Things to Do in Cracow

About Cracow

Copernicus walked these streets as a student—and today's undergraduates still rush past the same Renaissance doorways on their way to class. Cracow is Poland's cultural center, a medieval city where history shapes daily life rather than sitting behind museum glass. The Gothic Old Town works. The main market square operates as it has for centuries. Flower vendors work beneath Renaissance facades, traditional pierogi shops compete with basement jazz clubs, and incense drifts from churches that predate most modern nations. Students drink coffee in buildings older than the United States. Wawel Castle overlooks the Vistula River from its hill. The royal chambers once housed Polish dynasties—now tourists walk the same halls. Just outside the city, the Wieliczka Salt Mine drops deep underground into chambers carved entirely from salt. Miners created an entire cathedral down there. Time layers here. You'll see it everywhere—old architecture housing new businesses, ancient trade routes now filled with trams, Gothic spires rising above modern cafés. The city never froze its past into something untouchable. It didn't need to. Jazz clubs occupy medieval basements. University buildings still teach in rooms where 15th-century scholars once lectured. The Old Town walls still stand, now circling a living city rather than protecting a museum. Cracow rebuilt itself repeatedly and refused to let history become a burden—it is fuel instead.

Travel Tips

Transportation: Buy Krakow Card for public transport (24h/50 PLN or $12.50) covering trams and buses. Taxis from airport to Old Town cost 80-120 PLN ($20-$30)—use MyTaxi or Uber for reliability. Rent Wavelo bikes from stations downtown for 20 PLN ($5) per day.

Money: Exchange euros at Kantor exchange offices for rates around 4 PLN per euro—better than banks. ATMs accept international cards but charge 5-10 PLN ($1.25-$2.50) fees. Budget 120-200 PLN ($30-$50) daily for meals and activities.

Cultural Respect: Greet with 'dzień dobry' (good day) in Polish. Remove hats when entering St. Mary's Basilica and other churches. Tipping 10-15% is standard at restaurants—leave cash, not card tips.

Food: Try pierogi and żurek soup at Pod Aniołami Restaurant where traditional meals cost 40-70 PLN ($10-$17.50). Sample obwarzanek (Krakow pretzels) from street vendors for 3-5 PLN ($0.75-$1.25) each. Local Żywiec beer costs 12-20 PLN ($3-$5) per pint.

When to Visit

Spring (April-May) brings mild temperatures (15-20°C) and blooming gardens, with moderate rainfall (40-60mm monthly) and shoulder-season pricing 15-20% below peak rates. Summer (June-August) offers warm weather (20-25°C) perfect for outdoor exploration, though expect crowds and peak pricing with 30-40% higher accommodation costs. July's Festival of Jewish Culture and August's International Film Festival draw additional visitors. Autumn (September-October) provides crisp air (10-18°C), impressive foliage, and comfortable walking conditions with light rainfall (30-50mm) and prices dropping 20-25% after September. Winter (November-March) transforms the city into a fairytale setting with temperatures ranging from -5 to 5°C and occasional snow. December's Christmas Market creates magical atmosphere despite cold weather, while January-February offer the lowest prices (40-50% below summer rates) and smallest crowds. The Szopka (nativity scene) competition in December showcases local craftsmanship. Culture ensoiasts should visit during shoulder seasons for comfortable museum touring, while budget travelers benefit most from January-March visits. Summer suits families and festival-goers, though book accommodations well in advance. Each season offers distinct charms—from spring's renewal to winter's contemplative beauty.