Krakow is one of the most underrated travel destinations in the world. It is a beautiful and historic European town, and it is not costly to visit. Krakow was my first European destination, and honestly, I did not know much about Krakow before I visited. However, I ended up loving this city, and I cannot wait to return to Poland to visit other Polish cities. Check out the top 10 things to do in Krakow!
1. Explore Old Town Krakow
One of the best things to do in Krakow is exploring Old Town. It is the historic center of Krakow and filled with restaurants, shops, churches, and historical sites. Krakow was the medieval capital of Poland, and it managed to survive World War II. It now a UNESCO World Heritage site. You can explore Old Town on your own, but there are also free walking tours that guide you through medieval city walls, the main street market square, Wawel Hill, and much more!
2. Tour Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral
The Wawel Royal Castle and the Wawel Hill constitute the most historically and culturally significant site in the country. Built in the 14th century, the castle served as the residence for the kings of Poland for centuries and is a symbol of Polish statehood. Today, the castle is also an art museum and showcases a collection of paintings, sculptures, textiles, armory, ceramics, and furniture. Touring the Royal Castle was one of the highlights of my time in Poland as I got to learn so much about Polish history. I also enjoyed visiting the Wawel Cathedral and climbing to the top to see the Sigismund Bell – someone told me it was good luck to touch the bell 🙂
3. Visit the Old Jewish Quarters
The Old Jewish Quarters is located south of Old Town and bordered along the Wisła river. About 64,000 Jews lived in Krakow before World War II –mostly in one part – Kazimierz. They were very active in Krakow, building several synagogues and Jewish communities. The community spoke and wrote Hebrew and Yiddish and led rich cultural and religious lives. The rest of Poland viewed Kazimierz as the ideal of a Jewish community. This community was torn apart and displaced during World War II, and most of the Jews who survived Holocaust never returned to Poland. However, some places in the Old Jewish Quarters look exactly like they did a few decades ago. Walk around Szeroka street, explore New Square, and step back in time.
4. Pay your respects at Ghetto Heroes Square
This square was once the site where families were torn apart to be sent to to the concentration camps. It was a scene of horror and pain. Today, there is a memorial in this square – 70 empty chairs to symbolize the tragic death and the empty seats that the residents of the ghetto left behind.
5. Try a zapiekanka
A zapiekanka is a open-faced sandwich made from half a toasted baguette topped with cheese, sauteed mushrooms, and sometimes other ingredients and served hot with ketchup – kinda like a long pizza. It is a very popular street food in Poland and I recommend anyone to try it. It is delicious!
6. Order hot chocolate at E. Wedel Chocolate Lounge
I had the best hot chocolate I’ve ever had at the E. Wedel Chocolate Lounge in the Main Market Square in Krakow. I ordered a sampler and got to try dark, milk, and white hot chocolate. It was the richest hot chocolate I’ve ever had! Their menu is huge and filled with other chocolate specialties and pastries that is bound to make your taste buds happy.
7. Take a tour of Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau
Just 40 miles away from Krakow in the town of Oświęcim, Poland lays the sites of the greatest tragedy in human history. Two of the most infamous concentration camps established by Nazi Germany, Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau. These are now memorial sites dedicated to remembering the 1 million men, women, and children who lost their lives there. Their mission is to educate all about about the history and horrors that occurred on these grounds. Admission to the grounds of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is free of charge, however tickets should be reserved in advance.
8. Visit Schindler’s Factory
If you haven’t heard of Oskar Schindler yet, know that he was responsible for saving over 1,000 Jews. He was a German entrepreneur who employed Jews in his factories which spared them from their fate of being sent to concentration camps. His story became well known due to the popular Steven Spielberg movie, Schindler’s List. Today, Schindler’s Factory is a museum that has a permanent exhibition, Kraków under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945, that showcases the monstrosities the war brought upon Polish citizens. This museum was designed so that each room is a specific place – it is a history lesson you can walk into and it is well worth a visit.
9. Wander through undergrounds of the Wieliczka salt mine
Prepared to be dazzled by the beautiful grounds of the Wieliczka salt mine! The salt mine is a product of work of tens of generations of Polish miners and a world class monument listed on the UNESCO’s World Cultural and Natural Heritage List. You will get to venture deep underground to explore and learn about the history of this monumental mine. It’s only a short 20 minute ride away from Old Town Krakow and well worth the visit!
10. See the opening of the alter at Bazylika Mariacka
Bazylika Mariacka or St. Mary’s Church is a beautiful church in Old Town Krakow. The inside of the church is absolutely stunning (as seen in the photo at the top of the page) and you actually have to pay to be able to take photos inside this basilica. You cannot miss the opening of the alter! This event occurs around 11:50 AM on weekdays, but try to get there before then to see the alter closed and the ceremonial opening of the alter. Also, every hour on the hour there is a bugle player that plays from the tower of the basilica to honor the bugler who, in the 13th century, used his instrument to alert the city’s inhabitants of an imminent Mongol invasion – a true Krakow tradition to witness.
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