Kraków

Kraków (IPA: [ˈkrakuf]) is the chief city of Małopolskie Province in the south of Poland. At its core is a beautifully-preserved medieval town on the banks of the River Wisła or Vistula, and it's Poland's top tourist draw. The modern city, with a population of 780,000 (2021), stretches way beyond, including the communist-era "new town" of Nowa Huta.

Statue of Adam Mickiewicz and Sukiennice in the Main Market Square

Church of St. Mary seen from the Main Market

Understand

In English the city's name used to be spelled "Cracow". But 21st-century visitors have discovered it via budget airlines and travel booking sites that always call it "Krakow" so the older spelling isn't used here. The diacritical mark over the "o" changes the pronunciation from "o" (IPA: [ɔ]), to "u" (IPA: [u]).

History

Kraków is one of the oldest cities in Poland, with evidence showing settlements there since 20,000 BC. Legend has it that it was built on the cave of a dragon whom the mythical King Krak had slain. However, the first official mention of the name was in 966 by a Jewish merchant from Spain, who described it as an important centre of trade in Slavonic Europe.

Through trade with the various rulers of Europe, it grew from a small settlement in 1000 AD to a large wealthy city, belonging to the Vistulans. However, through the 9th and 10th centuries, it fell under the influence of the Great Moravians, then the Bohemians, before being captured by the Piast Dynasty of Poland. In 1038, Kazimierz the Restorer made Kraków the capital of Poland.

In 1241, the city was almost entirely destroyed by Tatars. It was rebuilt to a design that remains largely unchanged to the present day. However, after more successful attacks by the Mongols in the late 13th century, Kazimierz the Great set about defending the city. Walls, fortifications, and the original Wawel Castle were added. The University was also established. King Kazimierz established the district of Kazimierz for Jews to live in free from persecution. This area remained mainly Jewish for centuries until the Nazi occupation.

The 16th century was Kraków's golden age. Under the influence of the joint Polish-Lithuanian Jagiellonian dynasty, Kraków became a centre of science and the arts. In 1569, Poland was officially united with Lithuania and as a result government activity started to move to Warsaw. King Zygmunt III officially moved the capital in 1609.

However, the 17th century was a return to troubled times for Kraków and Poland. After being invaded by Russians, Prussians, Austrians, Transylvanians, Swedes, and the French, it went through a phase of various forms of political control. These included being part of the Duchy of Warsaw, established by Napoleon, and becoming an "independent city". However, it mostly fell under the sphere of influence of the Austrian Habsburg Empire, in the province of Galicia.

In the First World War, Józef Piłsudski set out to liberate Poland and the Treaty of Versailles (1919) established an independent sovereign Polish state for the first time in more than 100 years. This lasted until the Second World War, when Germany and the USSR partitioned the country, with German forces entering Kraków in September 1939. Many academics were killed and historic relics and monuments were destroyed or looted. Concentration camps were established near Kraków, including Plaszow and Auschwitz; see Holocaust remembrance. After German withdrawal, the city escaped complete destruction and many buildings were saved.

In the Communist period, a large steel work factory was established in the suburb of Nowa Huta. This was seen as an attempt to lessen the influence of the anti-communist intelligentsia and religious communities in Kraków; see Cold War Europe. In 1978, UNESCO placed Kraków on the World Heritage Sites list. In the same year, the Archbishop of Kraków, Karol Wojtyła, was made Pope John Paul II.

The communist government collapsed in 1989 and Kraków has undergone another period of regeneration, with historic buildings being restored, but many of the dull post-war buildings still remain.

Climate

Kraków
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D       39     1 −5       33     3 −4       39     8 1       47     14 4       82     19 9       90     22 12       85     24 14       74     24 13       61     18 9       41     14 5       41     7 0       38     2 −4 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation+Snow totals in mm
Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D       1.5     34 23       1.3     37 25       1.5     46 33       1.9     57 39       3.2     67 48       3.5     71 53       3.3     76 57       2.9     75 56       2.4     65 49       1.6     56 41       1.6     44 33       1.5     35 26 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation+Snow totals in inches

There are four definite seasons to Kraków - summer being hot and humid (average highs of 25°C) and winter always seeing Kraków under a blanket of snow with bitingly cold days (average lows of -3/-4°C). Due to little wind, Kraków suffers from high levels of air pollution from cars and coal stoves, which especially affects children and people with respiratory problems.

Economy

Kraków is the most popular tourist destination in Poland and this supports much of the local economy. However, the University and numerous local colleges mean education is an important employer as well.

The service and technology industry is strong, with many banks and IT companies, such as IBM, Cisco, Oracle, being located here. There is a large manufacturing sector as well, especially in steel (owned by Mittal), pharmaceuticals and tobacco, mainly as a legacy of the communist era.

Unemployment is lower than average (5%) for the rest of the country (9%) and it is considered an attractive investment opportunity, especially for those buying real estate. A new financial and business district is planned along with a new sporting complex in the Nowa Huta borough on the Vistula river. This is for the regeneration of the Nowa Huta area, the poorest district of Kraków.

Read

There is an English language monthly paper called Kraków Post available for free in clubs and culture venues throughout the city, where you can check the news, events taking place and new bars that opened in Kraków any given month.

