The Ultimate Top 10 Best Things to do in and Around Kraków, Poland

Krakow is both exciting and haunting. It is a place that makes you laugh and cry.

#10 - Rynek Underground Museum

This kid-friendly museum takes you 4 meters below the surface to uncover Poland’s medieval period. It showcases what life was like for Poles during this time period through holograms, games, artwork, videos, and recreations on display. At the end of the museum, you will get the chance to walk through the old Krakow Cloth Hall, which is an original track from the medieval period still in tact. With the building reconstructions, music, and smoke machines, you and your children will be in for a treat!

Hours: Mondays/Wednesdays/Thursdays (10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. = closed every other Monday); Tuesdays (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.); Fridays - Sundays (10:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.)

Average Cost: 32 zł

#9 - Kazimierz

Kazimierz is the old Jewish district named after King Kazimierz the Great, who reigned over Poland in the 14th century. In a time where Jews were being persecuted and deported, King Kazimierz provided Jews with a safe haven in what is now Krakow. He granted the Jews special trade and banking privilages to help them thrive in their new land. For many centuries, Jews lived peacefully and prospered in Krakow. By the 1930s, a quarter of Krakow’s population were Jewish. It wasn’t until the Nazis occupied Poland that Kazimierz changed. There are museums, synagogues, and exhibitions all explaining what life was like here during the war. Most of the former Jewish residents here were murdered - less than 10 percent of them survived. The old cemetery looks different than it would have before the war because Nazis came in and bulldozed over the gravestones. There are many opportunities to pay your respects throughout the district and celebrate the lives of these people.

As a side note: If you go back and watch Schindler’s List, the speech that Amon Göth (played by Ralph Fiennes) gives to the Jews explains a little bit of the history of Kazimierz. It’s a disturbing speech, but I encourage you to go back and watch that portion of the movie for context.

#8 - Rynek Główny

Rynek Główny is Krakow’s old town square. We’ve been fortunate to travel to many beautiful European cities that have nice old town squares, but Rynek Główny seems to be one of the most beautiful squares we’ve seen on our travels. It’s very clean, there aren’t many scammers, and the overall atmosphere is very relaxing. Within Rynek Główny, you can see the Church of St. Wojciech, Cloth Hall (amazing souvenir shopping display), the Town Hall Tower, the statue of Polish poet Adam Mickiewicz, a plaque displaying Poland’s accession to the European Union, the Rynek Underground Museum (#10 on our list), horse-drawn carriage rides, travel kiosks, cafes, and restaurants. However, be aware that the cafes in the area are not going to serve you the best food around. They are usually overpriced and mediocre.

#7 - Wawel Cathedral

Technically, what you will see is the third construction of the cathedral. The first one was built and destroyed in the 11th century. The second construction was destroyed in 1305 by a fire. The third one, which was built in the 14th century, is what you will find today. It is a Roman catholic cathedral that has served as the coronation site for Polish monarchs for over 1,000 years; additionally, it holds the official seat of the Archbishop of Krakow. Below the cathedral, you can see crypts of royals, Polish heroes, and other revolutionaries. Some of these are adorned with jewels and gold, while others are more subtle in appearance.

If you enjoy tight spaces and walking up/down steep stairs, you can walk up the bell tower! Something to know about us is that one of us has a fear of tight spaces while the other enjoys tight spaces. The one who’s writing this is the one who has a blast in tight spaces! I must be part-cat. Your admission ticket covers the top of the cathedral where you can see the bells. This is also the only area where you are allowed to take photos, hence why we’re showing a photo of the bell and not the actual cathedral.

Winter Hours: (November - March) = Mondays - Saturdays (9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.); Sundays (12:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m.)

Summer Hours: (April - October) = Mondays - Saturdays (9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.); Sundays (12:30 - 5:00 p.m.)

Average Cost: 22 zł

#6 - Wawel Castle

Wawel Castle was ordered by King Casimir III the Great in the 13th century. Since that time, the castle had many additions and alterations throughout its life. This becomes very noticeable at first glance, as you can clearly see the different time periods coming together. While not the most beautiful castle in Europe, the museums are fascinating. There are several sections you can pay to see, from the Royal Private Apartments, the Crown Treasury, the State Rooms, the Armoury, towers, churches, gardens, and much more. If you pay for all of the museums, it will easily take you all day to see everything. We recommend getting to the castle early in the morning before the crowds so it can be a more enjoyable experience. Also, keep in mind that each portion has a limited amount of tickets they sell each day, so make sure you get there early enough to get the tickets you want. Each one has their own set hours, so it can be a bit confusing.

