What to Visit and to Do in Krakow
“Home is where your heart is” – that’s how we consider Krakow and Poland: our second home after Italy. We have been traveling to Poland since 2010 and it was love at the first sight.
Why do we love it so much?
The atmosphere we breathe there: you feel a country who wants constantly improve itself. You notice that in the people, in the social services, in the streets... It’s something contagious.
But now let’s talk more about KRAKOW.
This city is a hidden gem in Europe but writing that could be reducing since more than 14 million of tourists visited Krakow last year.
Krakow has been voted the best city in Europe for a short break for the third consecutive year (2017-2018-2019).
Cheap flights, cheap and very great accommodation, cheap and delicious food, cheap and strong drinks!
LOW BUDGET – HIGH QUALITY
How many days do I need to visit Krakow?
3-4 days are enough to enjoy this city.
Krakow is the second largest city in Poland and it still plays the role of cultural capital for Poland. Escaped World War II with no major fighting or bombing, the attraction is not just the splendid architecture and the treasures of art, Krakow sparkles with life thanks to an amazing density and variety of bars, pubs, clubs and restaurants.
Probably the most beautiful and fascinating city in Poland!
-
Your visit can not start from the Old Town
Called by local “Rynek Główny” is UNESCO World Heritage and the largest medieval square in Europe! It is like being in fairytale, wherever you watch you see some picturesque, artistic spot. Polish government take a great care of this area: it is super clean and very safe. Full of bars, small hidden gardens where you can enjoy the view and have a break after a long walk.
Photo:@italian_twins_around
-
Our favourite bar in the Old Town
No doubts, MAGIA CAFE BAR situated in Plac Mariacki 3. Calm and relax atmosphere if you want to take a break from the city noises. And don’t forget to meet the owner of the bar, the most famous cat of the city! Shakes and Teas are really great but also cakes are very tasty!
Photo:@_acidland_
-
Where to shopping?
In ulica Florianska always in the Old Town. It is one of the main street in the city and full also of souvenir shops. But our favourite place is the Cloth Hall, exactly in the middle of the main square. It is a kind of long gallery full of traditional shops where you can find almost everything from amber jewellery to cloth handicrafts, from wood carvings to all sorts of Polish souvenirs. Prices are very good. Sellers don’t cheat tourists.
Photo:@paris_kz
-
Take a break with the best chocolate shop in the city
Again situated in the main square, it is a must-see place if you love chocolate: Pijalnie Czekolady E.Wedel (Rynek Główny 46). We used to go there for a hot chocolate but also the ice cream is delicious during the sunset because you have a fantastic view of the square.
Photo:@nastya_momot
-
But if we talk about ice-cream
Guys, we are Italians and yes we have the best gelato over the world but we must admit that we found two ice-cream shops in Krakow…fantastic! The first one is the most famous brand in Poland: GOOD LOOD. There are different around the city but the best is situated in plac Wolnica 11 in Kazimierz, the jewish quarter. The second one where we used go most is Lodziarnia Rinella in ul.św Tomasza 19, in Old Town. This shop makes real Italian ice-creams since it is born from a romantic love story between a Polish girl who worked in Italy as waitress and an Italian boy.
Photo:@lodziarniarinella
-
After chocolate, ice-creams, let’s make some steps to enjoy great views from panoramic terraces.
There are not present in many lists of “what to do or what to see in Krakow” but we highly advice to go here and enjoy a fantastic view over the city. Our favourite one is in the Academy of Music (ul.św Tomasza 43). Yes, it is an academy but you can enter and go to the last floor where there is a bar/restaurant. You will have a fantastic over the Old Town. Then always in Old Town, Hotel Stary (5 stars) with a panoramic terrace. A bit expensive but with a great view over the square. Then the most famous are Oranżeria Restaurant & Café (plac Kossaka 1), Hotel Pod Wawelem's Malecon rooftop restaurant (top view over Wawel Castle), U Ziyada (Jodłowa 13) for a romantic date, Hotel Rubinstein overlooking Kazimierz.
Photo:@_nicolajean
-
Talking about viewpoints
There are two really nice places where you can enjoy great views over the city, especially during the sunset. The first is free-accessible: Krakus Mound situated in the district of Podgórze, is the highest point in Krakow, providing incredible panoramic views from its sixteen-metre high summit. In spring and summer is a good meeting point for locals. The second viewpoint is Kościuszko Mound: opened from 9:00 till sunset (in summer till 19:00), 14zl (around 3€) for the entrance. Climbing to the peak is tiring work, but the panoramic views of Kraków are a worthwhile reward.
Photo:@tu_i_tam_we_dwoje
-
Don’t miss the Jewish District and the traditional zapiekanka
The Jewish District of Kazimierz is one of the most exciting area in the city: full of life with artistic bars, shops, galleries, street arts. If you love vintage, like old bags, spoons, 30’s stamps and anything old every Saturday in Plac Nowy there is a traditional market that you can’t miss it. And while you are in Plac Nowy it is time to try the best Zapiekanka in Poland, as locals said. What is Zapiekanka? It is a French baguette, good-quality cheese and mushrooms: this is the basic one but there are many with different ingredients. Be careful: it is very big! And be ready to be surrounded by pigeons while you are eating…part of the tradition!
Photo:@dnesjim
-
Do you love street arts?
In Kazimierz you can find great Instagram spots for colourful and original pictures. Take a pen and write: 1) Plac Bawół 3, recently created in 2014 it is one of the largest murals in Krakow created by the artist Maurice Lilien in honor of Bosak family who used to live there for many generations; 2) just outside Pub Wręga in ul. Józefa 17, you find the mural by Piotr Janowczyk featuring five portraits of Polish historical figures (information on each can be found in English beside the work); 3) Corner of ul. Nowa & ul. Józefa, the most colourful murals (perfect for Instagram picts) created as part of the local project '100 Murals for Kraków,' in summer 2016 illustrates the joy of life!; between Piwna Street and Józefińska Street, one of the most famous street artists in Europe known as Blu painted a megaphone-bell above a mass of people, and is a commentary on the influence the Catholic church has on citizens and government; 4) this is our secret spot: abandoned car parking in Ślusarska 9. It is not dangerous since there are new buildings and different business there. It is full of amazing and colourful murals. It is not very well-known but definitely worth to see if you are into street art.
Photo:@mas_si_mi_lia_no
-
What’s about Instagram Bars?
Krakow is full of cute bars. You need weeks to visit all of them but we will suggest the most Instagram bar to have remarkable photos and lovely breaks:
- Cupcake Corner: there are 4 in the city. “We bake happiness” is the motto. (http://www.cupcakecorner.pl/)
- LISBOA (https://www.facebook.com/cafelisboa.krakow/)
- BUBBLE TOAST (https://www.instagram.com/bubbletoast_krakow/)
- MR PANCAKE (https://mrpancake.pl/)
- DYNIA RESTO BAR (http://www.dynia.krakow.pl/)
