1. Wawel Castle & Cathedral

Wawel Castle is the symbol of Polish royalty and national identity. Perched dramatically on Wawel Hill overlooking the Vistula River, this magnificent Renaissance complex was the seat of Polish kings for centuries. The Wawel Cathedral is the coronation and burial site of most Polish monarchs — stepping inside is like walking through a thousand years of Polish history.

Location: Wawel Hill, a 10-minute walk from the Main Square.

Highlights:

• The State Rooms with stunning Renaissance tapestries
• Sigismund Bell — the largest bell in Poland, rung only on special occasions
• The Crown Treasury and Armoury
• Wawel Cathedral with royal tombs and the Sigismund Chapel
• Panoramic views of the Vistula from the castle ramparts
• The Wawel Dragon statue that breathes real fire every few minutes

Entry fee: Castle grounds free. State Rooms: 24 PLN. Cathedral: free entry, tower 12 PLN.

2. Rynek Główny — Main Market Square

The Main Market Square is the largest medieval town square in Europe, and it is absolutely magnificent. Surrounded by townhouses, palaces, and churches, the square pulses with life day and night. At its centre stands the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), a Renaissance trading hall that has been the heart of Kraków’s commerce since the 14th century.

Location: Centre of the Old Town.

Highlights:

• St. Mary’s Basilica with the famous wooden altarpiece — the largest Gothic altarpiece in the world
• The Cloth Hall — ground floor shops selling amber, crafts, and souvenirs; upper floor houses the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art
• The hourly trumpet call (Hejnał) from St. Mary’s tower — cut short mid-note in tribute to a legendary 13th-century trumpeter
• Horse-drawn carriages clattering through the square
• Street performers and artists filling the square with energy

3. Kazimierz — The Jewish Quarter

Kazimierz is one of the most atmospheric districts in Kraków. Once an independent city and the historic centre of Jewish life in Poland, it fell into neglect after World War II but has undergone an extraordinary revival. Today, Kazimierz is the city’s most vibrant quarter — packed with quirky cafés, vintage shops, art galleries, and the best food in Kraków.

Location: South of the Old Town, a 10-minute walk from the Main Square.

Highlights:

• The Old Synagogue and Remuh Synagogue — powerful insights into pre-war Jewish life
• Schindler’s Factory — an outstanding museum documenting Kraków under Nazi occupation
• Szeroka Street — the heart of Kazimierz, lined with traditional Jewish restaurants
• Plac Nowy market and its famous zapiekanka (open-faced baguette with melted cheese)
• The Ghetto Heroes Square with the haunting empty chairs monument

4. Wieliczka Salt Mine

One of the most extraordinary underground attractions in the world, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a vast subterranean city carved entirely from salt. Operating for over 700 years, the mine descends nine levels deep with over 300 kilometres of tunnels. The highlight is the breathtaking Chapel of St. Kinga — a magnificent underground cathedral carved entirely from salt, complete with chandeliers made of salt crystals.

Location: Wieliczka, 13 km southeast of Kraków — 30 minutes by bus or train.

Highlights:

• The Chapel of St. Kinga — 54 metres underground, 30,000 hand-carved salt crystals
• Underground salt lakes that reflect the cavernous ceilings beautifully
• Intricate salt sculptures, bas-reliefs, and chandeliers throughout the tunnels
• The unique microclimate said to have therapeutic properties for respiratory illnesses

Entry fee: 99 PLN (standard tour). Book online in advance — tickets sell out.

5. Planty Park & Błonia

Surrounding the Old Town like a green moat, the Planty Park is a 4-kilometre ring of gardens and walkways that replaced the medieval city walls in the 19th century. It’s the perfect place for a lazy stroll, and the nearby Błonia — a vast 48-hectare meadow — is where Kraków’s residents come to picnic, cycle, and relax on sunny weekends.

Location: Encircles the entire Old Town.

Highlights:

• Benches and shaded pathways perfect for reading or people-watching
• Historic monuments and fountains scattered along the route
• Seasonal flower displays and mature chestnut trees
• Błonia meadows — the largest urban green space in Kraków
• Fantastic views of Wawel Castle from various angles

6. Rynek Underground Museum

Beneath the Main Market Square lies an extraordinary archaeological museum. The Rynek Underground takes you back to medieval Kraków, revealing the original 14th-century market stalls, cobbled streets, and trading posts that were discovered during excavations in the early 2000s. It’s one of the most innovative historical museums in Europe, using holograms, projections, and interactive exhibits to bring the medieval city to life.

Location: Enter from the Cloth Hall on the Main Square.

Entry fee: 32 PLN. Free on Tuesday (but very crowded).

Traditional Polish Food You Must Try

Polish food is hearty, warming, and deeply satisfying. Kraków in particular is famous for its vibrant food scene and affordable traditional cuisine.

• Pierogi: Polish dumplings filled with cheese and potato, sauerkraut and mushrooms, or meat. Head to Pierogarnia Krakowiacy for the best in the Old Town.
• Zapiekanka: A must-try street food — an open-faced baguette topped with cheese, mushrooms, and sauce. The best are at Plac Nowy in Kazimierz.
• Żurek: Sour rye soup served in a bread bowl with sausage and boiled egg — a Polish classic.
• Obwarzanek: Kraków’s signature street snack — a boiled and baked bagel-like ring sold from blue carts all over the city.
• Milk Bars (Bar Mleczny): Communist-era budget canteens serving dirt-cheap traditional Polish food. Bar Mleczny Polonia near the Main Square is a great introduction.

Nightlife & Drinks

Kraków has legendary nightlife — one of the best party scenes in Central Europe — but it also offers plenty of quieter spots for a relaxed evening.

• Vodka bars: Try traditional Polish vodka at Wodka Cafe Bar or Szpitalna 1
• Craft beer: The craft beer scene is booming — try Kraftownia or House of Beer for local Polish brews
• Kazimierz bars: Ulica Szeroka is lined with atmospheric bars, from traditional Jewish pubs to trendy speakeasies
• Clubs: The underground clubs along ulica Szewska get going after midnight