Krakow has everything you look for after a trip: traditional crafts, contemporary design and little items that make you smile the moment you leave the shop. From hand-painted pottery and amber to Krakow nativity scenes, posters from the Polish poster school and tasty kitchen souvenirs. Below you’ll find specific streets and types of places to help you shop smart without running in circles.
The ground floor of the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) is full of stalls offering a full range of souvenirs. You can find amber jewelry, silver, embroidered linens, wooden boxes, traditional runners, dragon figurines, glass ornaments and magnets. It’s a convenient option if you want to get most of your shopping done at once and enjoy a coffee under the arcades.
Prices can be higher than on side streets, but the choice is very wide. If you like something, take a quick walk around a few stalls to compare workmanship and finish. For jewelry ask for a receipt and product card; for amber ask for a short note about the stone’s origin.
Grodzka links the Market Square with Wawel and shows two faces. In the upper part there are large shops selling a full spectrum of souvenirs - mugs, T-shirts, glasses, bags and gift sets. Closer to Wawel you’ll find smaller boutiques and workshops with more interesting crafts and a better quality-to-price ratio.
Streets parallel and crossing Grodzka — Sienna, Bracka, Szewska and Sławkowska — hide small galleries with ceramics, posters, prints and handmade jewelry. It’s worth stepping inside even if the window isn’t shouting — the most interesting items often sit on a shelf just inside the door.
Along the line Szeroka–Miodowa–Józefa you’ll find shops offering Judaica: candlesticks, commemorative mezuzahs, Hebrew-letter ceramics and contemporary design inspired by the district’s heritage. This area is perfect for souvenirs with history and emotional value, not just looks.
Kazimierz also hosts several poster and print galleries — ideal wall pieces for home. On weekends Plac Nowy can turn into a small market with vintage items and vinyl records. If you like things with soul, add this route to your plan.
Stalls near the Dragon’s Den (Smocza Jama) specialize in souvenirs for the little ones. You’ll find plush and wooden dragons, marionettes, colorful pinwheels and simple wooden swords. It’s a great stop after a walk along the boulevards — kids pick a toy, adults take a photo with Wawel in the background.
A struck commemorative coin makes a timeless gift. Near St. Mary’s Square there’s often a small press where you can mint a keepsake disc with Krakow’s coat of arms or a dragon. It’s quick, affordable and very 'Krakow'.
Look along the way for stalls with calligraphy, leather bookmarks and small jewelry boxes. These little items are easy to pack and become useful reminders every day.
The Krakow nativity scene (szopka) is a city symbol. You can buy miniatures and smaller year‑round versions in galleries and craft shops around the Market and in Kazimierz. Look for precise finishing, a solid base and the maker’s signature.
Amber jewelry looks best in simple settings — it doesn’t have to be large to impress. Ask about the stone and care recommendations. Bolesławiec pottery is a durable table classic — the maker’s stamp should be on the bottom. Mugs, plates and bowls handle daily use well and look attractive in the kitchen.
Krakow is famous for poster art. In galleries downtown and in Kazimierz you’ll find contemporary illustrators’ work and prints inspired by the classics of the Polish poster school. Posters are a great gift — light, easy to transport in a tube and ready to frame.
An obwarzanek from the Market tastes best fresh, but for home bring chocolates from a Krakow chocolaterie, jams, honey, teas and herbs from local producers. If you buy smoked cheeses, choose vacuum-packed versions and check your country’s import rules. On flights pack alcohol in checked luggage and keep receipts.
On Szewska and nearby streets you’ll find shops with classic souvenirs and regional patterns. 'Krakusek' on Szewska offers a wide range of Krakow-themed items — from scarves and hats to postcards, baubles and painted eggs. It’s a good stop if you need to collect several gifts at once and don’t have time to search around.
Compare two or three places before you pay — craftsmanship and price can vary. In the Cloth Hall vendors usually don’t haggle, but at markets and vintage stalls it’s sometimes possible. Always take a receipt — it helps with exchanges and acts like a guarantee.
Pay in PLN and decline dynamic currency conversion on card terminals. If you live outside the EU, ask about Tax Free and the minimum purchase threshold. For fragile souvenirs ask for extra packing for luggage, and carry posters in a tube.
Magnets and small souvenirs: 10–30 PLN; mugs and T‑shirts: 30–120 PLN; functional ceramics: 60–200 PLN; small posters: 50–150 PLN; handmade jewelry: 120–400 PLN; miniature nativity scenes from around 100 PLN up. A souvenir doesn’t have to be expensive — what matters most is the story you bring home.
Start under the Cloth Hall arcades and scan the stalls, then walk down Grodzka toward Wawel with two stops inside smaller boutiques. Finish by crossing to Kazimierz via Józefa Street for a poster or Judaica. Along the way grab an obwarzanek and take a photo with the Town Hall Tower in the background — in 90 minutes a day of shopping becomes a story.
Want to discover the best places for souvenirs and uncover Krakow’s hidden treasures without wandering? Book a guided tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz and arrange a date to explore thoughtfully and efficiently.
Can I bring food home? Yes — chocolates, jams, honey and teas travel well. For smoked cheese look for vacuum-packed options and check customs rules for your destination.
How should I pay? Use Polish zloty (PLN) where possible and avoid accepting the card terminal’s currency conversion. Keep receipts for Tax Free where applicable.
Are items authentic? For amber ask about origin and look for simple settings on jewelry. For Bolesławiec pottery check the maker’s stamp on the bottom. For handcrafted items, ask for the maker’s name or signature.
What about fragile items? Ask sellers to pack fragile souvenirs securely for checked luggage or request additional wrapping to protect them during travel.
Any tips for posters and prints? Transport posters in a mailing tube to avoid creases; small prints can be carried flat between clothing in hand luggage.
