13 reasons to visit Krakow

What Krakow lacks in international fame, it more than makes up for with intriguing attractions, storied cultural history, reasonable prices, moderate crowds, tasty cuisine, and friendly people. We’re not exaggerating, Krakow truly is one of the best cities to visit in Europe. 

Don’t believe us? Keep reading below to learn why Krakow, Poland is worth visiting and an unmissable stop on your next European holiday.

Krakow’s 13th-century Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) is the largest medieval square in Europe. With its horse-drawn carriages, fountains, and umbrella-filled terraces, it is also one of the prettiest. Wander the marketplace stalls of the 14th-century Cloth Hall in the center of the square. Then grab a bite at one of the many scenic cafes scattered around.

Every hour, the Hejnał Mariacki (St. Mary’s Trumpet Call) sounds from the highest tower of Saint Mary’s Basilica. Legends surround this centuries-old call. Most say it was a watchman’s alarm to warn residents of approaching danger. Take a look below at the Monty Team’s private visit with one of the trumpeters. (Ask nicely and we might even be able to get you your own private visit with our Krakow Custom package!)

Surrounded by a number of picturesque streets, lined with cafes, restaurants, and shops, the market square is the perfect place to relax with a coffee or beer while you watch the world go by.

So you might be wondering: what are some of the best attractions to visit in Krakow?

Visitors and locals alike are spoiled for choice. Here are just a few of the most popular things to do in Krakow:

You can easily spend a week in Krakow and not run out of things to see and do. In fact, it’s hard to find another overlooked city in Europe this small and cozy that would merit a stay this long.

Krakow is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland. Founded by King Bolesław I Chrobry in the early 11th Century, it was the country’s original capital until 1596 when that honor moved (and stayed) to Warsaw. 

Krakow remained an important center of European culture throughout the Middle Ages and its storybook historic city center is one of the largest in Europe, with almost 12 square kilometers. With jaw-dropping architecture exemplifying the Baroque, Renaissance, and Gothic eras, it’s no wonder that Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Sadly, Krakow was the site of horrific atrocities during World War II, and the scars are still visible. The Nazis started making plans to expel the prominent Jewish population in Krakow immediately after invading Poland in 1939, officially creating the ghetto in 1941. 

Between 1942 and 1944, most of the ghetto’s residents were sent to work — and tragically, for far too many, to ultimately perish — at the nearby concentration and extermination camps of Bełżec, Sobibor, Płaszów, and Auschwitz-Birkenau.

Because the Nazis planned to make Kraków the seat of their puppet government, the historic center survived World War II relatively intact. Unlike many European cities, Kraków’s Gothic churches, Renaissance palaces, and Baroque townhouses remain beautifully preserved.

The 1993 film Schindler’s List tells the true story of Oskar Schindler, who saved over a thousand Jewish workers. Filmed partly in Kraków, you can visit the factory where Schindler’s workers were employed, the Kraków ghetto, and Płaszów concentration camp. Walking through these sites offers a sobering understanding of the human cost of war and indifference.

Krakow is an ideal destination for families with kids of all ages. There are plenty of things to keep everyone entertained, from medieval castles and palaces to boat trips on the river and day trips to Wieliczka Salt Mine (we swear it’s more interesting than it sounds).

Kids will love riding in a horse-drawn carriage around the Main Market Square or taking a tour of Wawel Castle. There are also a number of parks and playgrounds in Krakow, plus axe-throwing if you’re feeling daring.

And if you’re looking for some family-friendly activities outside of the city, there are plenty of options nearby, including the Ojcowski National Park and Zakopane.

Krakow is one of the most affordable cities in Europe. You can easily find a 4-star boutique hotel for under $200 per night, or a 2-bedroom B&B for even less. Plus, Poland’s affordable restaurants serve hearty meals like stuffed pierogi and soups that leave you full.

On top of that, coffee and beer are very cheap, so don’t hesitate to order another pint. For even lighter spending, street food vendors offer Polish staples like zapiekanka and kielbasa.

And with the current exchange rate favorable for US and UK visitors, your money goes even further. Use the widget below to check out the current exchange rate in your currency.

Most visitors don’t expect much from Polish food, and yet almost all leave constantly astonished by the uniquely delicious taste of the local dishes. 

That’s because the food isn’t bland, heavy, or starchy like visitors might experience in nearby Eastern European countries. Trust us, we really know how to make a soup and a sausage taste amazing.

The city center is so compact that it’s so easy to walk from one attraction to another. You can walk from the Old Town and cross over the south of the Vistula River in just about 20 minutes. Krakow is among the top walkable cities in Europe.

If your legs are already knackered after getting in your 10K steps, you can also easily rent bikes or scooters to zip around the town. For longer distances, ride-sharing apps like Uber and Bolt are easy to manage and generally cost less than taxis. The public transportation is excellent and very cheap. The tram line is also great for getting around the city center and a standard 20-minute ticket costs about $1 USD.

