Home › Destinations › Wawel Cathedral
Wawel Cathedral, Polska - Things to Do in Wawel Cathedral

Things to Do in Wawel Cathedral

Wawel Cathedral, Polska - Complete Travel Guide

Kraków, Poland's former royal capital, stands as one of Europe's most enchanting medieval cities and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The crown jewel of this historic city is Wawel Cathedral, perched majestically on Wawel Hill alongside the royal castle. This Gothic masterpiece has served as the coronation site of Polish kings and queens for centuries, housing the tombs of national heroes and royalty in its crypts and chapels. The cathedral itself is an architectural marvel, featuring stunning Renaissance and Baroque chapels, including the golden-domed Sigismund Chapel, often called the most beautiful Renaissance structure north of the Alps. Beyond the cathedral, Kraków's Old Town captivates visitors with its perfectly preserved medieval square, vibrant cultural scene, and rich Jewish heritage in the historic Kazimierz district. The city seamlessly blends its royal past with contemporary Polish culture, offering world-class museums, traditional cuisine, and a thriving arts scene.

Top Things to Do in Wawel Cathedral

Explore Wawel Cathedral and Royal Castle Complex

Tour the magnificent Gothic cathedral where Polish royalty was crowned and buried, including visits to the royal tombs, Sigismund Bell tower, and the adjacent royal castle with its state rooms and crown treasury. The complex offers insight into over 1,000 years of Polish history and houses priceless artifacts, tapestries, and royal regalia.

Booking Tip: Book tickets online in advance (15-25 PLN for cathedral, 30-35 PLN for castle) as daily visitor numbers are limited. Visit early morning or late afternoon for smaller crowds, and consider the combined ticket for better value.

Discover Kazimierz Jewish Quarter

Wander through the atmospheric former Jewish district with its historic synagogues, including the Old Synagogue and Remuh Synagogue with its ancient cemetery. This area, featured in Schindler's List, now buzzes with trendy cafes, art galleries, and restaurants while preserving its profound historical significance.

Booking Tip: Free to explore independently, but guided tours (80-120 PLN) provide valuable historical context. Evening visits offer great dining and nightlife options in the quarter's converted courtyards.

Experience Kraków's Main Market Square

Visit Europe's largest medieval town square, dominated by the Gothic St. Mary's Basilica with its famous trumpet call and the Renaissance Cloth Hall housing the Gallery of 19th-century Polish Art. The underground museum reveals archaeological discoveries from the square's 1,000-year history.

Booking Tip: Square access is free, but St. Mary's Basilica tower costs 15 PLN and Underground Museum 21 PLN. Visit the tower for panoramic city views, best in late afternoon light.

Take a Day Trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau

Visit the preserved Nazi concentration and extermination camp, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and state museum. This profound and moving experience includes guided tours through the camp barracks, exhibitions, and memorial sites, providing essential historical education about the Holocaust.

Booking Tip: Book official tours well in advance (free entry but timed slots required, guided tours 60-80 PLN). Tours from Kraków cost 150-200 PLN including transport. Allow a full day and prepare emotionally for this intense experience.

Explore Traditional Polish Cuisine

Sample authentic Polish dishes like pierogi, kielbasa, and bigos in traditional milk bars (bar mleczny) or upscale restaurants in historic cellars. Join food tours that include visits to local markets, traditional eateries, and vodka tastings to fully experience Polish culinary culture.

Booking Tip: Food tours range from 200-350 PLN per person and typically last 3-4 hours. Book tours that include both traditional and modern Polish cuisine for the best overview of local flavors.

Getting There

Kraków is easily accessible via John Paul II International Airport (Balice), located 15km west of the city center, with direct flights from major European cities and connecting flights worldwide. The airport connects to the city center by train (8 PLN, 17 minutes), bus (4 PLN, 40 minutes), or taxi (80-100 PLN, 30 minutes). Alternatively, Kraków's main railway station offers excellent connections to Warsaw (2.5 hours), Prague (7 hours), and Vienna (6 hours), while international bus services connect to cities across Europe at budget-friendly prices.

Getting Around

Kraków's compact Old Town is best explored on foot, with most major attractions within walking distance of each other. The city operates an efficient public transport system of trams and buses (3.40 PLN single ride, 15 PLN day pass) that connects the center with outer districts like Kazimierz and Nowa Huta. Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber are readily available and reasonably priced, while bike rentals and the city's bike-sharing system (Wavelo) offer eco-friendly alternatives for longer distances. The Kraków City Card provides free public transport and museum discounts for 1-3 days.

Where to Stay

Old Town (Stare Miasto)
Kazimierz District
Podgórze
Grzegórzki
Krowodrza
Zwierzyniec

Food & Dining

Kraków's dining scene brilliantly balances traditional Polish cuisine with modern culinary innovation. The city's milk bars (bar mleczny) serve authentic, budget-friendly Polish comfort food, while upscale restaurants in medieval cellars offer refined takes on regional specialties like duck, wild boar, and freshly made pierogi. Kazimierz district buzzes with trendy cafes, craft beer pubs, and international restaurants, while the Main Market Square area features both tourist-friendly establishments and hidden gems in atmospheric courtyards. Don't miss trying obwarzanek (Kraków's pretzel), oscypek cheese, and local vodkas, with many venues offering traditional folk entertainment alongside their meals.

Top-Rated Restaurants in Cracow

Highly-rated dining options based on Google reviews (4.5+ stars, 100+ reviews)

View all food guides →

Nolio Restaurant

4.7 /5
(8832 reviews) 2

Boscaiola Restaurant

4.5 /5
(5941 reviews) 2
bar store

Restauracja Olio | Pizza Napoletana

4.7 /5
(4222 reviews)

Boccanera | Ristorante Pizzeria

4.5 /5
(4146 reviews) 2
bar store

Otto Pompieri - Kraków

4.8 /5
(3115 reviews)

Sorrento Trattoria

4.8 /5
(2072 reviews)
all dining options →

When to Visit

The best time to visit Kraków is late spring (May-June) and early autumn (September-October) when weather is pleasant, crowds are manageable, and outdoor dining is comfortable. Summer (July-August) brings warm weather perfect for exploring but also peak tourist crowds and higher prices. Winter visits offer magical Christmas markets and fewer crowds, though weather can be cold and some outdoor attractions may have limited hours. Spring and autumn provide the ideal balance of good weather, reasonable prices, and authentic local atmosphere, with the added bonus of beautiful seasonal colors in the city's parks and along the Vistula River.

Insider Tips

Visit Wawel Cathedral early morning or late afternoon to avoid cruise ship groups and enjoy better lighting for photos
Many churches and museums offer free entry on specific days - check local schedules to save money on admissions
Try milk bars (bar mleczny) like Bar Mleczny Pod Temidą for authentic, incredibly cheap Polish meals that locals actually eat

Explore Activities in Wawel Cathedral