Krakow is a city frequented by tourists from all over Poland and abroad. It is characterized not only by its rich history, but also offers many interesting things to do by both young and old. As many as 14 million tourists visited Krakow in 2019.. The most popular things to do in Krakow in 2019 were sightseeing attractions: Wawel Castle, Market Square, Sukiennice, Kazimierz and Old Town. Krakow, is a city that has so much to offer that visitors of all ages will find it easy to find their way around.
Seeing all the attractions in Krakow requires staying in the city for a while, even locals are still discovering them. There are, however, some must-see sights, so we have prepared a list of thing to do in Krakow for the weekend. Wondering what are the best things to do in Krakow? Seeing the landmarks of the city – the Wawel Castle and Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church, the Market Square, the Old Town, the atmospheric Kazimierz District, the Market Underground, the National Museum, the Barbican, the Planty and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. We will also suggest what is the best thing to do in Krakow after a day of sightseeing.
What to do in Krakow Old Town?
Krakow Old Town Square is the place where most tourists start their journey. The history of the Old Town Market Square in Krakow dates back to the 13th century and today it is the largest square in Krakow and one of the largest markets in Europe. It was inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage List in 1978. The main attractions in Krakow Old Town Square are the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica. Every visitor to Krakow should stop at Old Town Square for a while. Eat a bagel, sit at the Adam Mickiewicz monument and listen to the bugle call from the St Mary’s Tower. There are also many atmospheric restaurants and cafes on the Old Town Square. Are you looking for an atmospheric restaurant on the Krakow Old Town Square?At every step there are restaurants with a diverse offer, as well as atmospheric cafes. The cafe in the Cloth Hall, with a garden on the balcony, deserves attention. It offers a beautiful view of the Krakow Old Town Square. Krakow is a city with an extraordinary history, which is why it is home to many museums, incl. MOCAK, the National Museum, the Ethnographic Museum, the Museum of Engineering and Technology and the Rynek Underground Museum.
Rynek underground in Krakow
Rynek Underground Museum in Krakow is an extraordinary tourist attraction because it is located underground. The museum is entered through the Cloth Hall building, where the ticket office is located. It was opened in 2010 and has been enjoying great popularity ever since. The Rynek Underground in Krakow has been equipped with a variety of technologies, interactive stands and holograms. Visitors have at their disposal, among others exhibitions related to various periods of the city’s development, dioramas, models, plans and films. How long does it take to visit the Rynek Underground Museum in Krakow? About 2 hours, but it all depends on the number of people and the pace of visitors. A visit to the Rynek Underground Museum in Krakow is an extraordinary experience. It is one of the most interesting things to do in Krakow, which surprises at every step. The Rynek Underground has many permanent exhibitions to learn about the history and culture of this city.. Opening hours of the Rynek Underground Museum in Krakow:Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10.00 to 19.00, Tuesday from 10.00 to 14.00, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 10.00 to 20.00.
St Mary’s Basilica in Krakow
St. Mary’s Basilica is a church that every tourist in Krakow should see, even if they are not fascinated by sacred objects. An unusual vault, an impressive altar and antique works of art, stained glass windows and a characteristic point – the bugle call played from the tower at an equal hour. In St. Mary’s Basilica in Krakow, you can visit the interior, the belfry and the bugle call. Visitors can also participate in masses at Basilica of St. Mary’s in Krakow. They are held on Sundays every hour from 6 to 10 am. Mass at 10 am is said in Latin. In the following hours, masses are held at 11:15, 12:00, 13:00 and 20:00. At 6:30 p.m. there is a mass for students and graduates. In what style was St. Mary’s Church built? Basilica of St Mary Krakow was made at the turn of the 14th/15th century on the foundations of the Romanesque church located there earlier.
Cloth Hall in Krakow – is it worth seeing?
Another things to do in Krakow is to visit the Cloth Hall, i.e. the historic market hall. The Cloth Hall in Krakow was one of the most important institutions in the city – trade was concentrated there. Visiting the Cloth Hall in Krakow is free, so it’s worth going inside at least for a moment. The Cloth Hall in Krakow opening hours is: during the week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., and from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the weekend. On the first floor of the Krakow Cloth Hall, there is a branch of the National Museum with a gallery of 19th-century Polish painting and sculpture. Are you looking for an interesting restaurant close to the Cloth Hall in Krakow? Visit “Café Szał” – Cloth Hall Krakow Rooftop Bar.