Districts

Kraków consists of 18 districts. The historic Old City is situated in District I Stare Miasto. Even though the words Stare Miasto mean 'old town', it should not be confused with the historic old town of Kraków itself, as the medieval old town is only a small central part of District I Stare Miasto. Some of the communities around the edge of Kraków can show you real Polish life away from the tourist-focused economy of the centre.

The article for Kraków is divided into districts as follows:

Districts of Krakow

Old Town Consists of the historic Kraków Old Town, as well as the Wawel castle hill. This district was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. These are the most popular tourist destinations, and if your time is limited, you would be best sticking to these.

Kazimierz An area located really close to the Old Town. An independent city in medieval times with a Christian quarter in the West and a former largely Jewish quarter in the east. Also included on the UNESCO list.

West Kraków Includes Zwierzyniec (the greenest area in Kraków with Błonia, Las Wolski forest and the Kościuszko Mound), Krowodrza, Grzegórzki and several other districts.

South Kraków Interesting areas include Podgórze, on the southern bank of Vistula river, where a Jewish ghetto was located during the Nazi occupation; and Dębniki, a green area to the South West of the Old Town, which includes the Tyniec Monastery.

East Kraków With Nowa Huta, "The New Steel Mill" area built in the communist era.

Get in

By plane

Kraków Airport

1 Kraków Airport (KRK  ^IATA, John Paul II International Airport Kraków - Balice). The city's airport is in Balice, 12 km west of the centre. Ryanair are a major operator here, with an ever-changing list of European destinations; Easyjet, Lufthansa, Wizz and Norwegian are among others. Ukraine is well-served but there is only seasonal service from Turkey and North America. Beyond Europe, there are flights from Dubai, Tel Aviv, Eilat and Amman. LOT domestic flights link Warsaw, Gdansk and Olsztyn, while Ryanair fly from Szczecin. The airport often suffers from fog in winter, with cancellations and diversions. There is a single terminal, with arrivals and check-in both in the same hall at street level. The currency provider is ICE, with rates for major currencies 15-20% either side of bank rate - poor value but average for an airport. There's a ground-side cafe but much better facilities upstairs airside, after security. A litre of Polish vodka for an EU passenger might be 60 zł. For non-Schengen departures, don't go through passport control until about an hour before your flight, as there's not much in the lounge beyond. Gates 17 / 18 are always non-Schengen, while Gates 9-16 and their waiting areas are switched back and forth. A dozen car rental kiosks are in Arrivals, only needed if you're touring the region, you can't take a car into Old Town. (updated Nov 2019)

To and from the city:

• Trains run between the airport (Kraków Lotnisko) upstairs hall and the main railway station (Kraków Główny). They run daily every 30 min between 04:00 and 00:30, taking 20 min. A single ticket costs 17 zł (return 34 zł), concessions half-price. Tickets can be purchased:
  • using cash on board (only Zloty and cards are accepted),
  • online from the regional rail company, you receive an e-ticket by email (the airport station is called Kraków Lotnisko, the main station is Kraków Główny),
  • ticket machines on the platform, the notoriously complicated ones have been replaced here so you should have no issue getting a ticket to Krakow Główny, the main station: choose the next train even if it's just about to depart, as your ticket will be okay on any train that day. Buy a return ticket at this occasion as only a few machines at the main station actually sell tickets to the airport - the PKP / Polregio machines cannot be used.

These trains also call at the western suburban stations of Kraków Olszanica, Zakliki, Młynówka and Łobzów; change at Główny for all other destinations. Trains are sometimes replaced by buses (badged "SKA" and taking 30-40 min), which are in addition to the regular city buses. Pay as for the trains, cash on board is simplest else you have to go upstairs to the railway ticket machines then come down again.

The airport bus stop is just outside Arrivals. The downtown terminus for 208, 902 and train replacement SKA buses is the forecourt that lies between the railway and bus stations outside the big Galeria Krakowska shopping mall - not the bus station itself. A single ride (day or night) costs 6.00 zł (3.00 zł for concessions eg ISIC/EURO 26 holders or age over 60). You need an "agglomeration ticket" valid for Zones I + II to cover the airport; city buses are cashless so you can't buy on boarding. Buy from a newsagent or from a ticket machine at the bus stop, and validate it immediately on boarding. For other types of tickets, see the ticket information of the operator MPK, and "Get around" below.

• E-hailing: Free Now (formerly MyTaxi), Uber and Bolt serve the airport and offer much lower rates than regular taxis: figure on 25-35 PLN for a ride to the city centre.
• Kraków Airport Taxi is the official taxi service, tel +48 12 258 0 258 or + 48 668 307 307 (open 06:00-22:00) or just rock up. There's a fixed fare per distance, posted on the airport website, reckon 90 zł to city centre.
• Prebooked transfer: several internet platforms offer pre-booked cars from Kraków Airport. You know the price when you book, and often get a better vehicle.
• Blacklane offer limousine transfers to town from about €40 / 180 zł one-way.

Other airports - where you might end up if you're diverted - include Katowice, Warsaw and Rzeszów. Closest is Katowice (KTW ^IATA), 100 km west of Kraków. It's a base for Wizzair and has flights all over Europe, including Kutaisi and Tblisi in Georgia. KTW airport is 30 km north of Katowice town, but there are connecting minibuses to town and direct to Kraków. You can easily day-trip from Katowice to Kraków and to Auschwitz, and the accommodation is a fraction of the price, but it's a drab place that you'd be unwise to pick for a romantic weekend.

