Krakow likes to surprise: at every step you'll find monuments, cafés and stories that won't fit into a single paper guide. Apps let you explore at your own pace, share your plan with friends, keep maps offline and play audio stories exactly when you stand in front of a place. For a group this is a huge advantage — less logistics, more spontaneous coffee breaks and photo stops.
Using apps doesn't mean giving up contact with a live guide. On the contrary — a good app can complement personal storytelling, broaden historical context and help you reach the next stop quickly. A private guide, Małgorzata Kasprowicz, is happy to lead a route tailored to your interests.
Apps are especially useful for planning: creating a shared map of 'must-see' spots, booking tickets online and buying public-transport tickets without standing in lines.
Krakow.pl — the city's official app: news, events, interactive routes and a map with visible tourist points. Handy on site when you want to check current exhibitions or closures.
Krakow Guide / Krakow Guide App — local guides, walking routes and audio tours, often with offline options. Works well when you want ready-made routes with short descriptions and food recommendations.
iTour (audio guide) — high-quality recordings and automatic playback when you approach a point. Ideal if you want to listen to professional stories without a live guide.
Maps.me and Organic Maps — reliable offline maps based on OpenStreetMap. Useful for navigation without internet, saving points and sharing pins with the group.
Google Maps — for planning the day, checking opening hours and reviews; it has handy lists (e.g. "Our places") that you can edit together before the trip.
Jakdojade — essential in Krakow for planning public transport trips and, in many cases, buying tickets. It saves time and helps organize travel between attractions.
Specialized walking guides (e.g. historical or themed routes) — look for apps or guides created by museums or cultural institutions, such as traces of Jewish Krakow. These are a great way to discover the city from a single, focused perspective.
Create a shared list of places in Google Maps or in your chosen app and divide responsibilities: someone handles ticket bookings, someone the food stops, someone navigation. That way everyone knows their role and no one panics at the first tram stop.
Download maps and materials for offline use before leaving the hotel — a simple protection against no roaming or weak signal. This applies to maps (Maps.me, Organic Maps, Google Maps offline) and audio routes when the app allows it.
Set emergency signals and a meeting point. In the crowded Main Market not every phone will ring in time — a short phrase and a designated spot make regrouping easier.
For everyone's comfort bring power banks and share headphones: those who prefer stories can use the audio guide while others follow the map or listen to the guide's live commentary.
Buy tickets to popular attractions (Wawel, Oskar Schindler's Factory, Wieliczka Salt Mine) in advance — they're often available online and apps can remind you of entrance times.
Buy public-transport tickets via apps (Jakdojade, SkyCash or official city apps) — it's more convenient than looking for kiosks or ticket machines. Check ticket zones before traveling to Wieliczka or suburban destinations.
Pickpocketing is relatively uncommon in Krakow, but crowds around the Main Market and public transport increase the risk of small thefts. Keep documents and wallets close to your body and use phone locks. Always keep a copy of reservations and the guide's contact number.
If you plan an evening walk along the Vistula, choose well-lit routes and stick to main promenades. Offline maps also serve as a safety tool when you need to quickly find a place or stop.
Relying solely on voice navigation. It's worth looking at the map and orienting yourself — GPS can be inaccurate between tall buildings in the Old Town.
Not downloading maps for offline use before the walk. Even a short loss of internet can surprise you — download needed areas and materials in advance.
An overpacked itinerary. Trying to see “everything” in one day leads to fatigue and frustration. It's better to plan fewer stops and more breaks for conversations and coffee.
Not booking popular restaurants and attractions. On weekends the best restaurants and exhibition entries can be reserved days in advance.
Cafés and quick-rest stops: Cafe Camelot (near the Market, artistic atmosphere), Massolit Books & Cafe (Kazimierz) — a great spot for coffee and a book after a walk.
Traditional Polish and well-rated cuisine: Starka (Kazimierz) — homestyle flavors in a pleasant atmosphere; Pod Aniołami (near the Market) — historic interior and solid regional dishes.
Modern and popular evening spots: Forum Przestrzenie — a riverside spot with a relaxed vibe, a good option for group evenings; local bars in Kazimierz often offer unique atmosphere and strong guest ratings.
Hotels and places to stay: Hotel Stary (boutique, by the Market), Wentzl (historic, terrace with Market views) and several well-known chains for travelers seeking standard comforts. Choose a location near the center or a tram stop to save travel time.
The obwarzanek krakowski is not just an ordinary roll — its tradition dates back to the Middle Ages and it now enjoys protected status. Street vendors braid it into the characteristic ring shape.
On many audio routes or walking guides you'll find stories from local residents — short personal accounts that don't appear in most guides and can change how you see familiar places.
In Kazimierz look for small galleries and ateliers often opened by young creators. It's a great way to see the living, contemporary side of Krakow beyond the usual tourist paths.
Which offline map app is best? Maps.me and Organic Maps work very well offline; Google Maps also allows you to download areas and use navigation without internet.
Are there English materials in apps? Many popular apps (the official city app, iTour, some audio guides) offer English versions — check language availability before downloading.
Can you rely only on apps without a guide? Yes, if you want to explore independently. If you value context, anecdotes and a personalized approach, consider touring with private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz and use apps as a supplement.
How to buy a public transport ticket? In most Polish cities you can buy tickets via apps like Jakdojade, SkyCash or official city apps — check available options and buy in advance when possible.
Apps are a tool: they plan, inform and save time, but the best stories and tailoring the route to your expectations come from a human guide. If you want to explore Krakow with someone who will tell stories, point out hidden details and match the pace to your group — consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact details and booking information are available on the guide's website.
If you found this guide helpful — share it with friends or on social media to make planning easier for others. Wishing you a great visit, many interesting discoveries and lovely time with friends in beautiful Krakow!
Carry a small travel umbrella — Krakow weather can change quickly, especially in spring and autumn.
If you're visiting museums, check whether they have timed-entry tickets and arrive a few minutes early to avoid queues.
Consider combining attractions by area (Old Town, Wawel, Kazimierz, Podgórze) to minimize travel time between stops.
Share the day's plan with the whole group and assign roles.
Download offline maps and any audio tracks you'll use.
Buy or reserve tickets for popular attractions in advance.
Pack chargers/power banks and a printed copy of important reservations and contacts.
