About Krakow
Kraków, officially the Royal Capital City of Kraków, is the second-largest and one of the oldest cities in Poland. Situated on the Vistula River in Lesser Poland Voivodeship, the city has a population of 816,614 (2025), with 1,428,363 people living in the Kraków metropolitan area. Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596 and has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish economic, academic, cultural, and artistic life. Its Old Town was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, one of the world's first sites granted the status.
Places to visit in Krakow
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Main Market Square
LandmarkOne of Europe's largest medieval squares, surrounded by townhouses and dominated by the arcaded Cloth Hall. It is lively with cafes, flower stalls and horse-drawn carriages.
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Wawel Castle
HistoricThe royal castle and cathedral on a hill above the Vistula. Tour the state rooms, tapestries and treasury, and climb the cathedral bell tower to see the great Sigismund Bell.
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St. Mary's Basilica
ReligiousA Gothic church on the Main Square with an elaborate carved wooden altarpiece by Veit Stoss. Listen for the bugle call played every hour from the taller tower.
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Kazimierz
NeighborhoodThe historic Jewish quarter, with old synagogues, a Renaissance cemetery and lively bars and cafes. Explore the synagogues by day and enjoy the bohemian atmosphere at night.
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Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory
Museum · 1 mi from centreA museum telling the story of Krakow under Nazi occupation, set in the factory where Schindler protected his Jewish workers. Book tickets in advance as entry is timed.
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Wieliczka Salt Mine
Historic · 8 mi from centreJust outside the city, this historic mine features chambers, underground lakes and a vast chapel carved entirely from rock salt. Guided tours lead through the passages on foot.
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Planty Park
ParkA ring of greenery circling the old town where the medieval city walls once stood. Its tree-lined paths make a pleasant route between sights, with benches and shade along the way.
Things to do in Krakow by type
80 tours, tickets and experiences across 8 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Art & culture 40 experiences Auschwitz Birkenau - Full-Day Guided Tour with Private Transport -
Day Trips & Excursions 32 experiences Auschwitz Birkenau - Full-Day Guided Tour with Private Transport -
City tours 10 experiences Discover Krakow's Jewish Heritage: Private Half-Day Guided Tour -
Tickets & Attraction Passes 7 experiences Krakow City Card -
Cruise & Water Tours 3 experiences Guided Wawel Tour and Vistula River Cruise -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 3 experiences Dunajec River Gorge Rafting Experience -
Outdoor activities & Adventure 2 experiences Dunajec River Rafting -
Gastronomy & nightlife 2 experiences Krakow Christmas Markets - Private
- Over 6 hours 15
- 1-3 hours 10
- 3-6 hours 8
- Up to 1 hour 3
- Families 4
- Youth 4
- Couples 4
- Senior 4
- Private 13
- Small group 10
- Skip the line 7
- Wheelchair accessible 2
Top experiences in Krakow
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 80 available.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Historical Guided Tour with Optional Hotel Transfers Pick-up
From $56 per adult
Auschwitz-Birkenau: Last Minute Guided Full-Day Tour
From $80 per adult
Wieliczka Salt Mine with Optional Hotel Transfers Pick-up - Half-Day Tour
From $71 per adult
Auschwitz-Birkenau Guided Tour and Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour with Optional Transfers Pick-up
From $107 per adult
Wieliczka Salt Mine and Oskar Schindler's Factory Tour with Optional Hotel Transfers Pick-up
From $124 per adult
Auschwitz Birkenau Self-Guided Tour
From $44 per adult
Auschwitz Birkenau and Wieliczka Salt Mines Tour with Airport Transfers
From $146 per adult
Auschwitz-Birkenau with Hotel Pick-up - Guided Tour
From $57 per adult
Auschwitz-Birkenau From Selected Meeting Point - Guided Tour
From $52 per adult
Auschwitz-Birkenau with Fast Track Ticket - Guided Tour
From $46 per adult
Zakopane Cable Car, Spirits, Tasting & Thermal Baths with Optional Hotel Pick-up
From $93 per adult
Auschwitz Birkenau Guided Tour and Schindler Factory Tour with Optional Hotel Transfers Pick-up
From $117 per adult
Where to stay in Krakow
Popular hotels in Krakow, out of 455 properties you can book.
