TOP 30 Must-Visit Attractions in Krakow

Krakow is the capital of Poland's southern province, and a former king's city. A heyday for the historic center began in the 13th century during the reign of Casimir III. It was the time of the founding of Krakow University, where Copernicus was born, as well as the creation of the Kazimierz district, which now has the largest Jewish population in Europe.

Krakow is a modern city with many medieval features, which bring back memories of how rich and powerful it once was. The Main Market Square, Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral on the Old Town hill are popular tourist attractions in the former capital. These are just a few of the things you must see while in Krakow.

Every year, travelers from all over the world come to the city to enjoy its rich history, developed tourist infrastructure, and the beauty of ancient quarters. Locals are very proud of Krakow, and they are forever entwined with the history of Poland.

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➤ Old Town

The Old Town is Krakow's oldest district. Mongols completely sacked and destroyed it in the 13th century. Since then, the area hasn't changed much except for the disappearance of the wall and the appearance of a lush park.

As tourists stroll through the historic quarter, they don't notice how quickly time passes when they see impressive fortifications, shopping in specialized stores, and visit museum complexes. Even a casual visit to the restaurant becomes a little history lesson about the buildings.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Velopolje, 31-017 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Main Market

Krakow's Main Market is the administrative, social, and commercial center of the city, and the biggest medieval square in Europe. The site was built after the Mongols destroyed the Polish capital. It's not only a calling card of the city, but also a place of departure for sightseeing tours.

There are always street artists, vendors, musicians, and living monuments here. Walking around here is the best way to appreciate the beauty of historic architecture. In addition to eating the local delicacies in street cafes, tourists check out the museum complexes and just soak up the atmosphere.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Main Market, Old Town, Krakow.

➤ Wawel Royal Castle

The Wawel Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its unique architecture. The facade is decorated mostly in 14th century styles. In light of its rather long and not always pleasant history, that makes sense.

Fire destroyed the building in 1595, and Swedish invaders destroyed it in 1650. In the 1940s it became a national museum. Nowadays, there are exhibits of the Polish dynasty. Tourists can look at unique interiors, tapestries, paintings, and the Armory as they walk through the halls.

• Working time: Tuesday through Sunday, from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday to 1:30 p.m.
• Cost: 5,5€ regular, 3,3€ reduced.
• Address: Wawel 5, 31-001 Krakow.

➤ Wawel Cathedral

In the former Polish capital, the Wawel Cathedral is housed in the royal castle of the same name. A unique landmark was built in the XIV century instead of two temples to St. Wenceslas and Szczepanowski. It was where monarchs were proclamated and reigned.

The place was used for important ceremonies. It's a church now, with regular services. Unique architecture makes it stand out. Used to be a Gothic basilica. Later, the Renaissance and Baroque elements were added to the building.

• Working time: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Cost: 4,8€.
• Address: Wawel 3, 31-001 Krakow, Poland.

➤ St. Mary's Basilica

St. Mary's Basilica is the second-most important cathedral in Krakow after Wawel Cathedral. The church was built on the foundations of an earlier Romanesque church at the end of the 12th century. It was consecrated in 1320. The basilica was rebuilt many times during the next century, changing both its shape and interior decoration.

The oblong single-nave altar was built in the second half of the XIV century, covered by a star vault, where the light flows through the stained-glass windows. A comprehensive restoration was carried out by Tadeusz Stryenski at the end of the 19th century.

• Working time: Monday to Saturday, from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sunday, from 2 to 6 p.m.
• Cost: 3,3€ for adults.
• Address: Mariack Square 5, 31-042 Krakow, Poland.

➤ The Cathedral of Saint Stanislaus and Wenceslas

Saint Stanislaus and Wenceslas Cathedral is a world treasure of Poland. It's the temple where royals are crowned and buried. On the site of other temples, the cathedral was built at the end of the 14th century.

There was a chapel with a Renaissance facade where the last member of the Jagiellonian dynasty was buried. It's now a popular tourist spot. The mausoleum of one of Stanislaus's Polish patrons. Silver sarcophagus covered with canopy, supported by gilded columns.

