Krakow is a city photographers quickly mark on their mental map — cobbled streets, monumental landmarks, the Vistula and green squares create countless frames, including ones that aren’t obvious at first glance. Below you’ll find a tried-and-true list of 10 places that are truly worth visiting with a camera, phone or action cam.
1. Main Market Square and the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) - iconic shots with the Cloth Hall arcades, the towers of St. Mary’s Basilica and building details. Best light: morning and the golden hour before sunset.
2. Rynek Underground (Museum) - unique, unusual frames beneath the Market Square: city layers, remnants of medieval streets and interactive exhibits. Photos taken here have a different narrative — historical and intimate.
3. Wawel Castle and the Vistula terraces - classic but always impressive views; panoramas of the castle from the boulevards and shots over the shimmering Vistula.
4. Kanonicza Street - a postcard street with historic townhouses and a view of Wawel in the background; ideal for early-morning shots without crowds.
5. Kazimierz - atmospheric nooks (Szeroka Street, Nowy Square), café details, graffiti and the warm glow of local bars at night.
6. Vistula boulevards and the Father Bernatek Footbridge - particularly beautiful at sunset; water reflections and modern architectural elements contrast with the Old Town.
7. Kościuszko Mound and Piłsudski Mound - wide city panoramas, great for sunrise and early-morning photos when visibility is best.
8. Zakrzówek and Twardowski Rocks - greenery, water and unexpected landscapes shimmering with color; a good choice outside the city center.
9. Nowa Huta - raw, monumental PRL-era architecture, wide perspectives and a striking contrast to central Krakow.
10. Hidden courtyards and gates of the Old Town - catch the light filtering through narrow passages between buildings; that’s where the most intimate frames are born.
The Rynek Underground museum is different from a typical exhibition — it’s a walk through several layers of Krakow’s history. Here you can see fragments of medieval streets, remains of burghers’ houses and everyday objects displayed in an underground museum space.
It’s a great place for photos, but there are a few things to know before you go in: parts of the exhibition are darker than the open-air city to emphasize the atmosphere of the finds; the best photos come from a wide-angle lens or a phone with a good night mode. Tuesdays sometimes offer free admission — a good opportunity, but expect larger crowds. Allow more time than you might think — the walk and careful viewing of the displays easily take around an hour.
A few practical notes: check current opening hours before your visit, bring a power bank (multimedia screens can drain batteries), and if you want photos without crowds try going in the morning or late afternoon. Also pay attention to rules about tripods and flash use — regulations can change, so ask at the entrance. For history lovers, walking under the Market Square can reveal details you won’t see from the surface.
The golden hour (just after sunrise and just before sunset) is obvious — soft light emphasises building textures and creates warm tones. The blue hour (moments just after sunset) works great for night photos of the Market Square and illuminated facades.
If you want empty frames, arrive very early in the morning — crowds appear fast in the centre. On cloudy days look for details: textures, windows, gates and contrasts that work well in soft light.
Technical tips: a wide-angle lens for architecture shots, a longer lens for detail crops, and a tripod or image stabilization for evening photos. It’s also useful to carry a small flashlight if you plan to explore darker passages or photograph in the Rynek Underground.
For students, accommodation choice depends on the length of stay, budget and university. University dorms (UJ, AGH, UEK, PK) are the cheapest option and a great way to meet people quickly, but places are limited — apply early.
Private student dorms and student residences offer better standards and more amenities (gym, common areas, integration events), but they’re more expensive. Popular locations for convenient commuting are near the Old Town, Krowodrza, Grzegórzki and Podgórze.
If you’re arriving for a short time or during a move, starting with a hostel or a room in the centre (near the Main Railway Station, Market Square or Kazimierz) is recommended — it helps you get to know the city and pick the best district for a longer stay. For a long-term rental consider a flatshare on platforms with verified reviews — you’ll get lower rent and flexibility.
Some practical tips when hunting for a place: start looking several months before arrival, compare total costs (rent + utilities), check public transport connections to your university and ask about contract terms (notice period, deposit).
Old Town and Kazimierz - ideal for those who want to live close to cultural life and have everything within reach. Downsides: higher prices and weekend noise.
Krowodrza and Grzegórzki - a good balance between access to universities and reasonable prices; close to the centre but a bit quieter than the Market Square itself.
Podgórze and Zabłocie - increasingly trendy, with new developments, cafés and a friendly atmosphere; a good choice for students who prefer alternative vibes.
Bronowice and Prądnik - affordable prices and good tram connections, often chosen by people looking for cheaper flats with decent commute options.
Krakow offers many spots for a break while photographing: from atmospheric cafés to well-rated restaurants. A few trusted names appreciated by locals and visitors: Cafe Camelot (Old Town) — cosy interior and good coffee; Charlotte (Plac Szczepański) — a bakery and breakfasts with a French touch; Pod Wawelem — regional dishes in generous portions. If you want something quick and local, try the well-reviewed pierogi places in the centre.
When shooting in Kazimierz, stop by small cafés and bars with international cuisine — many have interesting interiors that are photo-ready in themselves. Around the Vistula boulevards and Zakrzówek you’ll also find pleasant street-food spots and small restaurants with views. Always pick places with good reviews and lots of opinions — that’s usually the best way to find reliable tastes.
Thinking one visit is enough — Krakow changes with the time of day and season, so it’s worth returning at a different hour to catch better light or a different atmosphere.
Not checking opening hours for museums and attractions — especially the Rynek Underground or smaller exhibitions; always check current hours before you go out.
Being unprepared for walking — the centre of Krakow is best explored on foot; wear comfortable shoes and plan coffee breaks.
Leaving valuables unattended — in crowded places keep your wallet and phone secure; use common sense as you would in any tourist city.
Is it worth booking Rynek Underground tickets in advance? - If you visit Krakow in season (spring–autumn) or plan a weekend visit, it’s worth checking online reservations to avoid queues.
Can you take photos in the Rynek Underground? - Yes, photography is allowed, but rules regarding tripods or flash may change; check current guidelines at the entrance and respect museum rules.
What’s the easiest way to get from the airport to the centre? - The fastest options are taxi or airport bus. From the Main Railway Station you can walk to the Market Square in a few minutes.
Is Krakow safe for tourists? - Generally yes; like in any popular city, watch out for pickpockets in crowded places and keep valuable items secure.
Beneath the Market Square lie layers of the city going back centuries — a perfect context for photos that tell a story, not just show a pretty view.
Krakow has its own “little Maldives” — in summer, when the Vistula is low, sandbanks appear that locals jokingly compare to exotic beaches; a fun motif contrasting city and nature.
In the centre you can easily find unusual details — historic signs, wrought-iron fittings and hidden gardens that add depth and atmosphere to photos.
Day 1: morning at Wawel and Kanonicza, breakfast at Charlotte, afternoon in Kazimierz (Szeroka Street, Nowy Square), evening — Vistula boulevards and sunset.
Day 2: early start at the Main Market Square (Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s), visit the Rynek Underground, coffee break, afternoon — Kościuszko Mound or Zakrzówek for a different landscape.
If you have more time, visit Nowa Huta for architectural contrast and for longer walks in less touristy parts of the city.
If this guide helped you, share it with friends or on social media — it will help others better plan their visit to Krakow. If you’d like to discover the city with a local, consider a private guided tour led by Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details and her offer are available on zwiedzaniekrakowa.com. Good luck catching the best frames and enjoy your stay in Krakow!
