If you plan to photograph Kraków’s monuments and prefer not to run between spots, a 5-day melex trip is a great idea. This guide will walk you through the top 10 places worth photographing, explain why the Church of St. Catherine and St. Margaret deserves special attention, and give practical advice on how to plan your route, when to arrive and what to avoid.
The Church of St. Catherine of Alexandria and St. Margaret (Augustiańska Street 7) stands out with its slender, soaring form and rich stone details. With monastic cloisters, the late-Renaissance tomb of Spytek Jordan and cloister paintings, the site works beautifully both in wide shots and in close architectural details.
For the 5-day melex plan I organized the route so each day has its own mood: one day for the Old Town and Wawel, one for Kazimierz (with the Church of St. Catherine and St. Margaret as the highlight), one for Podgórze, one for the Planty and side streets, and one relaxed day for details, cafés and the best sunsets.
1. Church of St. Catherine and St. Margaret (Kazimierz, Augustiańska Street) — Gothic volume, rich portal details and peaceful cloisters. The interior holds the late-Renaissance tomb of Spytek Jordan and interesting polychromes; the exterior façades look especially good in the soft morning light.
2. Wawel (Castle and Cathedral) — a classic that belongs in every album. Best frames: the view of the castle from the Vistula Boulevards at sunrise and details of the cathedral and royal chapels.
3. St. Mary’s Basilica (Main Market Square) — early morning or evening, when crowds thin out. Exterior details and Veit Stoss’s altarpiece are must-shoots for lovers of art history.
4. Plac Nowy and Szeroka Street (Kazimierz) — authentic atmosphere, colorful tenement houses, cafés and the famous zapiekanki stalls. Dynamic street scenes and portraits of locals and tourists work great here.
5. Schindler’s Factory and Podgórze (Lipowa Street) — industrial frames and the site’s stories give photos strong narrative potential; Bernatka footbridge lit up at night is an attractive addition.
6. Planty and St. Florian’s Gate — the city’s green ring with pleasant alleys and old lanterns; ideal for morning and twilight shots.
7. Grodzka Street and the view of Wawel from the historic royal route — long shots with people in motion add dynamism.
8. Skałka and the Pauline monastery (near the Church of St. Catherine) — intimate corners whose architectural details often escape the average tourist’s eye.
9. Bernatka footbridge and the Vistula Boulevards — modern lines and reflections in the Vistula, especially picturesque at sunset.
10. Kazimierz’s little chapels and alleys — details: doors, lamps, tiles and graffiti; this is where photos gain an individual character and atmosphere.
Day 1 — Old Town and Wawel: start at sunrise on the Vistula Boulevards (Wawel), then head to the Main Market Square (St. Mary’s Basilica) and finish at dusk near St. Florian’s Gate. A melex will comfortably take you between points.
Day 2 — Kazimierz (main part): a full day for the Church of St. Catherine and St. Margaret, the cloisters, Szeroka Street, Plac Nowy and hidden corners. In the morning focus on façades and details, in the afternoon on street life, and in the evening on local pubs and street light.
Day 3 — Podgórze and Schindler’s Factory: industrial frames during the day, Bernatka footbridge and the Vistula Boulevards in the evening. This day balances history with contemporary architecture.
Day 4 — Planty, streets and cafés: a walking day focused on details (lanterns, benches, trees), breaks in cafés for lifestyle shots and portraits. I also recommend searching for hidden courtyards.
Day 5 — Details and re-takes: use this day for places you want to photograph again in better light, or for café pictures, portraits and final sunsets on the Boulevards.
Bring a versatile zoom (24–70 mm) and a bright prime lens (35 mm or 50 mm) for portraits and details. A tripod will be useful for night shots and long exposures along the Vistula; remember that in some churches tripod use requires permission.
Best light: the golden hour (just after sunrise and before sunset) and soft light on overcast days. Photograph church interiors with higher ISO and a wide aperture, but watch for blown highlights near windows.
Architecture shots: use a smaller aperture (f/8–f/11) for maximum sharpness and avoid perspective distortion — if you shoot close, correct perspective in post or use a tilt-shift lens if available.
Quick street shots: keep your camera ready, use shutter priority at 1/200–1/400s for sharp frames of people in motion.
Inside places of worship: respect people praying — avoid flash, don’t position a tripod in passageways and don’t block views for others.
The church’s foundation dates back to the Middle Ages; it was established when the Augustinians were brought to Kazimierz. Construction began in the 14th century and the building has been transformed and restored many times over the centuries.
Photograph the interior for the tomb of Spytek Jordan and the late-Gothic vaulting of the chancel; the monastery cloisters hide fragments of Gothic wall paintings, a rare find.
The church and monastery are active places of worship — check opening hours and Mass times before entering. During the tourist season some areas may have restricted access; the best times to photograph the exterior are morning and late afternoon.
Kazimierz is full of great cafés and restaurants. For a quick local bite try the zapiekanki stalls on Plac Nowy. For longer meals and a cozy atmosphere explore the restaurants and cafés around Szeroka Street and Augustiańska Street.
Look for cafés near the Market and in Kazimierz that offer specialty coffee and homemade cakes — these are ideal for a photographic break and people-centered shots.
If you plan an evening out, choose a restaurant with a view of the Vistula or a cozy interior in Kazimierz — booking for weekend evenings is a good idea.
Trying to take “a hundred shots” in one day. Quality beats quantity — choose a few places and spend time with them.
Ignoring opening hours of churches and rules against flash photography inside. Check local information and consider visiting outside Mass times.
Setting up a tripod in passageways or cloisters without asking — respect space and other visitors.
Photographing without thinking about composition — stop, study the light, try different frames and heights.
Do you need to buy tickets for the Church of St. Catherine? Many churches are open to visitors, but some parts (for example cloisters or exhibitions) may have an entrance fee or limitations. Check local information before visiting.
Will a melex reach everywhere? Melex vehicles serve main tourist routes and some narrow streets, but pedestrian zones and the strict city centre may have restrictions. Plan for short walks between points.
Can you photograph inside churches? Usually yes, but without flash and without a tripod unless you have permission. During services limit photography out of respect for worship.
A legend about a 'curse' tied to old royal disputes circles around the Church of St. Catherine — it’s an intriguing historical thread that adds drama to the place.
The monastery cloisters with fragments of Gothic paintings are a rarity in the city and make excellent backdrops for architectural details and portraits capturing the spirit of old Kazimierz.
If you liked this plan — share the article with friends or on social media. Share your photos using a hashtag that matches your style. If you’d like to explore Kraków with a personal story and an individual approach, consider booking a private guided experience with Małgorzata Kasprowicz from zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — contact details are available on the guide’s site.
Good luck with your photos! Kraków is a city where every corner can become a beautiful picture — just take a little extra time to look.