• Working time: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Cost: 4,8€ for adults.
• Address: Wawel 3, 31-001 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Jewish Kazimierz

Kazimierz, a popular Krakow attraction and Jewish spiritual center, was a separate town in the 19th century. Corpus Christi Church and St. Catherine's Church are top attractions in the former Polish capital.

This historical quarter is located in the Old Town area, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Krakow is a wonderful place for experiencing an era like the ones in «Schindler's List» filmed there. The area is a popular tourist and cultural destination today.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Broad 20, 31-053 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Church of St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi is a saint whose church was built in 13th century. The church was one of Krakow's best brick buildings. The original structure was demolished down to the vaulted ribs. The shrine burned to the ground in 1850.

Stanisaw Wyspiaski, the founder of the Young Poland movement, went on to restore the church and create a true miracle. His stained glass windows decorate the apse and choir today. Additionally, he created stunning frescoes with geometric and floral patterns.

• Working time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
• Cost: free.
• Address: All Saints' Square 5, 31-004 Krakow.

➤ The Cloth Hall

When you are in Krakow, you can't miss walking the cloth rows, which were first mentioned in the 12th century. Since the XV century, this architectural object has been on the Main Market. The 800-year history of those rows of shops proves the importance of the former Polish capital in European trade.

Spices, leather, silk and wax dominated the stalls. The market is still active today, where tourists can get gifts and souvenirs. There are a lot of stalls selling lace, wood, and amber crafts.

• Working time: Tuesday, Friday, Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday, Thursday, Sunday from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m., Monday off.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Main Market 1/3, 31-042 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Polish Aviation Museum

The museum complex in Krakow dedicated to Polish aviation occupies an important place in the cultural landscape of the country. The former airport, now a museum, is one of the oldest in Europe. It was built in 1912, expanded repeatedly, and operated until 1963.

Visitors of the museum can now see modern aviation equipment and history in the historical park. In 2010, the new Main Building opened with 21 airplanes, including one of the first – the Blériot XI.

• Working time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, except Monday.
• Cost: 5,9€ for adults, free for kids under 7.
• Address: Jana Paul II 39, 31-864 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Stained Glass Workshop and Museum

Located in the historic stained glass workshop of the S. G. Zelensky museum, the museum offers a unique opportunity to study stained glass artwork. You can observe the process of creating monumental pieces of glass.

There's a permanent exhibit of young Polish talent at the museum. The only place in Poland where you can see stained glass windows by four outstanding artists from the early 20th century: Wyspia*ski, Miechoffer, Jastrzembowski, and Stefan Matejko.

• Working time: everyday from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., except Sundays and Mondays.
• Cost: 10,9€ for the standard tour.
• Address: Zygmunt Krasinski Alley 23, 31-111 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Planty

Krakow Planty is not without reason the biggest park in the former capital of Poland. The area is about 20 hectares, and its circumference is about 4 km. Previously there were city walls with a moat. In 1820, the Krakow Senate decided to implement the modern concept of an open city – demolish the medieval walls, fill the moat, and drain the marshes.

The planters were filled with trees, mostly chestnut trees. The alleys are a great place to rest if you're tired of walking through the streets. You'll find a lot of monuments on the park zone's territory.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: 31-041 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory

The enamel factory owned by Schindler since 1939 opened its doors to tourists in 2010. Today, the memorial site has a museum. Steven Spielberg shot the legendary «Schindler's List» here in 1993.

Visitors to the gallery can touch the desk of the former owner of the factory, which has a list of 1,000 Jews who survived because of Oskar's courage. There's also an exhibit on the occupation, with tunnels used by the resistance and cellars where the condemned to death hid.

• Working time: 10 a.m. to 7p.m.
• Cost: 1,9€ for adults.
• Address: Lipowa 4, 30-702, Krakow, Poland.

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➤ Rynek Underground Museum

Dungeon Market is part of the Museum of Krakow History. The main exhibit is on Main Market Square. Exhibits reflect Old Town life more than 7 centuries ago.

6,000 square meters is the size of the attraction. Tourists can watch archeological excavations on the pedestrian bridge today. During the reconstruction of the market square, artifacts were found at a depth of four meters.

