One of the nicest cities in Europe is Krakow, a young, energetic city with quaint cobblestone streets and an expansive urban green belt surrounding its old town. There are many beautiful places to visit in Krakow. In addition, it offers lodging and restaurants at competitive prices! The ancient city was spared during World War II, but you must visit Auschwitz while in Krakow, one of the most horrific locations in European history. Here is a list of activities you may do in Krakow.
First day: Places to visit in Krakow (old town)
Explore the historic town of Krakow’s lovely streets. Grab some delicious gelato and enjoy the music and artwork. Although these are lovely summer days in Poland, it feels as though you could be in Italy!
1. Old Town Main Square
The largest market square in Europe, Rynek Glowny, formerly served as a significant commerce hub. Numerous events are held throughout the day, including shows, live music venues, markets, and more.
2. Sukiennice Cloth Hall
When Krakow was a major trading center, the Sukiennice Cloth Hall was the site of a significant portion of the trading. Spices, leather, and silk were once common items for sale.
The Cloth Hall is still very well-liked today, although it also houses restaurants and gift shops. The hall, which divides the market square in two and spans nearly its entire length, is a lovely focal point of the area.
3. St. Mary’s Basilica
St. Mary’s Basilica, another prominent place to visit in Krakow, is situated right on the main square. It may be visited for a small amount of Polish Zloty and features an interior painted with vivid blues and brilliant golds. Keep in mind that the basilica’s side is where the entrance is located. Additionally, ascend the tower’s 239 steps for a spectacular view of the city.
4. Barbican and St. Florian’s gate
On the outskirts of Krakow’s old town, the Barbican, a magnificent medieval defense, still exists. The only access to the old town was by a drawbridge from the Barbican across the city moat. St. Florian’s Gate, which stands directly across, serves as the primary entrance to the old town in modern times. You enter Florianska Street, one of Krakow’s most well-known promenades, as soon as you pass through the gate.
Day 2 – Unusual Attractions in Krakow: The Salt Mines
Visit the Jewish Quarter’s bustling streets after experiencing total silence deep underground in the salt mines.
5. Wieliczka Salt Mine: A Wonderful Visitor Destination At Krakow
A strange, 300-kilometer-long underground salt mine dating back 700 years is called Wieliczka. Visit huge chapels hewn out of the rock, chambers, and crystal-clear lakes on a two-hour trip! The tour takes you 135 meters below earth for a distance of 3 kilometers, which is only 1% of the mine’s overall area.
6. Graffiti in Krakow
Krakow is covered in artwork created by street artists. A street art tour will allow you to find both bigger and smaller artwork in a variety of colors and shapes. In the Jewish Quarter, we discovered a ton of fantastic murals. As one of the things to do in Krakow, go exploring on your own.
7. Neutral Bernatek Footbridge
Take the well-liked Bernatek Footbridge across the river from the Jewish neighborhood. This charming bridge, which is only accessible by foot and bicycle, is embellished with acrobatic characters that dangle from its wires.
8. Saint Joseph’s Church
Finally, after leaving the Bernatek footbridge, it is impossible to miss the Disney-like church Eglise Saint-Joseph. The church’s stunning architecture and majestic 80-meter clock tower can be seen from all throughout Krakow. Another great area to relax is the church’s little square, which has a park and benches.
Day 3: Kopiec Krakus and Auschwitz
9. Auschwitz Concentration Camp
The largest Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau, was used to transport Jews, Gypsies, members of the JW movement, Poles, Hungarians, and others. One of the largest mass killings in human history, about 1.2 million people were gassed and burned at Auschwitz-Birkenau between 1940 and 1945.
Getting to Auschwitz from Krakow Auschwitz is about a 1.5-hour drive from Krakow. A 2.5-hour bus + train connection is also available. You could also book a tour that includes transportation from Krakow.
10. Sunset at Kopiec Krakusa – A Wonderful Krakow Attraction
Experience the sunset on top of Kopiec hill to end your day and your journey to Krakow on a positive note. It is a wonderful hilltop park that has a view of the historic district. Locals stroll their pets and unwind here frequently.
How to reach Krakow
From the old town, take an Uber (10 minutes), a scooter like Lime (25 minutes), or a tram (27 minutes) to get there. Krakow has an extensive, reasonably priced transit system that covers the entire city. To get everywhere in Krakow, take the tram or bus. Tickets can be purchased through ticket machines at the stations or from newsstands. A 3-day pass costs 36 ZL (8 EUR), while a single voyage ticket is roughly 4 ZL (0.90 EUR).
In Krakow, though, ride-sharing scooters like Lime are widely available. Here, you can unlock your first ride for nothing.
Accommodations in Krakow
The most popular place to stay in Krakow is the old town. Hotels are, however, typically more reasonably priced beyond the ancient city walls. Alternately, stay in Kazimierz, the trendy district. At Vienna House Krakow, we had a fantastic location on the edge of the old town, close to the park.
