Podgórze is a part of Kraków worth visiting not only because it has a different atmosphere than the Old Town, but also because several interesting sights lie close together: the impressive St. Joseph's Church at Podgórze Market Square, Lasota Hill, the Ghetto Heroes Square and the Bernatek footbridge connecting to Kazimierz. For visitors by car a big advantage is the new municipal parking “Stare Podgórze” — closer to the centre and attractions than many other car parks, and often more economical than parking at the curb in paid parking zones. This lets you leave your car on a safe surface lot and explore on foot.
St. Joseph's Church is a neo-Gothic building from the early 20th century designed by Jan Sas-Zubrzycki; it stands out with its slender silhouette and richly furnished interior. Look at its façade from the Market Square and then step inside — the interior is spacious and was well restored in recent conservation works. For many visitors the south bank of the Vistula and Podgórze are also a pleasant place to begin a walk through less crowded parts of the city, with several nice viewpoints and cosy cafés within a short stroll.
If you arrive by car, the most convenient option is the municipal “Stare Podgórze” parking with entrances from Zamoyskiego Street and Warneńczyka Street. It is an open-air facility with a number of amenities: covered parking spaces (about 185 places), spaces for people with reduced mobility, an elevator, CCTV and access to toilets. The car park is well connected to tram and bus lines, which makes further travel around the city easy without a car.
Fees vary in municipal communications and depend on the period and the operator's policy — general municipal information indicates that rates can be competitive compared with the paid-street parking zone; there are hourly tariffs and daily-monthly subscriptions. In practice it is worth checking current rates in a parking app (for example municipal apps) or on the car park information board before you arrive, because details of fees and promotions can change.
Practical tips: check the maximum entry height if you have a van (some descriptions mention a height limit of about 1.9 m), bring a payment card or an app for contactless payment, and if you plan to leave the car for a full day — ask about a daily subscription, which is often cheaper than long curbside parking. The parking is really close to Podgórze Market Square, so after parking most attractions are within easy walking distance.
St. Joseph's Church stands at Podgórze Market Square at Jana Zamoyskiego Street 2. Leaving the Stare Podgórze car park takes only a few minutes on foot, so visiting the church is often combined with a short walk around the Market Square and the neighbourhood.
Nearby you will find several points worth visiting during this short outing: Lasota Hill with a small viewpoint, Ghetto Heroes Square with commemorative installations, the Father Bernatek pedestrian and cycle bridge (a great spot for photos on the Vistula) and CRICOTEKA — the Tadeusz Kantor Centre for the Documentation of Art. All of this creates a compact, walkable area to explore without the need for long transfers on public transport.
If you have time, take a walk along the Vistula riverbank — from the Bernatek footbridge you get pleasant views of buildings on both sides of the river. A good plan for an afternoon is: visit the church and the market, then stop for coffee or lunch at a nearby café or restaurant and finish with a short riverside walk.
St. Joseph's Church in Podgórze is open daily and functions as a parish church, so in addition to sightseeing it regularly holds services. The parish publishes a schedule of Masses for weekdays and Sundays, so visitors planning to tour should check service times if they want to avoid visiting during a Mass and prefer to see the interior in quiet.
During Mass please observe silence and respect for those taking part in the liturgy; if you want to make a short visit it's best to come outside service times. The parish also posts announcements and practical information — look at the notice board in front of the church or ask in the sacristy if you need details about visiting, organ concerts or other events.
For photographers: be discreet during services and avoid using flash during liturgy. General etiquette: dress neatly and modestly, especially if you intend to attend Mass.
Podgórze and the area around Podgórze Market Square offer several pleasant places for coffee and meals — from local cafés to bistro-style restaurants. You can find cosy cafés and restobars popular with residents and visitors; many serve specialty coffee from small roasters and homemade pastries. If you prefer something with more character, there are restaurants serving regional cuisine and bistros with modern menus.
There are atmospheric places right by the Market Square, small wine bars and restaurants serving breakfast and lunch. If you plan to dine after visiting, make a booking in advance for weekend afternoons, as popular places can get full in high season.
Visitors arriving by car to the historic part of the city often assume that the nearest on-street spot is always the best option — in practice it's worth comparing prices and duration. Multi-storey or municipal car parks (for example “Stare Podgórze”) can be cheaper for longer stays than paid curbside spaces. Instead of risking a fine, park at an official car park and continue on foot.
Another frequent mistake is planning to visit the church interior during Mass. If you want to calmly view the interior and take photos, check the Mass times and try to visit outside them. On Sundays and religious holidays expect bigger crowds and potentially limited access.
In the tourist season, dining venues can be busy — reserving a table or coming outside peak hours (early breakfast or late afternoon) helps avoid queues.
Is the Stare Podgórze car park open 24/7? Yes — the car park operates around the clock and is monitored, though the operator may update details about opening hours and availability.
How far is the car park from the church? From the Stare Podgórze car park you can walk to Podgórze Market Square and St. Joseph's Church in just a few minutes — it is a very short walk.
Do I have to pay to enter the church? Short visits and entering for prayer are free. Remember to respect services and be aware of potential restrictions during holidays and parish events.
Should I reserve a table at a restaurant? On weekends and during the tourist season it's a good idea — many popular places fill up quickly. A reservation saves time and stress.
Is the church accessible for people with reduced mobility? The municipal parking has facilities for people with disabilities, and the church has accessible entrance arrangements; if you have special needs, contact the parish before your visit.
Although today integrated into Kraków, Podgórze was for many years an independent town with its own history and parish structure — so Podgórze Market Square and St. Joseph's Church have a different rhythm than parts of the Old Town across the river.
The new municipal “Stare Podgórze” parking was designed to improve access to this part of the city and is often an economical alternative to on-street parking. It helps visitors explore Podgórze without circling the streets for a space.
If you plan a short trip to Kraków and want to combine convenient parking with a quick walk through interesting places — leave your car at the “Stare Podgórze” car park, visit St. Joseph's Church, walk up Lasota Hill and along the Vistula towards the Bernatek footbridge. It's a half-day plan that gives a pleasant taste of Podgórze without rushing.
If you enjoyed this article and think it could be useful to friends, share it on social media or send it to people planning a visit to Kraków. If you'd like to explore with a local guide, consider the services of the private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — her contact details and offer are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Enjoy discovering Podgórze!
