Krakow Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Kraków tours, Old Town and Wawel Castle walks, Kazimierz Jewish Quarter and Schindler’s Factory tours, food tours and essential day trips to Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Compare top-rated activities and plan your perfect Kraków itinerary.
rating
Explore Krakow by interest
Whatever brings you to Krakow — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Old Town
The grand Main Market Square and St. Mary’s Basilica.
ExploreWawel Castle
The royal castle and cathedral on the hill.
ExploreKazimierz
The historic Jewish Quarter and its cafés.
ExploreSchindler’s Factory
The powerful WWII occupation museum.
ExploreFood tours
Pierogi, vodka and Kazimierz street food.
ExploreAuschwitz-Birkenau
The deeply moving memorial and museum.
ExploreWieliczka Salt Mine
Underground chapels carved from salt.
ExploreZakopane & Tatras
Mountain scenery, cable cars and hot springs.
ExploreTop attractions in Krakow
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Old Town & Square
Europe’s largest medieval market square.
Wawel Castle
The royal castle and cathedral on the hill.
Kazimierz
The historic Jewish Quarter and its cafés.
Schindler’s Factory
The powerful WWII occupation museum.
Food & pierogi
Pierogi, vodka and Kazimierz street food.
Auschwitz-Birkenau
The memorial and museum at the former Nazi camp.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Underground chapels carved entirely from salt.
Zakopane & Tatras
Mountain scenery, cable cars and hot springs.
Kraków in 2 days
- 1Day 1: Old Town & Wawel
- 2Kazimierz & Schindler’s
- 3Day 2: Auschwitz
- 4Wieliczka Salt Mine
Kraków in 3 days
- 1Day 1: Old Town & Wawel
- 2Day 2: Auschwitz & Wieliczka
- 3Day 3: Zakopane
- 4Kazimierz evenings
Kraków with kids
- 1Wawel dragon
- 2Main Square & carriage ride
- 3Wieliczka Salt Mine
- 4Zakopane cable car
1.5 hrs awayAuschwitz-Birkenau
The deeply moving memorial and museum at the former camp.
30 min awayWieliczka Salt Mine
Underground chapels and chambers carved from salt.
2 hrs awayZakopane & Tatras
Mountain scenery, cable cars and thermal hot springs.
1.5 hrs awayCzęstochowa
The Jasna Góra monastery and the Black Madonna.
40 min awayOjców National Park
Limestone cliffs, caves and the Pieskowa Skała castle.
1 hr awayWadowice
The birthplace of Pope John Paul II and famous cream cakes.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Krakow visitor asks before booking.
The sweet-spot months
Late spring (May–June) and early autumn (September) bring mild weather and thinner crowds — the best times to visit.
Spring (Apr–Jun)
Pleasant temperatures and blossoming parks make spring ideal for the Old Town and day trips.
Summer (Jul–Aug)
Warm, long days and a buzzing Main Square — the busiest season, so book day trips ahead.
Autumn (Sep–Oct)
Golden, crisp days with fewer crowds — a beautiful, comfortable time to explore.
Winter (Nov–Feb)
Cold and atmospheric, with a magical Christmas market and snowy Tatra mountains for Zakopane; the quietest season.
Christmas market
December’s market on the Main Market Square fills the square with festive stalls, mulled wine and the famous szopki nativity scenes.
One day
Enough for the Old Town, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz, with a food tour.
Two days
Add the essential Auschwitz-Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mine day trips.
Three days
The sweet spot: the city, the two essential trips, and a day in the Tatra mountains.
Four to five days
Add Częstochowa, Ojców National Park or more of Kazimierz and the museums.
A week or more
Use Kraków as a base for the Tatras, the salt heritage and southern Poland.
Travelling with kids
Mix the Wawel dragon, the salt mine and the Tatra cable cars at a gentle pace.
On foot
The pedestrianised Old Town, ringed by the Planty park, is best explored on foot, with Wawel and Kazimierz an easy stroll away.
Trams & buses
An efficient tram and bus network covers the wider city; tickets are cheap and validate on board.
Golf carts & scooters
Electric golf-cart and e-scooter tours help link Wawel, the Old Town and Kazimierz with commentary.
Horse carriages
Traditional horse-drawn carriages offer a classic ride around the Main Market Square.
Day-trip transport
Tours bundle transport for Auschwitz, Wieliczka and Zakopane; the salt mine is also reachable by local train.
From the airport
John Paul II Airport links to the centre by train in about 20 minutes or by a fixed-fare taxi.
Book day trips ahead
Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka Salt Mine sell out, especially in summer — book guided day trips in advance.
Schindler’s Factory
This popular museum uses timed entry that sells out — book skip-the-line tickets ahead.
Polish złoty
Poland uses the złoty (PLN), not the euro; pay in złoty and decline “dynamic currency conversion” on cards, which adds fees.
Visit Auschwitz respectfully
Auschwitz is a place of remembrance — dress modestly, stay quiet and respectful, and note it’s not recommended for children under 14.
Eat local
Try milk bars (bar mleczny) for cheap, authentic Polish food, and head to Kazimierz for street food and a food tour.
Pack for the season
Bring warm layers in winter for the markets and Tatra mountains, and comfortable shoes for the cobbles.
Auschwitz-Birkenau
Guided day trips and entry slots sell out, especially in summer — book well ahead.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
Popular half-day tours fill up — reserve ahead.
Schindler’s Factory
Timed tickets sell out — book skip-the-line entry early.
Zakopane trips
Tatra mountain day trips fill up in summer and the ski season — book ahead.
Food & vodka tours
Small-group food tours have limited places — reserve a few days ahead.
Christmas market
December weekends fill hotels and tours fast — plan early.
City & Wawel tours
Around €15–35 for a guided Old Town and Wawel walking tour.
Auschwitz day trips
Roughly €35–55 for a guided trip with transport and entry.
Wieliczka Salt Mine
About €35–55 for a half-day trip with transport and a guide.
Zakopane trips
Around €50–80 for a full day with a cable car and hot springs.
Food tours
Roughly €40–70 for a guided food and vodka tour with tastings.
How to save
Walk the free Old Town, eat at milk bars, pay in złoty, and book combined day trips.
Krakow through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Mild weather and blossoming parks — ideal for the Old Town and day trips.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- A top time before the summer crowds.
- Best for
- Warm days and a buzzing Main Square and beer gardens.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Busiest season — book Auschwitz and the salt mine early.
- Best for
- Golden, crisp days with fewer crowds — beautiful and comfortable.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Great value as summer crowds fade.
- Best for
- A magical Christmas market and snowy Tatra mountains for Zakopane.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Cold but atmospheric; pack warm layers.