• Working time: Friday-Sunday 10 a.m.to 8 p.m., Monday, Wednesday, Thursday until 7 p.m., Tuesday until 2 p.m.
• Cost: 6,1€ for regular, 12,2€ for family.
• Address: Main Market 1, 31-042 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Jagiellonian University Museum

As tourists wander through the streets of the Old Town, they must visit the Jagiellonian University museum complex. The city was founded in the 12th century and reconstructed several times since then. In the XIV century, Copernicus was a student there.

He probably used the instruments that are on display in the gallery. Visit the rooms where lectures and ceremonies were held, the library, and an exhibit with a globe of America.

• Working time: Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Saturday until 2:30 p.m., Sunday off.
• Cost: 2,3€ for adults.
• Address: Jagiellonska Street 15, 31-010, Krakow, Poland.

➤ Krakus Mound

The mystical site in Krakow is the pagan mound Kraka. This ancient monument was thought to be the resting place of a Celtic prince who founded the former Polish capital. The excavations didn't find any graves or other artifacts confirming the legend.

Artifacts found date back to the XIII century. There's an assumption that the mound was used for astronomical purposes since it's location corresponds to the solar axis and other significant elevations in the city.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Krak Mound, 30-962 Kraków, Poland.

➤ Kościuszko Mound

Tadeusz Kościuszko is known as the national hero of Poland. During the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth's division between Prussia and Russia in the 18th century, he was part of the resistance. He led the revolt against imperial Russia in the middle of 1794.

The national hero is buried under a 34-meter mound on the 326-meter-high Sikornik Hill. There's a winding trail up there. Tourists can admire the cityscapes after a tiring hike and reward themselves.

• Working time: 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day.
• Cost: 4,5€ for the standard, 13,1€ for the family.
• Address: dr. Washington Alley 1, 30-204 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Basilica of the Body of God

1335 is the date the Body of God temple was built. Casimir III the Great made it possible for it to appear. While the exterior is original with pointed arches and vaults, the interior is dominated by the Mannerist style. There are laconic Baroque patterns on the exterior.

A choir built in 1632 is decorated with statues and unusual carvings of saints. The altar was finished in 1637. It's gilded and surrounded by paintings by Tommaso Dolabella. North and south of the temple are beautiful chapels.

• Working time: it depends on the service you choose.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Basilica of the Body of God 26, 31-059 Krakow, Poland.

➤ Ghetto Heroes Square

In contrast to Krakow's central districts, Ghetto Square doesn't get crowded. It's a place filled with incredible tragedies, from the separation of families during the deportations to the horrible shootings. Then there was a chicory factory, then a pharmacy in 1909.

In 2005, empty metal chairs were left outside in the open. They remind you of the pieces of furniture that the Jews left behind when they left the ghetto. There's a memorial march here every year that repeats the path Jewish families took to the Plaszow concentration camp.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Ghetto Heroes' Square, 30-547 Krakow.

➤ Divine Mercy Sanctuary

A new building was erected in 2002 for the Catholic pilgrimage center. The two-story ellipse-shaped building stands out against the old Krakow skyline. Up to 5,000 people can worship at the Divine Mercy Sanctuary at once.

A military burial ground borders the historic site. St. Kowalski is buried here, and an icon with the face of Jesus called «The Image of the Divine Mercy» hangs here. Believers from all over the world come here during the great church holidays.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: ul. Sisters Faustina 3 30-420 Kraków.

➤ Saints Peter and Paul Church

The Italian architects built the Church of Saints Peter and Paul in the 18th century. The original plan was created by a group of like-minded people, led by Bernardoni, a Jesuit monk.

Giovanni Battista did the dome, the dolomite facade, and most of the interior. A pendulum was hung in the church in 1949, showing the Earth's daily rotation. Krakow locals and tourists can watch it every Thursday in the morning.

• Working time: 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., depending on church holidays.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Grodzka 52A, 31-044 Krakow.

➤ Benedictine Abbey of Tyniec

In honor of St. Benedict of Nursia, who decided to become a hermit in his youth, Casimir the Restorer founded the Benedictine Abbey of Saints Peter and Paul in Tynec in 1044. The monastery is a place where different paths cross.

Hundreds of visitors are welcomed here every day by monks who live here all their lives. During the summer months there are often concerts and vespers at the monastery church. The belvedere has a cafeteria and a souvenir shop where you can buy monk-made food and cosmetics.

