Autumn in Krakow has a unique atmosphere: golden and red leaves, morning mists over the Vistula and shorter days that give beautiful light for photos. Summer tourist crowds thin out and the city regains a calmer, more intimate character — ideal for walks, photo sessions and short viral clips.
In autumn it’s easier to capture authentic scenes: local cafés with umbrellas, steam from places serving hot chocolate, puddles reflecting historic buildings. Even rain and fog can add mood to images — instead of avoiding them, plan shots that work with the weather. Most importantly: with a little preparation your photos will look great and your clips can gain viral potential.
As a guide I’m happy to show routes that work best this time of year — but first a few locations and practical tips you can use on your own.
Wawel — a classic that works year-round. In autumn the stone walls and golden leaves by the Planty create a striking contrast. The best shots are at sunrise and sunset when the light is soft.
Main Market Square and Sukiennice — the heart of the city: architecture, St. Mary’s Church and the café scene. Autumn colors in the background and quiet mornings make excellent conditions for photos without the crowds.
Kazimierz — atmospheric streets, murals and cafés. This area is full of details: lights, courtyards and old cobblestones look wonderful in warm autumn tones.
Planty — the green belt around the Old Town. A morning walk along the Planty gives soft light, dew and peaceful frames without cars or noise.
Vistula Boulevards — reflections in the water and sunsets over the Vistula. An evening stroll here offers many options for longer shots and dynamic Reels with a city panorama in the background.
Zakrzówek — turquoise water and rocks look spectacular, especially in good light. Note: not all banks are officially accessible; be cautious and don’t risk going down unmarked cliffs.
Kopiec Krakusa — a less crowded viewpoint than Kościuszko Mound, excellent for sunrise and panoramic city views in soft autumn light.
Kanonicza Street — one of the most photogenic streets in Krakow: cobblestones, historic houses and calm create soulful frames.
Villa Decjusz and its garden — a quiet, green spot slightly outside the strict city centre; a beautiful backdrop for classic portrait photos.
Jordan Park — a large park ideal for sessions among trees showing full autumn color.
Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec — if you have more time, the area offers intimate, picturesque shots by the Vistula with a historic background.
The golden hour (just after sunrise and before sunset) is a must for beautiful, warm frames. Plan specific locations for these times — for example the Vistula Boulevards for sunset and Kopiec Krakusa for sunrise.
Weekday mornings are best if you want to avoid crowds. On weekends popular spots can be busy — plan for early or late in the day.
Autumn means shorter days and weaker light — bring a tripod for long exposures and an LED light if you plan short night clips. A powerbank will also come in handy.
In fog or light rain consider using a polarizing filter (on a camera) or apply simple corrections on your phone — increasing contrast and saturation can add mood, but keep things natural.
If you want to capture motion (pedestrians, falling leaves), use a slower shutter for some motion blur or a faster one to freeze action. Test both — autumn clips often benefit from dynamic movement.
Story-driven intros: a short opening of 3–6 seconds showing a detail (e.g. Wawel close-up), then a quick cut to a dynamic shot (boulevards, Kazimierz). Clips with contrast in light and color catch attention more easily.
Transitions: use simple transitions — cover the lens with your hand, spin the camera or ‘jump’ between locations synced to a bass hit. These transitions work great in Reels.
Detail shots: close-ups of a hand holding a hot coffee, chestnuts, a leaf with a water drop, or stone texture. Short, aesthetic details build narrative and are popular to watch.
Reflections and symmetry: Wawel reflected in puddles or Zakrzówek in the water, symmetric shots of Kanonicza Street — these are easy to edit into engaging footage.
Sound: choose a soundtrack with an energetic hook or a gentle guitar motif, but mind copyright. Natural city sounds (the hejnał trumpet call, the river’s murmur) can be very effective.
Formats: vertical Reels 9:16 and short, dynamic sequences of 15–30 seconds have the greatest reach. Make the first 2 seconds strong — that moment decides whether someone stops scrolling.
Respect residents and private property — don’t enter private courtyards and avoid interrupting daily routines. Krakow’s streets are often lived in; what looks great in a photo can be someone’s front door.
Don’t risk going down unmarked cliffs or climbing for a shot. This especially applies to Zakrzówek — where there are no official paths or protections, take extra care.
Drones: if you plan aerial shots, check the current regulations and no-fly zones over historic areas. Not every aerial angle is legal or safe.
Don’t block passages or entrances while shooting; don’t obstruct sidewalks and be mindful of foot and bike traffic. Courtesy helps create better shots and positive interactions with others.
If you do a session with models, get permission to publish their likeness or make sure participants know how you’ll use the material.
Full-day route: Kopiec Krakusa at sunrise — Planty for morning coffee and a walk — Main Market Square and Sukiennice before noon — Wawel for shots from the south around midday — Kazimierz for lunch and afternoon frames — Vistula Boulevards for the golden hour and sunset. This pace allows time for photos and short clips in several iconic places.
Half-day version (ideal for an afternoon): start at the Planty or the Market at 2:00 pm — quick shots near Wawel — coffee break in Kazimierz — Vistula Boulevards for the evening sunset. Short, intense and easy to return to later for more detailed shots.
A calmer alternative: Jordan Park and Villa Decjusz + a walk around Salwator. Great if you want to avoid crowds and make more “cinematic” frames among trees and historic villas.
Remember: some places are best visited outside weekends — then you’re more likely to get clean frames and a calm atmosphere for recording.
Layered clothing — autumn weather changes quickly. A warm jacket, a light inner layer and waterproof shoes are essential.
Powerbank, spare memory card and a lens cloth. Nothing ruins photos faster than dirty glass or a drained phone halfway through the shoot.
A small tripod or gimbal — especially useful for long exposures, time-lapses and smooth Reel shots.
An umbrella or a light rain poncho. Rain doesn’t mean the end of recording — it can give great reflections and dramatic skies.
A small first-aid kit and comfortable shoes. Short distances and plenty of walking are a normal part of exploring Krakow.
Try different frames: analog-style close-ups, wide shots and medium portraits. The more variants you take, the easier it is to create dynamic Reels or an Instagram carousel.
Experiment with editing: quick cuts, rhythmic music editing and mixing details with panoramic shots works well. Also remember captions — good storytelling increases engagement.
If you’d like, I can show you the route live, advise on the best times for each spot and help assemble a script for your clip. I invite you to contact me through zwiedzaniekrakowa.com — I’d be happy to arrange a short photo-walk tailored to your needs.
Enjoy discovering Krakow in autumn! - Małgorzata Kasprowicz (zwiedzaniekrakowa.com)