Visiting the Barbican in Krakow
Leaving the Main Square in Krakow and following Floriańska Street, we will come across another noteworthy thing to see in Krakow – the Barbican. What is the Barbican in Krakow? The Gothic barbican, commonly known as the Rondel, is a pearl of the city’s fortifications. The Barbican in Krakow is an extraordinary monument of defensive architecture. It was built on the plan of an incomplete circle and was originally connected to the Florian Gate by a special neck. It used to be surrounded by a semicircular moat. At the beginning of the 19th century, the struggle for the survival of the Barbican in Krakow began. In 1806, the liquidation of Krakow’s city walls began. Thanks to the efforts of Feliks Radwański, it was possible to save a fragment of the walls, including the Barbican. From a defensive structure, the Barbican in Krakow has become a monument of art and fortification. Today it is under the care of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow and is open to visitors, who can see the historical outline of the development of Krakow fortifications inside. How to get to the Barbican in Krakow? The Barbican in Krakow is located in the oldest city park in Krakow – Planty, which surrounds the entire Old Town of Krakow.
Krakow Planty Park – rest in the city center
Rest in the city center on a bench in the shade of trees and surrounded by extraordinary nature? It is possible in Krakow’s Planty Park! Planty Park in Krakow is the oldest city park in the city, it was built on the site of the city’s defensive walls. The design of the Planty Park in Krakow was commissioned to Feliks Radwański. Krakow Planty Park is one of the largest parks in Krakow, with an area of approximately 20 ha and a circumference of over 4 km. This place is often chosen for meetings, rest while exploring the Old Town, as well as an area with an extraordinary history. During the walk, it is also worth seeing the Florian Gate and the art gallery next to it with many paintings hung on the walls. There are many monuments to important activists and poets in the Planty area of Krakow. Planty Park will also lead us to the most important tourist point on the map ofKrakow – Wawel Castle.
What to do in Krakow Old Town
The Old Town in Krakow is the most visited district in this city by tourists. The Old Town was entered on the UNESCO list in 1978 as one of the first 12 sites in the world. The inscribed area includesthe Old Town within the former walls, the Wawel Hill and the Kazimierz and Stradom districts.. Why is Krakow Old Town on the Unesco World Heritage List? In Krakow Old Town, there are 331 historic tenement houses and 2 million moving works of art. The main attraction in Krakow is Wawel– the former seat of Polish kings, as well as well-preserved fragments of the city walls from the 14th century. In Krakow, there is also the Jewish district of Kazimierz with historic synagogues and a cemetery as well as the Shalom song festival on Szeroka Street. UNESCO also appreciated the Jagiellonian University founded by King Casimir the Great as the second in Europe and the most famous Gothic cathedral in Poland – St. Mary’s Church. Krakow is rich in unusual tourist attractions: the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow with the most modern branch in Europe in the basement of the market square,the Cloth Hall, Floriańska Street with the house of Jan Matejko, Barbican, Planty Park and Kościuszko Mound, as well as the world-famous Krakow florists and the tastiest bagels. Thanks to all these monuments and characteristic places, Krakowis visited by huge numbers of tourists every year, and the inhabitants appreciate the city for its diversity, history and countless attractions.The Krakow Old Town is a great choice for accommodation, as there are many atmospheric hotels there, as well as the most important things to see in Krakow. However, Krakow is not only monuments and attractions, but also many different cultural, film and music events. How far is Krakow Old Town from city centre? The Old Town in Krakow is the center of this city, as it is here that the most important attractions for visitors are located. It is located about 20-minute walk from the train station. There are many restaurants in the Krakow Old Town, also with vegan options. Everyone will find something for himself. The Krakow Old Town is often chosen not only for sightseeing, but also for evening relaxation, as it has many bars. After visiting the Main Market Square, Sukiennice, St. Mary’s Basilica, Wawel, Barbican and many other attractions in the Krakow Old Town, it is worth going to Kazimierz.
What to see in Kazimierz in Cracow?
Kazimierz is a Jewish district of Krakow, which is currently experiencing its renaissance and is becoming more attractive for residents than the Krakow Old Town Market. Kazimierz in Krakow was an autonomous enclave – the Jews ruled it on their own, and they had only the king over themselves. Currently, it is a district teeming with cultural and artistic life. It attracts many tourists with its interesting history and unique atmosphere that you can feel at every step. There are many noteworthy restaurants in Kazimierz. Some of them are hidden in the gates as well as in the courtyards. One of the attractions in Kazimierz in Krakowis the Kazimierz Town Hall, which houses the Ethnographic Museum. In its vicinity, there is Wolnica Square, which used to be themarket square of Kazimierz. Currently, this square is hosting vernissages and cultural events, but most of the time it is empty. Near Wolnica Square, there is the Corpus Christi Church and the Old Tram Depot. Currently, it houses a restaurant, mini-brewery and event venue, and a summer garden is open in the warm months. As the name says, there used to be a tram depot there, now the building is restored and entered on the UNESCO heritage list. While in Kazimierz, it is worth going to Józefa Street, which is extremely atmospheric. There are many cafes, galleries, shops and antique shops. You cannot miss Plac Nowy, surrounded by bars and restaurants. During the day, we can find stalls there, and crowds of party people at night. In its central point there is a round log with casseroles, french fries and other snacks. There are many synagogues in Krakow’s Kazimierz, so it is worth seeing at least one of them. Undoubtedly,one of the attractions in Krakow’s Kazimierz is Szeroka Street, where shots for the film “Schindler’s List” were shot, and it is also known for its characteristic signs.
