Looking for the best things to do in Krakow Old Town (Stare Miasto)? I’ve got you covered!
This picturesque medieval UNESCO-listed area is the city’s main tourist focal point, full of historical landmarks, intriguing museums, and cool places to eat (yes, it has some tourist traps too), so I hope this guide will help you make the most of it.
*I try to keep the information on this blog as updated as possible, but I still recommend consulting the latest prices, opening hours, and other details on the official website of each site, hotel, and tour, as well as checking the updated public transport routes and timetables. I share my personal experience and cannot guarantee yours.
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*As a Get Your Guide affiliate program member, I got a 15% discount when I booked my Krakow activities. That said, I always share my honest opinions.
Things to Do in Krakow Old Town
*Many of the museums and landmarks mentioned on this list offer free admission on certain days and hours. Consult the latest details on each one’s official website.
Top activities in Krakow Old Town:
1. Free walking tour of the old town
2. Chopin piano recital
3. Unique half-day trip option: Zalipie painted village (I absolutely loved discovering this hidden gem!)
Highly-rated accommodations in the Old Town:
1. Main Square Apartments, right on the main market square (as central as it gets)
2. Old Town Luxury Apartment
I actually stayed in the Jewish Quarter at this apartment (the Superior Studio). Like many others in the area, the building may be old, but this studio is completely modern. There is also some tram noise and light in the morning, but I still loved the location on a pleasant main street near dozens of cafes and restaurants.
Visit the Magnificent Wawel Hill and Its Dragon
Consisting of the Wawel Royal Castle, Wawel Cathedral, and several other buildings, the infamous Wawel Hill is a remarkable, imposing, medieval fortified complex that served as the residence of Poland’s kings for centuries.
It’s no wonder why it’s one of the most visited landmarks in Poland, and with everything it has to offer, you should set aside a few hours to explore it.
The beautiful courtyards, where I wanted to take a photo of every nook and cranny, are free to roam. With a ticket, you can also visit parts of the castle, including several of its rooms, the armory, royal gardens, and more.
If you only want to see specific parts of the complex, you need to purchase an individual ticket with a timeslot for each area, which I found quite inconvenient.
That said, there’s a combined ticket (called Wawel for Enthusiasts) and a combined guided tour (called The Most Precious), both of which include all areas.
Check out all your options here (choose a date and then “museum visit” under the Wawel Royal Castle), and be sure to book your tickets in advance as this is an extremely popular landmark.
Next, stroll down to see the fire-breathing statue of Wawel’s Dragon, a tribute to the local legend about the fierce dragon defeated by a brave peasant.
Note that the Wawel courtyard is also included in this free walking tour of Krakow’s Old Town.
Wander Around Rynek Główny and the Surrounding Streets
The focal point of Polish old towns is always the Main Market Square, the cities’ historic center of commerce. Krakow is no different, so any exploration of this area should start at the main square, the 13th-century Rynek Główny.
Your eyes will immediately wander toward the square’s landmarks. I will write more extensively about St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall in a second, but you’ll also come across the Church of St. Wojciech, the Town Hall Tower, the Eros Bendato Sculpture (‘The Head’), and more.
I found the square and the nearby streets a joy to explore, filled with restaurants, cafes, and souvenir shops, while the buildings feature stunning architecture and pastel hues.
Weirdly enough, most don’t seem as old as the ones I saw in Krakow’s Jewish Quarter, as they were probably repainted and remodeled to some extent, even though Krakow didn’t suffer as much damage as other Polish cities during WWII (because it was the seat of Germany’s General Governorate for the Occupied Polish Region).
Notable streets and squares to stroll are the bustling Floriańska, Grodzka, the cozier Kanonicza, and Plac Szczepański.
You can also explore this area with this free walking tour of Krakow’s Old Town.
Admire St. Mary’s Basilica
Besides the Wawel complex, St. Mary’s Basilica is one of the most recognizable symbols of Krakow, standing tall in the skyline of the Main Market Square with its red-brick towers.
This Gothic cathedral, which dates back to the 14th century, is famous for its intricate altarpiece crafted by Veit Stoss, as well as its vibrant murals & ceilings, and beautiful stained glass windows.
There’s an area open to visitors who want to tour the basilica, and I really wanted to admire it on the inside as photos I had seen made it seem absolutely stunning, but it was going through some renovations during my trip, and that area appeared to be closed.
I hope it’s open when you’re visiting – so check out its opening hours here!
You can also learn about the basilica in this free walking tour of Krakow’s Old Town.
Explore the Stalls and Museum of the Cloth Hall
Another magnificent building that’s literally impossible to miss in the main square is the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice). Built in the 14th century, it was a major international trade and commerce center, especially in the 15th century.
Nowadays, you’ll see it lined with stalls selling souvenirs and jewelry. Yes, it’s very touristy, but I still found it interesting to stroll through because many stands have incredible items made of Baltic amber, a popular souvenir from Poland.
Inside the building, you’ll also find the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art, boasting roughly 200 paintings and sculptures, including a piece by Jan Matejko, one of the most famous Polish painters.
You can also learn about the Cloth Hall in this free walking tour of Krakow’s Old Town.
Visit the Intriguing Rynek Underground Museum
While it is now a famous place to visit in Krakow Old Town, it would have been easy to miss the Rynek Underground Museum as it’s situated, as the name suggests, underground (more accurately, below the main square).
It is rather a unique history museum because, beyond “ordinary” artifacts, it depicts actual remains of medieval buildings and streets that were archeologically discovered in that very spot, as well as some reconstructions.
