Krakow is a city where history meets greenery, modern life and atmospheric cafés — so everyone can find the perfect spot for a photo or short clip. This guide collects 10 places that appear most often on Instagram and TikTok and, above all, tells you when to visit, how to get tickets and where to eat after a shoot. Our tone is practical and friendly — we want you to have a great time in Krakow and come home with beautiful shots.
You will find short descriptions of each place, practical tips (transport, tickets, best time windows), shot ideas and a small FAQ — everything to help you plan a photo day in the city with ease.
We don’t mention competing guides — this post was prepared especially for visitors to Krakow by guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
1) Main Market Square + Rynek Underground — Krakow’s icon: the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church towers, crowds and architecture, and beneath it an interactive museum under the square. Great for classic tower shots and unusual underground frames.
2) Wawel and the Vistula boulevards — the castle, cathedral and riverside corners with views over the river; excellent at sunrise and sunset.
3) Kazimierz (Szeroka Street, Plac Nowy, cobbled lanes) — colorful murals, cozy cafés and nightlife; lamp-lit portraits and old tenement facades are always on trend.
4) Kościuszko Mound — one of the best viewpoints over Krakow; sunrises and sunsets give spectacular colors.
5) Zakrzówek — a flooded quarry with intensely turquoise water and steep cliffs; a wilder spot, perfect for summer frames (observe safety rules).
6) Planty and the green alleys around the Old Town — ideal for autumn shots, portraits and photos that contrast nature with monuments.
7) Sikornik clearing and the area around Wolski Forest — picnic-friendly with wide panoramas, especially nice outside the main tourist season.
8) Bridges and Vistula boulevards (for example near Forum Przestrzenie) — industrial backgrounds, waterside shots and cafés by the river.
9) Nowa Huta (Aleja Róż, Central Square) — raw PRL architecture, geometric frames and intriguing perspectives.
10) Colorful steps, murals and lesser-known nooks across the city — perfect if you want original shots off the beaten path.
Main Market Square and Rynek Underground - what to do: a classic frame with the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s towers works in any light; come early (around 6:30–8:30) to avoid the crowds. The underground museum offers moody, unusual photos — book tickets in advance, as entries can be limited, especially in season.
Wawel and the boulevards - what to do: capture the illuminated castle in the evening; from the Vistula boulevards you can take wide panoramas and shots with bridges in the background. Try low-angle shots from the cobbled riverbanks or classic portraits with the castle hill behind you.
Kazimierz - what to do: Szeroka, Plac Nowy and Józefa Street are full of cozy cafés, street lamps and murals. Use a wide-angle lens for street scenes and a 50 mm for portraits in warm café light. Plac Nowy comes alive in the evening — use neon signs and warm interior lights.
Kościuszko Mound - what to do: the top offers 360° panoramas — bring a warm layer because it can be windy. To catch the Tatra mountains in the background, choose a clear day and shoot in the early morning or late afternoon.
Zakrzówek - what to do: the vibrant water and rock faces create cinematic shots. Respect signs and safety rules — don’t enter areas that are closed. Best light is soft — morning or the golden hour.
Planty and green alleys - what to do: perfect for portraits, detail shots (benches, fountains) and autumn leaf photos; Planty are long, so plan a route and make the most of different ‘stops’.
Sikornik clearing and Wolski Forest - what to do: good for picnic-style shots, group photos and wide city panoramas framed by greenery.
Bridges and Vistula boulevards - what to do: the raw backdrop of bridges and the industrial vibe suit styled shoots and short videos. After shooting, stop by Forum Przestrzenie for coffee or a drink.
Nowa Huta - what to do: look for geometric compositions, wide avenues and soc-real details; it’s a great contrast to the historic center.
Colorful steps and murals - what to do: check local mural maps or ask at a café — street art changes fast, so capture murals while they’re fresh.
When and how to go: choose morning for quiet and better air quality, or late afternoon for sunset. It’s often windy at the top, so bring a windbreaker.
Getting there: take public transport (check current bus numbers in the MPK app), park nearby or walk from the Błonia. In season, parking can be scarce, so allow extra time.
Tickets and access: access to the mound is sometimes ticketed — buy tickets in advance when possible to avoid queues. Check for free-admission days tied to local holidays and anniversaries.
Photographic tip: a 360° panorama is a classic — use a wide lens or your phone’s panorama mode. Twilight shots with the city lights on look spectacular.
Rynek Underground is a modern museum beneath the Main Market Square with archaeological displays and reconstructions of medieval Krakow — a great alternative to aerial photos for something different in your feed.
Tickets and reservations: during the season and at weekends entries can be limited — reserve online or arrive early to buy a ticket at the box office. Allow 45–90 minutes for the exhibition.
What to photograph: the museum interiors offer dramatic light and interesting perspectives; archaeological details are great for macro shots, and wide frames highlight the underground architecture.
Old Town and Market: Charlotte (breakfast, baked goods, atmospheric bread and café vibes) — great for food photos with a market background.
Kazimierz: Mleczarnia or Singer (bohemian-style cafés) — perfect for a break between shoots and interior shots with lamps and vintage furniture.
Vistula boulevards: Forum Przestrzenie (drinks and a view of the river) — a relaxed place after a riverside session.
Near Wawel: restaurants like Pod Wawelem (traditional Polish food) — a hearty and fitting end to a day of sightseeing.
Light is everything — shoot during the golden hour (the hour after sunrise and the hour before sunset).
Avoid midday if you want soft light — noon brings harsh contrasts that are harder to edit.
Movement and people — use a short shutter speed to freeze a scene or a longer exposure with a tripod to blur motion and create emptier backgrounds.
Details add character — photograph fragments of cobbles, sculptures, neon signs and cafés to build a cohesive photo series.
Pick 2–3 themes per session: architecture, food, portraits or street art — this will keep your feed consistent.
Respect the privacy of residents and other visitors — don’t photograph people without permission, especially in intimate situations.
Pay attention to prohibition signs — Zakrzówek and some riverside sections may have areas closed for safety or restoration.
Protect your gear — keep equipment close in crowded urban sessions and never leave it unattended.
Do I need tickets for Rynek Underground and Wawel? - Rynek Underground and some exhibitions at Wawel require tickets; in season it’s best to reserve online. The Main Market Square itself is open-access, but churches and museums usually charge admission.
When is it easiest to photograph without crowds? - Early morning between 6:30 and 8:30 is best. Late evening after 21:00 also has fewer tourists and attractive city lighting.
How do I get to Kościuszko Mound? - You can reach it by public transport or by car; in season public transport is recommended and allow time for the walk up.
Is Zakrzówek safe? - Zakrzówek is beautiful but follow safety signs and don’t enter restricted areas. Don’t risk swimming or climbing where there are warnings.
Morning (6:30–9:00): Wawel and the boulevards — golden hour and quieter spots, quick breakfast at Charlotte or a local café.
Late morning (9:30–12:30): Main Market Square and Rynek Underground — book a slot for the underground and visit the Cloth Hall.
Afternoon (13:00–16:30): Kazimierz — lunch, Szeroka Street and Plac Nowy, murals and cafés.
Evening (17:00–20:00): Kościuszko Mound or Sikornik clearing — sunset and city panorama. Alternative: Vistula boulevards and a drink at Forum Przestrzenie.
Night (optional): Walk the Planty or take night shots on the Market — the city feels different after dark.
What to bring: power bank, extra memory card, small tripod (or phone grip), light wind jacket, water bottle.
Check: the weather forecast, museum opening hours and ticket booking options online.
Plan breaks: even the best session needs a coffee and local treats — Krakow has excellent cafés in every neighborhood you’ll visit.
