Kraków is one of those cities that blends impressive history with a truly Instagrammable atmosphere — cobbled streets, colorful townhouses, the historic Cloth Hall and the mysterious nooks of Kazimierz provide a wealth of different frames within a few steps. In practice that means that in a single morning you can capture a classic shot from the Main Market Square and a modern urban background by the Vistula.
Before you start hunting for the perfect shot, it’s worth planning your route and checking a few practical things: museum opening hours, paid-parking zones around the Old Town (watch for zones A and B), and the possibility of reserving a table at a popular café. That way the photo session will go smoothly, and your pictures will benefit from better light and fewer crowds.
A little curiosity I like to repeat as a guide: the Planty — the green belt around the Old Town — was created where the city’s defensive walls once stood. A walk along the Planty is a walk along the old city defenses and is also a great alternative for photos with greenery instead of crowds.
Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall — classic, must-have shots: townhouse facades, St. Mary’s Basilica and the perspective of the cobbled street. Best to come very early to avoid crowds.
Kanonicza Street and the Alley of Unfaithful Thomas — narrow, atmospheric lanes perfect for portraits and styled shots.
Kazimierz (Józefa Street, Wolnica Square) — murals, café gardens and alternative backdrops, great for stories and short videos.
Father Bernatek Footbridge over the Vistula — fantastic views of the city skyline, especially at sunset.
Zakrzówek — a controversial but stunning spot with turquoise water and rocky banks; remember safety and check current access restrictions.
Krakus Mound and other viewing mounds — wide city panoramas, ideal in the morning or at dusk.
The Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate — brick fortifications provide a historic backdrop and strong, 'raw' frames.
Hidden courtyards and gardens of the Old Town — hunting for these often yields the most unique photos without tourists in the frame.
The golden hour (just after sunrise and just before sunset) gives the most flattering light for urban photography — soft, warm tones beautifully model façades and architectural details. On the Market Square choose very early mornings to avoid wandering crowds and horse-drawn carriages.
Night shots of the Old Town and the Barbican create dramatic effects thanks to illumination. At night use a tripod or enable stabilization on your phone to capture longer exposures.
If you plan to photograph the interiors of cafés or restaurants, check opening hours in advance and consider reserving a table — some places are busy on weekends, and the nice window light is often the most valuable part of the shot.
Quick 1-hour route: Main Market Square — Cloth Hall — Grodzka Street. Ideal for people with little time: classic frames and a quick coffee break.
2–3 hour route: Main Market Square — Kanonicza Street — Wawel (view from the boulevards) — Bernatek Footbridge. A good mix of monuments and Vistula panorama, with the chance to catch sunset.
Creative route (3 hours): Kazimierz (Józefa Street, Wolnica Square) — Zakrzówek (if conditions and access allow) — Krakus Mound. This route combines street murals and alternative backdrops with wide, natural landscapes.
A phone is enough in most situations with good light — the key is composition and perspective: look for symmetry, use a low angle for dynamism and shallow depth of field (phone portrait mode) for people shots.
Be moderate with filters — natural colors and light adjustments to contrast, saturation and exposure usually look better than heavy presets. Remember that architectural details suffer from excessive retouching.
A small tripod or a gimbal for your phone is useful for longer night exposures and smooth video shots. For night photos set a lower ISO and longer exposure time; if you’re shooting alone, use a timer or a remote shutter.
Camelot Cafe (Św. Tomasza Street) — atmospheric interior, perfect for a break and portrait-style shots in a stylish setting. A great spot for a Old Town vibe.
Massolit Bakery & Cafe (near the Planty) — known for homemade pastries and bagels; a great place for a quick breakfast before a morning session.
Mleczarnia (Kazimierz) — garden seating and a rustic atmosphere, ideal for relaxing after shooting in the mural- and café-filled district.
If you plan a session that uses a restaurant interior, reserve a table in advance — popular places can be full, and a reservation gives peace of mind and lets you make the most of the light.
Watch out for pickpockets, especially near the Main Railway Station, Galeria Krakowska and the busiest parts of the Royal Route — keep documents and your wallet in a safe place.
Respect the space of business owners and residents — don’t block entrances, don’t enter private courtyards without permission and avoid setting up equipment where you obstruct pedestrian traffic.
Don’t risk going onto forbidden cliffs at Zakrzówek or other viewpoints; sometimes the best shots are possible from designated viewing points.
Mistake: starting at the Market Square at midday — result: harsh light and crowds. Fix: start very early or choose nearby alleys and the Planty during the day.
Mistake: over-editing and unreadable colors. Fix: focus on better composition and natural corrections; followers appreciate the authentic feel of the city.
Mistake: ignoring logistics (parking, tickets, reservations). Fix: plan the route and check local information — it saves stress and time, and your photos will be better because you’ll be calmer.
Is it worth hiring a guide if I’m coming to take photos? Yes — a local guide can point out lesser-known corners, tell you the story of a place and help choose the best time to shoot. This makes your frames more interesting and the time on site more efficient.
Is Zakrzówek always accessible? Not always — access to some parts of Zakrzówek is sometimes restricted for safety or nature protection reasons. It’s always worth checking current information before you go.
Can you legally photograph inside churches and museums? It depends — many churches and museums have rules about photography and the use of flash. If you plan a session with professional equipment, ask staff in advance or secure necessary permissions.
Look into the depth of the frame, not just at the main subject — adding a foreground element (a branch, part of a wall, a lamp) gives the photo depth and a more professional feel.
Use local details (plaques, mosaics, old signs) as small, distinctive accents in photos; such elements often catch followers’ attention and tell the story of the place.
Instead of a classic hand-held selfie, use a simple tripod and a timer. A stable, well-composed shot looks better than a spontaneous selfie and helps you make the most of urban backgrounds.
If you found this guide helpful, share it with friends or post it on social media — maybe someone you know is looking for photo inspiration in Kraków.
If you want to explore Kraków with someone who knows the city, its best photo spots and can plan a route to account for light and logistics, I recommend using the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact: tel. +48 501 962 037, email: kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com, website: zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Małgorzata leads walks around Kraków, advises which route to choose and which times will be most favorable for photography. Welcome to get in touch — planning a session with a guide saves time and guarantees more interesting frames.