As to my personal experience – it’s nice that they use interactive elements to make the visit more engaging, but there’s room for improvement. I also found the layout a bit confusing, but all in all, it’s still a unique visit-worthy museum.
It’s recommended to book tickets in advance, which I did, though after being there, it didn’t seem that necessary to me.
Walk Through St. Florian’s Gate
As you walk north along Floriańska Street, you’ll arrive at St. Florian’s Gate, a Gothic structure dating back to the 14th century.
This medieval tower actually served as Krakow’s main city gate during that time, and you can also observe that it is still linked to a small remaining part of the defensive walls.
In addition to appreciating this historical landmark, I couldn’t help but notice a vibrant display on one section of the wall. Although it feels somewhat touristy, it’s undeniably beautiful. You’ll find a large collection of artworks for sale, which look even more stunning against the medieval backdrop.
Note that the gate is also included in this free walking tour of Krakow’s Old Town.
See the Kraków Barbican
St. Florian’s Gate will lead you to the Barbican, which dates back to the late 15th century and served as a protective structure and a gateway to the Old Town.
Not much has remained from Krakow’s medieval city walls, so I think it’s an absolute privilege to see such a well-preserved fortification from that era. It now houses some exhibitions, but I preferred focusing on admiring its exteriors.
Note that the Barbican is also included in this free walking tour of Krakow’s Old Town.
Marvel at a Da Vinci Painting at the Czartoryski Museum
I admit that I hadn’t heard of the Czartoryski Museum before actually planning a trip to Krakow, but it is one of Poland’s oldest museums and holds one of Europe’s most significant collections.
The venue opened in the late 19th century, but the collection was originally founded by Princess Izabela Czartoryska roughly 80 years earlier.
It is especially known for housing Leonardo da Vinci’s painting Lady with an Ermine, but you’ll also find some works by Rembrandt, sculptures, tapestries, antiques, and so much more, making it ideal for art and culture buffs.
If that’s not enough, a stone’s throw away is the Arsenal of the Princes Czartoryski Museum, a smaller lesser-known branch of the museum that showcases some more intriguing pieces, from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Roman-era sculptures to armor.
Admire at the Juliusz Słowacki Theatre
At first sight, the 19th-century Juliusz Słowacki Theatre might seem like it belongs in Paris or Vienna thanks to its gorgeous eclectic architecture that’s definitely worth a photo or two.
However, this theatre-opera house is, in fact, one of the most culturally significant venues in Poland as it was the birthplace of modern Polish theatre. Located at Plac Świętego Ducha, it’ll only take you a few minutes to get there from the Main Market Square.
Unwind at a Cafe
Amongst the things that bring me joy when traveling to a European city is having a laid-back moment at a charming cafe where I can indulge in a yummy breakfast or brunch (or just have a cup of coffee with a pastry or dessert).
If you’re like me, let me tell you that Krakow’s cafes do not disappoint (at least the ones I tried) and make for an ideal place to take a break from sightseeing.
One of my favorites in the Old Town was Żarówka Cafe, hidden in a quiet courtyard away from the crowds. It mainly serves warm sandwiches made from the local Krakow bagels, though it offers a few more options like salads, pastries, and oatmeal. There’s also a large variety of hot and cold beverages.
Other beloved cafes in the area include Camelot Cafe, Las Kraków Breakfast & Prosecco, and Gossip Cafe.
Devour Hearty Polish Food
I think that Polish food is severely underrated and misunderstood.
Even without diving into regional cuisines, nationally famous dishes like pierogi (Polish dumplings), potato pancakes, barszcz (beetroot soup), and gołąbki (cabbage rolls) are easy to love, especially when done right.
So whether you’ve never tried Polish food, didn’t like it, or already got hooked, many restaurants in Krakow are there to prove that the local traditional cuisine is a force to be reckoned with.
If you’re craving a homestyle meal, I recommend the budget-friendly Tradycyjne Polskie Smaki Kuchnia Polska Kraków (yes, that’s the name). I loved their pierogi and traditional atmosphere, and it seemed to be beloved by locals, which is always a good sign.
There are plenty of other highly-rated places to try in the Old Town, including Pod Aniołami, Kluska na Placu, and Domowe Przysmaki.
Stuff Your Face with Polish Donuts (Pączki)
There’s never a wrong time to eat donuts, especially in Polish cities, where there are so many bakeries that sell them for as little as 8 PLN (less than 2 euros).
Covered in icing sugar or glazed and filled with jam, custard, or another sweet filling, these comforting pastries are a must-try. You can find them in local bakeries across the city or at the Polish chain Dobra Pączkarnia.
See Some Beautiful Churches
Apart from the infamous basilica, the Old Town is home to some architecturally stunning churches, whether on the inside or out.
These include the Church of St. Anne, Holy Trinity Church, Saints Peter and Paul Church, and the 11th-century St. Andrew’s Church (one of the oldest buildings in the city).
Visit the Jagiellonian University Museum Collegium Maius
One of the best things to do in Krakow Old Town is to explore this underrated landmark. Let’s start with some interesting facts:
- The Jagiellonian University is the oldest in Poland, founded by King Casimir III the Great in the 14th century.
- The Gothic-style Collegium Maius is the university’s oldest building, still standing after more than 500 years.
- One of the most famous students of the university was the astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus.
Now that we’ve established the significance of this place, let me tell you that you can visit the majestic courtyard of the Collegium Maius for free or tour the interiors and scientific exhibitions for a small fee.
Whether you want to do that independently or with a guide, all the details are here.
Take a Break at Planty Park
While it’s far from being the prettiest or most impressive park you’ll see, this circular strip of greenery surrounds the Old Town and is dotted with benches, allowing you to relax for a moment after roaming the area on foot.
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