Krakow is a city where almost every frame can be special — from the monumental Wawel to a tucked-away gate on Kanonicza Street. Before you head out with a camera or phone, think: do you want a classic skyline shot, an industrial vibe, or natural landscapes outside the city? That choice will make planning your route easier and help you avoid crowds.
This article gives a practical TOP 10 of places that regularly appear on Instagram and TikTok, plus a full set of tips — how to get there, where to park safely (including P+R), which spots are stroller-friendly and which Ojcow trails are better planned without a stroller. I write this as a friendly guide — I want your trip to be simple and enjoyable. — Małgorzata Kasprowicz.
Note: I mention specific venue names and parking options that I checked using Polish online materials; at the end you'll find an FAQ with practical tips.
1) Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) and Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) – a must. Benefits: central location and iconic backdrops (St. Mary’s Church, the Cloth Hall). Tip: shoot at sunrise or in the evening when light is soft and crowds are smaller.
2) Wawel and the Vistula Boulevards – castle panoramas with the river in the background. Sunset shots work especially well. A walk along the Vistula yields many lifestyle-style frames.
3) Kazimierz – atmospheric streets, courtyards and murals. Szeroka Street, Nowy Square and the side alleys offer looks from retro to hipster.
4) Zakrzówek – turquoise rocks and water; outdoorsy, ‘vacation’ frames close to the center. On good days it’s a very popular spot for shoots.
5) Kanonicza Street and the area around Wawel – one of the most photogenic lanes in the city: cobblestones, historic townhouses, and early-morning calm.
6) Vistula Boulevards and the Bernatka Footbridge – great for city panoramas and water reflections; evening lighting adds atmosphere.
7) Kościuszko Mound / Krakus Mound – viewpoints with a panorama of the whole city. ‘From above’ shots perform very well with viewers.
8) Hidden courtyards and cafés – interiors and façades of cafés (e.g., Massolit, Camelot) are ready-made lifestyle backdrops; it’s worth popping in for coffee and a few frames.
9) Zabłocie and Zabłocie street art – industrial character, murals and modern spaces are ideal for more ‘city’ sessions.
10) Ojców National Park (Maczuga Herkulesa, Pieskowa Skała Castle, Kraków Gate) – if you’re after nature and rock formations, go outside the city; the Maczuga is one of the most recognizable motifs near Krakow.
Best light: the golden hour (just after sunrise and just before sunset). If you want to avoid crowds in the Market Square or on Kanonicza, go before 8:00 a.m. or after 6:00 p.m. (especially in the high season).
Weather: for outdoor shoots at Zakrzówek and in Ojców choose a day without rain — slippery limestone rocks and mud make tripods and walking in city shoes difficult.
Gear: for mobile photography bring a powerbank, a light tripod/gimbal for TikTok, and a small kit with wipes and a waterproof phone cover. Be careful when shooting near water or on rocky paths.
Old Town: the Planty park and certain stretches of the Vistula boulevards are the most pleasant stroller routes — paths are even, and there are more benches and rest spots. Cobblestone streets (Floriańska, Kanonicza, parts of the Market Square) can be uneven and require caution.
Cafés and toilets: many cafés in the center have thresholds or narrow entrances — if comfort is important, choose places with clearly accessible entrances (some Massolit and Camelot locations offer easier access).
Ojców National Park: some trails (for example the green trail through Ciemna Cave) are not suitable for strollers — they are stony and steep. The center of Ojców near the castle has asphalt sections that can be managed with a stroller, but for longer routes consider taking a baby carrier or sling for the smallest children.
Public transport: many trams and buses have low floors on numerous lines, but not all stops and vehicles are fully step-free. Check timetables and vehicle types before you travel, and when in doubt choose connections with easier boarding points.
Old Town (don’t panic): direct driving into the Market is restricted by traffic zones — it’s better to use reliable garages: the underground garage at Plac Szczepański, Galeria Krakowska (large multi-level parking, about a 10–12 minute walk to the Market), or street parking along the Planty on the Pawia/Westerplatte side.
P+R and quick solutions: if you’re arriving by car from farther away, consider Park & Ride (P+R) — for example Czerwone Maki or Mały Płaszów. On P+R you buy a parking ticket and often get public transport travel included for a set period (convenient and cheaper than driving around the center).
Parking in Ojców: there are paid parking spots near the castle ruins and in the center of Ojców — on busy weekends parking fills up quickly, so arrive earlier. Visitor reports note paid parking (e.g., by the castle) and that nearby restaurants are a convenient option for a longer stop after a walk.
Massolit (bookstore + café) — a cozy place for coffee and cake, known for its atmosphere and convenient central location; a good stop for a break and photogenic interior shots.
Camelot Cafe (ul. Św. Tomasza) — an atmospheric café with distinctive décor — ideal for interior photos and a quick cappuccino between frames.
In Ojców: Niezapominajka and Pstrąg Ojcowski are often recommended after a walk — good spots for lunch after visiting the park. Remember weekends can be busy, so consider booking or arriving earlier.
For sweet tooths in Kazimierz: stalls and small bars around Nowy Square offer quick local snacks, perfect when you want to get back to shooting fast.
Do I need permission to take photos in the center? - Amateur photos and travel stories generally don’t require permits. Commercial shoots (with large equipment, tripods, or in paid locations) may require the consent of the site manager — if you plan a big set, check the rules in advance.
Can you see these places in one day? - You can visit several ‘classics’ in one day (Wawel, the Market, Kazimierz and the boulevards), but if you want to add Zakrzówek and Ojców National Park, it’s better to spread it over two days or shorten your list.
How to avoid crowds in photos? - Early morning and late afternoon are the best times; outside high season (early spring, late autumn) it’s also much quieter.
Are the trails in Ojców safe with a small child? - Many trails are beautiful, but not all are stroller-friendly. For more difficult routes bring a carrier/sling, comfortable shoes and plan shorter sections.
Short checklist before you go: powerbank, water, wet wipes, a lightweight rain poncho, an offline map / public transport app, and some cash for small parking fees and local kiosks.
Safety: in crowded places keep your phone secure and don’t leave camera gear unattended. On steep sections in Ojców watch children and pets carefully.
Transport: if you park on a P+R, remember your parking ticket — it often includes public transport travel for a set time. If you drive into the center, watch for restricted traffic signs and park only in designated spots.
Use natural frames (gates, doors, bridges) to compose your shot and give it depth. Often a small side-step is enough to avoid crowds in the background.
Movement and life: add an element of motion — pedestrians, a cyclist, or flowing river — this brings content to life on TikTok and Instagram.
Experiment with perspective: low angles on cobbled streets emphasize ground texture, while higher viewpoints (mounds, boulevards) show a city panorama that always resonates with viewers.
