Krakow is a city that almost takes its own photos — colorful townhouses, medieval lanes, rivers and mounds provide countless frames for both beginner and advanced creators. Below you’ll find a list of 10 places truly worth visiting, with practical tips: when to come, what to bring and where to stop for a good coffee or snack along the way.
The list is based on local guides, city information and my experience working with visitors — all descriptions are in my own words and include practical advice useful when planning a photoshoot or a short walk. There is also a chapter with hours and tips for the Market Underground and Wawel Royal Castle. Let me guide you step by step!
Why it’s worth it: This is the heart of the city and a classic — colorful tenement houses, the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Basilica and the unique paving create an instantly recognizable backdrop. Early morning light and the golden hour before sunset give the best results.
Photography tips: Come early (around 6:30–9:00) — you’ll avoid crowds and get soft light. Shoot straight-on views of the Cloth Hall, façade details and some street photography with café guests.
Where to eat: Charlotte (breakfast and bakery), Café Camelot (atmospheric interior), Wierzynek (tradition, for an elegant interior shot).
Why it’s worth it: The Royal Castle and Cathedral are a must — monumental façades, courtyards and views over the Vistula. The boulevards provide perspectives of the city skyline, bridges and boats on the river.
Photography tips: Best shots come from the riverside boulevards at or just before sunset. Climb Kopiec Wandy or other viewpoints for a wider panorama if you have time.
Practical note: Wawel is a complex site — different exhibitions have different opening times and ticket rules (details below).
Why it’s worth it: Kazimierz captures Krakow’s bohemian spirit — murals, cobbled streets, cozy cafés and bar neon signs. Plac Nowy is great for street‑food shots (zapiekanki, food trucks) and dynamic photos.
Photography tips: Choose afternoon and evening — then restaurants light up the streets and murals gain contrast. Józefa Street offers many colorful backgrounds.
Where to eat: Hamsa (Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine), Plac Nowy 1 (popular spot for snacks and burgers).
Why it’s worth it: Turquoise water and raw rocks create a frame that looks like an exotic shore — one of the most "wow" places in the city, especially on a sunny day.
Safety and photography tips: Zakrzówek gets crowded in season — plan outside weekends. Be careful at cliff edges; don’t go into prohibited areas. Bring a polarizing filter for photos — it deepens the water color.
How to get there: Good public transport connections — check local bus and tram lines.
Why it’s worth it: The footbridge with locks creates an interesting backdrop — especially photogenic at sunset when the bridge lighting comes on. The boulevards offer pleasant frames with benches, greenery and the Vistula in the background.
Photography tips: Look for angled perspectives that show the locks as texture. Evening lights add romantic mood to shots.
Where to grab coffee: Forum Przestrzenie (nearby) — good atmosphere and a view of the river.
Why it’s worth it: Kanonicza is one of the most photogenic streets of the old city — medieval atmosphere, well‑kept façades and calm pedestrian flow. The Florian Gate and Barbican are icons of city architecture — great for both close and distant shots.
Tips: Look for details: ornate doors, coats of arms and lamps. Morning and late afternoon are the best times. The cobbles add texture to photos.
Why it’s worth it: Zabłocie mixes post‑industrial backdrops, modern museums and plenty of street art — ideal for a more alternative aesthetic and black‑and‑white frames.
Photography tips: Use high contrast and industrial elements (wires, pipes, brick). A good spot for fashion or moody portraits. Walk the area to find lesser‑known murals.
Where to eat: The neighborhood has several trendy cafés and small restaurants — a perfect lunch stop after a session.
Why it’s worth it: The green ring around the Old Town offers natural backdrops, paths, small bridges and benches — great for lifestyle and family shots.
Tips: Planty looks best in spring and autumn — warm leaf colors and soft light. Ideal for photos with a dog, stroller or romantic sunset frames.
Why it’s worth it: The mounds offer panoramas of the whole city — perfect for wide shots that capture Krakow’s urban context.
Logistics tips: The climb requires a short walk — bring comfortable shoes. The most beautiful shots are at sunrise or sunset when soft glow and long shadows appear.
Why it’s worth it: Often it’s the small details — ornate doors, tiles, staircases and café interiors — that make the best "lifestyle" photos. Krakow is full of these little treats, so don’t limit yourself to the biggest attractions.
