With grand buildings, cool culture and underground nightlife, Krakow city breaks serve up a mix of historic and urban vibes.
Old vs new
Krakow’s got two sides. One’s all about ornate architecture, pretty courtyards and charming restaurants in the city’s Old Town. The big attraction here’s the Main Market Square – AKA the biggest town square in Europe. It’s lined with historic townhouses and cafés perfect for people-watching. Then, there’s the other side… underground clubs, edgy music venues and laidback bars beneath the city’s Medieval streets.
City vibes
Poland’s capital is pure city break material. First off, there’s a thriving art scene – there are always exhibitions on at the galleries and museums. There are plenty of cute cafés to grab coffee and something for foodies on every budget, from street food markets to fine dining. In the evening, catch a show at the theatre or see a gig, then end the night in a Polish wodka bar.
Back in time
Love history? You’ll be busy here. Learn about the city’s wartime past in its museums or out on a guided tour. Don’t miss Ghetto Heroes Square in the city’s Jewish Quarter – it’s fitted with 70 cast iron and bronze chairs, each one representing 1,000 people and the possessions they took with them to the Ghetto. While you’re in Krakow, it’s worth making the trip to Auschwitz Concentration Camp – it’s only a hour’s drive from the city.
Best time to visit Krakow
The best time to visit Krakow is in June, July or August when the temps are sitting in the low to mid-20s, as it’s the best time of year for sitting outside in the Main Square and soaking up the sunshine. To avoid the crowds and make the most of the off-peak prices, visit in spring or autumn – just bring an umbrella as it’s usually quite rainy. And, you can’t beat November and December for those festive feels. Christmas markets take over the Main Market Square and everything looks extra pretty. Make sure you bring a hat, gloves and plenty of layers, though, as it can dip below zero.
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Two or three full days is perfect for ticking off Krakow’s must-see sights and exploring the city. Add an extra day if you want to include a daytrip to the Salt Mines or Auschwitz.
A great option is the direct train from the airport to Krakow Główny station, which takes about 20 minutes and costs around 17 PLN. Otherwise, taxis take 20-30 minutes depending on traffic and cost around 120-140 PLN.
Krakow is affordable compared to other popular cities in Europe. Excluding accommodation, around £50-80 (250-400 PLN) per day should cover your food, getting around and attraction tickets. Eating outside touristy areas like the Main Square or Kazimierz can make your money go further, too.
Yes, Krakow’s got a growing vegan foodie scene. Vegan and veggie restaurants like Vegab, Glonojad and Momo are completely meat-free, and many traditional restaurants now do vegan and veggie versions of Polish classics like pierogi, soups and salads.
It’s got a bit of everything, from moody jazz cellars and craft taprooms to cocktail bars, live music venues and underground clubs. Head to Kazimierz and the Old Town for the best spots
Because of its sensitive content, the museum’s website says it’s not suitable for children under 14. For younger children, other historical activities like Rynek Underground or Nowa Huta tours are more appropriate.
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Krakow travel advice
Good to know
Passports and Visas
British citizens don’t need a visa to enter Poland but must have a valid passport. You can check your passport’s valid for Poland using our handy tool. For the most up-to-date passport and visa info, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland/entry-requirements.
Don’t forget to arrange your travel money and insurance before you go.
Health and safety
Poland has great healthcare. Pharmacies (apteka) are well-stocked and often have English-speaking pharmacists.
You should take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance to cover you while you’re away. It’s also a good idea to get a European Health Insurance Card – or EHIC – before leaving the UK. Though it’s not a substitute for travel insurance, it entitles you to emergency medical treatment on the same terms as Polish nationals. It won’t, however, cover you for medical repatriation, ongoing medical treatment or non-urgent treatment. For the latest health and safety information, visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/poland/health
Water -Tap water in Krakow is safe to drink, although some locals still prefer bottled water. Refillable bottled stations and drinking fountains are popping up around the city, particularly in parks and around the Old Town.
Language
Polish (Polski) is the official language in Krakow. English is widely spoken in hotels, museums and most restaurants in the Old Town and Kazimierz, but less so in local markets and small neighbourhood cafés. Locals appreciate it when visitors try a few basic Polish phrases – even a simple ‘dziękuję’ (thank you) goes a long way.
Basic phrases
Here are some Polish essentials to learn for your trip:
- Hello / Good day – Cześć (chess-sh) / Dzień dobry (jen doh-bree)
- Thank you – Dziękuję (jen-koo-yeh)
- Please – Proszę (proh-sheh)
- Excuse me / Sorry – Przepraszam (psheh-prah-sham)
- Do you speak English? – Czy mówi Pan/Pani po angielsku? (chih-moo-vee-pahn/pahni-poh an-GYEL-skoo)
- How much does this cost? – Ile to kosztuje? (Ee-leh toh kosh-too-yeh)
Social norms and etiquette
Tipping
Tipping in Krakow isn’t mandatory, but it’s appreciated. If you want to leave a tip for good service in a restaurant, add around 10%, or you could just round up the bill. Taxi drivers, tour guides and hotel staff don’t expect tips, but always welcome something small.
Dress code
Krakow locals dress fairly smartly, particularly in the evening. Smart-casual works well – think trousers, nice tops and comfy shoes for cobbled streets. In churches and religious sites, it’s respectful to cover your shoulders and knees – bringing a light scarf or wrap when you’re out and about is a good idea.
Money
Currency
Poland uses the Polish złoty (PLN). Krakow caters to all budgets – from budget-friendly milk bars and pierogi cafés to upscale cellar restaurants and fine-dining venues.
Exchange
There are lots of ATMs (bankomaty) around the Old Town, train station and shopping areas. Rates are generally better than exchange offices – avoid any machine that offers ‘dynamic currency conversion’ in euros and choose to be charged in złoty. Notify your bank before travelling to avoid any card blocks.
Mobile payments
Visa, Mastercard and contactless payments (including Apple Pay and Google Pay) are widely accepted. But small market stalls and older neighbourhood bars might only accept cash, so it’s handy to carry a small amount of złoty for convenience.
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