There are 101 things to do in Krakow. This is the place to be for info on sights and activities, castles, Gothic churches, UNESCO draws – you name it!
Krakow is packed with activities. It’s not for nothing that this city has risen to become one of the most popular weekend break destinations from Poland in the last 10 years.
There’s a formidable array of attractions and draws for just about all travelers, from medieval castles and enthralling old town areas to hiking regions and ski resorts.
This guide will try to break it all down into easily navigable bite-sized chunks and categories. That way, you should find it a cinch to plan the places you want to see the most.
Yep, we’ve got sections on all the major sights in the center of the city (perfect for planning those self-guided walking tours) right down to the mountains you might want to hike if you’re feeling adventurous.
Let’s get started…
The top 6 things to do in Krakow
We thought we’d begin with a curated top 6. Look at is a ready-made bucket-list.
These are the absolute must-do things in Krakow right now.
We update it all the darn time, cos’ we like our readers to get the best of this awesome city. You’re welcome!
1
Tour the Old Town – Krakow’s Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the most iconic district in the city. It’s an easy one to add to your list because you’ll probably be staying in the area or close by. Skip the map. Just get lost inside. That’s half the fun.
2
Kazimierz – Kazimierz is the hipster district of Krakow. It’s south of the Old Town and a hubbub of life. Go here to unearth amazing Jewish culture and hop the coolest cafes around. The nightlife gets pretty wild – you can party in Kazi all night long.
3
Krakow Castle – The Wawel Castle as it’s known is an enthralling medieval complex that looks like something out of Game of Thrones. Go to tour the historic court rooms, see the crypts of Polish kings and queens, and enjoy amazing views of the cityscape.
4
Main Square – The Main Square (the Rynek in Polish) is the hub of the Old Town area. Again, you can hardly miss this one but don’t just breeze through. Take time to see the elegant church on the northeast corner and enjoy the regular markets that pop up on the stones.
5
People watching in the Parks – Krakow does parks fantastically well. Among them, the Planty Park is a legendary circular park that has cafes and sculptures. It’s a people watching mecca. But there are also ancient forests and even national parks within reach of town.
6
Zakopane – We have a whole section of this site dedicated to the amazing mountain town of Zakopane. Less than two hours’ drive from Krak, it’s a whole other world, complete with hiking trails, cozy highlander taverns, and the best skiing in the country.
Krakow Old Town
The Old Town is the focal point of sightseeing in the city. For over 1,000 years, it’s been the hub of commerce here, and it’s got the most iconic landmarks in Krakow as a whole.
There are like 500 things to see in the neighborhood. We’ve got in-depth guides to a lot of them – just click through to read more.
Parks in Krakow
Krakow is a city of seriously fantastic parks.
From the mighty mounds – some of them ancient – that tower over the skyline to the legendary Planty – a ring of greenery that enfolds the Old Town – there’s loads of space for escaping to nature.
Check out our complete guide to all the best parks in Krakow if you want an overview.
Alternatively, we have in-depth guides that detail everything about both urban gardens and bigger national parks that are easier to reach from the city center…
Spas in Krakow
Skiing in Poland
We have the single best guide to skiing in Poland (and that includes skiing in Krakow and Zakopane) on the whole internet. How do we know? We go like every year, so our hotel recs and our piste reports are always up to date!Tyou
If you’re stuck wondering about the Krakow things to do, then look no further than this guide to the city’s top activities, sights, institutions and events. It’s got everything from the must-see Gothic churches of the old town to the gorgeous backcountry parks and the city’s fascinating fine art and historical museum, not to mention sobering WWII UNESCO sites and ski fields to boot!