Castle, Museum

Wawel is the main symbol of Kraków and of Poland as a whole. Perched on the hill are the Royal Castle, the cathedral, fortifications, gardens and several separate exhibitions, from which you’ll be spoilt for choice. The good news is that you don’t have to pay anything just to walk around Wawel, or to enter the outer courtyards or the beautiful Renaissance arcaded courtyard. So even without visiting the interiors, you’ll see a large part of the…

Mine

Wieliczka isn’t just a museum you pop into for an hour. Allow about half a day for the journey from the centre of Kraków, waiting for your turn and the tour itself. But you’ll be rewarded with one of the most impressive places in the Kraków area: huge underground halls, salt lakes and a chapel carved deep beneath the earth. In our view, the trip is particularly worthwhile if you have at least two full days in Kraków. For a one-day visit, we…

City Quarter

Kazimierz is a neighbourhood well worth visiting twice. During the day for the synagogues, churches and stories of what was once an independent town; in the evening for a meal, or to visit the cafés and bars around Plac Nowy square. Alongside Rynek Główny and Wawel, Kazimierz is one of the parts of Kraków that I wouldn’t miss, even on a short weekend visit. The neighbourhood is best explored without a strict itinerary: choose a few key stops…

Cathedral

Many people tend to dismiss Wawel Cathedral as just one of the many buildings in the castle complex, which would be a shame. If churches don’t usually appeal to you, I’d make an exception here. Beneath the floor lie Polish kings and national heroes, the famous Sigismund Bell hangs overhead, and the individual chapels evoke nearly a thousand years of Polish history. The cathedral operates separately from Wawel Royal Castle in terms of visitor…

Square

Rynek Główny is not a place you’ll visit just once in Kraków. You’ll probably walk through the Main Square several times a day, but it always seems a little different each time. In the morning it’s pleasantly quiet; during the day it fills up with tourists and horse-drawn carriages; and in the evening it’s taken over by the illuminated outdoor dining areas of the restaurants. Allow at least 30 minutes for your first stroll. If you want to…

Market, Gallery

The long, historic Sukiennice Cloth Hall stands right in the centre of Rynek Główny, and you can hardly miss it whilst strolling through the city centre. The market hall on the ground floor is still in use, although fabrics and everyday items have long since been replaced mainly by souvenirs, jewellery and handicrafts. The upper floor houses the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Fine Art. Most visitors simply walk through the shopping arcade for…

Museum

The most interesting thing about the Main Square Underground is that you’re not just looking at objects in display cases. You walk right amongst the exposed pathways, shop foundations and other remains of medieval Kraków, which today lie several metres beneath the paving of the Main Square. A visit is particularly worthwhile if you’re interested in what Kraków looked like hundreds of years ago. The underground is a great place to visit on a…

Church

You simply cannot miss St Mary’s Church. It stands right on the Main Market Square, and its two towers, which are of different heights, can be seen from most parts of the Old Town. From the outside, it’s particularly striking with its red bricks, but inside the church makes an even more striking impression. You’ll find a dark blue vaulted ceiling reminiscent of the night sky, colourfully painted walls and a huge Gothic altar by Veit Stoss. If…

Tower, Town Hall, Lookout

The Town Hall Tower is exactly the sort of landmark where it’s worth knowing what you’re getting into. From the outside, it looks imposing, but inside you’ll mainly find a short climb up 110 medieval steps. The reward is a view of the Rynek Główny, though not from an open terrace, but through the windows under the roof. Find accommodation near Rynek Główny In our view, the tower is worth a visit if you enjoy panoramic views and want to see…

Historic factory

It is worth managing expectations right from the start. Schindler’s Factory is not a museum dedicated to the film *Schindler’s List*, nor is it a detailed biography of Oskar Schindler. The main exhibition tells a much broader story of occupied Kraków between 1939 and 1945. Schindler, his factory and the employees he saved are an important part of this story, but by no means the only one. In our view, it is one of the best museums in Kraków. It…

Museum

The Jewish Museum of Galicia is not a traditional historical museum full of old artefacts and reconstructed rooms. It is more like a large-scale photographic essay. Through contemporary photographs, it showcases synagogues, cemeteries, memorials and the subtle traces of Jewish life that remain scattered across what is now Poland and Ukraine. This is precisely where its strength lies, but for some, it is also its weakness. If you merely skim…

Synagogue

The Isaac Synagogue is the largest and, architecturally speaking, one of the most interesting historic synagogues in Kazimierz. The good news is that, following several years of renovation, it reopened to tourists in May 2026. If you still come across information on other websites stating that the synagogue is closed, this is out of date. Although restoration work is still ongoing, you can now visit the main prayer hall. Search for…

Synagogue

You could easily walk right past the Remuh Synagogue without noticing it whilst strolling down Szeroka Street. It is small and rather unassuming from the outside, but inside you will find one of the most authentic places in the whole of Kazimierz: a synagogue that is still in use, with an old Jewish cemetery right behind it. Don’t expect a large museum or a lavish interior. The main attraction of a visit is the atmosphere of the place, which,…

Synagogue

The High Synagogue is particularly interesting for one unusual architectural feature: the prayer hall is not on the ground floor, but on the upper floor. It is the only historic synagogue in Poland arranged in this way. However, do not travel to Kazimierz just for the synagogue itself. At the time of writing, it is closed and can only be viewed from the outside. Find accommodation in Kraków Why is it called ‘Vysoká’? The synagogue was…

Synagogue

The Old Synagogue stands on Szeroka Street, right in the historic centre of the Kazimierz district. It is no longer used for religious services, but serves as a museum dedicated to the history, religion and everyday life of Kraków’s Jewish community. If you only want to visit one synagogue in the district, the Old Synagogue is the safest choice for an introduction to the subject. However, do not expect a modern interactive museum or an…

University

Collegium Maius is tucked away in the narrow streets just a few minutes from the Main Square. It might not catch your eye from the outside, but do make sure to walk through the unassuming gate into the courtyard. It’s one of the most beautiful Gothic spots in Kraków, and what’s more, entry is free. In our view, the courtyard is a must-see for anyone walking through the Old Town. We recommend the paid museum mainly to those interested in the…