Street art in Kraków today is not only colorful graphics for tourists but also projects produced under the supervision of curators, local organizations and cultural institutions. There are initiatives that document and organise mural routes, dedicated maps and guides appear, and selected works are created as part of larger art programmes — good news if you want to see the most interesting and longer‑lasting pieces.
You’ll find murals mainly in a few established 'zones': Zabłocie and the area around MOCAK (the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków), Podgórze and Lwowska Street, Kazimierz (streets around Plac Nowy and Józefińska) and Nowa Huta, where the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre and nearby tunnels host additional works. It’s worth planning a route, because each of these areas carries its own thematic accents and specific historical and social context.
The easiest way to start is with one of the ready‑made maps or guides to Kraków’s street art — many are available in both print and online. Foundations and local projects prepare themed routes (for example, collections focused on Zabłocie or Nowa Huta), and some cultural institutions publish news about new installations.
If you want a 'premium' walk: bring a map, plan breaks at chosen stops (a café, lunch, a viewpoint), wear comfortable shoes and leave time for photography without rushing. A 3–4 hour route lets you see a curated selection of murals in Zabłocie and the MOCAK area, with a short transfer to Podgórze or Kazimierz; a full day gives you time to reach Nowa Huta.
Zabłocie and the area around MOCAK — large‑format, often curator‑led works and pieces by contemporary artists frequently appear here. It’s a great place to start: the proximity of the museum also gives the option to combine wall art with a gallery visit.
Podgórze and Lwowska Street — mural accents rooted in local context; many works were created as grassroots projects that reference the district’s history.
Kazimierz and Józefińska Street — here you’ll find both small and larger pieces; the neighbourhood blends historic charm with contemporary street art and is full of photogenic corners, especially around Plac Nowy.
Nowa Huta and the area around the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre — a district where street art interacts with socialist‑era architecture; there are large murals and officially designated walls for painting.
Artists known in Poland and abroad have left work on Kraków’s walls — their pieces are often listed in local guides and themed maps. Among creators whose works are frequently cited are M‑City, Blu, Dulk and Mikołaj Rejs; alongside them, local authors and teams produce pieces with strong social or historical grounding.
Projects such as "101 Murals for Kraków" and various local festivals and foundations collaborate with the city and investors so new murals are created thoughtfully and with community consultation — which explains why in some places murals are thematically linked to the neighbourhood’s context.
Start: Zabłocie by MOCAK. Coffee in the museum café to warm up, a quick look at the map and first photos.
Zabłocie: stroll through the former industrial area, photograph large‑scale murals (map points: Zabłocie Street and the area around the former factory).
Walk or tram to Kazimierz: on Józefińska and around Plac Nowy you’ll find more often very photogenic works.
Lunch at a recommended spot nearby — in this part of the city good, highly rated options include local bistros and steakhouses in Kazimierz or a trendy cultural space by the river boulevards.
Afternoon: head to Podgórze/Lwowska and walk the route of murals connected to local history. Optional: travel on to Nowa Huta for a short walk and pass by the Nowa Huta Cultural Centre, where new works often appear.
Finish: if time allows, return to Kazimierz for the evening — the area offers great bars and cafés, perfect for wrapping up the day.
Murals change: some are restored, others are covered by new works or tags. Don’t treat maps as absolute truth — use them as a guide and keep your eyes open.
Don’t block traffic for photos and don’t enter private property. The best shots can usually be taken from the pavement or other safe public areas.
Don’t plan everything at the last minute: if you care about a specific mural, check current information (maps, organisers’ profiles) — some pieces are unveiled during festivals, while others may be temporarily unavailable due to conservation work.
Weather and light matter: the golden hour (shortly after sunrise and just before sunset) gives the best colours, although many murals are designed to work in harsh light too. On very hot days plan a cooling break.
If you want to eat in the Kazimierz and Zabłocie area pick places with good reviews — this part of the city has popular cafés and restaurants that fit the rhythm of a walk: from the MOCAK museum café, through trendy bistros, to places specialising in steaks or international cuisine.
A few suggestions to check before you go: the museum café at MOCAK, the food stalls at Plac Nowy (the Okrąglak) for classic zapiekanki, well‑rated bistros and steakhouses in Kazimierz, and local eateries in Nowa Huta that have received positive feedback. Always check current reviews and reserve a table on weekends.
Many murals are visible from the pavement and don’t require entering private land. However, not all locations are fully accessible for people with limited mobility — check in advance, especially when planning routes through Nowa Huta or former industrial sites.
Photograph respectfully: most artists don’t forbid photos, but remember the context (for example, works commemorating historical events) and avoid gestures that could be seen as disrespectful.
At night some areas (particularly side streets) are less well lit — plan your return or book public transport/taxi if you’re coming back late.
Are murals in Kraków legal? – Many are created legally within municipal, artistic and commercial projects, but there are also spontaneous works. Curated projects and foundations support aesthetic and community‑consulted realisations.
Where can I get an up‑to‑date map? – Several local organisations and foundations publish maps and guides to street art; it’s worth searching for online versions before you go and asking at a local tourist information point.
Can I book a private guided route? – Yes. For a premium experience with a guide who combines city history with local stories and comfortable route organisation, you can contact the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — her contact details are available on the website zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Surprising fact: not all large murals are created solely by artists’ initiative — often they’re the result of collaboration between residents, museums and foundations that want to tell the story of a place on a larger, poster‑like scale.
If you liked this guide — share it with friends or on your social channels. And if you prefer to tour with someone who combines city history with local stories and comfortable route planning, feel free to contact the guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz; her contact details are visible on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
