If you plan to film in Krakow during a weekday — great choice. On weekdays the streets are usually less crowded than at weekends, it’s easier to get “clean” shots and work without the pressure of crowds. Below you’ll find an overview of tried-and-true locations, tips on when to go and ready-made routes you can complete in a single day.
A quick note: weekday does not mean “no people” — offices, schools and local events can affect traffic. The best times are early morning (before and just after sunrise) and the golden hour before sunset. In the evening the city gains atmosphere thanks to lighting, which works very well for night shots.
In the rest of the article I describe specific places, practical routes and technical tips — all so you’ll leave Krakow with beautiful footage.
P.S. If you’d like, I can help plan a route tailored to your needs — just get in touch.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall - the heart of Krakow. Classic frames with the Cloth Hall colonnade, St. Mary’s Basilica and the market’s lively atmosphere. For shots without crowds, early weekday mornings are best; in the evening you get an interesting play of light and shadow.
Wawel and the Vistula boulevards - the castle’s impressive architecture and the panorama over the river give versatile historical and urban landscape shots. The boulevards are great for compositions that include both old and new architecture and for golden hour reflections on the water.
Kazimierz - atmospheric alleys, synagogues, cafés and murals. A district full of textures and life; a good place for street shots, portraits and short dialogue scenes. On weekdays it’s partly quiet, which helps when composing frames.
Vistula boulevards and footbridges (for example Bernatka Footbridge) - reflections in the water, bridges and open space for dynamic footage. Ideal at sunset and at night, when bridges are illuminated.
Zakrzówek - spectacular water colors and cliffs. A popular outdoor spot; observing safety rules and access regulations you can get moody, almost mysterious nature footage within the city limits.
Błonia and the mounds (Krakus Mound, Kościuszko Mound) - wide open spaces, city panoramas and viewpoints. Good as backgrounds for photo shoots and outdoor scenes, especially in nice weather.
Kanonicza Street, the Planty and Old Town lanes - photogenic historic details: gates, townhouses and cobbles. Excellent for close-up sequences and atmospheric inserts.
Nowa Huta and post-industrial areas - brick, concrete and raw lines — perfect for films showing a different face of Krakow. Also good for stylized shoots and compositions with deep perspective.
Tyniec and the abbey surroundings - if you want calm, cinematic landscapes with monastic architecture and the Vistula as a backdrop, it’s worth travelling slightly outside the center.
Terraces and towers - the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica, Wawel terraces and several viewpoints allow panoramic city shots that complement your footage. Visit early or plan weekday access to avoid queues.
Fewer crowds - the most obvious advantage: it’s easier to set up gear, tripods or routes for actors. In the morning on working days monuments are just waking up and you have greater control over the scene.
Better availability of places and services - if you need a location for a short time (for example a few tripod shots), on weekdays you’re more likely not to disturb tourists, café owners or officials.
Easier logistics - parking, transport and booking venues for short shoots are usually simpler Monday to Friday than on Saturday or Sunday.
Note: some places can still be busy on weekdays (small events, fairs, church services) — check the local events calendar before you go.
Morning route (ideal for 3-4 hours) - Start before sunrise on the Planty, a short walk to Kanonicza Street for “empty” shots, then the Main Market Square (quick shots of the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s), next Wawel from the boulevards.
Full-day route (complete plan) - Morning: Krakus Mound or Kościuszko Mound for panoramic city shots. Late morning: Kazimierz — streets, courtyards and cafés. Afternoon: Nowa Huta or Tyniec (alternative atmospheres). Golden hour and evening: Vistula boulevards, Zakrzówek or Wawel terrace for sunset views.
Afternoon-evening route (2-3 hours) - Kazimierz for the late-afternoon mood, then the boulevards before sunset, close with night shots of Wawel and illuminated bridges.
Mini-route “night city” - Start about 1–2 hours after dusk: Kazimierz (lit café scenes and murals), Vistula boulevards (reflections on the water), finish on the Market Square or by the lit-up Wawel. Remember tripod and long exposures.
