Krakow is a city where history meets daily life — medieval townhouses, the lively Main Market Square, peaceful boulevards along the Vistula and green university courtyards offer huge opportunities for interesting frames. Whether you’re after classic views, architectural details or atmospheric streets with cozy cafés, Krakow has photographic attractions in every season.
In this guide you’ll find my personal “Top 10” photo spots, practical tips on the best times to visit, a few less obvious facts and concrete information about the Jagiellonian University Geological Museum — opening times, tickets and the photography possibilities inside and in the museum courtyard. Everything is meant to help you plan your visit and come home with great photos and no stress.
1. Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) and the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) — a classic you can’t miss. The best light is in the morning and just before sunset, while evening illuminations create a lovely mood. Try framing from a side street to add depth and avoid the tourist crowds.
2. St. Mary’s Church and the bugle call — shots of the exterior façade or views of the towers from the Square work well. The bugle call (hejnał) can add an audio-context to street photography; plan a slight sidelong angle to avoid too many people in the frame.
3. Wawel — the courtyard and the Vistula boulevards — the arcades of the courtyard give beautiful symmetrical compositions, and the riverside boulevards are great for city panoramas and sunset shots.
4. Collegium Maius and other university courtyards — brick cloisters, sculptural details and a calm atmosphere make subtle portraits and architectural photos possible. Pay attention to changing light between the columns.
5. Kazimierz — Józefa Street, Szeroka Street and Wolnica Square are full of atmospheric frames: old tenements, character-filled cafés, graffiti and traces of Jewish heritage. Evening lantern light is perfect for street photography.
6. Vistula boulevards and the Bernatek (Bernatka) Footbridge — city panoramas from the opposite bank and bridges reflected in the water. This spot is especially good for long exposures and dusk images.
7. The Market Cellars (Underground Museum) — unusual, atmospheric interiors and archaeological arrangements. Photos here feel different than outdoor shots — darker and more moody.
8. Kościuszko Mound and Krakus Mound — viewpoints offering wide panoramas of Krakow and the surroundings; ideal on clear days when you can even see the Tatra Mountains on the horizon.
9. Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden — subtle plant-focused shots, greenhouses and pathways; a good plan for nature photos and portraits in a natural setting.
10. Less obvious corners of the Old Town — narrow passages, stairways and alleys by the Planty. Often these small places produce the most personal and original photos.
The Jagiellonian University Geological Museum has a long history — its natural history and geological collections have been developed since the 18th century. It’s an excellent place for lovers of minerals, fossils and Earth history. The exhibition mixes traditional display cabinets with reconstructions and educational materials.
Opening hours usually include days from Tuesday to Saturday, typically in the morning and late morning — so it’s worth checking current hours online before you go. The last admission is often a few minutes before closing, so plan your visit time accordingly.
Ticket prices at UJ museums are generally affordable. As a guideline: the standard full-price ticket for the main exhibition is in a low price range; reduced and family tickets are usually available. The museum also offers tickets for temporary exhibitions and educational packages for school groups.
If you plan a photo session in the museum courtyard, the museum has specific pricing for such shoots — fees for sessions are set separately and apply to commercial photography or longer shoots on the premises. It’s a good idea to ask in advance about conditions and reserve a time slot.
Buy tickets online when possible — in high season queues at ticket desks can be long, and many museums limit the number of visitors per time slot. Booking in advance gives peace of mind and saves time.
Check the ticket types — most museums offer full-price, reduced, family and group tickets as well as guided-visit options. Discounts are usually available for pupils and students, and families often benefit from package deals. Keep ID or documents that confirm entitlement to concessions.
When planning a day with several museums, consider the order of visits: the most popular sites are best visited in the morning, leaving smaller exhibitions for the afternoon. Remember that some museums close earlier or are closed on Mondays or specific weekdays.
If photography inside matters to you, ask about the rules before entering. Some exhibitions allow photos without flash and tripods, while others may require permission or an additional fee. Museum staff will advise the safest solution.
The golden hour just after sunrise and just before sunset is when light gives buildings a warm tone and brings out textures. In the Old Town you’ll also find fewer tourists in your shots in the morning.
Clouds add drama to architectural photos — don’t be afraid of overcast days, especially when photographing details and façades. Clear skies are better for wide panoramas and photos from the boulevards.
In the evening and at night pay attention to illuminations and reflections on wet surfaces after rain. The Market Square at night lives by café lights and heritage illumination, which creates a pleasant, warm urban photography mood.
For urban portraits, look for shaded areas by buildings at midday to avoid harsh shadows on faces. Courtyards and alleys near the Planty provide nice, diffused light.
Before entering a specific museum check the photography rules — they vary by exhibition and institution. Often photos without flash and without tripods are allowed; photographing fragile exhibits may be restricted for conservation reasons.
If you plan a professional or commercial shoot, contact museum administration in advance. Many places have special fees and reservation procedures for using spaces — this also applies to courtyards and representative interiors.
Respect other visitors — don’t block walkways, avoid loud conversations and dramatic poses that obstruct others’ access to exhibits. In museums, calm and attention to detail often produce the best images.
When you need a break and good food after a day of photographing, choose places with consistently high ratings and positive reviews. Near the Market Square you’ll find restaurants serving local cuisine and cafés with cozy interiors — perfect for relaxing and reviewing your photos.
Some recommendations often praised by visitors include atmospheric cafés in the Old Town and restaurants offering traditional Polish dishes as well as modern interpretations. If you want a quiet stay close to the center, choose small boutique hotels or well-rated apartments in historic tenements — they combine comfort with local character.
For longer stays, book accommodation in advance, especially during the tourist season and major cultural events. Also use other guests’ reviews when picking places to eat or sleep.
Trying to “tick off” all attractions in one day — the result: fatigue and less successful photos. Plan your route, choose priorities and keep a comfortable pace.
Not checking museum and monument opening hours — this leads to disappointment. Before you leave, check current opening times and entry rules online, especially for temporary exhibitions.
Ignoring photography rules in museums — using flash or tripods without permission can be prohibited. Always ask staff about the rules.
Obstructing other visitors — standing in passages, on stairways or placing models in sensitive spots. Think about others’ comfort and plan shots to avoid causing inconvenience.
Can you photograph in the Jagiellonian University Geological Museum? In most parts of the museum photography without flash is allowed, but rules may differ for temporary exhibitions and particular objects. Commercial sessions and extended courtyard shoots require prior reservation and a fee.
Is it worth buying a ticket online? Yes — online booking saves time and guarantees entry at the chosen hour, especially to popular institutions and during the tourist season.
Can you use a tripod in museums? Tripods are often restricted or require permission. If you need long exposures, ask staff about allowing a tripod or special arrangements for photographers.
Did you know the Jagiellonian University’s geological collections date back to the 18th century and include both mineral specimens and fossil reconstructions? That’s one reason the Geological Museum is worth visiting not only out of curiosity but also for unique close-up photos of textures and details.
If you liked this guide, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others better plan a visit to Krakow. If you’d like a personalized photography plan around Krakow or want to explore the city with a private guide, you can use the services of Małgorzata Kasprowicz (Margaret Kasprowicz) — details are available at zwiedzaniekrakowa.com.
Good luck with your shots and remember: the best photos come from combining curiosity about a place with patience and a bit of planning.
