Krakow for one two days – which museums, cathedrals, and castles are free, where to get a view of the city from above, and where to eat cheaply and deliciously in Krakow.
Krakow was once the capital of Poland – now it is the second largest city in the country, just as interesting as Warsaw. Honestly, I love Krakow more because, in my opinion, it is cozier and more interesting.
City Walks
In Krakow, there are many places you can see or visit without spending a penny. Long walks through various neighborhoods will keep you occupied for 2-3 days.
Old Town of Krakow
Market Square or Rynek Glowny is the name of the main square in the Old Town of Krakow. And it’s one of the busiest places in the city, which you can visit for free. This square dates back to the 13th century and is the largest medieval city square in Europe! On Market Square, there are usually street musicians who will delight you with beautiful melodies. If the weather is good, it’s an ideal place to stay for a while with a book or just watch the tourists and pigeons.
In the center of the square, you will find the Cloth Hall – a gallery housing a souvenir market. You can simply browse the stalls with tourist trinkets along its arcades or buy something as a souvenir.
The Market Square also features the St. Mary’s Basilica, one of the city’s most notable landmarks. By the way, entrance to the basilica during services is free.
Town Hall Tower – entrance is free on Mondays. You can also visit the Krzysztofory Palace for free on Tuesdays.
The Krakow Barbican is a 15th-century defensive structure built of brick. Its purpose was to protect the Old Town of Krakow and the royal residences located there. Although it is now situated in the charming Planty Park. In the past, this area was part of a deep moat to deter invaders. Today, various temporary exhibitions are held in the Barbican. Entrance for Ukrainians is 1 zloty.
Kazimierz
Below flows the Vistula River, along which a promenade leads to Kazimierz – the former Jewish quarter of Krakow. Now it is a vibrant maze filled with the city’s best cafes, restaurants, bars, galleries, and historical sites. Kazimierz is the coolest part of the city, filled with art galleries, vintage shops, trendy bars, and numerous wonderful cafes. It’s the perfect place to get lost, and you can easily spend hours exploring its alleys and window shopping. If you come on a Saturday or Sunday, you will find flea and antique markets here.
While in Kazimierz, you must visit Plac Nowy, the heart of Kazimierz. You should also take the opportunity to see the many interesting synagogues on Szeroka Street.
Podgórze
Across the river from the center of Krakow, in the Podgórze district, you will find the 16-meter high Krakus Mound. This massive grassy hill is believed to be the burial site of Krakow’s mythical founder, King Krakus. It’s one of four “memorial” mounds in the city, and visiting and climbing to the top is completely free. Besides the interesting history full of legends, Krakus Mound offers a wonderful view of the city from the top.
The Rainbow Stairs in Krakow are an ideal place for Instagram, and if you are into photography, this is one of the best free places to visit in Krakow. You will find these stairs with rainbow paintings on Tatrzańska Street in Podgórze; they have been brightly painted since 2013.
An important place dedicated to the events of World War II is Ghetto Heroes Square (Plac Bohaterów Getta). The large bronze chairs in the square, which was the center of the Krakow Ghetto, symbolize the wait for death (Jews were sent to death camps Belzec and Auschwitz from this square), as well as the severe overcrowding within the ghetto walls: in an area where 3,000 people lived before the war, 20,000 were crammed during the Nazi occupation – according to the Nazis, each apartment had to accommodate at least four Jewish families.
Most of the chairs in the square face Under the Eagle Pharmacy of Tadeusz Pankiewicz (Apteka pod Orłem), who, along with the pharmacy staff, were the only Poles who remained living in the ghetto to help the Jews. The pharmacy became a real covert operation point where the Polish underground could connect with the Jewish resistance. Entry is free on Wednesdays, but by prior arrangement.
Krakow Parks
Planty Park surrounds the old town of Krakow, and if the weather permits, a walk here is one of the best free activities in Krakow. In the park, you will see statues of historical figures, including Nicolaus Copernicus. The park has many benches, and in the summer, locals gather here to spend time in the shade of the park, away from the sun.
Museums and Castles of Krakow
Wawel Castle is one of the most beautiful places in Krakow. You can enter the castle grounds for free – in the summer it’s a great place to sunbathe and relax on the green lawns. Additionally, from the castle hill, you get wonderful views of the city. Entry to the Armory Chamber from 9:30 am to 1:00 pm is free – you need to get a ticket at the ticket office.
Museums in Krakow for free
The Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow is also known as MOCAK. It is located in the Podgórze district. The museum features the latest local and international art, and conducts educational, research, and publishing projects. The MOCAK building is part of the former Oskar Schindler factory. Free day is Thursday, but with a free ticket, you can only view part of the exhibitions.
Citizens of Ukraine – women and children under 18, as well as all those with refugee status, can visit MOCAK for free. Participation in workshops, educational events, tours, and non-exhibition related activities is also free. Ukrainian citizens without refugee status are entitled to a special ticket costing 2 zlotys.
In the town hall building, located on the main square of Kazimierz, there is the Krakow Ethnographic Museum. On Sundays, museum admission is free. Ukrainians can visit for free on all days by showing a Ukrainian passport.
A branch of the historical museum Podziemia Rynku is located under the Central Market Square (entrance to the Sukiennice building). Here you can learn about the history of the city during the Middle Ages. In addition to traditional exhibits about the Middle Ages – coins, pots, and women’s jewelry – there are quite strange artifacts. For example, a 693-kilogram piece of lead, which is the only one of its kind in the world. Poles are proud of it and call it “bochen” (loaf). Admission to the museum is free on Tuesdays if you book tickets online two weeks in advance.
The main building of the National Museum in Krakow presents an interesting collection of Polish art of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as many temporary exhibitions worthy of attention even to an experienced viewer. In one of the museum’s departments – the Czartoryski Museum – you can see one of the most valuable Renaissance paintings in the world and undoubtedly the most valuable in the Polish collection – “Lady with an Ermine,” painted in 1490 by Leonardo da Vinci. For Ukrainians, the ticket price is 1 zloty.
Stained Glass Museum – a museum with historical and modern stained glass and a working studio with demonstrations.
Eat in Krakow – almost for free
Milkbar Tomasza – Milkbar Tomasza. A former canteen for workers, now after a modern renovation, attracts not only locals but also tourists. Here you can try hearty traditional Polish food, properly prepared and served without excesses. There are several milk bars in Krakow, but Milkbar Tomasza is one of the most affordable. It’s a great place to enjoy pierogi – dumplings, with fillings ranging from cheese to meat and vegetables.
Try going for lunch with locals or attend a pierogi-making master class. It’s a great opportunity to meet people living in Krakow, socialize, and learn how to cook local dishes.
Budget accommodation in Krakow
How to get to Krakow
KRK (airport 11 km from Krakow city center) – Krakow-Balice International Airport is convenient for passengers planning to fly from Krakow to other European cities. The travel prices to the airport are low, and there is also a choice between bus and train.
- Train from the main railway station – Kraków Główny to the airport – KRAKÓW LOTNISKO/AIRPORT, runs from 4:00 to 24:00 every 30 minutes. Travel time – 15 minutes, cost – 2.9 Euros (14 zlotys). The ticket is sold at the station ticket office or machine, or on the website kolejemalopolskie.com.pl. The train leaves directly from the main terminal.
- Buses from the bus station Dworzec Główny Wschód No. 252 and No. 208 (Bosacka 18). Also at night – starting at 23:25, a night bus No. 902 runs hourly. The fare is 1 Euro (4.6 zlotys), calculated for 2 tariff zones. The ticket is purchased at the machine.
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