Krakow has something that works best when you slow down: cobbled streets, coffee aromas and little corners that taste best when shared by two. If you love books and cats, you can plan your visits so every afternoon ends with a cup of really good coffee or on a soft armchair between bookshelves. This guide suggests tried-and-true places and practical tips — so your weekend is relaxing and leaves you with memories rather than just photos to scroll through.
I use local knowledge and residents’ suggestions to recommend places Krakowians like and visitors enjoy. If you want, treat this as a ready-made 48–72 hour plan for the city.
The city has a compact centre, many intimate cafés and restaurants, and plenty of space for walks — the Planty, the boulevards along the Vistula, green hills with viewpoints. That makes spontaneous decisions easy: a short walk, lunch in a bookstore-café, an afternoon in a cat café or a sunset on a mound.
For couples who prefer a slower pace, Krakow offers a balance between tourist highlights (best seen early morning or late afternoon) and less obvious spots — cat cafés, independent bookstores and local literary events.
1. Wawel — visit Wawel Hill at sunrise or late afternoon to avoid crowds and feel its historic atmosphere without the family noise.
2. Kazimierz — atmospheric streets, cafés and galleries; ideal for an evening stroll and a candle-lit dinner.
3. Vistula Boulevards — right by the river, with benches and a view of Wawel; a perfect spot for a picnic, a glass of wine and the sunset.
4. Krakus Mound or Kościuszko Mound — viewpoints that reward short climbs with wide panoramas of the city.
5. Zakrzówek — a former quarry with informal viewpoints; great for a walk away from the busy centre and for more private moments together.
6. Cat cafés — cafés where resident cats live and you can drink coffee in their company; Krakow has local, long-running cat cafés often run in cooperation with foundations.
7. Massolit Books & Café — an English-language bookstore with a large selection and a café corner; a lovely place for a quiet afternoon and literary events.
8. Bonobo — a small independent bookstore and meeting spot, known for travel and reportage titles and a cosy interior with coffee.
9. Szafa Pełna Książek / Spółdzielnia Ogniwo — independent bookstore-cafés noted for atmosphere, events and carefully chosen book selections.
10. Tyniec — the Benedictine abbey on the Vistula, perfect for a short trip outside the city: calm, views and a good place for tea and conversation.
Cat cafés in Krakow have their own rules: often there’s an age limit (children above a certain age), entry may require a reservation and some cafés use timed-ticket systems. Before you go, check opening hours and whether you need to book.
Remember hygiene — wash your hands before and after touching cats and behave gently. Cats have their rest areas in cafés that should not be disturbed.
Many of these cafés cooperate with rescue foundations and offer adoptions and educational events — a great way to have coffee while supporting local animal causes.
Independent bookstores in Krakow are more than shelves — they are cafés, author programmes and intimate meetings. The most pleasant visits are outside peak hours, between noon and early afternoon, when you can browse quietly and try local pastries.
Look for bookstores that host events — author evenings, discussions and workshops. That’s a great way to feel the local scene and meet residents.
If you want a souvenir, choose local publishers and carefully selected titles — these make better keepsakes than mass-produced gadgets. Many bookstores accept cards and offer gift wrapping.
Krakow has excellent restaurants for different budgets, but for couples choose places known for atmosphere and attention to detail. Recommended options include classic, elegant restaurants with regional cuisine and intimate bistros with a warm mood.
A few tried names to consider when booking: Pod Baranem (classic regional cuisine), Zazie Bistro (intimate French-style menu) and central cafés for a stop between sightseeing. Book a table for the evening — it’s usually worth it, especially on weekends.
If you plan something special — a romantic boat trip on the Vistula or an evening with live music in a cosy cellar — these experiences perfectly complement your literary-and-cat days.
For couples I recommend accommodation in the Old Town or Kazimierz — most attractions are within walking distance and in the evenings you’ll enjoy atmosphere and restaurant choices. If you prefer quiet, consider Podgórze or areas near green spots like Zakrzówek.
Look for small boutique hotels or apartments with a separate bedroom — these offer comfort and privacy for a romantic break. Check guest reviews and location relative to the places you want to visit.
1) Trying to pack too many attractions into one day — Krakow is best enjoyed slowly. Choose 2–3 highlights per day and leave time for accidental discoveries.
2) Not booking popular restaurants and cat cafés — on weekends and evenings it can be hard to get a table, so reserve in advance.
3) Not checking age limits at cat cafés — if you’re travelling with younger family members, check rules before you arrive.
4) Ignoring opening hours of bookstores and smaller venues — independent shops often have non-standard hours, especially on holidays.
- Comfortable shoes for walking on cobbled streets and hills.
- A small torch or an offline map app if you plan late walks in Kazimierz or Podgórze.
- Cash and card — most places accept cards, but small bookstores and cafés may prefer cash.
- A reusable bag for books — many independent bookstores will gift-wrap purchases, but an eco bag helps carrying them.
Are cat cafés safe for people with allergies? Answer: if someone has a strong cat allergy, it’s better to skip the visit — even a well-run café cannot eliminate allergen contact. For people with mild symptoms, contact the café in advance to ask about cleaning rules.
Do you need to reserve for bookstore events? Answer: for popular author evenings and workshops, reservation is recommended. Regular opening hours usually allow casual visits without booking.
How to plan an ideal day? Answer: morning at Wawel or a walk along the Planty, noon in a bookstore or café, afternoon on the Vistula Boulevards or at Zakrzówek, and an evening dinner in an intimate restaurant.
Surprise: many cat cafés in Krakow work with local foundations and run adoption activities — a warm way to visit a place with a heart.
Surprise 2: some bookstores specialise in themes (e.g. reportage, regional studies, Jewish literature) and act as small cultural centres — you’ll find local premieres and intimate exhibitions there.
If this guide inspired you — share it with friends, post on social media or send it by email. And if you’d like to explore Krakow with someone who will show you the city from a resident’s perspective and as a private guide — Małgorzata Kasprowicz is happy to lead a tour tailored to your interests; you can find contact details on the guide’s page. Enjoy exploring and lots of time for reading and purring together!
