Can you take beautiful, "Instagram-worthy" photos in Kraków and Zakopane during the May long weekend without spending hours waiting for the perfect shot? Yes — you can. All it takes is a good plan, a few simple photo tricks and an understanding of each place's specifics (city vs. mountains). In this guide you'll find 20 proven spots — 10 in Kraków and 10 in Zakopane — plus concrete tips on when to come, how to prepare technically and how to stay safe.
This text is written for tourists visiting on the May long weekend: short time, heavy crowds and changeable weather. I'll tell you which shots to chase in the morning, where to reserve tables and where it's better to wait for golden hour. At the end you'll find an FAQ and common practical mistakes visitors make — and how to avoid them.
1. Wawel and the Vistula Boulevards - classic compositions with the castle and the river. Best light: sunrise behind Wawel or golden hour over the Vistula. Mornings have fewer people; after sunset it looks cinematic.
2. Main Market Square and Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - the city's heart, full of color and detail. If you want an empty frame, set your alarm very early (around 6:00) or choose side streets (e.g. Kanonicza) outside peak hours.
3. Kazimierz - Szeroka Street, Józefa Street and cozy courtyards. Fantastic for street photography and neon-lit shots after dark.
4. Vistula boulevards and the Bernatka footbridge - universal backdrops: water, bridges, reflections. Great at dawn and sunset. Plenty of perspectives to experiment with reflections.
5. Zakrzówek - turquoise water and raw cliffs (watch access and safety). This place offers almost paradisiacal shots, but check local signage and legal viewpoints.
6. Mounds and viewpoints (Kościuszko Mound, Krakus Mound) - wide city panoramas, ideal for wide shots and sunsets.
7. Planty and charming streets around the Old Town - soft morning light, lots of detail and greenery; a great plan for a walking photo series.
8. Nowa Huta and industrial spaces - a different mood: concrete, socialist-realist facades and open space that contrast beautifully with pastel outfits.
9. Zakrzówek alternative: quarry paths and rocks - for more dramatic compositions you’ll find raw texture and unusual angles.
10. Café interiors and stylish cafés (recommendations by guests: Camelot Cafe, Massolit Bakery & Cafe, Mleczarnia) - great backgrounds for portraits and breaks between sessions; reserve tables on weekends.
1. Morskie Oko - a classic you can't skip. Best light at sunrise or late afternoon; remember crowd controls and the place's high popularity on long weekends.
2. Gubałówka - quick access by funicular or on foot, panoramas of Zakopane and the Tatra peaks; excellent for sunsets and terrace shots.
3. Krupówki - the lively heart of town, architecture and local stalls; best frames in the evening when lights and neon signs turn on.
4. Kasprowy Wierch - high-altitude views (cable car), ideal for wide landscapes; in May weather can be changeable — dress warmly and check cable car operations.
5. Kościeliska Valley and Chochołowska Valley - mountain valleys, streams, meadows and glades; catch landscapes in soft morning light or on overcast days for a dramatic mood.
6. Nosal and nearby viewpoints around Zakopane - shorter hikes, great Tatra panoramas, good for families and quick sessions.
7. Wielka Krokiew - sporting atmosphere and interesting structural lines; a strong backdrop for active shots.
8. Traditional Zakopane-style architecture (Willa Koliba, wooden cottages) - shots with local folklore and distinctive architecture.
9. Mountain huts and meadows (e.g. Hala Gąsienicowa) - Tatra views with a cozy mountain vibe; ideal for outdoor portraits.
10. Smaller glades and shepherd’s huts around Podhale - rustic backdrops and authentic regional atmosphere; great with local props.
Best times of day: early morning (right after sunrise) and late afternoon / golden hour. In Kraków mornings help avoid crowds on the Market Square and the boulevards; in Zakopane an early start on the trail gives you quiet and often the best weather conditions.
Plan your logistics: combine nearby points (e.g. Wawel + Kanonicza + the boulevards) into one morning block, and leave farther places for the afternoon. In the mountains check the forecast and allow extra time to reach viewpoints.
