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Kraków surprised me. I wasn’t expecting to be this moved, this charmed, or this full of pierogi. If you’re planning a trip and wondering what to actually do here — beyond the usual tourist checklist — let me walk you through the 10 things that genuinely made this city one of the most unforgettable places I’ve visited in Europe. Some of it is heavy. Some of it is beautiful. All of it is worth your time.
1. Walk the Kazimierz Jewish Quarter — Slowly
Don’t rush this one. Kazimierz is Kraków’s historic Jewish district, and it’s the kind of neighbourhood where every cobblestone seems to have a story. Synagogues, street art, quirky little cafés, and a palpable sense of history all coexist here in a way that’s hard to describe until you’re standing in the middle of it.
Start at the Old Synagogue (now a museum), wander down ul. Szeroka, and take your time. Stop for coffee. Read the plaques. This is the heart of Jewish Kraków, and it deserves your full attention.
Jewish Quarter walking tour— I’d strongly recommend booking a guided walking tour here. The stories your guide will share are the difference between seeing a place and actually understanding it.
2. Visit Schindler’s Factory Museum
Yes, it’s based on that Schindler — of Schindler’s List. But this museum is so much more than a film tie-in. It tells the story of Kraków during the Nazi occupation through incredibly powerful, immersive exhibits. I walked in thinking I’d spend an hour and stayed for nearly three. Book your tickets in advance — this one sells out, especially in peak season.
3. Step Inside the Eagle Pharmacy — A Story of Extraordinary Courage
This is one Kraków doesn’t always shout about, but it should. The Eagle Pharmacy (Apteka pod Orłem) on Plac Bohaterów Getta was the only pharmacy permitted to operate inside the Kraków Ghetto during WWII. Its owner, Tadeusz Pankiewicz, used it as a place of refuge and resistance — providing medicine, hiding valuables, and offering what comfort he could to the Jewish community trapped inside.
It’s now a museum and a genuinely moving tribute to quiet, everyday heroism. Small, deeply affecting, and absolutely worth an hour of your time.
4. Stand at Plac Bohaterów Getta — The Ghetto Heroes Square
Just outside the Eagle Pharmacy, this square is where thousands of Kraków’s Jewish residents were assembled for deportation. Today it’s marked by 33 oversized metal chairs — each one representing 1,000 victims. It’s stark, simple, and hits you like nothing else.
You don’t need a tour guide here. Just stand there for a few minutes. It says everything.
5. Day Trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau — The Most Important Stop of All
I won’t dress this up. Auschwitz is not a “highlight” in any conventional travel sense — but it is the most important place you will visit in Poland. The scale of it, the silence, the sheer weight of what happened there — nothing can prepare you, and nothing should.
Book a guided tour. Don’t go without one. The context your guide provides transforms this from a walk around a historic site into something that stays with you for life.
Auschwitz I and Birkenau (Auschwitz II) together take a full day. Wear comfortable shoes, dress warmly if visiting outside of summer, and give yourself time to decompress afterwards.
Auschwitz-Birkenau guided day trip from Kraków — book early, these sell out weeks ahead
6. Explore Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral
Perched on a hill above the Vistula River, Wawel Castle is the kind of place that makes you feel the full weight of history without trying too hard. It served as the residence of Polish kings for centuries, and the cathedral next door is the burial place of Polish royalty and national heroes — including the poet Adam Mickiewicz and Pope John Paul II.
The views from the hill over the city are also just… lovely. Give yourself a couple of hours here and pay for the State Rooms — they’re worth it.
7. Lose Yourself in the Old Town and Main Market Square
Kraków’s Rynek Główny is one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe, and it earns every superlative. The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) in the middle is great for picking up Polish amber, linen, and folk crafts. St. Mary’s Basilica on the corner is stunning — don’t miss the hourly trumpet call from the tower.
It’s lively, gorgeous, and very walkable. This is also where you’ll want to stop for a proper sit-down meal — look for restaurants just off the main square where prices are friendlier and the food is just as good.
8. Go Underground at the Wieliczka Salt Mine
About 14 km from Kraków, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and genuinely one of the most extraordinary places I’ve been underground — anywhere. There are chapels, sculptures, and chandeliers, all carved entirely from salt. The centrepiece is the Chapel of St. Kinga, which is breathtaking.
It’s a popular trip, so book ahead. The standard tourist route takes about two to three hours.
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9. Try the Food — Seriously, Don’t Skip This
Kraków’s food scene is the kind that makes you want to cancel your flight home. Pierogi (stuffed dumplings) are the obvious starting point, but don’t stop there. Try żurek (sour rye soup served in a bread bowl), bigos (hunter’s stew), and obwarzanek — the Kraków-style pretzel sold from street carts all over the city.
For a proper sit-down meal, look along Grodzka Street or in Kazimierz. Budget travellers will be thrilled — eating well here costs a fraction of what it would in Western Europe.
10. Take an Evening Stroll Along the Planty Park
After all that history and emotion, you need this. The Planty is a ring of parkland that encircles Kraków’s Old Town — a beautifully green, peaceful loop that’s perfect for an evening walk. Locals jog here, couples sit on benches, and the city feels completely different at golden hour.
It’s free, it’s lovely, and it’s the perfect way to let everything you’ve absorbed during the day settle a little.
Practical Tips for Visiting Kraków
- Getting there: Kraków John Paul II Airport (KRK) is well connected to most European cities.
- Getting around: The Old Town is very walkable. Taxis and rideshares (Bolt and uber is popular here) are cheap and reliable for longer trips.
- Where to stay: Stay in or near the Old Town for maximum convenience — you’ll be walking distance from most of these attractions. We stayed at Garamond, A tribute Portfolio Hotel Old Town (staff were lovely, rooms were comfortable and it was in a convenient part of the city).
- When to go: Spring (April–June) and early autumn (September–October) are ideal — pleasant weather, manageable crowds. December is magical if you don’t mind the cold. Even though we were there in February, I loved every minute of my time.
- Currency: Polish Złoty (PLN). Cash is still handy, especially at smaller restaurants and market stalls.
5 Frequently Asked Questions About Visiting Kraków
How many days do I need in Kraków? Three full days is a comfortable minimum — enough for the Old Town, Kazimierz, Schindler’s Factory, and a day trip to Auschwitz. Four days gives you breathing room and time to slow down.
Is Kraków safe for solo travellers? Very much so. It’s one of the safest cities in Central Europe and is extremely well set up for independent travellers. The centre is compact, well-lit, and easy to navigate.
Do I need to book Auschwitz tickets in advance? Yes — absolutely. Free entry is available but timed slots must be booked online well in advance, especially between April and October. Guided tours often include priority access and are worth the cost.
Is Kraków accessible for travellers with mobility challenges? The Old Town’s cobbled streets can be tricky, but most major museums and attractions are accessible. Wawel Castle has some uneven terrain but does offer accessible routes. It’s worth contacting specific venues ahead of your visit.
What’s the best way to get from Kraków to Auschwitz? The most comfortable option is a guided tour with transport included. Alternatively, there are regular trains from Kraków Główny station and organised minibus services. I’d always recommend the guided tour for context and convenience.
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