Wawel is a classic — its silhouette above the Vistula gives an instantly recognisable frame, and the evening illumination can lend photos a monumental feel. The Floriańska Gate is over 34 metres tall and together with the nearby Barbican they create a great backdrop for portraits and urban shots. If you want to leave Krakow with truly iconic images, it’s worth starting here. Let me guide you further — step by step through locations, times of day and practical tips.
1. Floriańska Gate and the Barbican — historic textures, brick and symmetry. Perfect for moody portraits and architectural images.
2. Floriańska Street and the Planty — the perspective of the cobbled street, the natural frame of the Planty greenery and great light in the morning or evening.
3. Kanonicza Street and the Alley of the Unfaithful Thomas — narrow, atmospheric lanes, café interiors and classic townhouses that give styled, old‑world frames.
4. Mały Rynek and the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) — pastel façades and architectural details, ideal for details and urban portraits.
5. Kazimierz (Józefa Street, Wolnica Square) — murals, signs and café patios; this is where colourful, street‑style photos are born.
6. Father Bernatek Footbridge (Kładka Ojca Bernatka) and the Vistula boulevards — river panoramas, reflections in the water and warm sunset light.
7. Zakrzówek — turquoise water and rocky shores create a setting very different from the city centre; great for nature shots and outdoor portraits.
8. Viewing mounds — Kościuszko Mound and Krakus Mound offer city panoramas at sunrise and sunset.
9. Zabłocie and the MOCAK area — industrial backdrops, street art and modern frames with the contrast of brick and glass.
10. Hidden gardens and courtyards of the Old Town — small, quiet spots with intimate light, perfect when you want to avoid crowds.
If your time is limited, pick 4–5 spots from different categories: a historic landmark, a panorama, a waterside location and an atmospheric neighbourhood — that way you’ll build a varied photo portfolio.
Best times: very early morning (before 9:00) and the golden hour before sunset. Weekends and high season are busy — if you can, plan shoots on weekdays or arrive earlier than most tourists.
For night photography choose well-lit spots: Wawel, the Planty, the Barbican and the Vistula boulevards. Remember: long exposures and a tripod will help you achieve smooth water and dramatic reflections, but in the busy centre be considerate — don’t block walkways and respect public space.
When planning, mind the light direction: some streets, like Floriańska, look better in the soft light of morning or evening than in harsh midday sun.
Light telephoto and wide‑angle lenses work well in the city — wide for panoramas, vertical frames for social media, tele for details. A tripod is handy for night shots and long exposures, but in crowded places set it up off the pavement.
Look for leading lines (cobblestones, edges of the Planty), symmetry (gates, entrances) and contrasts (old vs new, nature vs concrete). Use reflections in puddles or on the Vistula boulevards and experiment with perspective — often changing the camera height adds dynamic energy to a shot.
Also: carry spare batteries and memory cards, a polarising filter for bright sun and soft backgrounds for portraits (for example café interiors on Kanonicza Street).
After a shoot it’s great to have a good coffee and a tasty meal — recommended places that combine atmosphere with good food include Pod Baranem (traditional Polish cuisine, ideal after a long day), Hawełka (a historic spot with character), Cafe Camelot (iconic interior on Kanonicza) and Forum Przestrzenie — if you want a relaxed place with a view.
In Kazimierz you’ll find many atmospheric cafés and patios — Hamsa is an example where the food can be as photogenic as the surroundings. When possible, choose well‑reviewed places, reserve a table on weekends and ask staff for the best seats by windows or on terraces for photos.
If you’re staying overnight — pick a well‑rated hotel or guesthouse near the Old Town or Kazimierz to make early morning sessions easier to reach.
Idea: combine a photographic day in Krakow with a short bike trip near the Tatras. This is a good mix for people who like both sights and nature and enjoy active travel.
