhibition halls exhibiting paintings, tapestries, and relics from Krakow's history. Built by King Casimir III the Great, it's one of the most expansive castles in Poland. Even if you don't want to pay for a guided tour or museum entry, you can still walk all around the grounds freely to explore the many towers, turrets, and gates. With vines taking over many of the walls, the castle has an almost secret garden feel to it which is only enhanced by the gorgeously manicured courtyard and garden within the castle walls. After you take in the views of the river, stop in the garden for a quick lunch.
Head to Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter
If you want to spend the afternoon in a more trendy neighborhood, head to Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter. The first time I visited Krakow, I didn't even know the Jewish Quarter existed. But since then, it has exploded and gentrified, becoming one of the city's hippest areas and making it one of the more unique things to do in Krakow. A close walk from the Wawel Castle, we stopped here for lunch and wandered around the small shops and clothing stores. Make sure to take in all the funky street art and wacky murals, making it feel more like Brooklyn, New York than Poland. Getting lost in the streets meant finding little nooks of wonder around every corner, from backyard eateries tucked in under the trees to outdoor markets.
Eat All the Pierogi, Sausage and Dill You Can Get Your Hands On
The best part about the main square in Krakow is the abundance of restaurant options. The majority of the buildings along the edge of the square feature eateries on the first floor, each with outdoor patios. It is perfect for people watching and enjoying the sunshine. As I mentioned previously, these restaurants come to life after sundown, many featuring live music and bands encouraging people to sing along at their tables and dance in the square.
Speaking of food, there is one thing you MUST DO while visiting Krakow: eat pierogi. Guys, I'm Polish, so I already eaten a lot more pierogi in my life than most people probably do. But I could not get enough of the real thing in Poland. If you haven't had them before, pierogi are Polish dumplings boiled and often pan-fried (the bit of brown on the outside is the best part). You can find them stuffed with both sweet and savory fillings, from meats to strawberry jam. The most common flavor, and what I would consider the "gateway drug" to pierogi is potato and cheese. Other more traditional flavors include cabbage and mushrooms, and meat options, sometimes including goose or venison. Order them with butter and sour cream, and you're set for your meal. YUMMY. I'm getting hungry just writing about them.
Dill is also the most commonly used spice in Poland. Whether it's cooked into potatoes, sauces, or soups, everything will feature the green herb. More often than not, you will also get a garnish of dill that's so large, it serves more like a side salad to your dish. If you've never tried it, give it a whirl, it's delicious and refreshing.
Shop All the Local Polish Gifts
As previously mentioned, there are so many gifts unique to Poland that you can purchase in Krakow that are small enough to take home in your suitcase easily. The most popular items are hand-painted pottery, wood carvings, and amber. Pottery and ceramics have been a part of Polish traditions for centuries and are often painted a dark-blue color with ornate floral details. You may also see dot patterns and birds like chickens or peacocks. Make sure any pottery you're purchasing is stamped with "Handmade in Poland" on the bottom, so you aren't duped into buying a knock-off.
Amber is another item you'll see sold throughout Poland. Whether in jewelry such as earrings or elaborate necklaces or within small statues and figurines, amber is everywhere because deposits of amber are so prevalent in the soil of the area. Take advantage of the low prices of amber in Poland because you'll pay five times the price for something similar elsewhere (like the U.S.).
Wooden carvings are also typical in Poland. You'll find everything from hand-carved jewelry boxes to carved and painted miniature elephant statues. Woodwork is a traditional form of folk art in Poland.
Krakow is such a beautiful city. Similar to traveling through Italy, you’ll probably eat your weight in carbs if you’re like me and have the urge to eat pierogi with every meal. However, with all the best things to do in Krakow within walking distance, you’re sure to burn off all that delicious food. Many people don’t consider traveling to Poland or much of Eastern Europe for that matter. But this area of Europe is so unique and special, and so different from the more popular destinations like France and Germany. Venturing to Krakow is like walking into my Grandma’s home and I promise you’ll feel welcomed. There are also so many amazing day trips to explore near Krakow like the Salt Mines or Auschwitz/Birkenau. Or, take a break from city life and travel to a Polish mountain town like Zakopane, to hike through National Parks to picturesque mountain lakes. Just another reason while visiting Krakow, and the rest of Poland should be next on your list.
