Krakow is full of iconic frames — Wawel, the Cloth Hall or the charming alleys of Kazimierz — but there are also less obvious spots that deliver exceptional photos without standing in long lines. This text collects the 10 best photo locations in Krakow, suggests when to go, which shots to plan, and which attractions are paid and which are free.
The tips gathered here come from local knowledge and a guide’s experience so you can plan a photo trip efficiently and enjoyably. At the end you’ll find a practical FAQ, a list of common mistakes and short food recommendations near the most interesting points.
Krakus Mound is a place many visitors skip in favor of Wawel, which is a shame — from its top you get a broad panorama of the city, ideal at sunrise and dusk. Access to the mound is public and free, making it a great alternative to paid observation towers.
Photo tip: plan your shots 30–45 minutes before sunset to catch the golden hour and silhouettes against the sky. If you want a top-down view of central Krakow, use a wide-angle frame and employ leading lines (streets, the river) as compositional elements.
Kościuszko Mound is a different kind of mound: it has extensive grounds, a museum and viewpoints. Unlike Krakus Mound, entrance to museum areas and some exhibitions may be paid — check current prices and rules at the ticket office. Official information indicates that tickets are sold primarily at the on-site ticket office, so keep that in mind when planning your photography day.
Logistics tip: to avoid crowds at the entrance, visit early in the morning or just after opening — photos and walks will then be more comfortable.
Zakrzówek is Krakow’s “tropical” spot: turquoise water and rocky cliffs create an unusual urban scene. The place can be very busy on sunny weekends, and in recent years management measures have been introduced at high visitor numbers, which can affect access to some areas. Plan your visit outside peak weekend times to have more room for photos.
Photo tip: the best shots are taken in the morning or late afternoon when the sun doesn’t shine directly on the water — the water’s color becomes most vivid then. Pay attention to restricted zones for safety and always respect posted signs.
Father Bernatek Footbridge connects Kazimierz with Podgórze and offers a different kind of frame: steel arches, the ‘acrobat’ sculptures and views of the Vistula on both sides. It’s perfect for golden-hour photos and urban portraits. On the bridge you can easily compose shots with silhouettes against the sky or long leading lines.
Practical tip: the center of the bridge is a great place for silhouettes, while the approaches give an interesting perspective on the structural arches. Because it can be windy, bring a heavier tripod or rely on your camera/phone stabilization.
Kazimierz is a goldmine of photogenic details: murals, cobbled streets, cozy cafés (for example Cafe Camelot or other well-reviewed spots near Plac Wolnica) and many corners perfect for portraits or fashion shoots. The best shots happen early in the morning before tourists and events arrive.
Tip: plan ‘detail’ sessions — walls, doors, signs and neon lights after dark. After a photo break, consider visiting one of the recommended cafés on Szeroka Street or around Plac Wolnica.
The Cloth Hall and the Small Market are a classic that always works in a frame — columns, arcades and pastel tenement houses. The cleanest shots are at sunrise or late at night when most tourists have left the square.
Composition tip: use arcades as a frame for your photo and look for architectural details that tell the story of the place without showing crowds.
The boulevards are a dynamic spot: walkers, cyclists, riverside deck chairs and reflections of Wawel in the water. Sunset is a great moment when the sky reflects in the Vistula and moody frames appear. In the evening lights and reflections are perfect for longer exposures.
Practical: to capture a reflection, set a stable tripod and use an ND filter or a longer exposure time to smooth the water surface.
Planty form a green ring around the Old Town — a perfect place for morning photos with soft light and dew on the grass. Walking the Planty lets you quickly ‘tick off’ several different architectural shots in a calm atmosphere.
Tip: if you’re shooting a morning photo report of Krakow, start at the Planty — from there you can quickly reach the Cloth Hall, the Small Market and other spots on your day plan.
Look for pleasant courtyards and small gardens around the Old Town and Kazimierz — these places are often crowd-free, with soft light and architectural details that work great for portraits or lifestyle photos. Such frames will add variety to your portfolio.
Practical tip: ask in a nearby café about access to a courtyard — sometimes local places are happy to share their space with photographers (often in exchange for ordering something).
Krakow after dark is a different planet — illuminations, empty spaces and strong contrasts. The Barbican, lit Planty or cobbled Old Town streets produce dramatic shots, especially with long exposures and a steady tripod.
Note: night photography requires planning — look for spots without heavy car traffic and set your camera to capture lights without blowing out highlights.
The simplest rule: early mornings and weekdays are your allies. If a place is free (for example Krakus Mound), arrive before dawn when you have the best chance for an empty frame. Visit paid city attractions right after opening or just before closing (if rules allow).
If you plan popular spots for the weekend, consider visiting an alternative (for example a mound instead of a paid observation tower) or schedule a relaxed walk outside peak hours.
A phone with a good night mode and stabilization is enough for most urban photos. If you have a camera, bring a wide-angle lens (24–35 mm) for panoramas and a 50 mm for portraits. A tripod is useful for night shots and long exposures along the Vistula.
Settings: for panoramas — low ISO and a stopped-down aperture (f/8–f/11) for sharpness across the scene. For portraits — wide apertures (f/1.8–f/2.8) for pleasant background blur.
While shooting, plan breaks in well-rated places. In Kazimierz we recommend cafés and spots that combine a pleasant place to rest with nice photo backdrops (for example Cafe Camelot or other popular cafés near Plac Wolnica). On the boulevards and in the Old Town you’ll find restaurants serving local dishes and international flavors — choose those with high reviews if you care about quality and quick service.
Tip: make a short reservation in popular places for an afternoon break — it saves time and provides comfort for your whole photography team.
Trying to visit everything in one day — it’s better to pick 3–4 spots and do them well, rather than chasing a list of 10 places without enough time for good shots.
Not checking the weather and time of day — always check the forecast and plan the golden hour. Light is the key.
Running out of battery or memory — bring a power bank and at least one extra memory card or spare space on your phone.
Is Krakus Mound paid? No — access to Krakus Mound is generally open and free.
Do you need to buy tickets online for Kościuszko Mound? Official information indicates that tickets are sold at the on-site ticket office — it’s a good idea to check the current price list before visiting.
Is Zakrzówek always accessible? Zakrzówek is very popular on sunny days and in summer; at times there are access limits or systems managing visitor flow — plan visits outside peak hours.
Krakow has many different ‘mounds’ with distinct characters — not all are paid, and some (like Kościuszko Mound) offer exhibitions and educational trails worth adding to your day plan.
Seasonal restrictions or entry systems may appear in especially popular places — these measures aim to protect public space and ensure visitor safety.
If you found this guide useful, I’d be grateful if you shared it with friends or on social media — it will help others better plan their visit and find photogenic spots.
If you’d like to explore Krakow with a guide, consider booking a private tour with guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz — information and offers are available on the zwiedzaniekrakowa.com website. This is a great option when you want to see the city with stories and find less obvious frames with a local guide.
