I love spending time in Krakow. It’s a beautiful, walkable city that is easy to navigate and centrally located. Krakow is a great city to visit, whether it’s your first time in Europe or if you’re a seasoned traveler. The architecture is splendid and photogenic, plus the city offers wonderful, hearty Polish food everywhere you turn.
Compared to some of the larger cities in Europe (like Paris, London, Rome), Krakow has reasonable prices, especially when it comes to food and shopping. This is because Poland uses the złoty as opposed to the euro as its currency. I also love that while there are landmarks to see, it isn’t too overwhelming with lists of must-sees. Instead, I think it’s a great city where you can choose-your-own-adventure based on what you are looking for in a trip. You can take a mini walking food tour, marvel at Wawel Castle and St. Mary’s Basilica, hike one or more of the historic mounds around the city, shop at vintage stores, or a combination. As always, I recommend bringing film cameras when traveling to new places. I brought my 35mm toy Holga camera and my Instax Mini 12 Polaroid Camera.
Day 1: Arrive in Krakow
Krakow is the perfect city to add to a European itinerary because of its ease and location. It’s a 5-hour train ride from Vienna, a 6-hour train ride from Prague, and an 8-hour train ride from Budapest, to name just a few major cities nearby.
I checked into the AC Hotel by Marriott Krakow, which is a 30-minute walk from Old Town, but had great rooms and a lovely breakfast buffet. If you’re looking for something more central and in the action, then I recommend the Hotel Saski Krakow, Curio Collection by Hilton.
I recommend taking your first morning or afternoon in Krakow getting to know the Old Town. This includes visiting the main square that dates back to the 13th century, Rynek Główny. There is a lot to see and do just in this small area. Some of my favorite sites and activities are the following:
- Climb the Town Hall Tower (Wieża Ratuszowa) for a unique view of the city
- Take a food tour, such as this one – Krakow: Tipsy Polish Food Tour With History, Pierogi & Shots
- If you don’t take a food tour, definitely grab Pączki, traditional Polish donuts!
- Visit the local museums, Rynek Underground Museum and Historical Museum of the City of Kraków
- Take in the splendor of St Mary’s Basilica (Bazylika Mariacka)
- Promenade down the historical Floriańska street for some shopping, treats, and photo opportunities
- If you have time, stroll down to Wawel Castle for a tour and visit the dragon statue (Smok Wawelski)
- Stroll along the Vistula River for beautiful sunset views
- Grab a fika break at KAFFE BAGERI Stockholm. The cinnamon & cardamom bun is an absolute must!
The best thing about it is all of these sites are near each other with meandering streets and beautiful architecture to gawk at in between!
When you’re hungry and ready for a big comfort meal, Gościnna Chata Restaurant is a must. This cozy restaurant is tucked right off the main square and has its own alleyway leading to the entrance. Be sure to order the pierogis (a traditional Polish dumpling)! The atmosphere is historic and traditional with quirky decor. Having dinner here was a relaxing way to start off my trip and prepare me for a good night’s sleep before heading back to the hotel.
Day 2: Exploring Krakow’s History
If you’re up for exploring more history on the second day, I recommend exploring Kazmierz (Jewish) district and visiting one or more of the historic mounds around the city.
For a lesser-known activity, I ended up walking about 40 minutes from the AC Marriott Hotel to Kopiec Kościuszki. It was chilly in January, and there was some ice and snow, but it was fun to explore a new side of the city. The hike was worth it for the views alone. This kopiec is a great spot for unique photos and offers amazing views. There was a museum that took you through the history of the commemorative mound, created in honor of the Polish national leader Tadeusz Kościuszko.
You can reserve your ticket and skip the line here.
If you’re itching for a tour outside Krakow or end up having extra time, I recommend the Wieliczka Salt Mine Tour. This includes transfer from Krakow to the Salt Mine and back and the entry ticket with a tour by a licensed guide. I recommend carving out around four hours for the tour, and this still leaves you plenty of time in the morning or evening to continue discovering Krakow. It has a fun souvenir shop where you can pick up salt lamps, and other fun decor.
For dinner on your second night in the Kazmierz, I highly recommend Piereszy Stopien. It’s another cozy restaurant that features local ingredients and modern takes on classic dishes. I got the homemade tomato soup with poured dough (little dumplings), chicken and vegetable shashlik, and a wonderful featured drink. Everything was warm and so fresh, perfect after a day of sightseeing in early February.
Last but not least, don’t forget to bring a film camera or two! This post features my 35mm toy Holga camera and my Instax Mini 12 Polaroid Camera.
❤ Natalie Anne
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C'est le Brie 