• Working time: 5:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Benedyktyńska 37, 30-398 Krakow.

➤ Wieliczka Salt Mine

Wieliczka Salt Mine is an important cultural and material monument in the former capital of Poland, which made the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. The salt labyrinth is so big that tourists can only see 2% of it.

More than 700 years ago, 26 shafts were drilled here. Underground you'll find incredible landscapes, massive excavations, salt lakes, and unique art made by mining sculptors.

• Working time: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: 19€ for normal, 53€ for family.
• Address: Danilowicza 10, 32-020 in Wieliczka, Poland.

➤ Holy Trinity Church

Old Town has a lot of Gothic churches. Founded in the 13th century, Holy Trinity Church welcomes parishioners to this day. There's an icon of the Mother of God and relics of Jacek. Tourists are blown away by the interior decoration, which features amazing sculptures, masterful paintings, and skilled wooden details.

An 1850 fire destroyed most of the temple complex, so it had to be rebuilt. The doorway at the west entrance is one of the few surviving details.

• Working time: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Stolarska 12, 31-043 Krakow.

➤ Market Square

The main market in Krakow is Market Square. After Magdeburg Rights were granted to the former Polish capital in 1257, it took the familiar shapes we see today. It's a perfect place for a photo shoot against majestic buildings.

Here you can buy souvenirs from your trip. There's always a unique vibe in the lovely old market. Several cafeterias are close by, where you can grab a bite while exploring the local sights.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Market Square, Krakow.

➤ Floriańska Street

Attractions like the Floriańska Gate and the street of the same name in Old Town are popular. The 335-meter-long city street got its name from the former. This fortification served as a direct defense in medieval times.

There is only one tower left of the eight former ones. Despite its age, the gate still works. There are lots of buildings from the XIV century, souvenir shops, and boutiques.

• Working time: 24/7.
• Cost: free.
• Address: Florianska Street, Krakow.

➤ Galicia Jewish Museum

Galicia Jewish Museum Complex was created to honor Holocaust victims. Kazimierz is home to the creative institution. This museum is home to the world-renowned «Traces of Memory» permanent exhibit as well as many fascinating temporary exhibits, both its own and ones brought in from around the world.

The cultural and educational program is one of the most comprehensive in the country and offers both individual and group visitors a wide range of services. Media Resource Center houses a growing archive of Jewish films about the Holocaust.

• Working time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: from 2,6€.
• Address: 18 Daivor Street 31-052, Krakow.

➤ Aquapark

Krakow is proud to have Europe's biggest waterpark. There are pools, slides and lanes for everyone to enjoy. There are water rides that are awe-inspiring.

There's a 202-meter slide that's the longest in the world. During the three-minute ride, visitors get a lot of unforgettable emotions before they plummet into the water. It's a popular place for tourists and locals alike.

• Working time: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
• Cost: 17€ for standard.
• Address: Dobrego Pasterza 126, 31-416, Krakow.

➤ Kraków Zoo

There's only one forest park area in big cities, the Wolski Forest, where the zoo is located. It has more than 1,400 animals, representing 270 different species. Numerous hiking trails make it a favorite vacation spot for Krakow residents and tourists.

They pass the Zoological Garden, which is a popular spot for recreation. Wolski Forest has biking trails and educational trails. A lot of historical buildings are around, like the Independence Mound of Józef Piłsudski and the Monastery of the Camaldoli Monks.

• Working time: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
• Cost: 6,5€ standard.
• Address: Kasy Oszczędności Miasta Krakowa 14, 30-232.

➤ Ethnographic Museum

Krakow's Ethnographic Museum was created out of passion and respect for culture. It was founded in 1911 by Seweryn Udziela, an educator, amateur ethnographer, and collector of folk culture. Relics of the past, which are irrevocably gone, he wanted to save from extinction.

He saw the ethnographic museum as a scientific workshop, where you can study the history and culture of the peoples. Today, more than a century after its founding, it continues to advance this idea: it documents and comprehends the past and conducts research on the present.

• Working time: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., except Monday.
• Cost: from 3,9€.
• Address: plac Wolnica 1, 31-060 Krakow.