By train

Kraków has good rail connections. Two direct trains run from Berlin via Wrocław: 7 h 30 min daytime, 10 hours overnight which continues to Rzeszów and Przemyśl on the Ukraine border. From London, Paris or Amsterdam change in Berlin.

From Prague there's one direct train, taking 7 hr 30 min via Olomouc, Ostrava and Katowice and continuing from Kraków to Rzeszów and Przemyśl.

From Vienna one daytime and one overnight train take 6 hr via Ostrava, with other connections at Katowice.

From Budapest one daytime and one overnight train take 9-10 hr via Bratislava, Ostrava and Katowice, where a portion divides for Warsaw. The Kraków portion continues to Rzeszów and Przemyśl.

From Vilnius and Kaunas a daily train takes 16 hours via Warsaw. You change at the border but it's a seamless service.

Trains from Kyiv and Lviv in Ukraine involve a change, immigration and customs at Przemyśl, because it's an EU border and change of railway gauge. Trains run every hour or two from Przemyśl taking 3 hours via Rzeszów and Tarnów.

Trains run nonstop every two hours to Kraków from Warsaw (all three main stations), taking 2 hr 40 min: these originate from Gdynia and Gdańsk. Trains from Poznań run via Wrocław and Częstochowa to Kraków, continuing via Rzeszów to Przemyśl.

Trains from Poznań run every hour or two, taking 5 hr 30 min via Katowice. Two direct trains from Łódź take 3 hr.

Trains from Oświęcim, better known as Auschwitz, take just under 2 hours; some are direct but most involve a change at Trzebinia.

2 Kraków Główny railway station. The city's main railway station is next to the main bus station and just north of the bastions of Kraków Old Town. The classical railway station you see coming in from the Old Town is now an empty, unused shell, with the new station mostly hidden underground behind the large adjoining Galeria Krakowska shopping mall. There's a left-luggage service, waiting room, and a limited choice of cafes and shops; the mall has a much wider selection. Station staff have limited English, although the international ticket desk are okay, and most young Poles are pleased to show off their English and be helpful. (updated Oct 2021)

By bus

Flixbus (which has taken over Eurolines) runs to Kraków direct from Vienna (7 hr), Budapest (8 hr), Prague (8 hr), Berlin (8 hr), Hamburg (12 hr), Munich (13 hr), Cologne (14 hr), Venice (15 hr via Zagreb) and Amsterdam (20 hr).

Ecolines run daily to Kyiv (15 hr) and Odesa (15 hr), and occasionally to Kaunas, Riga, Tallinn, Moscow, St Petersburg and Athens.

Intercity buses within Poland are nowadays mostly run by Flixbus, which has also taken over Polskibus. From Warsaw there are about a dozen buses daily taking up to 5 hours. There are also direct buses from Gdańsk (9 hr), Szczecin (9 hr), Poznań (7 hr), Wrocław (3 hr), Łódź (4 hr), Katowice (hourly, 75 min), Przemyśl (4 hr) and Zakopane (hourly, 2 hr 20 min).

The central bus station is on the east side of the railway station. You'll struggle to find any information, in any language, about where to find your bus. However the airport buses don't depart from here but from the little forecourt at the shopping mall entrance.

By car

The main highway to Kraków from the west is the A4 motorway from the German border, where it meets Autobahns A4 from Dresden and A13 from Berlin. There's a 20 zł toll on the section between Katowice and Kraków, pay by card or cash.

From Warsaw (300 km) use the E77, passing Radom and Kielce, and reckon 5 hours. It's a modern highway but has yet to be upgraded to or replaced by a motorway. For travelers flying out of Krakow, long-term parking facilities are available at Krakow-Balice Airport, providing a convenient option for those driving to the airport.

Get around

Wawel Cathedral and Royal Castle

Kraków is compact and most sights can be covered easily on foot, with an occasional tram ride.

On foot

Depending on your level of fitness, you can see the whole of the city centre without needing any transport. There are some beautiful walking routes, try the Royal Way or the Planty park that surrounds the old city all the way from Florian's Gate to Wawel castle. It is very relaxing. There is also a well cared for river banks next to the castle just to stroll around.

However, in winter, snow is sometimes not removed from the sidewalks, resulting in a mixture of snow and mud. Be sure to bring waterproof shoes if you plan to travel by foot in the winter.

By bus and tram

During the day, there is an excellent system of public transportation consisting of trams and buses managed by MPK (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne). On their website you can check routes or stops. Easyway journey planner finds the routes and schedules for a given trip. Rush hours are mostly 07:00-09:00 and 15:00-17:00 and you can spend a lot of time in traffic jams.

The official phone application Jakdojade (iOS, Android) is available to route you around Krakow and other Polish cities. You can buy tickets directly on the app. You can also buy tickets online but you need to register in advance in Mobilet (iOS, Android) or Skycash (iOS, Android) mobile services and download appropriate mobile application.

It's best to buy tickets before you get on board in a kiosk or ticket machine on the tram/bus stop (these are present mostly in the city centre and provide help in few languages). Some, but not all, ticketing machines accept credit cards. Those trams and buses that are equipped with ticket machines are marked with large "A" sign above the entrance. If there is no ticket machine on board you can buy the 6 zł ticket from the driver but you have to pay him with exact change (the driver will not accept a higher amount than the ticket price). If buying a ticket after mounting the vehicle try to be fast. Ticket controllers are fairly common and fines are quite high (240 zł) and a hassle.

