What to do in Krakow?

Krakow is probably the most visited destination in Poland, even Eastern Europe. People from all over visit it for the cheap beer and food, the remarkable culture and way of life, as well as its rich history. With some of Poland’s top sights and best attractions, Krakow is one of those places in Europe that you just need to visit and it is thankfully pretty cheap to do so, having arrived only recently within the public eye.

The city itself is breathtakingly beautiful and the old town was actually declared the first UNESCO heritage site in the world, which as I’m sure you’ll agree is a pretty big deal! It has safely secured itself as one of the most attractive cities in the World and is worthy of being on anybody’s bucket list. Without further ado, let’s get on with the main article…

Where can I eat?

Due to Krakow being a tourist hotspot, there is a large amount of choice within the city of Krakow. The old town has a range of different cuisines that come from all across Europe; Polish, Italian, Greek.

I should start by giving a massive shout out to La Campagna, a locally-famous Italian restaurant which we visit each time we’re in Krakow. The Michelin Guide has mentioned them countless times and, when you eat there, it is easy to realise why. One of my all-time favourite dishes is their duck breast with corn puree, served with (would you believe it) popcorn. To add to this, the restaurant has a beautiful garden where you can relax, eat your food and enjoy sampling the many varieties of wine.

Just around the corner, still in the picturesque old town, is the Cyrano de Begerac. This mysterious French restaurant set within a cellar comes with a real ambience whilst you eat. I dare say that there is not another place like it. I should also say that when you are looking through these menus, you will see that many food items are 60PLN +, which could seem rather expensive. Just remember that it is 0.12 PLN to 1 GBP, meaning that you will get a Michelin-level lobster for the same price as your local Nando’s. I know which one I would rather!

If you are just after some cheap, yet delicious food, you need to try Krakow’s signature dish; perogi. This simple little dish consists of a filling wrapped around in a dumpling. Coincidentally, we stayed in a hotel right next to one of the best places for this in town – Perogarnia Krakowiacy. We went for dinner on a few days and would gorge ourselves on all the different fillings. A particular favourite is the cheese and onion filling for the main meal, swiftly followed by a fruity or chocolatey one for dessert. I would thoroughly recommend it!

If you are looking for a more vegan-friendly establishment (perogi certainly is not the way to go!), then I would suggest heading over to Hummus Amamamusi, where you can find cheap and affordable food to sample with 25 different varieties of hummus! This special little dip was a staple lunch food for Jack and I during lockdown and Krakow last year certainly fuelled our obsession.

Being the second largest city in Poland, there are also countless other restaurants and cafes for you to try out, with every popular cuisine catered for. Be sure to try the local Polish food whilst you are there though and do not fall into the trap of thinking that it isn’t tasty, for whatever reason. If you are on the go I would certainly encourage you to try a Zapiekanka; a Polish pizza bread that goes down a treat at lunchtime. It comes in some very unique and delicious flavours and Krakow does it extremely well.

Where can I grab a drink?

Drinking and Krakow go together like steak and a fine wine. My parents have been to the city many times over the years and come back with tales and photos of them sampling all of the different beers, wines and spirits. Naturally, we were eager to follow in their footsteps and do the ‘hard work’ so that we could report back to you… The first place I would advise to go to is actually the park. Whilst there are no specific bars (a lot of them were good), the circular park that surrounds the old town holds a variety of different places where you can sit and relax in the evening sunshine. The drink prices are also an absolute steal and it will really hit home just how expensive everything is in the UK.

Beer is the most common alcoholic drink that you can find in Krakow and there are multiple different distilleries that are available.

Whilst we were in Krakow, we ventured upon T.E.A Time which actually is home to some of the best beer in the city, not tea (unfortunately for me…). That being said, the atmosphere of the establishment is the very definition of ‘chilled’ and makes for a really nice evening out. They have many different craft beers on tap, meaning that you can really take your time and sample some of the excellent options. It is also deep within the old Jewish Quarter (Kazimierz) and is quite out of sight, meaning that it is not as much as a tourist hotspot as you would think. I would strongly recommend a visit for a real Krakow experience.

If you are a big beer drinker and want authentic, home-brewed beers, then C. K Browar could be for you. Again, it provides a true Polish experience and takes you away from the old tourist trail.

If the sun is shining and you want to relax in a beer garden, head on over to Forum Przestrzenie. This used to be a hotel back when Krakow was under control by the Soviet Union, but now is a chilled place to grab a beer whilst enjoying both the sunshine and views of Krakow. If cracking views of the Old Town wasn’t enough, they also have some table-top games to keep you entertained.

If you are looking for a more peaceful atmosphere then Bunkier Café could be more up your street. It gives you a nice place to enjoy the sun and the drink, just with an added piece of tranquillity. If you are more in the mood for a spirit or cocktail, there are plenty of bars and clubs within the city. Whilst not exactly my expertise, I can point you in the direction of Pijalnia Wódki i Piwa or Bania Luka. Both offer cheap Polish shots as well as a selection of different snacks to eat. There are also plenty of other options within the Old Town.