Test each route on foot the day before your planned filming — you’ll see how crowds behave and where logistical issues appear.
Permissions and approvals - for amateur shooting with a phone or small camera in public you usually don’t need special permits. If you plan professional filming with a larger crew, blocking parts of public space or for commercial purposes, contact the relevant site manager (city offices, monument administrator, park authority) in advance to check if permission is required.
Drones - drone rules in Poland are strict in city centers and over gatherings of people. If you plan aerial shots, check the current Civil Aviation Authority rules and local restrictions (flight zones, no-fly zones over monuments and crowds). Often approvals are necessary.
Location safety - Zakrzówek and some cliffs are visually attractive but require caution: don’t enter closed areas, obey signs and steward instructions. Be careful when mounting heavy equipment near monuments.
Special situations - when filming in churches, cemeteries or during religious/cultural events respect the place and local customs; don’t interfere with ceremonies. If you record locals or recognizable people, remember permissions and privacy.
If you need help contacting local institutions for permits, I can advise who to reach out to.
Light - the golden hour (just after sunrise and before sunset) is when footage looks best. Morning light is cooler and “cleaner”, afternoons are warmer. Plan scenes according to the mood you want to achieve.
Sound - recording clean audio in the city is challenging. Use a directional microphone or lavalier, bring a recorder and headphones to monitor takes. Record a spare room tone (the characteristic silence of the location) for postproduction.
Equipment - tripod, gimbal, ND filters (for daylight motion and filming), spare batteries and memory cards are must-haves. A small repair kit (screwdriver, tape) is always handy. If filming with a phone, a power bank and a rainproof case help.
Lenses - wide-angle lenses for panoramas and architecture, short telephoto for portraits and details. For bridges and boulevards consider optically stabilized lenses to reduce shake in longer shots.
Camera movement - plan dynamics: short gimbal moves, slow motion for street motion, long panoramic takes from viewpoints. Always shoot extra B-roll — details, transitions, architectural elements and people in the background.
The atmosphere of night-time Krakow is unique: illuminated monuments, bridges and café lights create a very cinematic effect. To achieve a “film” look remember: tripod, low ISOs or RAW/LOG if your camera supports it, long exposures for reflections and light trails.
Watch out for mixed lighting - streetlights and shop windows often have different color temperatures which complicates color grading. Record short test clips and try several white-balance settings to have more options in editing.
Safety - avoid working alone with expensive gear in completely empty places. If working with a crew, decide where to keep equipment and take breaks in a café or heated spot. Respect café owners and do not block entrances.
In many spots — especially the Market Square and Kazimierz — night tourist traffic can still be high, so have a plan to secure a ‘clean’ fragment of frame or a quick way to move through crowds.
Transport - Krakow has an extensive tram and bus network; many central points (Market Square, Kazimierz, Podgórze) are well connected. With equipment consider travelling on public transport outside rush hours or using a car with prearranged parking.
Charging spots and breaks - cafés in Kazimierz and by the boulevards often welcome people working on shoots, but don’t occupy tables for too long. Have a plan B: small venues or public libraries can serve as charging or rest spots.
Toilets and facilities - when planning longer sessions include breaks for coffee, toilets and wardrobe changes. Facilities in the center are limited, so schedule stops at larger cafés or restaurants.
Contact locals - when shooting in private courtyards or café gardens ask the owner for permission. Residents are often friendly and will agree to a short session if you explain and are polite.
Taking care of the place and showing courtesy pays off — people are more willing to cooperate with crews that leave the location as they found it.
- Check the weather forecast and sunrise/sunset times. - Charge all batteries and bring spares. - Memory cards: at least two spare cards. - Microphone and headphones for sound checks. - Tripod/gimbal and basic filters (ND, polarizer). - Documents and any filming permits (if required). - Powerbank, water and small snacks. - Route plan and a backup in case of bad weather. - Contact numbers for locations or site managers if you’ve booked anything.
Print or keep an offline map and schedule — sometimes signal in narrow streets or courtyards can be weak.