As soon as you get on, punch the ticket in the validation machine. Tickets need to be punched only the first time you get on, don't do it again after changing a tram/bus. You can use a single ticket for multiple rides as long as its time period hasn't expired.

Ticket prices as of 2024: single-fare/50-minute 6 zł, 20-minute 4 zł, 90-minute 8 zł, 24-hour 17/22 zł (city/agglomeration), 48-hour 35 zł, 72-hour 50 zł, 7-day 56/68 zł (city/agglomeration), family ticket (Sa Su only, unlimited daytime traveling) 25 zł. ISIC/Euro26 student card holders qualify for a 50% discount on all tickets.

When travelling to neighbouring villages or to the airport you need an agglomeration (zone) ticket. All buses that go outside the city limits have 2 or 3 at the beginning of their line number. Keep in mind that not all time passes mentioned above are valid outside the city, and you will need to purchase a zone ticket separately. Zone tickets are slightly more expensive than city ones and follow similar time system.

Night bus and tram lines start with 6 (or 9 when zone) at the beginning of their line number. Ticket prices during the night are the same. 24-, 48- and 72-hour, as well as 7-day tickets are valid on night buses.

Tram and bus stops show routes and most kiosks will be able to advise you on route numbers. Modern trams and most of the modern buses also display the route inside on the screens and announce each stop.

By taxi/rideshare

Uber and Bolt operate in Krakow and avoid nearly all taxi hassles with the language barrier, overcharging, etc.

If you opt for a regular taxi, most fares will be around 20 zł. All taxis should have a 'Taxi' sign on the roof and a sticker on the rear passenger window with prices. There is an initial charge of about 5-7 zł, plus 2-3 zł per kilometre. Price list should be shown on the passenger side door.

There are instances where drivers will overcharge tourists, especially those who don't speak Polish. Check on a map in advance how much it should be and if it goes much above that, debate the price.

By car

Don't bother driving in the city centre. There's often a lot of traffic, parking spaces are scarce and can be expensive, and Polish driving takes a lot of getting used to. There are also rules around local 'driving zones', that ban non-resident's vehicles from entering them. Especially in the city center it's easy to enter such a zone without knowing - there are rectangle blue signs that mark the entrance to the zones. The taxis are cheap and it makes more sense to use them.

If you really want to travel by car, you can use Traficar carsharing service, although if you're not a Polish citizen, you may need to register for a service in person on Rzemieślnicza 26 before the first use.

By bicycle

It is easy to get around the centre on two wheels, as there are some bike lanes, including through the 'Planty' that surround the Old Town. Some bike rentals also provide city and country tours.

• Bike Rental, ul. św. Anny 4, ☏ +48 501 745 986, office@bike-rental.pl. In summer from 09:00 till dusk. They have a tandem. 7 zł for 1hr, 40 zł for 24hr. 
• Cruising Kraków, ul. Basztowa 17, ☏ +48 12 312 60 20, info@cruisingkrakow.com. 09:00-20:00. 20 zł for the first 3 hr, 40 zł for 24 hr. 
• Happy Bike, ul. Mogilska 51, ☏ +48 504 982 043, sklep@happybike.pl. 40zł/24 hr. 
• Two Wheels, ul. Józefa 5 (Kazimierz), ☏ +48 12 421 57 85. 10:00-18:00. 50 zł for 24 hr. 

By boat

You can take a cruise on the Vistula River. It is a good way to explore the city and learn about the history of Krakow's monuments. The shipowners offer cruises around Krakow and cruises to the historic monastery in Tyniec.

• Krakowska Żegluga Pasażerska, Bulwar Czerwieński 3 (Under the Wawel Royal Castle), ☏ +48 505 102 677, rejs@statekkrakow.com. 10:00-23:00. 70 zł for 60 min. (updated Mar 2023)

• Tramway Wodny w Krakowie, Galeria Kazimierz, ☏ +48 608 496 800, rejs@statekkrakow.com. 10:00–18:00. 18 zł/15 zł in Kraków, 60 zł/50 zł to Tyniec. (updated Apr 2023)

See

Church of St. Mary seen from Plac Mariacki

Inner courtyard of the Royal Castle

• 1 Wawel at the south tip of Old Town is a citadel perched on a crag. Within are the cathedral, and the Royal Castle which has several museum galleries and collections.
• 2 Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is the grand centre of Old Town, with St Mary's Basilica and the Cloth Hall. The town walls have gone except for the bastions on its north flank.
• 3 Kazimierz was the Jewish quarter. The best of it is around Szeroka, with the Remuh synagogue and atmospheric old cemetery.
• Museums are run by either the National or the City museum.

- The 4 National Museum main building is at the foot of Aleja 3 Maja in west Kraków, ten minutes walk from Old Town. Other branches, all within Old Town, are Sukiennice Gallery, Czapski Museum and Pavilion, Matejko House, Szolayski House, Czartoryski Museum, Czartoryski Library, Menhoffer House, Erazm Ciolek Palace, and the Europeum Centre.

- The Museum of Krakow or City Museum runs Krzysztofory Palace, Old Synagogue, Oscar Schindler's Enamel Factory, Eagle Pharmacy, Pomorska Street, Hipolit House, Town Hall Tower, the walls (including Barbican, Florian Gate and Celestat), Nowa Huta, Nowa Huta underground, Zwierzyniec House, Rynek Underground, Theatre Museum, Thesaurus Crocovensis, Podgorze, KL Plaszow and Rydlowka.

