Kraków is a city of contrasts: the historic tenements of the Old Town, the atmospheric nooks of Kazimierz, the industrial corners of Zabłocie and green, unexpected outdoor scenes like Zakrzówek. This guide focuses on the most "Instagram"- and TikTok-friendly spots — excluding typical museums. You’ll also find practical information about the Wieliczka Salt Mine, discounts and visiting rules, since it often features in photographers’ and creators’ plans. We want you to return from Kraków with great photos and without stress.
If you plan to shoot a series of frames in one day, plan your route to avoid long transfers and remember to book places where necessary. In the text we suggest the best times of day, what to bring and how to avoid crowds.
1. St. Florian's Gate, Floriańska Street and the Planty — classic urban backdrop: brick, cobbles and street perspective. Vertical shots work especially well here, particularly in the morning when light falls low between the buildings.
2. Kanonicza Street and the Alley of the Unfaithful Thomas — narrow, historic lanes with atmosphere, ideal for portraits, styled shoots and short time-lapse clips.
3. Kazimierz (Józefa Street, Wolnica Square) — colorful murals, café windows and an artistic vibe. Here you’ll find more boho backgrounds than formal ones; great for lifestyle and food content.
4. Father Bernatek Footbridge — a bridge that offers a nice view of the Vistula and the city skyline at sunset. The mesh structure with padlocks creates an interesting effect in the frame.
5. Zakrzówek — rocky slopes and turquoise water (an unexpected side of Kraków). Outdoor shots, nature-style sessions and short drone clips (check local drone regulations).
6. View mounds (Krakus Mound, Kościuszko Mound) — city panoramas from above: excellent at sunrise and sunset, especially for wide urban panorama shots.
7. Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) and the Small Market (Mały Rynek) — architectural details, market stalls and lively city atmosphere. Good for dynamic frames and shots with people in the background.
8. The Barbican and the Planty at night — lighting and quiet (after dusk) allow you to get dramatic, uncrowded shots.
9. Zabłocie and industrial corners — modern murals, renovated factories and cafés; ideal if you want a raw, urban look.
10. Hidden courtyards and gardens around the Old Town — small, atmospheric places without crowds, great for portraits and styled sessions.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine offers a different dimension of photospots — underground chambers, salt sculptures and above all St. Kinga’s Chapel, whose interiors make a strong impression on camera. It’s an attraction with long tradition and a unique scenography, excellent for photos and videos with high visual potential.
Wieliczka is not a typical exhibition museum — it’s a historic technical site and mining heritage opened to visitors. The Tourist Route passes through historic workings where salt sculptures and salt architecture create an extraordinary backdrop for shots. Temperatures underground are steady (around 16–18°C), so keep that in mind when choosing outfits for a session.
Buy tickets online — it’s the most reliable way to secure entry at a convenient time. During busy periods (summer season, long weekends) on-site ticket offices may have limited availability.
The Mine offers reduced-price tickets for certain groups: children, youth, students, seniors and people with disabilities. Family tickets (for example a 2+2 model) are also available — check the conditions and required documents before purchase and have ID or student/senior cards ready.
The Tourist Route usually takes about 2–3 hours; the descent involves stairs (approx. 380 steps) and the return to the surface is by elevator. Plan extra time for travel, parking and a possible meal after the tour.
Outdoors: arrive early in the morning (golden hour) or late afternoon — you’ll get soft light and fewer crowds. Choose weekdays outside weekends when you want fewer people in your frames.
In the mine: although photography is allowed without extra fees on the Tourist Route, remember the constraints of the guided timetable and safety rules. You may not always have time to set up a tripod or lights — prepare quick camera or phone settings (higher ISO, image stabilization).
Composition: look for leading lines (cobbled streets, stairs, tunnels), frames within the frame (gates, arches) and contrasts (dark backgrounds vs. bright subject). For TikTok, prepare short sequences: entering the frame, a camera spin, a change of outfit or prop — simple tricks that work well in vertical formats.
After a session it’s good to rest in one of the well-rated cafés along your photo route. Around Kanonicza and Kazimierz you’ll find places with atmosphere that are perfect to relax and continue creating content — local cafés with good coffee and authentic interiors are great for foodporn shots.
Some safe options: in Kazimierz there are traditionally popular cafés with character (places known among photographers), by the Planty several proven spots serve quick snacks, and in Zabłocie you’ll find modern cafés and small artisan bakeries. Choose places with high ratings — they usually guarantee good quality and an aesthetic interior for photos.
If you plan lunch after a Wieliczka tour, there are food points and bistros near the mine entrance — a convenient option after 2–3 hours underground.
Trying to "capture everything" in one day — plan realistically and leave time to rest. Kraków has many attractions; it’s better to focus on selected spots than rush without results.
Not booking tickets in advance for places like Wieliczka — it can lead to long waits or no entry. Book online, check available time slots and discount conditions.
Wrong footwear and clothing — comfortable shoes are useful both in the mine and on the mounds. Underground the temperature is around 16–18°C, so a light outer layer is handy even in summer.
Ignoring rules and regulations of sites (e.g., restrictions on tripods, drones or filming) — check the rules before a session to avoid problems with staff.
Can I take photos in the mine? Yes — there is no extra fee for photography on the Tourist Route, but remember safety rules and the time allocated for the tour.
Who is eligible for a reduced ticket? Discounts apply to children, youth, students, seniors and people with disabilities — check the precise conditions and required documents before buying.
Is it worth hiring a photographer? If you want a special session (for example a styled or wedding shoot) and professional results in popular places, a photographer can help arrange permissions and choose the best times.
Does this guide include museums? No — this list intentionally omits museums, focusing on urban and natural spaces and on Wieliczka as a technical and tourist site.
Wieliczka welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year — despite its popularity it can still surprise, especially photographers seeking unusual frames inside St. Kinga’s Chapel or by the salt lakes.
Zabłocie, once industrial, now often appears on lists of the city’s coolest neighborhoods — a great place to combine an industrial look with trendy cafés and murals.
Finally: test your settings before a session, carry a powerbank, spare memory cards and always respect the privacy of residents and other tourists. If you plan commercial publishing that uses people or private spaces, check legal requirements and venue regulations carefully.
If this guide helped you plan a photo route in Kraków — share it with friends or on social media. That way more people will find reliable spots and practical tips.
If you want to tour Kraków with a guide and be sure to see the best photospots without wasting time — consider the services of private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz. Contact and details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Good luck with your shoots and wide-angle frames!