If you’re spending two or three weeks in Europe, Kraków is the perfect city to pair with another week-long trip.

Thanks to its central location, you’re just a short (and often inexpensive) flight away from cultural hotspots like Oslo, Paris, Milan, Athens, London, Split, Barcelona, Vienna, Budapest, Prague, Munich, or Berlin. Or just take a bus or train to the capital city of Warsaw! (Check our article if Krakow or Warsaw is better for you.)

If you’ve ever visited any major European city, you have experienced the rush of overwhelming crowds and never-ending lines. It’s a different world in Krakow, much to every traveler’s great relief. 

Krakow hits that rare Goldilocks zone for mid-size European cities. It’s never too crowded, yet there’s always enough activity to keep you moving.

Of course, the city can feel busier during events in the Main Market Square or on weekends and holidays. But for the most part, Krakow never feels too crowded or too empty — it’s just right.

Another big plus for visitors to Krakow is that most people in the city speak English. This is especially helpful when it comes to ordering food or asking for directions. Ask the bartender if they have a favorite vodka or dessert, they will always be happy to tell you!

Of course, there are always going to be exceptions and you’ll occasionally meet someone who doesn’t speak English. Even then, you’ll find that people in Krakow are very friendly and helpful, despite not speaking your language.

Not only is it an incredibly safe city, but Krakow is often ranked as one of the safest cities in Europe. The city center has a regular presence of law enforcement and is well-lit. Petty crime like pickpocketing and the occasional scammer trying to part tourists with their money does happen. However, the violent crime rate is very low, and if you remain aware of your surroundings, walking around the city center at night is relatively safe.

The city is also very clean with minimal litter, so try to keep it that way during your next visit!

Despite the headlines generated by the conservative Polish government, Krakow itself is a fairly liberal and tolerant city. Even with anti-LBGT rhetoric from the central government, the people of Krakow are far from intolerant.

Plus, Krakow has many colleges, meaning the average age is quite young, which contributes to the city’s vibrant atmosphere and general open-mindedness. 

Regardless of your personal politics or opinions, you will be welcomed in Krakow and won’t be likely to run into any political extremists. The people here are down-to-earth and won’t bother you about current affairs.

Nature lovers have a lot of day trips to choose from when visiting Krakow. Even though there is more than enough to do in the city, if you’re here for an extended stay, try disconnecting with nearby nature visit.  You’ll have plenty of options to choose from.

These mountains create a natural border between southern Poland and Slovakia. They offer a respite from the city with hiking trails, mountain lakes, and plenty of fresh air. Krakow is the perfect base for exploring the Tatras.

This is the largest town in the Tatras and it’s a popular destination for skiing and snowboarding in the winter. In the summer in Zakopane, you can enjoy cable cars up to the top of either Gubałówka or Kasprowy Wierch for some incredible views. Want to go for a day trip to Zakopane and enjoy both beautiful views, the highlander cuisine, and relax in thermal pools? Check out Zakopane and thermal baths day trip with Monty!

This national park is located just outside Krakow and it’s an excellent place for hiking, picnicking, and exploring breathtaking caves. Listen to our Goodtime Monty Hour show below for some insider tips on how to spend a perfect day in this arboreal wonderland Ojców National Park.

This is a haunting ruined medieval castle located just over an hour from Krakow. The castle is perched on a hilltop and offers sweeping views of the surrounding area. Want to visit Ogrodzieniec Castle and try delicious wines from Białe Skały Winery? Check out the Ogrodzieniec Castle & Rocks Day Tour with Monty.

This is a popular activity in Krakow and it’s perfect for those who want to enjoy the scenery. You can raft down the Dunjiec River and take in the peaceful landscapes of southern Poland. If you are interested in any custom tour, fill in the travel profile quote and we will tailor it for you!

Okay, but let’s be real, we are a little biased in trying to convince you that Krakow is a wonderful place to visit. After all, we want to help you plan and live out your perfect holiday here.

But we know every destination isn’t the perfect fit for every traveler, so you might still find a few reasons not to visit Krakow. So here are a few of the potential downsides to visiting Krakow:

Have we convinced you yet that Krakow might be the most underrated city in Europe? There’s still time to take in the romantic atmosphere in Krakow before it becomes the next Instagram destination and the crowds come in droves. 

If you love European architecture, storybook old towns, and warm, friendly locals, Kraków might be your new favorite city. Enjoy affordable nights out, easy travel connections, and countless day trips for every type of traveler.

Slow travelers can use our Goodtime Monty City Guide to Krakow and book our Krakow Preset travel package to plan their next visit to Krakow without any stress. We know the top places in Poland to visit, stay and the tastiest places to stop for a bite. If you’d like to learn, just give us a holler.