- These are all rich, fascinating collections. To pick one highlight from so many: the Lady with an Ermine is an authentic Leonardo da Vinci portrait (in Polish Dama z gronostajem). She's been shunted hither and yon across Europe but nowadays resides in the Princes Czartoryski Museum just inside the Old Town walls.

• Nowa Huta was built in Communist times for the workforce of the colossal steelworks there. It's a monument to their crass central planning, with huge buildings surrounding green parks. The Polish Aviation Museum is in this area, 5 km northeast of the centre.
• Auschwitz-Birkenau is a simple day-trip from Kraków - lots of tours go there, but you can easily do it independently. It had offshoots all over the region, including a concentration camp in Podgórze district.

Do

Kraków Barbican

Leonardo da Vinci's The Lady with an Ermine is in the Princes Czartoryski Museum

• Walk the Royal Way from St Florian's Gate down Floriańska, across the Main Market Square, then down Grodzka to Wawel.
• Listen to the Hejnał Mariacki while sipping a coffee in the Rynek Główny. This five-note trumpet signal is played on the hour from the tower of St Mary Church, and it's said to be an alert cut short in homage to a trumpeter slain in mid-toot by a Tatar arrow in 1241. The Tatars would have needed a high-velocity rifle to get him at that range, and the legend only developed in the 20th century. "Hajnal" is Hungarian for "dawn", and more likely it was just the signal to re-open the city gates in the morning, sounded towards each of the four gates, and never part of a longer tune.
• Walk around the Planty, the park that encircles Old Town.
• Lounge and take in the sun on the banks of the Vistula river; at the foot of Wawel, a dragon breathes fire. Cross the footbridge Kładka Bernatka between Kazimierz and Podgórze.
• Take a Free Walking Tour. One of the reputable group is the Walkative Tour.
• Cruise down the river to admire Tyniec Abbey and Bielany Priory. In summer boats sail from the wharf below Wawel, and there's also a city-owned water tram.
• Early on Sunday, go shopping at the open air flea markets at Plac Nowy and Hala Targowa.
• Participate in a Mass in St. Mary's Church. The church is impressive and the devotion of the believers will bring you inside of the real religious spirit.
• Learn about life in Kraków under Nazi German occupation in the original Schindler's Factory building in Podgórze district.
• Take part in a city game which combines sightseeing of the city with adventure, integration and fun. You'll find them advertised in hostels.
• Foreign visitors can find locals eager to practise speaking English and other languages at the English Language Club on the second floor at ul. Sienna 5, Wednesdays 18:00-20:00.

Events

• 1 Jewish Culture Festival (Festiwal Kultury Żydowskiej). A classic, one the biggest Jewish culture festivals in the world. A week of tours, concerts, workshops on cuisine, dance, music and calligraphy topped with a huge final show on Saturday evening. June/July  
• Bajit Chadasz (New Home in Hebrew). Jewish culture festival, organised by Jewish Cultural Centre in Kazimierz with concerts, exhibitions and lectures. 
• 2 Krakow Film Festival. One of the oldest film events dedicated to documentary, animated and short fiction films in Europe. In a week over 200 films are shown in around six cinemas (10 screens) around the city and in an open air one next to Wawel castle. May  
• Off Camera. International festival of independent cinema. April  
• 3 Etiuda and Anima. International film festival built around animations and short films. November  
• Photomonth. One month long festival with around forty different photography exhibitions around the city. May  
• Live Music Festival. Second half of August. Typical summer open air music fest. Stars that appeared past years include: Kanye West, Muse, The Chemical Brothers, 50 Cent.  
• Unsound. World-renowned experimental music and art event. October (updated Aug 2016)
• Sacrum Profanum. September. Music fest with concerts of such stars as Steve Reich, Aphex Twin or Kraftwerk taking place in unusual places like churches, museums and factories.  
• Wianki. St. John's Night (Midsummer) celebration. An evening of concerts finished with a fireworks show taking place on Vistula river banks next to Wawel castle. A booze-up. June  
• Independence Day on 11 Nov is celebrated throughout Poland, but is an especially big event here. There are grand parades, and Wawel is closed to routine visits.
• Christmas Market: this is the oldest such market in Poland, held from the end of November to the end of December in Main Market Square.
• Krakowskie Noce (Krakow Nights). Five nights (one in each month from May to September): Night of Museums (free museums), Night of Theatres (free theatres), Night of Jazz (free jazz concerts), Cracovia Sacra Night (free concerts of church music) and Night of Poetry (free poetic evenings). 
• There are regular events at TAURON Arena (a large sports and concert arena) and ICE (a new congress centre).
• Krakow Rugby Festival Held annually every 3rd weekend of June. A 2-day rugby festival for amateur male and female rugby teams (senior and Vets) from all over the world. Held at the 's stadium (Polish EkstraLiga rugby team) in Na Bloniach 7 street.

Sports

• Football: Cracovia play soccer in Ekstraklasa, the top tier. Wisła Kraków play in I Liga the second tier, and Garbania play in II Liga the third tier. All three are based in the west of the city.
• Ice hockey: Cracovia play in Polska Hokej Liga the top tier. Their home rink Lodowisko Cracovii is on Michała Siedleckiego in Kazimierz district.
• Golf courses near the city include:

Krakow Valley Golf & Country Club. Paczółtowice 328, Krzeszowice. Also a hotel, shooting range and horse rides. 