Weather in the Tatras in May can be variable — higher elevations may still have snow. Dress in layers, bring comfortable shoes and check cable car availability (Kasprowy) before you go. Always carry a power bank and basic accessories for your phone/camera.
A phone is enough - use portrait mode, wide-angle (if available) and pay attention to stabilization. A small tabletop tripod or a compact gimbal helps a lot for video and long exposures in the evening.
Composition: rule of thirds, leading lines (streets, bridges, fences) and experiments with perspective (low angles, wide shots from mounds). Movement and dynamics (walking, jumping) create natural group photos.
Light: avoid harsh midday sun; if you must shoot then, look for shade and use reflections (e.g. Vistula water or wet pavement). For portraits, make sure there's contrast between the background and the subject’s clothing.
In Kraków plan breaks at well-reviewed places — atmospheric cafés and bakeries are also great photo backdrops. Guest-recommended spots include Camelot Cafe, Massolit Bakery & Cafe and Mleczarnia.
In Zakopane, choose reputable local inns and mountain-style cafés along Krupówki; if you plan early-morning sessions, consider staying near the center or near Kuźnice to shorten transfers to the trails.
Reservations: for the May long weekend, book tables and accommodation in advance, especially if you want to use interior spaces as photo backdrops. Hotels and guesthouses with Tatra views often sell out long before the holiday.
Zakrzówek and other cliff sites - follow signage and do not enter fenced or unsafe sections. No photo is worth risking an injury.
Drones: central Kraków and areas around historic monuments are often no-fly zones. Before flying a drone, check current regulations and any national park restrictions in the Tatras. Do not fly over crowds and respect the privacy of residents and other visitors.
Respect public space and locals: don’t block sidewalks, don’t enter private courtyards without permission, clean up after yourself and behave considerately when using public places as photo backdrops.
Taking photos in the middle of the day at the most crowded spots - instead, come early in the morning or choose alternative angles from side streets.
Over-editing and oversaturating with filters - natural colors and light editing often look better and are more timeless.
Ignoring safety rules in the mountains and on rocks - don’t risk it for a shot; follow signs and local advisories.
Can I see both places (Kraków + Zakopane) during the May long weekend? Yes, but prioritize. One or two days in Kraków are enough for the top shots; leave at least one full day in Zakopane with an early start for a mountain or valley session.
Do I need to book tickets in advance for the May long weekend? For attractions with cable cars (Kasprowy) or popular restaurants it’s better to book ahead. Parks and Tatra valleys are usually free to enter, but remember parking fees and national park zones.
Is it worth bringing a tripod and extra gear? If you plan evening photos, long exposures or video — yes. For quick urban shots a phone and power bank are usually enough.
In Kraków many great shots hide in less obvious places: small gates and inner courtyards often give more unique photos than the typical postcards.
In Zakopane May can bring a mix of green valleys and snow on higher ridges — use it for contrast shots: blooming meadows with snowy peaks in the background.
To avoid crowds at Morskie Oko or popular mountain meadows, consider very early access (before 7:00) or visiting on weekdays outside the holiday weekend.
Day 1 — Kraków: morning shots at the Market Square and Wawel, walk the Planty to the Vistula Boulevards, coffee break at Massolit, afternoon: Kazimierz and sunset at Kościuszko Mound.
Day 2 — Zakopane: early departure, Morskie Oko or Kasprowy (weather permitting), afternoon on Krupówki and Gubałówka; evening with a regional dinner (book ahead).
This split minimizes time in traffic and increases your chances of great light in each place.
If this guide helped you — share it with friends or on social media; it’s the best way to help others find great frames during the May long weekend. If you prefer personalized help: Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers private guiding and customized photo routes around Kraków — details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
If you have questions about the route, gear or want a version of the itinerary tailored to your group (family, couple, friends) — write or book a short consultation.
Good luck catching beautiful frames and have a safe, inspiring May long weekend!
