Podgórze is a district that often surprises visitors who expect only the “other side of the Vistula.” It has its own market square, atmospheric streets, several important memorial sites and plenty of green spaces — all within easy reach of the Old Town.
Where to start? I recommend beginning at Rynek Podgórski (the Podgórze Market Square) and the surrounding townhouses — a perfect spot for a morning coffee and watching local life. Nearby is Kopiec Krakusa (Krakus Mound), which offers a wide panorama of the city; combine a visit there with a walk through intimate parks and small squares.
In Podgórze and the neighbouring Zabłocie you’ll find strong traces of 20th-century history — wartime exhibitions, monuments and places of remembrance. The district mixes historical sites with new creative spaces: galleries, cafés and small workshops standing next to old industrial buildings.
If you enjoy longer walks, head for the Vistula boulevards — a pleasant route between Podgórze and the Old Town, ideal for afternoon strolls and photography.
Remember: many sites in Podgórze carry significant historical meaning, so approach the visit with respect and a moment of reflection.
The Rynek Underground is a modern museum route beneath the surface of the Main Market Square, organised around exposed foundations of medieval houses and stalls. It’s an excellent way to see the city’s historical layers and original archaeological finds presented alongside multimedia displays.
The entrance is located near the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), right by the Adam Mickiewicz monument — easy to combine with a walk around the Market Square and a visit to the Cloth Hall. The route is well signed and prepared so self-guided visits are comfortable.
A visit usually takes about 1 to 2 hours, depending on the pace you take with multimedia stations and archaeological details.
Note that the museum limits the number of visitors on the route at any one time, so for popular dates and high season it’s worth buying tickets in advance. Some municipal museums have free-entry days on certain Tuesdays — check specific rules before your trip.
During the visit you’ll find facilities: toilets (including accessible ones), a lift and places to leave larger baggage — helpful if you’re travelling with children or visitors using wheelchairs.
Because the Rynek Underground is popular and capacity on the route is limited, planning ahead pays off. The safest option is to buy tickets online or check availability on the museum’s official channels, especially for weekends and high season.
If you’re visiting with a group or small children, check concession rules, family tickets and information about free-entry days. Sometimes the museum offers route variants (shorter and longer), so pick the ticket that matches the time you have.
Be prepared for security checks and restrictions on large backpacks — many visitors leave big bags in cloakrooms or at the entrance.
Quick tip: to avoid queues at the ticket office, arrive early in the morning or choose late-afternoon time slots outside peak hours.
Keep an eye on possible changes to prices and opening hours — check up-to-date information before your visit.
Krakow has public toilets located at key tourist points: near the Cloth Hall (Rynek Główny), on the Planty, along the Vistula boulevards and at several places close to major walking routes. Not all facilities operate 24/7, so keep that in mind when planning evening walks.
The toilet by the Cloth Hall is practical for visitors to the Market and the Rynek Underground — it often has extended hours in season and can be accessible for people with disabilities. Several public points also provide baby-changing facilities.
The city has been improving central toilet availability in recent years — opening hours may be extended in season, but there can also be temporary closures or outages, so have a backup plan.
If you want certainty, use toilets in larger venues (museums, shopping centres, cafés) — they are usually the cleanest and most reliable. Bring small change for possible fees at staffed public toilets.
Practical tip: note a few toilet locations along your route in advance — it makes sightseeing less stressful.
Morning: start in Podgórze — walk around Rynek Podgórski, take a short trip to Kopiec Krakusa if you enjoy viewpoints, and have coffee in a local café. While in Podgórze, visit memorial sites and peaceful parks.
Afternoon: return to the city centre and plan your visit to the Rynek Underground (if you have a timed ticket). After exploring the Underground, allow time for a stroll across the Main Market Square, a visit to the Cloth Hall and a break in one of the nearby restaurants.
Evening: take a short walk along the Vistula boulevards or enjoy a relaxed dinner in Kazimierz or Podgórze — a good chance to compare the moods of different neighbourhoods.
During the day remember to plan toilet breaks and wear comfortable shoes — cobblestones and longer walks are common. If you travel with children or people needing extra facilities, choose museums and places with lifts and stroller access.
Be flexible — Krakow often surprises with cultural events or local markets that are worth a quick detour.
Tickets: buy ahead for popular attractions (especially on weekends and in season). Pay attention to ticket types (regular, reduced, family) and possible free-entry days.
Toilets: carry small change, check opening hours of public toilets and use facilities in larger venues when possible.
Getting around: Podgórze and the centre are well connected — you can reach most places on foot, by tram or bus. Walking along the riverside between districts is pleasant and often quicker than finding transport for short distances.
Time: allow at least half a day for Podgórze, and give the Rynek Underground an hour or two to enjoy the exhibition without rush.
Respect memorial sites: Podgórze contains several locations of high historical importance — behave respectfully, take photos sparingly and read information boards to better understand the context.
If you’d like, I can prepare a shorter route tailored to your pace (children, older visitors, quick walk) — tell me how you prefer to explore and I’ll make a plan.