Royal Kraków Golf & Country Club. Ochmanów 124, Podłęże. Between Wieliczka and Niepołomice. Also a hotel. 

Learn

Most of language schools now provide Polish for foreigners courses. Just a bunch Accent, Prolog, International School, Lingualand... there's more.

One that is more prestigious is the School of Polish Language and Culture of the Jagiellonian University because, well, it's Jagiellonian University, the oldest Polish university, founded in 1364.

• 1 French Institute in Kraków. (updated Jun 2024)

Buy

• Old Town is geared to tourists, selling clothes, jewellery and art, rather than staples though these can be found in small independent stores. The centre of it all is Rynek Główny which means "main market": the ground floor of Sukiennice (Cloth Hall) is a bazaar for art, amber, sheepskin and other craft souvenirs. Lots more on adjacent streets such as Floriańska and Grodzka.

• Kazimierz is less touristy, though there's a similar collection of places in the streets around Plac Nowy. The big shopping mall here is Galeria Kazimierz at ul. Podgórska 34 on the riverbank, with a gourmet supermarket.

• Galeria Krakowska at ul. Pawia 5 is next to the main railway and bus stations, 5 min walk north of the Old Town walls.

• Other big supermarkets are quite far from the centre, eg Carrefour, Biedronka, Lidl, and Bonarka at ul. Kamieńskiego 11.

Eat

Obwarzanki for sale

Kraków's cuisine has been influenced by the cultures that have inhabited central Europe, as well as the Austro-Hungarian empire.

The most popular dish from Kraków is the obwarzanek, a doughy ring halfway between a bagel and a pretzel, sold everywhere for 3 zł or so. Typical for Kraków is also maczanka, long-roasted pork. A local speciality from the voivodeship is oscypek - cheese from the Tatra Mountains.

If you want to try Polish simple cuisine for outstandingly good value prices (a big lunch for one person for about 8 zł) then find a 'Bar Mleczny' (a milk bar - a kind of cafeteria very prevalent in Communist times so called because it serves no alcohol). You can find one on the right side of ul. Grodzka (if you are going from Rynek Główny). They're not very posh and decorations are rather humble, but they offer classic Polish home food such as 'krokiety' at its best. An English-Polish dictionary is recommended when ordering.

Casual dishes:

• Żurek is a soup based on fermented rye - it's sour and creamy and often has slices of kielbasa sausage or a hard-boiled egg added.
• Barszcz is a soup made with beetroot—very sour.
• Kwaśnica is a soup made from pickled cabbage with a large proportion of sauerkraut and meat, usually eaten with potatoes or bread - while it's a less popular choice than barszcz and żurek, many visitors find it to be their favourite.
• Chłodnik is another beetroot soup, served cold as a refreshing summer dish. It makes use of the beetroot greens as well as the roots and is flavoured with gherkins, dill and sour cream.
• Pierogi are dumplings that are most often filled with "ruskie" ("ruskie" meaning "Russian" - with curd cheese and potato), meat, cabbage, mushroom, bilberries, apples, and strawberries. The fruit Pierogi are usually served with cream and sugar.

You won't see this in most guides, but one of the true joys of a trip to Kraków is a visit to the kiełbasa van. Basically, it's these two gruff Polish men who, every night M-Sa 20:00-03:00, set up a fire grill outside of their van (parked in front of the market east of the Old Town near the train bridge) and grill kielbasa. For 15 zł, you get your sausage, roll and a squirt of mustard, stand at the perch nearby and chow down with the locals in-the-know. It is delicious, especially after a night of exploring Kraków's bars. A fun experience free of the usual tourist crush and off the main path (ul. Grzegórzecka, opposite ul. Blich)

By far the oldest street food in Kraków is zapiekanka which is a large open-faced baguette with baked toppings (traditionally cheese, mushrooms, and a lot of condiments like ketchup or garlic sauce). The most popular, location for zapiekanki is on the Plac Nowy market in Kazimierz. It is busiest at night on the weekends where you can purchase them until the early hours of the morning.

In Kraków you can also buy one of the best Polish sausages - Lisiecka.

Drink

Bars, pubs, and cafes in Kraków are one of its biggest attractions. Not just their number or quality, but close proximity. It has been said that there are more than 300 eating and drinking establishments in the Old Town alone.

Local drinks

• A tatanka is a unique (and delicious) Polish beverage made with apple juice and a special kind of vodka called żubrówka, which is flavoured with bison grass. It is also often referred to as a szarlotka, or apple cake. Tatanka is a Native American term for bison.
• Wódka miodowa is a honey vodka, often served chilled in shots. Some of the better Polish-themed restaurants will have house brands.
• Śliwowica, a plum brandy, is worth watching out for. There are two main variants: an 80-proof (40%) yellow tinged one and a 140-proof (70%) clear variety. While the 80-proof variety is often smooth and flavorful, some have compared the 140-proof to drinking gasoline. A good way to drink it is to deal with it like with an absinthe. Take a small spoon with sugar, put some Sliwowica on it and fire it. Let the sugar melt down for a while (10–30 seconds). Then, mix the flaming sugar with the rest of the drink. Let it burn for 5–10 seconds, then blow it and drink it. Watch out and don't burn your lips! You can also let it burn longer, but then use a straw to drink it to avoid burning your fingers or lips.
• Grzaniec, mulled wine with cloves and other spices, very popular around Christmas when sold on Market Square.
• Wściekły pies, a shot of plain vodka with tabasco and raspberry sauces in the bottom. Must be drunk in one gulp. The name can be translated as rabid dog. Definitely worth trying.
• Kamikaze, a set of several shots of vodka-based alcohol sold usually in clubs. It usually contains equal parts of vodka, blue curacao and lime juice. Should be drunk in one gulp, one shot after another.

