Kraków: Complete Travel Guide

Kraków is the most visited city in Poland and arguably its most beautiful. Unlike Warsaw, it was not destroyed in the Second World War, which means it still carries its medieval bones — Gothic churches, a Renaissance castle, cobbled lanes — intact. The Jewish quarter of Kazimierz adds a layer of cultural complexity that makes the city compelling beyond its obvious aesthetics.

Top Things to See and Do

Wawel Castle and Cathedral The royal residence of Polish kings for five centuries, Wawel sits on a limestone hill above the Vistula and dominates the city skyline. The castle complex is free to enter from outside; interior attractions are ticketed separately. The most popular combination — State Rooms and Royal Private Apartments — costs approximately PLN 35 for adults as of 2026. The Wawel Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned and buried, is included in a separate ticket of approximately PLN 20. Closed Mondays. Book online during summer to secure timed slots; queues at the ticket office can run over an hour in July.

Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) At 200 by 200 metres, Kraków’s market square is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe. The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) at its centre houses a souvenir market on the ground floor and a Polish painting gallery upstairs. St Mary’s Basilica on the northeastern corner has one of the finest Gothic altarpieces in the world — carved by Veit Stoss in the 15th century. Entry to the Basilica costs approximately PLN 15 as of 2026. The trumpeter sounding the Hejnał from the taller tower every hour on the hour is one of Kraków’s most enduring rituals.

Kazimierz Jewish Quarter Kraków’s Jewish quarter was established in the 15th century and remained the centre of Jewish life in the city until the Second World War. Today it is a neighbourhood of synagogues, bookshops, cafés, and galleries. The Old Synagogue (Stara Synagoga) functions as a museum; entry approximately PLN 15 as of 2026. The Galicia Jewish Museum on Dajwór Street traces Jewish heritage in southern Poland through photography; entry approximately PLN 20. Kazimierz is also where the city’s best independent bars and restaurants have concentrated.

Wieliczka Salt Mine (Kopalnia Soli Wieliczka) A UNESCO World Heritage Site 14 km southeast of Kraków, the Wieliczka salt mine has been worked continuously since the 13th century. The standard tourist route descends 135 metres underground and covers 3.5 km, including the extraordinary St Kinga’s Chapel — a full church space with chandeliers, bas-reliefs, and a floor all carved from salt. Entry for the standard route costs approximately PLN 149 for adults as of 2026. Book online well ahead during summer. From Kraków: minibuses depart from near the main bus station; journey approximately 30 minutes.

Podgórze and Schindler’s Factory The former Jewish ghetto established by the Nazi occupation lies south of the Vistula. Oskar Schindler’s enamelware factory, now a museum of Kraków under Nazi occupation, is among the best-executed history museums in Poland. Entry approximately PLN 32 as of 2026; closed Mondays. The Eagle Pharmacy on Plac Bohaterów Getta and the ghetto wall fragment on Lwowska Street add context.

Where to Stay in Kraków

Hotel Wentzl — from PLN 600 per night An elegant 18th-century hotel right on the Main Market Square, with unobstructed views of the Cloth Hall from its upper-floor rooms. The location is the best in the city and the breakfast is excellent. From approximately PLN 600 per night as of 2026.

Puro Hotel — from PLN 450 per night The best design hotel in Kraków’s Old Town — compact rooms, excellent beds, strong coffee in the lobby bar, and a rooftop terrace with castle views. Popular with both leisure and business travellers. From approximately PLN 450 per night as of 2026.

Greg & Tom Beer House Hostel — from PLN 80 per night Consistently rated among the best hostels in Europe, Greg & Tom offers clean dorm beds and private rooms in the centre of the Old Town, with a ground-floor bar that serves free breakfast. Dorms from approximately PLN 80 per night; private rooms from PLN 200 as of 2026.

Where to Eat

Wierzynek Operating on the Main Market Square since 1364 — or so the legend goes — Wierzynek is Kraków’s grandest restaurant. The cooking leans traditional Polish with French technique: duck confit, venison, pike-perch. Mains approximately PLN 80–160 as of 2026. A splurge, but the setting is unmatched.

Restauracja Miód Malina A favourite among locals and repeat visitors, Miód Malina serves reliable Polish classics — roast duck, barszcz with uszka (tiny dumplings), grilled trout — in a warm room decorated with folk art. Mains approximately PLN 45–75 as of 2026. Book ahead on weekends.

Bar Mleczny Chimera An institution on ulica Świętej Anny, Chimera’s milk bar counter in the basement serves bigos, pierogi, soups, and salads at prices that are difficult to believe. Full lunch approximately PLN 25–40 as of 2026. Cash only at the counter; the upstairs restaurant section is more expensive.

Getting to Kraków

From Warsaw, the PKP Intercity Pendolino express takes approximately 2 hours 20 minutes to 2.5 hours and costs from approximately PLN 50 to PLN 120 depending on booking date and class as of 2026. Standard trains (EIC) take around 3 hours and are cheaper. By car on the A1/A4 motorway it is approximately 3 hours. Kraków Airport (KRK) handles direct flights from most major UK airports; Ryanair and Wizz Air are the dominant carriers.

Getting Around Kraków

The Old Town is compact and best explored on foot. Trams connect the Old Town to Kazimierz and Podgórze; single tickets cost approximately PLN 3.40 as of 2026 and are purchased from machines at tram stops. Bolt operates as the main ride-hailing app. Cycling is a good option — the city has a public bike scheme (Wavelo); rentals from approximately PLN 2 per 20 minutes.

Kraków Tips

• Avoid the horse-drawn carriage rides on the Market Square — they are expensive and the welfare standards are disputed.
• Auschwitz-Birkenau (Oświęcim) is 70 km west; a full day is required. Book the free guided entry well in advance at the official site — timed slots fill quickly.
• The underground bar district beneath Kraków’s Old Town — cellars under the market square — is worth exploring for a drink in genuinely medieval surroundings.
• Bagels sold by street vendors near the Planty gardens are a Kraków tradition; they cost approximately PLN 3–5.