The mornings however call for a shot of caffeine, not alcohol, to really get you started for a long day of exploring. Krakow has plenty of little quaint cafes that can really deliver. Perhaps the most favourite Café within Krakow is Charlotte. This cute and cosy little place is home to a variety of European treats for breakfast, as well as a wide-range of coffees for you to choose from. Whilst it is in a tourist-saturated location, I can whole-heartedly recommend the breakfast here. It is delicious and really gives you fuel for a busy day exploring. I would suggest you try this place at least once for breakfast; it really is a not-so-hidden gem.

How to spend your day

Krakow is famous across Europe for its rich cultural history that can be seen across the Old Town and its surroundings.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

One of the most famous attractions is, of course, the Wieliczka Salt Mine. Like something out of Middle-Earth, this impressive labyrinth spans for 178 miles, reaching a depth of almost 400 metres underground. The walls and structures, including some of the most impressive chapels and statues I have ever seen, are made entirely of salt. This mine offers tours which take a few hours and give you a real once-in-a-lifetime experience. I would thoroughly recommend a trip to the mines and can safely say it is a highlight of my travels. You can find my post on the Wieliczka Salt Mine here.

Schindler’s Factory

Another famous attraction is of course Schindler’s Factory, made famous by Spielberg’s Classic Schindler’s List. Whilst the factory has mostly deteriorated, there is a museum now located in the same position which gives you an in-depth history of the suffering endured by the Jewish communities under Nazi occupation, as well as the inspiring story of how Oskar Schindler saved thousands of lives.

Ghetto Heroes Square

The museum is also close to the Ghetto Heroes Square, which commemorates the victims of the Ghetto. Krakow’s Jewish community was one of the worst affected by the Nazi occupation and the infamous Auschwitz can be reached through tour groups from Krakow. Whilst a harrowing and sombre experience, I would recommend a visit simply to gain a true appreciation and understanding of this terrible part of human history.

The Old Town

The Old Town in Krakow celebrates its rich history through some stunning architecture.

St. Mary’s Basilica

The most famous landmark of the city is of course the St. Mary’s Basilica, which boasts two impressive towers. Legend has it that two rival brothers built the towers. Story goes that when the older brother built a taller tower, the younger brother killed him out of jealousy before throwing himself off the tower.

Market Square

St. Mary’s Basilica stands on the Market Square, which is the oldest Medieval Town Square in Europe and is home to plenty of cafes and restaurants to relax in with a view.

Jagiellonian University

Also in the Old Town is the Jagiellonian University, where the master astronomer Copernicus once taught. Whilst you cannot enter unless you are a student, you can still visit the outside of many of the buildings to see some impressive architecture.

Wawel Castle

Sticking with the historical front, Krakow also boasts and impressive castle complete with a dragon! Okay, this dragon isn’t actually alive, but it does breathe fire. The amazing sculpture stands guard at the base of the castle by the river and, every minute or so, lets out a mighty roar and shoots out a fireball. If you can make it past the sea of tourists by the dragon, you can walk up the steep slope towards the castle grounds. Here, you can either have a tour of the impressive historical site or simply walk around the grounds and soak up the ambience.

The Planty

Perhaps my favourite memory of Krakow is walking about the circular park that surrounds the Old Town, known locally as The Planty. This unique park makes you forget that you are in the second city of Poland and transports you to an age before Modern Europe existed. In the summer sunshine it is easy to spend hours at a time strolling along the paths within the park, stopping for the occasional beverage and nibble, and then taking a route to another part of the Old Town.

Krakow is, without a doubt, one of my favourite cities in Europe. Not only is there so much to see and do (far too much for one blog post) but it has a splendid atmosphere, particularly the Old Town. Will I be going back anytime soon? Let’s just say I really hope so…

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My Travel Tips and Recommendations

Flights

My usual go-to for booking flights is Skyscanner, the flight search engine. What I love about Skycanner is that you have various options depending on your situation. If you know where you want to go it’s easy – all you need is to search for your destination and dates, and you are provided with all flight options to choose from. If you haven’t decided on your next trip yet, you can use the Everywhere tool for inspiration and to find the cheapest places to fly to.

Accommodation

Whenever I plan my travels Booking.com is my best friend. The website is super easy to use and provides a whole range of accommodation from fancy resorts to budget hotels. Jack and I also regularly use Airbnb – in particular, for staycations in the UK.

Things I can’t travel without

As a travel blogger and keen photographer I never travel without my trusty technology. Always packed are my

Canon EOS M3
GoPro Hero5 Black
I’m also saving for a DJI Mavic Pro

Travel Insurance

It is so important to be prepared for all possibilities when travelling and you simply shouldn’t travel without insurance. When looking for cover I would personally recommend World Nomads or the Post Office – both are affordable and certainly won’t break the bank.

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What to do in Krakow?