Krakow is a city where literature weaves itself into the streets and café tables. Walking here with friends, it’s easy to feel that stories hide between the tenement houses — from the biography of Wisława Szymborska, through traces of Czesław Miłosz, to contemporary festivals and bookstores that buzz with life. This kind of route gives a different pace to sightseeing: less "must-see" and more "I want to stay here a little longer".
Literary Krakow is also a great option for a group of friends because it combines walking, coffee and culture — everyone finds something for themselves: a café atmosphere, good books, evening readings and small galleries. It’s the kind of trip that leaves room for conversations and unexpected discoveries.
Start the day with breakfast in a cozy café, then walk through the Old Town and the Planty, pop into a bookshop-café, visit the homes and memorial plaques of Nobel laureates, and in the evening look for a spot with a poetry night or an acoustic concert. Classic points easy to fit into one plan: Massolit (breakfast/bakery & cafe), Collegium Maius and the nearby Old Town, Dom Literatów, Wisława Szymborska Park, Kawiarnia Literacka in Kazimierz and De Revolutionibus Books & Café in the center.
You don’t have to stick to a rigid schedule — the best stops are spontaneous: a small exhibition, a book market or a pop-up with local beer.
9:00 - Breakfast at Massolit Bakery & Cafe: fresh pastries, a large coffee and a place to start the day with a book or a map in hand.
10:30 - Walk toward Collegium Maius and the Old Town: winding streets, legends and short photo stops.
12:00 - A short visit to Dom Literatów and a route following traces of Wisława Szymborska: places that may have inspired her everyday observations.
13:30 - Lunch in Kazimierz or a cozy spot by the market: choose a place with a good reputation — ideally reserve for a larger group.
15:00 - Kawiarnia Literacka at ul. Krakowska 41: time for dessert, browsing the shelves and, if you’re lucky, an author meeting or open mic.
17:00 - A moment of relaxation in Wisława Szymborska Park or on a bench by the Vistula: conversations and book exchanges.
19:00 - Evening event: De Revolutionibus, small concerts, readings or another literary event; alternatively dinner at a well-rated restaurant and a bar with a music area.
If you have more time, stretch the plan over two days by adding museums, MOCAK or a morning market and an antiques fair.
Bookshop-cafés are ideal meeting places for friends. Kawiarnia Literacka offers shelves full of titles, comfortable armchairs and a program of events — a great place for longer conversations and evening author events.
Massolit Bakery & Cafe is perfect for breakfast and fresh baked goods with atmosphere: good coffee, bakery treats and an option to combine the meal with a visit to the English-language section of the bookstore. De Revolutionibus Books & Café and Tektura are other havens with books and events — ideal for small groups who like to mix coffee with culture.
If you’re after a retro vibe or a place with live music, check event calendars in advance — popular evenings can book up quickly.
Wisława Szymborska lived in Krakow for most of her life — the city left several memorial places and traces in the urban space that fit well into a literary walk. The park named after her and memorial plaques are places where you can feel the close, human dimension of her poetry.
Czesław Miłosz, although he spent parts of his youth outside Krakow, became associated with the city in later years and spent his final years here. The city often hosts events commemorating his work. It’s also worth paying attention to festivals and lecture series that recall Nobel laureates and combine literature with music and art.
Olga Tokarczuk cooperates with Krakow literary festivals, and the city has honored her achievements many times, which translates into public initiatives and events devoted to contemporary prose.
Krakow in the evening has a different light, different sounds and many cultural events. After a literary day you’ll find your place at an open mic, a poetry night, an intimate concert or a bar with louder music — the choice depends on the group’s mood.
De Revolutionibus and Kawiarnia Literacka often host smaller events — check event calendars because those evenings have a special atmosphere. If you want to combine literature with good food, choose well-reviewed restaurants in the center and reserve a table for a larger group.
Check opening hours and event calendars — many cafés and bookstores have irregular hours or special events that make it hard to find a free spot without an advance reservation.
Don’t plan too many “big” stops in one day: museums + long queues + lunch at peak times will quickly tire the group. It’s better to choose less and do it calmly with coffee breaks.
Card payment is usually accepted everywhere, but small charming cafés sometimes prefer cash — it’s worth carrying a few banknotes just in case.
If you plan to attend an evening literary event, arrive early — seating can be limited. Reserving a table for dinner is wise for groups of 4+ people.
Krakow has a strong contemporary literary scene — beyond famous names there are many small publishers, local initiatives and bookstores that organize great events and workshops. Ask the barista or bookseller what they recommend — often those are the best discoveries.
A literary city doesn’t always mean museums: writers’ memory often appears in small details — plaques, street names, café tables and even parks named after them. These little traces give the most joy during a walk with friends.
Outside the high tourist season it can be calmer here — if you can, choose early autumn or late spring: fewer crowds, more space in cafés and nicer weather for long conversations on a bench.
Do you need to reserve a table in a bookshop-café? Usually no, but for literary events and larger groups it’s better to call or write in advance.
How many people fit in a typical Krakow literary café? It varies — there are large spaces (Kawiarnia Literacka) and small, intimate places; for meetings of 6–10 people, check availability beforehand.
Are there English-language events in places with books? Yes — many bookstores and cafés organize meetings in English, especially those frequented by tourists; check event pages.
How much time should you allow for a literary route? Minimum half a day, optimally a full day. If you add museums — expand the plan to 2 days.
Comfortable shoes and a light jacket — Krakow encourages walking, and the weather can change during the day. A power bank and a small shopping bag — you may be tempted to buy a few books.
A list of places and phone numbers/reservations in your phone — it makes spontaneous decisions and quick group organization easier.
If you have favorite board games, bring one or two — many cafés have space where you can sit with a game and a coffee.
If you enjoyed this route, share it — take photos, write a short review of your favorite spot and send the article to friends. Such recommendations are the most valuable.
If you want your walk to be truly personalized - private guide Małgorzata Kasprowicz offers guided tours of literary Krakow; contact details can be found on the guide’s page. This is a great option for groups who want to experience the city with a local who knows the history and can tell it colorfully and with humor.
Good luck discovering Krakow with a book in hand and a good coffee on the table - enjoy your visit!