Hours: varies depending on museum or exhibition

Average Cost: varies depending on museum or exhibition

#5 - The Princes Czartoryski Museum

This is a beautifully constructed and gorgously displayed museum to illustrate Poland’s history. The collection from the museum comes from 1796 by Princess Izabela Czartoryska. During an uprising in 1830, many of these items were transported to Paris at the Hôtel Lambert. However, these historical artifacts and pieces were relocated back to their home in Krakow in 1876. After years of keeping it safe, these pieces had finally been put on display for the public to see since 1878. The goal is to celebrate Poland’s past in royal displays through art, armoury, jewellry, pottery, and more. One of the most-famous pieces on display is Leonardo Davinci’s Lady with an Ermine. This is a wonderful museum of Poland’s triumphs that should not be missed.

Hours: Tuesdays - Sunday (10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.)

Average Cost: 38 zł

#4 - The Ghetto Wall

For those who don’t know what the ghetto wall is in Krakow, it was a literal wall closing the Jewish people off from the rest of the residents in Krakow. Although most of the wall had been destroyed, there is still a tiny bit left over as a reminder for what happened. For context, after Jews were required to register and forced to wear Star of David patches on their arms, they were forced into segregation at schools, restaurants, cinemas, and anywhere between. They dealt with abusive and inhumane situations while they still lived in their homes. However, in March 1941, they were eventually relocated to the ghetto across the river, leaving their homes that they would never see again (you can still walk the bridge to the ghetto - it’s the blue bridge). Small and cramped, it became unbearable for most. Then, during Passover, the most holy week of the year for Jews, this wall was built… enclosing everyone inside. You may be wondering why the tops of the wall are so strangely shaped. This is because they are made to resemble Jewish tombstones - a foreshadowing of what was to come. You can see the last remaining ghetto wall near the Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory.

We recommend that if you walk a little farther, you can also walk Heroes Square. This is where family members were chosen and separated from each other, with most being put on trains to concentration camps; for most of them, it was to their deaths.

#3 - Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory

If you haven’t seen Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, please do so. It explains a lot about what happened here in Krakow and how Oskar Schindler’s creative methods saved 1,200 Jews during World War II. The museum is in the actual enamel factory where Schindler hired these Jews. Cool enough, it was also the filming location for the movie, as Steven Spielberg wanted to make the film as authentic as possible. When you walk up, you get to see 100’s of photos of the Jews who were saved during this time. The museum itself is not merely about the story of the Schindler Jews, but rather a museum illustrating life in Krakow and what happened as the war progressed. There are many gruesome pictures on display, so we don’t recommend small children going to this museum. The Schindler museum does not hold back anything from you. Be prepared - it was almost as hard as going to Auschwitz.

Hours: Tuesdays - Sundays (9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.); Mondays (10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)

Average Cost: 32 zł

#2 - Wieliczka Salt Mine

Technically, the Wieliczka Salt Mines have been around since the Neolithic era. Excavations started in the 13th century and continued to be a working salt mine until 1996. Now, it is a World Heritage site and operates as a touring museum. Don’t worry if you have a fear of tight spaces - there are no areas that are tight here. However, there is a lot of walking involved, so bring some comfortable shoes. Here, you can see sculptures, labyrinths, water features, and even a cathedral in the mines! They also have souvenir shops and a whole restaurant towards the bottom of the mines. You can travel as far down as 1,073 feet below the surface, so there is a lot to see and explore down here. We think the guides do a fantastic job of explaining the history of the mines and put on a show for something as simple as table salt. Who knew that could be so much fun?!

Hours: 8:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. (depends on your preferred language)

Average Cost: 126 zł

#1 - Auschwitz Concentration Camp

This might be one of the single-most important areas in modern-day Krakow. Auschwitz is a very moving and haunting place to visit. I would normally recommend coming into this prepared, but honestly I don’t think there truly is anything that can prepare you for a trip to Auschwitz. Rather than writing about this again, we recommend you checking out our other blog on Auschwitz so that you can get a better understanding on what to expect at a day in Auschwitz by clicking here.

Please be respectful while on your trip here. We’ve heard of so many “Instagram influencers” who come here and take inappropriate photos and videos at Auschwitz. We didn’t believe this was a thing until we actually witnessed it ourselves. There are a few rooms that you are not allowed to take photos or videos of out of respect. There are some people who seem to think that rule doesn’t apply to them and use their platform to show off where they are without realising how disrespectful they are being. Also, refrain from complaining or asking inappropriate questions such as, “Do you have any ghost stories for us?” It’s in poor taste. Don’t be those people.

Hours: January/November (7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.); February (7:30 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.); March/October (7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.); April/May/September (7:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m.); June/July/August (7:30 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.); December (7:30 a.m. - 2:00 p.m.)

Average Cost: Free - However, it is recommended and advised to have a tour guide (we suggest it)