Things to Do in Cracow

About Cracow

Where medieval grandeur meets vibrant contemporary energy, Kraków stands as Poland's cultural heartbeat—a city that has preserved its soul through centuries of transformation. Unlike capitals rebuilt from ruins, this former royal seat has maintained an unbroken narrative, its limestone facades and cobbled squares whispering stories from the Middle Ages to modernity. Here, history isn't locked behind museum glass; it's woven into the very fabric of daily life, creating an atmosphere that feels both timeless and remarkably alive.

Travel Tips

• Purchase a Kraków City Card for unlimited public transport and free or discounted entry to over 40 museums and attractions, including Wawel Castle and Schindler's Factory—it pays for itself if you're visiting multiple sites.

• Keep small Polish złoty (PLN) cash on hand as many traditional milk bars (bar mleczny), small shops in Kazimierz, and vendors at the Cloth Hall still don't accept cards, and currency exchange offices offer better rates than using euros directly.

• Book your Wieliczka Salt Mine tour or Auschwitz-Birkenau visit at least 2-3 days in advance online, as these popular day trips from Kraków sell out quickly, especially during summer and on weekends.

• Avoid dining directly on the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) where prices are inflated for tourists; walk just one or two streets away to find authentic Polish restaurants with the same quality food at half the price.

When to Visit

When to Visit Kraków, Poland:

Late April through June offers the ideal window for visiting Kraków, with temperatures ranging from 15-24°C, blooming gardens in Planty Park, and crucial events like the vibrant Lajkonik parade in early June without the oppressive summer crowds that descend in July-August when temperatures reach 25-30°C and accommodation prices spike 40-60%. September through early October presents an excellent alternative with crisp 12-18°C weather, stunning autumn colors in Wawel Castle's courtyards, and the All Saints' Day cemetery illuminations on November 1st, though be prepared for increasing rainfall (averaging 50-60mm monthly). Winter (December-February) transforms Kraków into a magical wonderland with the legendary Christmas markets running late November through December in the Main Square and temperatures hovering around -5 to 3°C, but the biting cold, gray skies, and 4 PM sunsets make sightseeing challenging—though budget travelers benefit from hotel rates dropping by half and virtually no queues at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Avoid late November and March, when Kraków endures dreary transitional weather with constant drizzle, brown slush, temperatures barely above freezing, and none of the festive charm of true winter or the renewal of spring, making it the city's least appealing period despite rock-bottom prices.