Exhibitions at the National Museum in Krakow
We end our tour of Krakow at the National Museum in Krakow. It is impossible to pass by this building indifferently, it encourages with its appearance and monumentalism. There are permanent and temporary exhibitions at the National Museum in Krakow. The main building houses permanent exhibitions: XX + XXI. Polish Art Gallery and Craft Gallery. The National Museum of Krakow has 12 branches incl. The Czartoryski Museum, the Szołayski House, the Wyspiański Museum, the Cloth Hall and many others. In the National Museum in Krakow we can see paintings such as: “Lady with an Ermine” by Leonardo da Vinci, “Self-portrait with wife” by Stanisław Wyspiański, “Kosciuszko Oath” by Michał Stachowicz and many others. The National Museum of Krakow is the largest and oldest national museum in Poland.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
While in Krakow, it is also worth taking a trip to the nearby Wieliczkaand see the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine. From the outside, the Wieliczka Salt Mine looks inconspicuous, but underground hides an extraordinary history and attractions that are eagerly visited by tourists from all over the world. The first underground shaft was built in the 12th century, and during the reign of Casimir the Great, the income from salt extraction constituted as much as 1/3 of the income of the royal treasury. The interwar period was a period of stabilization for the Wieliczka Salt Mine, as well as further development and expansion. At that time, its tourist and therapeutic functions were also developing. Eventually, the mine grew to 9 levels. In 1964, the mining of rock salt in Wieliczka was completely stopped. The Wieliczka Salt Mine has turned from an industrial plant into a world-famous tourist attraction, a place of unusual events and a health resort. In 1978, the historic Salt Mine in Wieliczka was entered on the UNESCO list. In the underground of the mine, there is the Chapel of St. Kinga, which is the largest underground temple in Europe, which still serves religious functions. An interesting fact is that this chamber in the Wieliczka Salt Mine is almost as long as St. Mary’s Church in Krakow. How long does it take to visit the Salt Mine in Wieliczka? Walking along the Tourist Route takes approximately 2 hours. Since 2011, the only underground health resort in Poland has been operating in the “Wieliczka” Salt Mine. On the website of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, you can find a map and buy tickets. The map of the Salt Mine in Wieliczka shows that only 2% of the tunnels can be visited, and its maximum depth is 327 m.
Things to do in Krakow after sightseeing
There is a lot things to see in Krakow, so during the day it is worth spending time seeing the most important points on the map of this city. In the evening, it is worth relaxing and taking advantage of one of the many attractions in Krakow. In the evening, it is worth relaxing and taking advantage of one of the options for things to do in Krakow. The shooting range is a great way to de-stress, rest and organize various types of events. Cracow Shooting Academy is an attraction in Krakow, perfect for couples, young people, the elderly, as well as a perfect place to organize birthdays, stag andhen parties. Learning to shoot at Cracow Shooting Academy is one of the best things to do in Krakow. The shooting range of Cracow Shooting Academy is located near the Main Square in Krakow, so tourists visiting the vicinity of the Old Town and Kazimierz can easily reach it by public transport (e.g. tram number 20), as well as by car. The shooting range in Krakow is equipped with many professional shooting lanes. Visitors will have a large selection of weapons on site, as well as trained staff who will ensure safety and fun. Our offer.
Top things to do in Krakow – why is it worth visiting this city?
Krakowis a very characteristic city, which is why it is eagerly visited by Polish residents and tourists. In addition, it is worth seeing them not only in summer, there are a lot of things to do that you can take advantage of in rainy weather and in winter. Virtually all the best things to do in Krakow mentioned by us will prove themselves in winter, summer and rainy weather. If you want to visit all 10 things to see in Krakow, you should set yourself up for the entire weekend of sightseeing. Where to start visiting attractions in Krakow? It is best to start with the attractions on the Old Town Market of Krakow, where we will see the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church and the Rynek Underground. Looking for other things to see in Krakow, we go to the Barbican, where we will also see Krakow’s Planty Park. Walking along the park, we will get to the greatest attraction in Krakow – Wawel. The rest of the day should be booked to visit the attractions in Krakow’s Kazimierz, which is extremely charming, especially in the evenings. Another thing to do which in Krakow is worth seeing during the weekend is the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Wieliczka is located 16 km from Krakow, therefore access to it, also by public transport, is not difficult. The Salt Mine in Wieliczka can be reached by Lesser Poland Railways, by bus No. 304 or by car.
