Things to Do in Krakow
Top attractions, best neighborhoods to wander, and the food you shouldn't skip in Krakow, Poland — 2026 traveler picks.
Top places to see
Main Market Square + Cloth Hall (UNESCO)
Largest medieval square in Europe (40,000 sqm) — Cloth Hall, St Mary's Basilica (hourly hejnał trumpet). Free.
Wawel Royal Castle + Cathedral
Polish kings' Renaissance castle + Gothic cathedral. PLN 30 for castle. 1.5 hours. Climb the Sigismund Tower for free.
Kazimierz (Jewish Quarter) + Schindler's Factory
Old Jewish district — synagogues, klezmer bars, Schindler's Factory Museum (PLN 32). 2 hours.
Auschwitz-Birkenau (75 km, half-day)
1.5-hour drive from Kraków. Free entry; PLN 90 for guided tour (compulsory 10am-3pm). Half-day minimum. For 8+ hour layovers only.
Book tours + skip-the-line tickets
Compare tours + attractions in Krakow across GetYourGuide, Tiqets and Trip.com — free cancellation on most, and prices match direct booking.
Things to do in Krakow
Lock in a few experiences before you go — the good ones sell out.
Tours, tickets & day trips
Our pickGetYourGuide has the deepest catalogue for Krakow and free cancellation on most experiences — book now, decide later.
Browse KrakowJust need timed-entry attraction tickets? Try Tiqets.Want a private driver-guide? Trip.com Private Tours in Krakow.Eat here first
Pierogi at Pierogarnia. Żurek (sour rye soup). Bigos hunter's stew. Obwarzanek (Kraków pretzel). Tyskie + Żywiec lager. Vodka.
Local tip
KRK is 15km from centre — train PLN 21 (20 min) is fastest. For 4-hour layovers: Old Square + Wawel Castle. For 6+ hours: add Kazimierz. Auschwitz is logistically too tight unless 12+ hour layover. Kraków is cheaper than Warsaw + arguably more beautiful.
Where to stay
Hotels across Krakow — filter by neighborhood + budget on the map below.