Did you know that walking Kraków’s streets you can see places that have shaped Poland’s history for centuries? Below is a condensed list of the 10 most popular attractions — perfect for a first-day itinerary.
1. Wawel (Royal Castle and Cathedral) - the heart of historic Kraków, with royal chambers and national memorials.
2. Main Market Square and Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - the city’s center with beautiful architecture, St. Mary’s Church and craft stalls.
3. St. Mary’s Church - famous for Wit Stwosz’s altarpiece and the bugle call (hejnał) from the tower.
4. Kazimierz - the historic Jewish quarter with atmospheric streets, synagogues and a lively food scene.
5. Kościuszko Mound - a viewpoint with history and a museum at the nearby fort.
6. Oskar Schindler’s Factory - a museum presenting life in Kraków during World War II.
7. Museums: National Museum, Cloth Hall Museum, MOCAK - choose depending on your interests.
8. Wieliczka Salt Mine - close to Kraków, a famous underground route (plan a full day if you go).
9. Planty Park and Floriańska Street - a pleasant walk that connects important monuments.
10. Ojców National Park and the Kraków-Częstochowa Upland - for a trip outside the city if you have time.
Kościuszko Mound is a place full of history and one of the best viewpoints over the city. For many visitors it’s a welcome break from the crowded center and a great spot for sunset photos.
Entrance to the Mound is paid; tickets are purchased at the on-site ticket office. As of 2025 a regular ticket was around 28 zł. Ticket revenue supports the mound’s maintenance and exhibitions.
Opening hours can vary by season; generally the mound is open from the morning (about 9:00) until late afternoon or early evening in high season. It’s best to check hours on the day you plan to visit. Last admission and exhibition visits may have time limits, so plan accordingly.
Important rules: for safety reasons animals are not allowed on Kościuszko Mound. The Kościuszko Museum and an educational route operate at the site, so allow an extra 30–60 minutes if you want to see the displays.
A small surprise: the mound was built as a memorial with symbolic meaning — its upkeep is partly funded by ticket income, and a few days a year the site offers free admission (for example on days devoted to Tadeusz Kościuszko’s memory).
Wawel is a complex of several sites: the castle with representative chambers and exhibitions, and Wawel Cathedral with chapels and tombs of historic figures. Each part may have separate opening hours and entry rules.
The Cathedral is sometimes partially accessible within a general visit, but certain areas and displays (for example the bell tower, specific tombs and the Cathedral Museum) can be paid or have restricted access. Seasonally, opening hours are usually extended in spring and summer; outside the high season some rooms and exhibitions close earlier.
Practical tip: Wawel gets very busy in the afternoons and at weekends. To avoid queues, come early just after opening or reserve timed tickets for paid routes. Allow 2–3 hours to comfortably see the main highlights.
Kraków offers many attractions you can enjoy for free: strolling the Main Market Square and the Planty, wandering through Kazimierz, admiring historic facades and the Vistula panorama are great low-cost options.
Wawel Cathedral — depending on the day and services, parts of the interior may be accessible free of charge; however special exhibitions and specific entries are usually paid. Check current rules before you go.
Other free ideas: walk along the Vistula boulevards, visit the Heroes of the Ghetto square and the heart of Kazimierz, climb some of the city’s mounds and viewpoints, and look for museum free days when selected museums open free of charge.
Kraków is compact and well connected by trams and buses. Most sights are concentrated in the Old Town, on Wawel Hill and in Kazimierz — all easily reachable on foot or by a short tram ride.
If you plan to visit Kościuszko Mound, remember it lies in a different part of the city and a tram or bus ride can take from several minutes up to half an hour depending on your starting point. There is a ticket office at the entrance and card payments are accepted on site.
Consider buying single public transport tickets or a day pass if you plan multiple tram or bus trips. City bikes and electric scooters can be convenient for short distances, but be careful on cobbled streets and watch traffic.
Kraków has a rich food scene: from traditional Polish cuisine to vegetarian and modern restaurants. In the Old Town and Kazimierz you’ll find many highly rated places; it’s wise to choose venues with good reviews and to reserve tables on weekends.
Some often-recommended spots (check current reviews before visiting): Cafe Camelot — a cozy café on the Old Town; Charlotte — a bakery and café great for breakfast; Starka — traditional flavors in the heart of Kazimierz; Pod Aniołami — a restaurant with classic Polish dishes on a representative street. For fine dining, look for top-rated restaurants on local review platforms.
When choosing accommodation, pick a location that suits your sightseeing plan: Old Town or Kazimierz for walking tours, or areas near Dworzec or Grzegórzki for quicker public transport links. Hostels, apartments and boutique hotels are widely available at all price levels.
Kościuszko Mound is more than just a mound — it includes a museum, a fort and an educational route, and ticket income is used for its upkeep.
Many visitors don’t realize the city has days and venues with free admission to selected museums or exhibitions; if your schedule is flexible you can save a lot by planning around those dates.
Photographers will appreciate different perspectives of Kraków: Wawel and Kościuszko Mound offer distinct panoramas — from the mound you’ll see the city slightly from the side, while from Wawel’s terraces you can capture rooflines and towers.
Planning only an afternoon visit to Wawel and Kościuszko Mound often means facing crowds and limited opening hours. Solution: come early and schedule visits according to each site’s opening times.
Assuming everything inside Wawel Cathedral is free — that’s not always true. Some exhibitions and entries to special spaces require a ticket. Check what’s included before visiting.
Buying last-minute tickets in peak season may mean long queues or sold-out slots on popular routes. If you want to see special exhibitions at the Castle, book tickets in advance.
Is Kościuszko Mound open year-round? Hours can be seasonal; it’s generally open during morning and afternoon hours, but check the current opening times on the day you plan to visit.
Is entry to Wawel free? Not all parts of Wawel are free. The Cathedral and some spaces have different access rules; special exhibitions and entries usually require a ticket.
How long does it take to tour Wawel? Plan 2–3 hours for the main routes and the Cathedral; if you want to see several exhibitions, you may spend a full day.
If this guide helped you plan a trip to Kraków, share it with friends or on social media — you’ll help others see the city more smartly and enjoyably.
If you prefer guided visits and would like a personalized route, consider a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) — details and contact information are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. A private tour lets you discover Kraków from a local perspective, learn little-known stories and save time on logistics.
Good luck discovering Kraków — enjoy your sightseeing and delicious food!