Warning: If you party with Poles you should be aware that some of them consume bigger dosage of alcohol than you're used to. Don't try to keep up with your Polish friends and make sure you have plenty of breaks when drinking.

Bars

Thanks to their proximity to each other, Kraków's watering holes are ideal for bar hopping. Many locals and tourists have spent nights partying from the Old Town all the way to Vistula River at the end of Kazimierz. Walk down ul. Szeroka or head over to Plac Nowy for streets full of bars.

The newly-opened Tytano district offers a loft-style, London-like selection of cocktail-bars, restaurants and clubs. It's based in the proximity of the city centre on the corner of Dolnych Młynów and Czarnowiejska streets. If you're looking for a place to relax, there is plenty of bars to choose from there.

In the warmer months, Kraków's nightlife moves outdoors into hundreds of sidewalk cafes and beer gardens. When winter comes around, it moves underground into cellars all around the city.

Cafes

Kraków is not only full of cosy cafes but is also said to be the place of the first cafe founded in Europe. Most cafes offer good espresso and something to nibble at a very reasonable price. As a rule, international-looking places are much more expensive.

Sleep

As the number of tourists to Kraków increases rapidly, accommodation prices are rising. Try to avoid hotels and hostels located in the Nowa Huta district; most of them are former shelters for part-time industry workers and the district is quite distant from the city centre.

Campsites

There are few campsites in Kraków, most of them closed in colder months. All provide some space for tents and caravans as well.

Hostels

There are plenty of decent clean backpacker hostels in the Old Town and Kazimierz. Expect to pay 40-60 zł for a dorm bed, including breakfast (bread, jam, and cheese), laundry, sheets, lockers, and internet access.

Hotels

Kraków has lots of hotels all over the city. Big corporate ones (Sheraton, Qubus etc.) are near the centre, most often on Vistula banks. In the Old Town there are some reasonably priced and some pretty luxurious and expensive. A good alternative may be booking a hotel in the far ends of Kazimierz District or in Podgórze, by the Vistula river.

Private accommodation

A good way to stay in Kraków is to rent private accommodation. You can usually get a one bedroom for €60-90 a night, located in the Old Town. There are two agencies opposite the main railway station offering rooms. If you hang around the street outside the agencies for a while, some landlords will approach you and make an offer. This saves you the commission but may be a bit unsafe.

Stay safe

Like the rest of Poland, Kraków is generally a very safe city with strong police presence. Violent behaviour is rare and if it occurs it is most likely alcohol-related. While pubs and clubs are generally very safe, the nearby streets may be scenes of brawls, especially late at night. Try to avoid confrontations. Women and girls are generally less likely to be confronted or harassed since the Polish code of conduct strictly prohibits any type of violence (physical or verbal) against women.

Follow standard city travel rules: don't leave valuables in the car in plain sight; don't display money or expensive things needlessly; know where you're going; be suspicious of strangers asking for money or trying to sell you something.

Pickpockets operate, pay attention to your belongings in crowds, at stations, in crowded trains/buses (especially to/from the airport), and clubs.

In any case, do not be afraid to seek help or advice from the Police (Policja) or the Municipal Guard (Straż Miejska). They are generally helpful, polite and in most cases speak at least basic English.

Racism

As a result of Nazi German and Soviet terror, modern Poland is a very homogeneous society. Even though quite a few Asian and African migrants have settled in the larger cities (including Kraków) in the last couple of years, it is still quite rare to see non-Caucasians on the Polish streets. If you are a non-white traveller do not be surprised (or alarmed) if some people (especially young children) stare at you with curiosity. The overwhelming majority of Poles are warm, hospitable people who are often curious to learn more about other cultures. Racist incidents are extremely rare, but, just like anywhere else in Europe, have taken place. If you are unfortunate enough to experience racism or too much curiosity, it is important not to get yourself involved in a confrontation. Walk away instead.

Scams

As in any major tourist city, there are people trying to take advantage of travellers. Generally, use common sense and follow simple precautions. Below is a list of the most common scams:

Bar scam

In line with its reputation as an inexpensive all-male trip destination, Kraków is unfortunately notorious for the bar scams typical of many popular tourist destinations. The scam, in short, involves being chatted up by attractive women and invited to join them in a club for drinks. The bill for the drinks then turns out to run up multifold of what one might have expected to pay. Two establishments notorious for perpetrating this are Saxon Club and Hard Candy, but you may be asked to follow your newly acquired company to nondescript premises not appearing to be a public open club as well.

Hotel scam

A few Kraków visitors have been victim to the hotel scam. After a long day of travel, the victim is awakened when their hotel room phone rings. It's the receptionist apologising for the late hour but asking to verify credit card details. The victim reads them out and drifts back to sleep. As Kraków guides know, there is a growing black market for stolen credit card numbers, and the chances are that even before the victim remembers this late night conversation there will be high charges to contest, possibly even ending their vacation early.

