Poland
Kraków
Poland's royal capital with an intact medieval core and the Kazimierz quarter. Stay 3 days, including a day at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Below: 6 sights, 1 outdoor spot and 2 places to eat, plus how Kraków fits into a longer trip.
- Places
- 10
- Curated routes
- 1
- Best season
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- July
- Coolest month
- January
- Wettest month
- July
6 See · 1 Outdoors · 2 Eat · 1 Drink
Kraków & the Tatras
from our route notes
26°C / 79°F avg high
1°C / 33°F avg high
about 106 mm rain
Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.
Things to do in Kraków
10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.
See
6 sights worth building a day around across Wawel, Old Town and Kazimierz. 2 of them are free.
Photo: Leif Arne Storset · CC BY-SA 3.0SeeWawel Royal Castle
Hilltop castle and cathedral where Polish kings were crowned and buried.
Tip State Rooms tickets are limited; buy online.
Photo: Kuba Ku · GoogleSeeMain Market Square and Cloth Hall
One of Europe's largest medieval squares, centered on the arcaded Cloth Hall.
Tip The Rynek Underground museum lies beneath the square.
Photo: Michał Skarbiński · GoogleSeeSt. Mary's Basilica
Gothic church with Veit Stoss's carved altarpiece; a trumpet call sounds hourly from the tower.
Tip The altarpiece opens daily at 11:50.
Photo: Adrian włodarczyk · GoogleSeeKazimierz
Historic Jewish district with synagogues, cafés and the Plac Nowy market.
Tip Visit the Remuh Synagogue and its old cemetery.
Photo: Jennifer Boyer · CC BY 2.0SeeOskar Schindler's Enamel Factory
Museum on Kraków under Nazi occupation, in Schindler's former factory.
Tip Timed entry; book ahead.
Photo: File:Auschwitz I (22 May 2010).jpg: xiquinhosilva derivative work: Georgfotoart · CC BY 2.0SeeAuschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
Former Nazi German death camp, now a memorial to over 1.1 million murdered people.
Tip Book entry online; allow a full day and dress respectfully.
Outdoors
1 outdoor spot for fresh air in Zwierzyniec.
Photo: Wizzard · Public domainOutdoorsKościuszko Mound
Earthen mound on the city's west edge with views to the Tatras on clear days.
Eat
Where we would book a table in Kraków across Old Town and Kazimierz.
Photo: Restauracja Pod Aniołami · Google
Photo: Paweł Walczak · GoogleEatPlac Nowy Zapiekanki
Hatches around the round market hall sell long open-faced zapiekanka sandwiches.
Tip Best late at night after bars.
Drink
Our picks for a drink in Kraków in Kazimierz.
Photo: Alchemia · GoogleDrinkAlchemia
Candlelit Kazimierz bar with a cellar stage for live music.
Tip Concerts usually start around 8 pm.
How to fit Kraków into a trip
Kraków is stop 1 of 3 on our Kraków & the Tatras route. Follow it as-is or lift Kraków into your own plan.
Stop 1 of 3
Kraków & the Tatras
Royal Kraków, salt mines and mountain air
- Trip length
- 6 days
- Best season
- May – Sep
- Pace
- moderate
- Next: Wieliczka
Getting here and onward
- Kraków to WieliczkaWieliczka is about 12 km / 8 mi away in a straight line
Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.
Kraków month by month
Average daily highs run from 1°C / 33°F in January to 26°C / 79°F in July. July is the wettest month, with about 106 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.
- Jan1° / 33°F average high
- Feb3° / 37°F average high
- Mar8° / 46°F average high
- Apr15° / 58°F average high
- May20° / 67°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jun23° / 74°F average high, in our recommended season
- Jul26° / 79°F average high, in our recommended season
- Aug26° / 79°F average high, in our recommended season
- Sep21° / 69°F average high, in our recommended season
- Oct14° / 58°F average high
- Nov8° / 47°F average high
- Dec2° / 36°F average high
Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Kraków weather and the best time to visit →
Near Kraków
5 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.
Kraków questions, answered
How many days do you need in Kraków?
Our route notes suggest 3 days in Kraków. On our Kraków & the Tatras route it is stop 1 of 3 in a 6-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 18 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.
What is Kraków best known for?
Poland's royal capital with an intact medieval core and the Kazimierz quarter. Stay 3 days, including a day at Auschwitz-Birkenau. Standouts on our list: Wawel Royal Castle (Hilltop castle and cathedral where Polish kings were crowned and buried); Main Market Square and Cloth Hall (One of Europe's largest medieval squares, centered on the arcaded Cloth Hall); St. Mary's Basilica (Gothic church with Veit Stoss's carved altarpiece; a trumpet call sounds hourly from the tower).
When is the best time to visit Kraków?
Our Kraków & the Tatras route is best May – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in July (26°C / 79°F), the coolest in January (1°C / 33°F) and the most rain in July (about 106 mm).
What are the best things to do in Kraków?
Start with Wawel Royal Castle, Main Market Square and Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, Kazimierz and Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 6 sights, 1 outdoor spot, 2 places to eat and 1 bar or café.
Where should a group eat in Kraków?
Our picks: Pod Aniołami (Old Town); Plac Nowy Zapiekanki (Kazimierz). Best late at night after bars (Plac Nowy Zapiekanki).
What is near Kraków?
The closest destinations in our guides are Wieliczka (about 12 km / 8 mi), Zakopane (about 85 km / 53 mi) and Budapest (about 293 km / 182 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.
Plan Kraków with your crew
Open the Kraków & the Tatras route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.