Looking for places that look great in photos but don’t want to repeat the same postcard shots? This guide is made for Erasmus students and university students — it suggests less obvious, photogenic corners of Kraków that are easy to visit without spending a fortune or losing study time. You’ll find practical tips on when and how to photograph each spot and a few local pointers that often escape tourist guides.
The descriptions focus on places easily reachable on foot or by public transport, emphasizing original backgrounds: industrial textures, urban nature, atmospheric courtyards and viewpoints. At the end there are practical tips, frequent mistakes to avoid and a mini-FAQ about shooting in the city.
Why go: A flooded quarry creates spectacular contrasts: turquoise water, rocky cliffs and the surrounding green forest. It’s one of the most “wow” places for photos in Kraków, especially in summer.
Best angle: look for perspectives from the upper paths and viewpoints — a wide sheet of water with a steep shore looks great in profile. Early evening gives soft light and fewer people.
Safety tip: do not descend onto unmarked cliff sections and respect fences — some parts are closed for safety reasons. Drones may be restricted because of city zones and nearby developments.
When to come: late spring to early autumn for colors; summer afternoons for the most intense water color.
Why go: The pedestrian-and-cycle bridge with LED illumination is perfect for night shots with reflections in the Vistula. The boulevards offer varied backdrops: industrial bridges, old quays and views of Wawel.
Best angle: at night try to capture the bridge’s reflection in the water; at sunset thin silhouettes of walkers add life to the frame.
Local tip: walk further toward Podgórze to find less crowded sections of the boulevards and interesting graffiti. For night shots it’s useful to have a tripod or a stable rest for your phone/camera.
Why go: The mounds are classic viewpoints but much more intimate than central terraces. From their summits you can capture the whole city panorama — from Wawel to the blocks of Nowa Huta.
Best angle: sunrise with silhouettes of trees and the city in the background; the golden hour emphasizes the textures of stone and grass in the foreground.
Practical: come to the mounds with a light backpack — good shoes and a warm sweater are handy in the morning. On windy days secure your gear.
Why go: Kazimierz mixes historic facades, murals, lanterns and small eateries — ideal for street‑lifestyle sessions. It’s a classic, but you can also find many alternative framing options here: side gates, alleys and decorative courtyards.
Where to eat/photogenic interiors: Hamsa (on Szeroka Street) has a charming courtyard; you’ll also find cozy interiors in cafés perfect for portrait shots with a soft bokeh background.
Composition tip: instead of photographing the main street from pavement level, try entering one of the courtyards and use framing (a window or gate frame) for a more intimate effect.
Why go: Nowa Huta is a ‘city within the city’ with unique PRL architecture: Central Square, wide avenues, mosaics and monumental buildings that lend photos a raw aesthetic.
Best angle: morning shots at Central Square before crowds arrive — geometric lines and symmetry create a strong, minimalist effect.
Fun fact: in Nowa Huta’s architecture you’ll find small decorative details and ornaments that work great as portrait backdrops — hunt for mosaics and vintage signs.
Why go: Podgórze is a district full of surprises: the colorful stairs on Tatrzańska Street, the charming Podgórze Market Square and interesting views of the city from residential lanes.
Best angle: the colorful stairs create dynamic compositions and pair well with fashion looks — shoot from below to emphasize the patterns and hues of the steps.
Local view: stroll the side streets and you’ll find mural stories and small cafés that form natural lifestyle backdrops. Bagry and the local reservoir are alternatives when you want a ‘beachy’ vibe.
Why go: Kanonicza is one of Kraków’s most atmospheric streets — old houses, antique doors and a cobbled path make a perfect backdrop for photos with a classic, slightly nostalgic feel.
How to shoot: avoid photographing from the middle of the street — use a low-angle perspective to lengthen lines and highlight stone texture. Wawel’s courtyards offer shots with a ‘royal’ character, but respect rules for photographing in sacred or museum areas.
Practical: some courtyards may be open only at certain times — check before you go, especially if planning a session with a larger crew.
