Do you want to take beautiful photos of monuments and urban scenes while avoiding the biggest crowds? Or are you after images that include local history told by the guide? This article gives a tour plan and specific spots in Krakow and nearby areas that work well for photographs during the long May weekend.
The text helps you plan a route suited to weather conditions and visitor density — it highlights popular places (best visited early or late) as well as less obvious spots where compositions turn out especially well.
The May long weekend is when Krakow buzzes with life — the weather encourages walks and attractions are fully open. In practice this means more tourist traffic, but also many photographic scenes and opportunities: blossoming trees, lively cafes, and streets full of local life.
Keep in mind that the Lesser Poland region attracts millions of visitors every year, so when planning a route with a guide it’s smart to consider time of day and less crowded places to get clean, attractive frames.
Main Market Square and Cloth Hall - the heart of Krakow is a classic for composition: wide shots of the square, architectural details of the Cloth Hall and silhouettes of passersby. Photograph early morning or just before sunset to catch the light and reduce the number of people in the frame.
St. Mary’s Basilica - compositions with the towers’ spires and façade details look great in strong contrast light. If you want interior shots, coordinate with your guide and check mass times.
Planty Park and streets radiating from the Market - lovely green paths and building gates create intimate urban frames. In spring, greenery and flowers add extra appeal to every photo.
Vistula River Boulevards - panoramas of the river and Wawel work well from the riverbank. Bridges and benches form natural anchor points for compositions, and sunset over the river gives soft, picturesque light.
Wawel is a must-see: castle façades, the cathedral and views from the walls offer diverse photographic possibilities. With a guide you can plan the place and time of the session to capture both architecture and the everyday life of the crowd below the castle.
Dragon’s Den and the Dragon Monument - a fun spot for photos with local context. During the May long weekend it’s worth coming early if you prefer a quieter background, or use the guide’s storytelling as part of the photo narrative.
Kazimierz - cobbled lanes, synagogues and cafés make a great backdrop for portrait and reportage photography. The guide will show authentic corners and share history, helping you capture more meaningful images.
Nowy Square (Plac Nowy) and its famed bars - dynamic, colorful frames with local street food in the background. It’s a great spot for lively city shots and cultural details.
Podgórze and the Bernatek footbridge - views of the city from the opposite bank of the Vistula give alternative compositions with Wawel in the background. Former factory areas and murals offer raw, contrasting backdrops as well.
Kościuszko Mound - a viewpoint with a wide panorama of the city; excellent for photographing Krakow’s skyline, especially when visibility is good. A short walk and a few frames from different levels can give an almost bird’s-eye effect.
The Garden of Experiments and green areas - interesting installations and open spaces are great for creative, family or educational photos. It’s a good alternative to the crowded centre.
Ojców National Park - if you want to combine a guided tour with nature during the May weekend, the nearby Jurassic rock formations, caves and castles offer postcard landscape shots.
Timing - the best light is at sunrise and before sunset. If your tour is with a guide, ask whether early starts or late-afternoon routes are possible.
Crowds - at the busiest spots arrive earlier or ask the guide to route the group through less obvious streets. Often a 10–20 minute shift avoids peak crowds.
Equipment - for city walks a versatile 24–70 mm or 18–55 mm lens is enough; for details a longer lens or zoom helps. A smartphone with a good camera performs very well, especially using stabilization and HDR mode.
Weather and clothing - spring weather can be changeable; a light jacket and comfortable shoes are essential. Small wardrobe elements can also enhance your photos, so pick colors that suit the urban scenery.
Posing and storytelling - the guide can share local stories you can use as photo context. Images with people and a narrative are often stronger than standalone monument photos.
Booking and start - due to higher demand over the long weekend it’s best to reserve a spot with the guide in advance. Agree on a meeting point and approximate route length, especially if you plan specific photographic stops.
Parking and transport - traffic increases during the May holiday; in tourist areas parking fees may apply even on holidays. Check parking rules in advance and consider arriving by public transport or meeting at a spot easy for groups to reach.
Duration and pace - if you want to take many photos, choose a slow-paced route or ask for short stops at key points. The guide will help balance storytelling with photographic needs.
Start: Main Market Square - short introductory story, wide shots and Cloth Hall details.
Walk to: St. Mary’s Basilica and Planty Park - shots of the towers, then a stroll through the Planty toward Wawel.
Wawel: panoramas from the walls and Dragon’s Den - photos from several spots on the hill.
Walk through Kazimierz: cobbled lanes and atmospheric cafés - portraits and reportage frames.
Finish: Vistula River Boulevards - sunset photos and a panorama of Wawel from the opposite bank.
Portrait session in a historic setting - arrange a short break with the guide for portraits by a historic gate or in a Kazimierz alley.
Details and textures - brick walls, potted flowers, sculptures and carpentry details are great for close-up photography. Look for contrasts and repeating lines.
Street photography - the guide knows spots where it’s easier to capture authentic city life; remember to respect people and the rules for photographing individuals.
The May long weekend in Krakow is a great opportunity to combine guided tours with professional or amateur photography. A well-planned route with a guide helps you make the most of the light and the stories behind places.
Plan your time, discuss your photographic needs with the guide and let her show you lesser-known corners — often the most original shots come from those hidden spots. Good luck and happy shooting!
Your guide for tours on this site is Małgorzata Kasprowicz. She is a licensed Krakow guide who leads tours in Polish and English and focuses on engaging storytelling, local history and helping visitors find the best photo opportunities.
Booking - it is recommended to reserve tours in advance for the May long weekend. For reservations or questions you can contact via email or phone.
Contact information - email: kontakt@zwiedzaniekrakowa.com, phone: +48 501 962 037.
Notes - when booking, mention that your priority is photography so the guide can plan timing and stops accordingly.
Where do we meet? - Agree on a clear meeting point in advance, commonly the Main Market Square or another easily found landmark.
Can I bring a tripod? - Small travel tripods are usually fine, but check with the guide about space and crowd conditions at each stop.
Are tickets included for museums? - Museum or attraction entrance fees are generally not included in the guide’s fee; bring cash or card and check opening times in advance.
How long should the tour be for good photos? - A 2–3 hour relaxed tour works well; for a more thorough photo session consider 4 hours or a custom plan with the guide.
