The top 10 photo spots in Krakow combine the classics (the Market Square, Wawel), the atmospheric streets of Kazimierz, industrial frames in Zabłocie and natural landscapes like Zakrzówek. If you have a week, I’ll map out a route so you don’t have to rush and so each location has a good chance of nice light and fewer crowds. The list includes the Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory — a site that is historically important and very rewarding photographically, especially for those who want to pair images with historical context. At the end you’ll also find practical tips (tickets, carriage rides, best times of day, recommended cafés and what to avoid).
Krakow offers lots of possibilities: panoramas from the mounds, cobbled streets, and reflections on the Vistula. This article contains a day-by-day 7-day plan and tips on preparing gear and composing shots. Use it as inspiration and adapt the pace to your style.
The Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory (museum) on Lipowa Street is visited by many guests every year — it’s worth buying tickets in advance or being prepared for a queue at the ticket office.
Horse-drawn carriages still operate around the Old Town, but the city introduces restrictions (especially during heat waves): stands and rides can be temporarily suspended with animal welfare in mind. When planning a carriage ride, check current municipal announcements or ask the coachman.
Light: the best photos are taken in the soft morning (approx. 6–9) and during the golden hour before sunset. At midday the Market Square and Kazimierz can be crowded — plan early starts or evening sessions.
Morning: start at the Main Market Square at dawn — an empty square, soft light and quiet create ideal conditions for classic shots of the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Basilica.
Midday: walk the Planty and take a coffee break at a recommended café (for example Massolit Bakery) — great for coffee detail shots and interior photos.
Evening: sunset along the Vistula Boulevards — reflections in the river and Wawel’s panorama make calm, beautiful frames.
Morning: Wawel — shots from the hill and from the river side. The castle courtyard looks especially nice in soft light.
Afternoon: Kanonicza Street — one of the city’s most photogenic streets; focus on architectural details and cobbles.
Late afternoon/evening: head to Podgórze — the Ghetto Heroes Square and the area around Schindler’s Factory (Zabłocie). This is a great place for photos that combine history with a raw, industrial atmosphere.
The Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory — the exhibition and the area on Lipowa Street are a must-see. Even if you choose not to photograph inside the exhibition out of respect or due to rules, the museum’s surroundings, former factory buildings and fragments of urban architecture offer strong frames.
It’s worth combining the visit with a stop at Ghetto Heroes Square and the preserved fragment of the wall — places of memory require a delicate approach and sensitivity.
Tip: buy museum tickets in advance or plan to arrive early; in high season entry can be limited.
Kazimierz is a photographer’s paradise: cobbles, murals, alleys and cafés. Szeroka Street, Nowy Square and the side lanes give plenty of street-photography ideas.
Recommended coffee stops: Botanica Café, Cheder and other well-reviewed local cafés — interiors and details often make as successful images as street scenes.
In the evening: the courtyard lights of Kazimierz and the cozy bar atmospheres are great for night shots. Remember to respect local communities and places of memory.
Morning: Zakrzówek — turquoise water and limestone cliffs make unusual urban-nature photos. Check the availability of viewpoints and paths; some routes are sometimes closed or restricted in season.
Afternoon: Wolski Forest and the Piłsudski Mound or Kościuszko Mound — the best spots for panoramic views of Krakow.
Photo tip: use a telephoto lens to compress planes and a wide-angle where you want to show space.
Nowa Huta is a different Krakow — socialist-realist layouts, monumental squares and modernist details. If you enjoy less obvious, raw frames, spend half a day here.
The Central Square in the morning has the fewest people and the most cinematic mood. Look for contrasts between architecture and greenery — these often work very well photographically.
In the evening return to the center for a relaxed dinner and to select the best material.
Make a list of shots you want to improve or return to the places with the best light. It could be a repeat of Kanonicza Street, extra frames on the Vistula Boulevards or a session in your favorite café.
Take care of backups: copy the most important files to a drive or the cloud every evening.
If you travel with limited time, pick 3–4 places from the list and spend more time there instead of rushing across the whole map.
Schindler’s Factory tickets: buy online in advance, especially in season — this avoids long queues and guarantees entry at your chosen time.
Carriages: a carriage ride is a romantic way to get photos on the Market Square, but be aware that in heat and under city regulations stops and rides can be limited or temporarily suspended. Check current city notices before planning a ride.
Rules for photographing places of memory: in locations related to the Holocaust and other memorials you must show respect — avoid treating them as entertainment, control flashes and posing.
Cafés and sweets: Massolit Bakery (highly rated), Botanica Café and other locally loved spots are good places for a break and coffee photos.
Dining around Kazimierz: choose well-reviewed restaurants — regional cuisine and modern bistros often have attractive interiors that look great in photos.
Accommodation: pick a location near the Old Town or Kazimierz if you want to make the most of morning and evening light without long commutes.
Arriving at the Market Square at midday in high season — crowds block frames. Solution: get up earlier or plan an evening session.
No backup plan for photos — losing material after a few days of travel is frustrating. Solution: daily backup to an external drive or cloud.
Lack of respect at sites of memory — souvenir-style photos can be inappropriate. Solution: keep a solemn attitude and follow on-site signage.
Is it worth taking a carriage on the Market Square? Yes — it’s a picturesque experience, especially for classic frames, but check first whether carriage stands are temporarily closed (the city may restrict rides in heat).
Can I take photos inside Schindler’s Factory? There are rules for photographing inside the exhibition — check the museum’s policies before your visit. The museum surroundings and Zabłocie offer many interesting exterior frames.
How to avoid crowds? Best to get up early (dawn–9:00) or shoot late afternoon and evening; weekends in season are the busiest.
Surprise 1: not all the most Instagrammed spots are far from each other — many lie within a short walk, so planning daily routes carefully saves time and energy.
Surprise 2: smaller corners like Villa Decius or the lesser-known mounds offer as original views as the most popular points — they’re worth the time.
Finally: if you’d like me to personalize this plan for your photographic style (portrait, street, nature), write — I’ll be happy to advise.
If this article helped you plan a photographic week in Krakow — share it with friends or on social media! Sharing also helps others plan their time well in the city.
If you prefer to explore with someone who knows the city thoroughly and can show the best frames (and tell the stories behind the places), contact private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Enjoy your photos and have safe travels!