Taxi scam

When using a taxi always ask for a price for your journey before you leave. Scam taxis have been found to operate near to the main railway station. They are legally registered as "transportation services" and charge €20/km. The prices of regular taxis are limited by law, and the price list is easily visible. It should be around 2.30 zł per kilometre, with an initial fee of 7 zł (first kilometre included in price). Reliable licensed taxi companies include Taxi Barbakan, Taxi Dwójki, Lajkonik Taxi and Taxi 19191. While it is legal for "transportation services" to charge people as much as they like, their prices must be clearly displayed and must be clearly stated when you ask the driver. If you do not agree with the price, do not use the service. The best way to get a reliable taxi is to call them by phone (you can do it by yourself or ask hotel staff to do it for you).

A common scam at Krakow airport (and most Polish airports for that matter) is for taxi or Uber drivers to accost travellers before they leave the airport and offer them a ride. These usually charge abhorrently high fares compared to actual taxi drivers. If you see someone approach you when leaving the airport, simply say no and use the official apps of Uber or Bolt instead.

Currency exchange scam

Look very closely what the buy rate is when you exchange your currency into PLN, and ask for the exact rate in writing. Do not let the clerk point on the chart with rates; insist on their quoting the rate for you beforehand on a piece of paper. Very often the rate is displayed not on an electronic board, but with digits on small tiles; it may happen that a small tile with a zero is partially slid right under the comma in the "buy" rate, so e.g. instead of 3.45 zł the actual rate is 3.045 zł. This is difficult to notice and the clerks do not accept any complaints after you receive your money. Victims may lose up to 20% of the exchanged amount. This practice is definitely unfair and on the verge of legality. It has been described and condemned in the local press. However, if the tile with 0 is visible at least in half, the booth owner may escape responsibility, as your acceptance of the rates is assumed. Remember the rule of thumb - spread between the "buy" and "sell"rates should not exceed 2-3% of the "buy" rate on the main currencies (EUR, USD, GBP) and 5% on secondary currencies (CHF, JPY, SEK, NOK). Stick to banks (even if the rate is slightly worse, it is still perfectly acceptable) or large currency exchange points.

The currency exchange point at the railway station usually operates at rip-off spreads. Avoid at all costs, unless you are in a big hurry or selling złoty. Also avoid the exchange points at the airport, or exchange only the amount for the ticket to the city centre.

Best rates are available on Sławkowska Street, extending from the north-west corner of the Main Market Square.

Jaywalking enforcement

Jaywalking is enforced in Kraków. If you're jaywalking (crossing at a red light for pedestrian, outside of a zebra-crossing), even if it was perfectly safe (you looked on both sides, there was no car coming, etc.), there are chances that a police officer will wait for you on the other side of the street, and give you a 100 zł ticket for doing so: tourist or not, you will have to pay for it.

Cope

Consulates

As of Nov 2019, the following had consular services in Krakow:

• France, ul. Stolarska 15, +48 12 424 53 00.
• Germany, ul. Stolarska 7, +48 12 424 30 00.
• Hungary, ul. Lubicz 18, +48 12 359 99 20
• Russia, ul. Biskupia 7, +48 12 422 26 47, but the Visa Office is at Krótka 1.
• Ukraine, ul. Beliny-Prażmowskiego 4, +48 12 429 60 66.
• United States, ul. Stolarska 9, +48 12 424 51 00.

Go next

Auschwitz II-Birkenau

• Warsaw — the capital city of the country.
• Auschwitz-Birkenau — Former German Nazi camp 2 km outside city of Oświęcim, 65 km from Kraków. It is better visited from Katowice instead of Krakow. Leave a whole day for this if you want to go. The Auschwitz camp and the much bigger Birkenau camp are a few kilometres apart.
• Wieliczka — 17 km from Kraków, is the location of ancient salt mines, one of the original 12 UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a definite must-see.

• Katowice — a major city in South Poland with rich industrial heritage.
• Beautiful Renaissance castle in Niepołomice (25 km). Can be accessed by public transport - from Galeria Krakowska, take the 304 bus or the 3 tram, and get off at Bieżanowska stop, from where the 301 bus will take you all the way to Niepołomice Rynek stop (a zone ticket is required).
• Kalwaria Zebrzydowska monastery (35 km southwest)
• Bochnia — Historic salt mine, older than Wieliczka. 40 km from Kraków. Must see. SK-BUS minibuses from Kraków Main Railway Station (Dworzec Główny), or train (direction: Tarnów, Rzeszów, Stróże, Nowy Sącz/Krynica).
• Wadowice — 45 km southwest is the birthplace of Karol Wojtyła, John Paul II.
• Tarnów (80 km east) — The second largest city in region with a beautiful main market.
• Bielsko-Biała — 85 km southwest city with cosy old town and many beautiful buildings from Austro-Hunagrian times. Many buses from Kraków Bus Station (RDA).
• Zakopane — 105 km south in the Tatra Mountains is considered to be the Polish winter sport capital. Other winter sport centres near Kraków in the Beskids are Rabka-Zdrój (65 km) and Żywiec (90 km)
• Częstochowa — 135 km northwest is the most important pilgrim's place in Central Europe. In the Pauline Monastery on Jasna Góra (literally: bright hill) you can pray in front of one of the most known icon of Our Lady of Częstochowa.