Kraków is one of Poland’s most beautiful cities, known for its history and charm. It is a lively spot with lots to do – whether you’re into history, culture, or just enjoying good food and exploring the city.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum
About an hour outside of Kraków are the Auschwitz I and Auschwitz II-Birkenau concentration camps. They have been turned into a memorial and museum but still preserve the history and tell the story of the horrors that happened there. It was an emotionally powerful experience that I highly recommend. There is a lot of walking outside so be prepared for whatever the weather may bring.
Tip: We took a guided tour through TripAdvisor that picked us up from Kraków which I recommend doing especially due to the parking situation at the sites.
Wawel Castle & Cathedral
Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral are two of the most famous landmarks in Kraków. Wawel Castle is a unique blend of Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque architecture and was the home to Polish kings. Wawel Cathedral is where Polish kings were crowned and then became their resting place. We walked around the outs
ide of the castle and cathedral, but did not go inside. If I did a tour, I would have likely chosen this skip the line tour through GetYourGuide. I find the skip the line tours are absolutely worth the extra money to not have to wait in line for hours.
Rynek Główny (Main Market Square)
Located in the heart of Kraków, Rynek Główny is home to cafés, shops, restaurants, and street performers in addition to its historic landmarks. A can’t-miss landmark in the square is St. Mary’s Basilica. If you time it right (at the top of every hour), you can hear the trumpet call!
Ghetto Heroes Square
An incredibly moving display, the Ghetto Heroes Square holds 70 empty, metal chairs to symbolize the atrocities of the Holocaust and World War II. During this time, the square was a central point for the Nazis to gather Jews for deportation to concentration camps.
Ghetto Walls
Just about two tenths of a mile from Ghetto Heroes Square, a wall from the Kraków Ghetto still stands. The wall was much taller than I would’ve imagined. Standing at the wall, I tried to imagine being enclosed in these walls – walls so high that you can’t see any part of the outside world. These 10 foot tall walls were designed intentionally with curved tops to resemble tombstones. The walls enclosed a 0.077 square mile (approximately 400 ft x 400 ft) area and housed about 15,000 Jews.
Oskar Schindler’s Factory
Oskar Schindler was a German businessman and Nazi Party member who saved over 1,000 Jews during the Holocaust. At first, he used Jewish labor for profit in his factories, but as the war went on, he risked his life to protect them.
We did not book tickets to the factory in advance and unfortunately, the tickets for the rest of the day were sold out and it was our last day in Kraków, so we did not get to visit the factory. This is on the top of my list for the next time I am in Kraków.
Schindler’s List Passage
Oskar Schindler bribed Nazi officials and created “Schindler’s List,” which included the names of Jewish workers he moved to a safer factory, keeping them from being sent to death camps. This is the passageway he used to move them. There are some plaques on the walls, but overall, the passage was fairly underwhelming.
Floriańska Street
Floriańska Street is one of the main streets in Kraków’s Old Town, connecting the Main Market Square to St. Florian’s Gate. It’s a lively area and a great mix of Kraków’s history with a modern vibe. You’ll find shops, restaurants, and cafés along with beautiful old buildings and street performers!
St. Florian’s Gate
At the end of Floriańska Street, you will find St. Florian’s gate which was once part of the city’s medieval defense walls.
Day Trip to Zakopane
Just a 2 hour bus ride from Kraków, Zakopane is a cute, charming town at the base of the Tatras Mountain Range which borders Slovakia to the south. We went in early March so there were still lots of snow activities to do on the mountain. We chose to go on a snowmobiling expedition through GetYourGuide which was like nothing I had ever done before! Driving a snowmobile is so much harder than I though it would be, it took me a minute to get comfortable with leaning into the turns, but the guides were patient with me and made sure I was comfortable. The views were incredible, I highly recommend doing a mountain activity for the views if nothing else! For more about taking a day trip to Zakopane, check out my post One Perfect Day in Zakopane.
Kraków is one of those places where history and modern life mix perfectly. Whether you’re wandering through its ancient streets, checking out historic sites, or just enjoying a coffee in a cozy café, there’s always something to do. It’s a city that really gives you a feel for Poland’s past and present, making it a must-see if you’re in the area.