Top 10 photo spots in Krakow - from MuFo Rakowicka to the carriage on the Market Square. If you wonder where to make the most atmospheric and varied shots during a weekend — you are in the right place. Below you will find a tried-and-true list of locations, practical tips, a few local secrets and some advice on how to plan a photographic walk around Krakow. Everything is written in plain language, friendly for tourists and for people who want to come home with nice photos instead of a pile of blurred crowd shots. If you like, guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) can help you plan a route — her contact is visible on the guide's website.
Krakow offers huge variety: from the monumental Wawel and the cobbled lanes of the Old Town, through the atmospheric cafes of Kazimierz, to the raw industrial frames of Nowa Huta and the tropical-feeling Zakrzówek. Below is a list of places that give the biggest photographic possibilities in different styles and times of day. Each description also contains practical notes on how to get there, the best time for photos and pitfalls to avoid.
1. MuFo Rakowicka (Museum of Photography) - modern interiors and exhibitions: MuFo is the only Polish institution fully dedicated to photography, located in the restored former barracks on Rakowicka Street. The exhibition halls, reading room and bookshop provide great backdrops for documentary and exhibition shots — it’s also a good place if you need inspiration and professional context for your frames. Check opening hours before your visit; sometimes the main exhibition has free admission on Tuesdays.
2. Wawel and the Vistula boulevards - a classic with a panorama: Photos of Wawel, with the castle hill in the background or reflections in the Vistula, are a must for every Krakow album. The riverside boulevards near the Bernatek Footbridge offer excellent perspectives of the castle and are great for capturing reflections in calm water, especially during the golden hour.
3. Main Market Square, the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church - the city's heart: The Market's architecture is essential, but to avoid crowds choose an early morning walk or an evening outside peak season. Views from St. Mary's Church tower and shots including the Cloth Hall can be spectacular — remember to respect people praying and any events on the Square.
4. Kanonicza Street, Grodzka and the lanes around Wawel - medieval atmosphere: For postcard-style photos, pick narrow, cobbled streets: Kanonicza is one of the most photogenic arteries of the city, ideal for portraits and soulful outdoor shoots.
5. Kazimierz - street photography, murals and cozy cafes: Kazimierz delivers lots of details — signs, gates, string lights over courtyards and backgrounds for spontaneous portraits. Plac Nowy, Szeroka Street and the area around Józefa Street are great for capturing authentic urban atmosphere. Recommended cafés and bakeries often featured in photos: Massolit Books & Cafe, Café Camelot and Charlotte — good for short stops to shoot interiors and styled coffee shots.
6. Zakrzówek - a 'tropical spot' in the city: Turquoise water and rocky cliffs create an impression similar to foreign beaches. It's excellent for outdoor sessions and landscape photos. Pay attention to access restrictions — check current rules and official entry points before heading down to the water.
7. Mounds and viewpoints (Krakus Mound, Kościuszko Mound) - city panoramas: For wide panoramic shots, go to the mounds or a viewpoint. Sunrise and sunset give the best photographic effects here.
8. Nowa Huta - raw, industrial character: The Central Square, socialist-realist housing estates and industrial details create unique, cinematic frames. It’s a great place if you want contrast to the historic city center.
9. Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden and Willa Decjusza (Wola Justowska) - greenery and the seasons: Spring and autumn in the botanical garden offer a great palette of colors. Willa Decjusza with its garden provides more elegant, classic frames away from tourist crowds.
10. Collegium Maius, courtyards and hidden Old Town courtyards - details and history: UJ courtyards, the Alley of Unfaithful Thomas and similar tucked-away spots bring calm and excellent architectural backgrounds. These places are ideal for portraits and architectural detail shots.
Carriages on the Market Square are an icon of Krakow — a great motif for photos, especially at dusk when the lanterns light up around the carriages. A few practical tips: agree the price with the coachman before getting in (rates vary), respect the horses and their needs (don’t block the road, avoid shining strong lights at them), and avoid posing inside the carriage during peak hours so you don't disturb other tourists. Captured with a wide-angle lens, carriages can add dynamic foreground interest to a reportage-style frame.
