15 Best Things To Do in Krakow, Poland
Visiting Krakow in Poland, can of the most entertaining and thought-provoking experiences of your life. The area’s history is a mixture of majestic and tragic, which makes the itinerary very unique. I’ve wandered the globe and looked at some of history’s most interesting artifacts, but no place on earth like Krakow (Cracow in English) from a historical significance point of view.
If you’re heading to Poland, you mustn’t forget Krakow when working on your Poland itinerary.
Of course, there are many things to do in Krakow for those who don’t want to take a walk through the darker side of humanity. The good news is that travelers of all types can easily what they’re looking for in Krakow.
15 Best Things to Do in Krakow, Poland
1. Visit Wawel Castle and Cathedral
Anyone of Polish descent should definitely head to the Wawel Castle and Cathedral. For the rest of us, this is also a magnificent spot that’s filled with awe-inspiring architecture and artwork.
As odd as it might seem, one of the highlights of this tour is taking a close look at the giant bell of Zygmunt. It’s the largest of the five bells hanging in the tower and weights 12.600 kg (27.77825 lbs).
Believe me, I understand where you’re coming from if that gives you a chuckle because many initially fell the same way. But after seeing it with my own two eyes, I can attest to the unexpectedly powerful draw of this ancient object. As an added bonus, anyone who climbs to the top of the bell tower can get an amazing view of the entire city.
Wawel Castle and Cathedral are also great for travelers on a budget. Although I ended up paying for an audio guide, you can visit much of this attraction for free. The guided tour of the Wawel Cathedral itself takes slightly less than half an hour. However, the budget-friendly aspects of this site also attract a huge crowd.
You will probably have to deal with lots of noise and people, which may be a deal-breaker for introverted travelers. The crowd does start to thin out as sunset arrives, so keep this in mind if you’re content with just exploring the exterior grounds.
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2. Explore the Main Market Square
Going to Krakow without seeing Main Market Square would be like going to Paris without seeing an Eiffel Tower. It’s also on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. This 10-acre square from the 13th century is the premier tourist attraction, which is fantastic because you can walk around it for free!
I’ve been to many other main squares throughout Europe, and Krakow’s Main Market Square definitely lives up to its reputation as the largest and most interesting of those that date back to medieval times. It’s surrounded by beautiful historic townhouses called kamienice – traditional Polish tenement blocks.
Unlike many other main squares, this one actually still hosts markets, often of them is permanent inside Sukiennice – Cloth Hall. The best piece of advice I can give to Krakow travelers who want to see a top-notch market is to go during the holiday season. Krakow’s Christmas markets are full of decor, intriguing shops and stalls, mulled wines and horse-drawn carriage rides.
I did most of my holiday shopping here last year, and everyone was thrilled with their gifts, including myself! I particularly recommend picking some amber jewelry, as well as stopping by Calik for Christmas ornaments as they’re very original and detailed.
Fun Fact: Passing through the middle of the Cloth Hall (going from Szewska Street to the Mickiewicz Monument) on one of the walls, at the entrance, there is a knife. The knife was supposedly hung there to warn people and remind them of the law in force. According to Magdeburg Law, the punishment for the theft was to cut off the ears.
3. Stuff Your Face with Delicious Local Food
To start your food tour, there’s a great Polish restaurant right next to the Wawel Castle called Pod Wawelem. Sure, this spot is catered to tourists, but I ate there twice and it didn’t disappoint (and I’m Polish so I know how to judge Polish food). You can try some traditional Polish kielbasas, cabbages, schnitzels, as well as well-know pierogi or potato pancakes.
Pierogi enthusiasts might enjoy a restaurant called Pod Aniolami and its gorgeous decorations. The entrance is a little unusual, as it’s an underground place, but it has a great atmosphere. You can try some of their own lard with homemade bread, as well as a lovely range of Polish dishes including starters, soup, wild meats and desserts.
If you want to give some street food a try, check out a spot called Kiełbaski z niebieskiej nyski, located in Hala Targowa. This place appeared in a popular Polish movie and since then every day after 8pm you can queue to get a grilled kielbasa with a bottle of lemonade.
Don’t leave Krakow without purchasing a bagel – obwarzanek from a street vendor along with some smoked oscypek