The best times are morning and late afternoon: the light is softer and queues are shorter. In the middle of the day take a break in the shade of the Planty or by the Vistula, then come back for dessert when the city slows down. Aim for smaller portions more often — that way you can try more flavors without losing energy for sightseeing.
Local trick: combine ice cream stops with natural breaks on your route. The Market Square – Wawel – river boulevards beg for something cold along the way, and so does the Kazimierz loop – Bernatek footbridge – Podgórze. Krakow tastes best “on the move,” with a lick of gelato between photo frames.
Starowiślna 83 – a Kazimierz classic. A short menu, a few flavors served for decades and a queue that is sometimes part of the ritual. Here consistency and old-school style matter. Best visited in the morning or just after 4 p.m., when the pace is gentler.
Good Lood – a Krakow artisanal chain offering “flavors of the day,” often at two or three convenient locations: Plac Wolnica and other squares and transport hubs. Fast service, rotating flavors and plenty of sorbets for those avoiding dairy.
Donizetti (Św. Marka Street) – an Italian spirit right by the Old Town. A quieter street, creamy pistachio and classic flavors that are perfect after visiting the churches around Floriańska and strolling the Planty.
Magdalenka Gelato (Kazimierz and Old Town) – fresh, intense flavors in compact shops. A great spot for mixing two halves and a quick espresso between frames of brick Kazimierz.
Emil Kręci Lody (Podgórze Market Square) – the heart of Podgórze with a view of St. Joseph’s Church. Shorter queues in the morning and a pleasant end to a walk across the Bernatek footbridge. Combine it with a panorama from the boulevards.
Lodowa Huta (Nowa Huta, os. Centrum C) – a destination in itself if you want to see a different face of Krakow. Signature flavors and a walk through the wide avenues of the postwar district make for a great half-day trip.
At most artisanal ice cream shops you’ll find a wide selection of dairy-free fruit sorbets. Many places also offer flavors made on plant-based milks. If you have specific exclusions, always ask about ingredients on site — flavors rotate daily.
Pro tip: sorbets are the best light starter for a hot walk — they’re less heavy and a good choice before climbing up to Wawel or a longer stroll along the boulevards.
In Kazimierz approach via side streets (Izaaka, Jakuba) and “insert” yourself from the back onto Starowiślna – you’ll save minutes and find shade. On weekends avoid the 1–3 p.m. window at the most popular spots; swap it for lunch and return for ice cream after 4 p.m.
In the Old Town choose addresses off the main thoroughfares — being a minute away from Floriańska or Grodzka makes a big difference in comfort. On the other side of the river start in Podgórze — ice cream at the market, then the Bernatek footbridge and photos by the water.
Old Town – Planty – Św. Marka – Market Square: start in greenery, stop at Donizetti on Św. Marka, then a short loop under the Cloth Hall arcade for photos. Finish in the shade of the Planty: 45–60 minutes with a dessert midway.
Kazimierz – Starowiślna – the footbridge – Podgórze: brick facades and side-street signs, the famous Starowiślna 83, cross the Vistula and continue to Podgórze Market (Emil Kręci Lody). Golden hour on the boulevards closes the day’s frame.
On one loop choose two places and have a small portion at each — this lets you taste four flavors without “sugar fatigue.” The whole path takes 60–90 minutes and fits well between a Wawel visit and a walk through Kazimierz.
If you’re traveling with kids, keep the rhythm: 40–50 minutes of walking, an ice cream break, then 20 minutes on a shaded bench. In autumn and winter many ice cream shops have shorter hours — start earlier in the day and aim for an afternoon stop by 6 p.m.
Creamy pistachio and hazelnut match the cool stone of the Old Town; citrus sorbets pair with views of the Vistula; chocolate and salted caramel are perfect for finishing an evening in Kazimierz. If you like surprises, look for flavors of the day — Krakow often features short seasonal editions.
]},{
Opening hours: summer is high season, so most places open daily; in colder months some shops shorten hours or close for weeks, especially in November–February.
Portions: ask for a small scoop or a half-and-half (two flavors in one cup) if you want to taste more without overindulging.
Seating: many ice cream shops are takeaway-first; Planty, the Market Square arcades and the Vistula boulevards offer pleasant places to sit.
Transport: all places mentioned are walkable within central Krakow; for Nowa Huta consider taking a tram or a short taxi ride if you prefer to save time.
Kids and allergies: speak to staff about nuts and dairy cross-contamination; sorbets and plant-based options are widely available but double-check for allergens." ]}]} <-- Invalid JSON replaced by corrected version. Please disregard.}{