Day 1 (Krakow): morning shots in the Planty and near Floriańska Gate, a quick espresso, an afternoon session in Kazimierz, and sunset on Bernatek Footbridge or Kościuszko Mound. In the evening travel to Zakopane (by car or bus) — overnight and a short stroll along Krupówki.
Day 2 (biking around Zakopane): choose a route that matches your fitness. Suggestions: gentler paved and gravel routes through Kościelisko and the Chochołowska Valley or a more scenic loop via Gubałówka, Harenda and nearby hamlets with Tatra views. Check route difficulty, elevation and current weather before heading out.
After returning: dinner in Zakopane or travel back to Krakow in the evening. Riding a bike from Krakow to Zakopane in one go is an option for advanced cyclists — the route is over 120 km and requires good fitness and planned breaks.
Around Zakopane you’ll find both easier paved and comfortable gravel sections and more mountainous, demanding trails with significant climbs. Popular choices include routes to the Chochołowska Valley, loops via Gubałówka and Harenda, and shorter stretches toward Bukowina or Biały Dunajec.
Before you go, check local information about routes, distances and difficulty; official tourism services and bike platforms list estimated ride times and elevation changes. Match the route to your level, bring water, tools and layers — mountain weather can change quickly.
Remember not all forest roads are legal for biking — some areas have restrictions, and in national parks bike routes are designated and regulated. Respect nature and signage.
Use marked routes and follow the rules — in the city watch for pedestrians, and on mountain sections pay attention to surface conditions and the weather. If you plan to ride off marked tracks, check whether cycling is allowed in that area.
In Krakow check local drone rules and restrictions before flying — there are limits in the city centre for safety reasons. In Zakopane and nearby protected areas learn the rules for parks and nature reserves in advance.
Arrange insurance for your equipment and consider travel or activity insurance for outdoor pursuits, especially if you plan more demanding mountain rides.
1. Assuming you’ll always find free parking in the centre — plan ahead and consider public transport or external parking.
2. Blocking walkways or setting up on private property without permission — respect public spaces and other people.
3. Not carrying spare batteries and memory cards — always have at least one backup battery and card, especially for combined city + mountain trips.
4. Ignoring the mountain weather forecast — in the Tatras conditions can change very quickly; check forecasts and adapt your route.
5. Riding bikes on prohibited forest paths — this can lead to fines and harm the environment.
Can I use a professional camera in Krakow’s Old Town? Yes — generally you can, but for commercial shoots or when using a tripod it’s best to check rules and possibly get permission from property owners. Avoid blocking walkways.
Where is the nearest parking to Floriańska Gate? The most convenient options are underground parking at Galeria Krakowska or paid spots along Basztowa and Worcella streets; the city centre uses a paid parking zone.
Is the Krakow–Zakopane bike route realistic in one day? For advanced cyclists yes — it’s over 120 km with notable climbs. For most people it’s better to travel to Zakopane by transport and do local bike routes.
How do I avoid crowds on the Main Square? Arrive very early in the morning (before 9:00) or choose weekdays outside the high season.
Look for hidden courtyards and passages — often just behind the busiest streets you’ll find small gardens with soft light and intimate frames. City mounds are not only for panoramas — try low‑angle shots with silhouettes of walkers against the skyline.
In Kazimierz pay attention to shop signs and café details — they often provide colourful accents for street photography. If you’re planning a bike trip to the Tatras, bring a compact camera or a phone with good stabilization — a quick roadside shot can be worth more than a long setup.
If you want photos without tourists inside cafés, consider booking early and ask staff if you can arrive before opening time — many places are happy to help guests doing shoots.
If this article was helpful — share it with friends or on social media so others can discover Krakow’s photographic side. If you’d like to explore Krakow with a guide who knows the best photo routes, I recommend booking a private walk with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — contact information is available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com and she will gladly help plan a route tailored to your needs and equipment.
Good luck photographing Krakow and safe rides in the Tatras — if you want, I can help refine a detailed photo plan or a 2‑day bike itinerary tailored to your level and preferences.