New Port Hotel
From $148 per night
Avena Boutique Hotel by Artery Hotels
From $72 per night
Yarden Aparthotel by Artery Hotels
From $55 per night
Rezydent
From $97 per night
Wyspianski
From $70 per night
Passage Kraków Kazimierz Hotel by Milo Hotels
From $152 per night
Lwowska1
From $136 per night
Leonardo Boutique Hotel Krakow Old Town
From $106 per night
4Seasons Apartments Cracow
From $51 per night
Campanile Prime Krakow Old Town
From $77 per night
Antique Apartments Plac Szczepanski
From $73 per night
Abella Suites & Apartments by Artery Hotels
From $68 per night
Best time to visit Krakow
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Krakow is August, when average daytime highs are around 78°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Krakow weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 69° 43° 2%
- Thu 22 Oct 53° 45° 90%
- Fri 23 Oct 56° 41° 14%
- Sat 24 Oct 57° 41° 4%
- Sun 25 Oct 59° 38° 31%
- Mon 26 Oct 51° 46° 53%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Polish złoty (PLN)1 US dollar ≈ zł3.90
- Language
- Polish
- Calling code
- +48
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- Europe/WarsawUTC+2
- Capital
- Warsaw
Upcoming public holidays in Poland
- All Saints' DayWszystkich Świętych
- Independence DayNarodowe Święto Niepodległości
- Christmas EveWigilia Bożego Narodzenia
- Christmas DayBoże Narodzenie
- St. Stephen's DayDrugi Dzień Bożego Narodzenia
- New Year's DayNowy Rok
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Krakow
These are the airports closest to central Krakow. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- KRK John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice7 mi (11 km) from the city centre
Getting around Krakow
Kraków is compact and most sights can be covered easily on foot, with an occasional tram ride.
On foot
Depending on your level of fitness, you can see the whole of the city centre without needing any transport. There are some beautiful walking routes, try the Royal Way or the Planty park that surrounds the old city all the way from Florian's Gate to Wawel castle. It is very relaxing. There is also a well cared for river banks next to the castle just to stroll around.
By bus and tram
During the day, there is an excellent system of public transportation consisting of trams and buses managed by MPK (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne). On their website you can check routes or stops. Easyway journey planner finds the routes and schedules for a given trip. Rush hours are mostly 07:00-09:00 and 15:00-17:00 and you can spend a lot of time in traffic jams.
By taxi/rideshare
Uber and Bolt operate in Krakow and avoid nearly all taxi hassles with the language barrier, overcharging, etc.
Krakow travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Krakow?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Krakow is August, when average daytime highs are around 78°F and rain falls on about 11 days a month.
What is the weather like in Krakow?
August is usually the warmest month in Krakow, with average highs of 78°F (26°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 28°F (-3°C). The wettest month is typically July, with about 129 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Krakow?
John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice (KRK) is the closest airport, about 7 miles (11 km) from the centre of Krakow.
What currency is used in Krakow?
Krakow uses the Polish złoty (PLN). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ zł3.90.
What time zone is Krakow in?
Krakow uses the Europe/Warsaw time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Krakow?
Kraków is compact and most sights can be covered easily on foot, with an occasional tram ride.
What are the best places to visit in Krakow?
Top sights in Krakow include Main Market Square, Wawel Castle, St. Mary's Basilica and Kazimierz. One of Europe's largest medieval squares, surrounded by townhouses and dominated by the arcaded Cloth Hall. It is lively with cafes, flower stalls and horse-drawn carriages.
What are the top things to do in Krakow?
Popular experiences you can book in Krakow include Auschwitz-Birkenau Historical Guided Tour with Optional Hotel Transfers Pick-up, Auschwitz-Birkenau: Last Minute Guided Full-Day Tour and Wieliczka Salt Mine with Optional Hotel Transfers Pick-up - Half-Day Tour. Destina Holidays offers 80 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Krakow?
The most popular types of experiences in Krakow are art & culture (40), day trips & excursions (32), city tours (10) and tickets & attraction passes (7). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
Where should I stay in Krakow?
Popular areas for hotels in Krakow include Krakow. Well-reviewed options include New Port Hotel and Avena Boutique Hotel by Artery Hotels.
How many hotels can I book in Krakow?
Destina Holidays currently lists 455 properties in and around Krakow, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.