Why go: if you want nature photos without leaving the city, the Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden, Jordan Park and Bednarski Park offer diverse plant compositions and peaceful paths.
Seasonality: spring and early summer bring an explosion of flower colors, autumn offers spectacular foliage, and winter provides minimalist, clean portrait backdrops.
Photo tip: use a wide aperture to get a soft background (bokeh) — great for portraits near ponds and along alleys.
Why go: just minutes from central Kraków you can reach the abbey on a high river cliff — stone walls, river panoramas and a calm atmosphere make an excellent backdrop for photographic experiments.
How to get there: plan an afternoon trip or aim for sunset; the place is ideal for a longer walk and several shots from different perspectives.
Practical tip: the abbey is a place of quiet and monastic life — keep respectful photography etiquette and do not enter private zones.
Why go: Kraków hides many small, photogenic courtyards, lanterns and tucked-away roofs. Often you just need to step behind a lamp or through a gate to find a perfect, intimate coffee-shot background.
Where to look: the Old Town and Kazimierz areas are full of such places — search for gateways with signage, small restaurant gardens and corners with string lights.
Rooftops: some hotels and bars offer paid access or reservations for roof terraces — a good way to capture city panoramas without climbing the mounds.
Best times of day: the golden hour (just after sunrise and before sunset) gives the most beautiful light; early morning is also a way to get photos without crowds.
Permits and drones: for amateur photos in public spaces you usually don’t need a permit, but for commercial shoots, sessions with a large crew or drone use check local regulations and any no-fly zones.
Equipment worth taking: lightweight tripod, power bank, polarizing filter (for water shots), spare memory card. Smartphones are great today, but a small DSLR or mirrorless camera opens more possibilities.
Respect the space: many of the nicest frames are inside residential parts of the city — keep noise down and tidy, and avoid blocking a space for long where people live.
Overcooked filters and oversaturation: natural colors with subtle correction age better than exaggerated presets that quickly become tiresome.
Planning shoots at peak times: the Main Square and Kazimierz can be very crowded in the evenings. If you want empty frames — get up earlier or choose spots outside the center.
Ignoring local signs: some waterside or rocky areas are closed for safety — always respect fences and warning signs.
Forgetting small poses: simple changes in the model’s pose (turning shoulders, tilting the head) can dramatically improve a shot — spend a moment on minor adjustments rather than taking 50 identical photos.
Can you do professional shoots without permission? It depends on the location — in public spaces amateur shoots are usually fine, but for commercial sessions, large equipment or on private grounds you should get the owner’s permission or city permits.
Are drones allowed? Drones have restrictions in urban zones and near airports; check current rules and local no-fly areas before flying.
Where to eat after a shoot? I recommend visiting atmospheric cafés and bars in Kazimierz such as Hamsa and other patio spots — perfect for a break and quick food photos.
How to get around by public transport? Most of the listed places are reachable by tram or bus; it’s useful to have a schedule app and an electronic ticket to move quickly between spots.
Zakrzówek used to be a quarry — its turquoise color comes from the water’s purity and the depth of the basin, but not all areas are accessible due to safety.
Nowa Huta is more than a raw aesthetic — within its urban fabric you’ll find mosaics, decorative details and city-planning compositions typical of the era, great as retro session scenery.
Many of the most photogenic courtyards aren’t marked on tourist maps — try entering side gates and ask local cafés about courtyard access — owners often welcome photos over a cup of coffee.
You now have a map of photo ideas — from Zakrzówek’s natural landscapes to Nowa Huta’s raw lines and Kazimierz’s cozy courtyards. Experiment with times of day, composition and styling — Kraków provides abundant scenery for creating original frames.
If you found this article useful, share it with friends or on social media — it will help other Erasmus students and university students discover the city differently. If you’d like a guided visit of Kraków, consider booking a private tour with Małgorzata Kasprowicz — details are available on the guide’s official site. Good luck with your frames and enjoy discovering Kraków!