If you plan to use a carriage as part of a commercial session, ask the coachman about permission and fees — often this is not just a ride but a paid service that includes the right to commercial use of images.
Choose the golden hour (just after sunrise and just before sunset) for soft, warm light. Many central locations get crowded — if you want clean frames, come early in the morning. Carry light lenses: a versatile zoom (24-70 mm or 24-105 mm) and a fast portrait lens (50 mm or 85 mm) will cover most shots. For architecture use a wide-angle; for details use a longer lens.
Keep in mind practical restrictions: some museum interiors prohibit tripods and flash; in sacred places keep quiet and show respect. If you plan a commercial session (wedding, advertisement), check required permits and fees on site. Drones - many parts of Krakow have flight restrictions and may require permission; check regulations in advance.
Don't forget comfortable shoes - Krakow's cobbled streets can be demanding and good footwear lets you walk more and find better perspectives.
MuFo Rakowicka is reachable by tram — there are stops nearby and the museum is located on Rakowicka Street. In the center it's convenient to get around on foot or by tram; if you plan longer trips (Tyniec, Zakrzówek, the mounds) check the MPK timetables and possible parking restrictions.
If you have a short weekend, plan your route so you don't return to the same area twice — for example: morning at Wawel and the boulevards, late morning at MuFo, afternoon in Kazimierz, evening on a mound or Zakrzówek (weather permitting). When planning, consider museum opening hours and restaurant availability.
Krakow has great places that are photogenic themselves — interiors, décor and plated food all help make nice pictures. Recommended, well-rated spots worth visiting not only for taste but also for photos: Massolit Books & Cafe (Kazimierz) - cozy, bookish background; Café Camelot - classic interior with charm; Charlotte (locations in the center) - French bread and stylish interiors.
If you want something more refined after a session, choose restaurants with high reviews and open, well-lit interiors that photograph well in natural light. It's always worth reserving a table in popular places — you will avoid disappointment and gain time to shoot in other locations.
1) Shooting in harsh midday sun - strong light and deep shadows: avoid or use fill-flash/reflectors, look for shaded, evenly lit spots. 2) Not checking museum or monument opening hours - check online before your visit, especially on weekends and public holidays. 3) Disrespecting sacred spaces or private property - always act politely and ask permission to photograph interiors. 4) Flying a drone without permission - many parts of the city have no-fly zones, so check regulations before takeoff. 5) Over-reliance on heavy filters and extreme post-processing - Krakow has a lot of natural charm; sometimes less is more.
You will avoid many problems if you check in advance where you want to go and how to get there — that way you'll spend more time photographing and less time getting lost.
Can I take photos in museums? In most Krakow museums photography is possible, but often without tripods and flash; some temporary exhibitions and certain rooms may have additional restrictions - check the specific institution's rules before entering.
Do I need permission for a photo session (e.g. a wedding) in popular spots? Commercial sessions often require permission and a fee - this applies to monuments and some viewpoints. Amateur sessions with a small team usually do not require formalities, but make sure you don't block passageways or disturb others.
How to avoid crowds in the Market and Kazimierz? The best approach is early morning, off-season visits or choosing less obvious streets and courtyards instead of main arteries.
Can I fly a drone over the Vistula and Wawel? Zones around historical objects and the city center often have flight restrictions - check current regulations and no-fly maps before planning a flight.
- MuFo Rakowicka is housed in a restored building of the former barracks - a combination of history and modern photographic exhibition that looks great in documentary and architectural photos.
- Zakrzówek was often shown until recently as Krakow's 'mysterious tropics' - however access and conditions near the water have changed in recent years, so check current information before a planned session.
- Many atmospheric Old Town corners are the result of layers of history: some façades and cobbles look postcard-perfect because they were conserved with tourism in mind - it's worth looking beyond the main trail to find raw, less photographed spots.
If you plan a weekend in Krakow to photograph: bring comfortable shoes, a powerbank, a light camera bag, a versatile zoom and a portrait lens. Plan your route and leave time for improvised shots - often those turn out best.
If you liked this guide, share it on social media or send it to friends who are planning a trip. And if you'd rather have someone show you the city 'from the inside' - private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers tours and help planning a photographic day in Krakow - her contact is available on the guide's website. Good luck and great shots!