Suggestion: Drop into Massolit Books & Café (if you like books and atmospheric interiors) or local bakeries for croissants and coffee — a shot with coffee and a book always works.
In short: The Market Underground is one of the most interesting attractions — a museum exhibition located several meters below the Main Square, accessible from the Cloth Hall area. It presents Krakow’s archaeological and urban history in an attractive scenography.
Opening hours and special days: The museum usually operates daily, and Tuesdays can have limited hours or free‑entry days — there are also occasional conservation works that shorten opening hours (it’s worth checking before your visit).
Duration and tickets: Allow at least 1–2 hours for a visit; in season and on weekends buy tickets in advance to avoid queues. For budget visitors: there are occasional free‑admission days (dates vary seasonally).
Entrance: The entrance to the Underground is around the Cloth Hall (from the St. Mary’s Basilica side) — look for signs and the visitor service point.
Important: Hours and rules change for holidays and city events — check official information before you go.
The complex: Wawel is not only the castle exterior — it consists of many separate exhibitions and spaces (state rooms, lapidarium, underground routes, the Cathedral), and each exhibition can have different opening hours and separate tickets.
Typical hours: In practice the usual window is an early opening (around 9:00) and closing in the early afternoon or evening (hours differ by exhibition; on Mondays some routes may have shorter hours than Tuesday–Sunday).
Last admission: Remember that "last admission" is the time when visitors are still allowed to enter — plan with a margin, because interiors take time and ticket lines can be long.
Practical tip: If you want to see both the castle rooms and the Cathedral (with the crypts), plan half a day for Wawel; if you’re short on time — pick the most important exhibition and book tickets online if possible.
Equipment: A phone is enough for most frames, but if you have a camera bring a versatile lens (24–70 mm) and a tripod for twilight shots. A polarizing filter is useful by water (Zakrzówek, the boulevards).
Time: Best light — the golden hour at sunrise and before sunset. At midday look for shade (streets, arcades) or strong‑contrast compositions.
Safety and responsibility: Be careful on approaches at Zakrzówek, stay on marked paths. In crowded places keep your phone close and don’t block walkways to avoid disturbing locals. Drones: drone use is regulated — check rules before flying and remember the historic center may have restrictions.
Etiquette: In churches and sacred spaces keep silence and dress appropriately; at Wawel and in the Underground keep in mind these are museum areas — not all exhibitions allow photography.
Breakfast / café: Charlotte (Main Square) — fresh bakery and city atmosphere; Massolit Books & Café — for book lovers and calm coffee.
Lunch / dinner: Wierzynek (Main Square) — historic interior; Hamsa (Kazimierz) — Mediterranean/Middle Eastern cuisine; Forum Przestrzenie (boulevards) — relaxed riverside vibe.
Sweets and takeaways: Local bakeries near the Square and in Kazimierz offer great croissants and cakes — perfect props for flat‑lay shots.
Tip: On weekends and in high season queues can be long — if you have a favorite place, reserve ahead.
Is it worth booking tickets for the Market Underground and Wawel? - Yes, especially in season and on weekends. Online booking helps avoid lines, and some exhibitions have limited entries.
When is the best time to take photos without crowds? - Very early morning (before 9:00) or late afternoon outside peak times. At Zakrzówek and the boulevards avoid weekend afternoons.
Can I take photos inside museums? - It depends on the exhibition. In some rooms photography is allowed without flash; in others it is prohibited. Check rules at the ticket desk or on information boards before entering.
Is visiting with children difficult? - Not at all — many places are family‑friendly, but remember that cobblestones and stairs can make strollers harder to use. At Wawel and in the Underground you should expect stairs.
- Plan logistics: Krakow has great public transport — trams and buses will get you to places outside the center quickly. - Dress comfortably: lots of walking on cobbles means good shoes. - Book popular attractions in advance: Wawel and the Market Underground can be busy. - Be polite: locals and business owners appreciate it when you don’t block passageways and you keep respectful behaviour in sacred and museum spaces. - Experiment: change angles, play with lines and reflections in water — small changes can turn ordinary frames into something special.
I wish you a great visit and many beautiful shots! If you’d like, I can help plan a 2‑hour route of the best Instagram spots tailored to the time of day and your preferences.
