Things to Visit in Krakow: Old Town to Kazimierz

The largest medieval town square in Europe (200m x 200m). The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice) in the center houses souvenir stalls on the ground floor and a gallery of 19th-century Polish painting upstairs. A horse-drawn carriage ride around the square costs about 150-200 PLN for 30 minutes.

The Gothic basilica on the square has a stunning carved wooden altarpiece by Veit Stoss (1489). The interior is painted floor to ceiling in blue, gold, and red. Entry costs 10 PLN. Every hour, a bugle call (hejnal) plays from the taller tower, cutting off mid-note to commemorate a 13th-century watchman shot by a Mongol arrow.

A 4-km green belt that replaced the medieval city walls. The loop takes 45-60 minutes at a leisurely pace and passes most of the old city gates and towers. Good for a morning walk or jog. Benches and cafes line the route.

Beneath the Main Market Square, this museum reconstructs medieval Krakow using archaeological finds from 6 meters underground. Interactive displays and preserved merchant stalls. Open Wednesday to Monday; book online in summer as it has a visitor cap. One of the best underground museums in Europe.

The main pedestrian street from the square north to the medieval gate (St. Florian's Gate) and the circular Barbican fortification. Lined with shops, cafes, and street performers. The Barbican (a rare surviving example of 15th-century fortress architecture) costs 12 PLN to enter.

Poland's most important historical site. The castle has multiple exhibitions with separate tickets: State Rooms, Royal Private Apartments, Crown Treasury, and Oriental Art. The State Rooms and Treasury are the must-sees. Free entry on certain days (check schedule) but crowds are heavy. Buy tickets online to avoid the morning rush.

Where Polish kings were crowned and buried for 500 years. The cathedral itself is free; the royal tombs, bell tower, and crypt cost 18 PLN combined. The Sigismund Bell at the top of the tower is one of the largest in Poland. The crypt holds the tombs of national heroes including Pilsudski and Kosciuszko.

The fire-breathing dragon statue on the riverbank below the castle shoots real flames every few minutes (gas-powered). The Dragon's Den cave beneath the castle is a short walk-through (7 PLN) that exits near the statue. Kids love it; the cave itself is modest.

The heart of Kazimierz is this round market square with a rotunda selling zapiekanki (Polish toasted baguettes with toppings, about 10-15 PLN). Surrounding streets have vintage shops, independent bars, and street art. The area comes alive after dark with some of Krakow's best nightlife.

The oldest surviving synagogue in Poland (15th century) now houses a museum of Jewish history and culture. Seven synagogues in Kazimierz survived the war; most are open to visitors. A guided Jewish heritage walking tour (about 2 hours, 60-80 PLN) provides essential context.

Several scenes were filmed in Kazimierz. The Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery, Szeroka Street, and the Kupa Synagogue all appear in the film. The Schindler's Factory museum is across the river in Podgorze (a separate visit). Walking tours covering the film locations run daily.

Now a museum covering Krakow's WWII history through the lens of the German occupation. The permanent exhibition is immersive and moving, taking 1.5-2 hours. Located in Podgorze, across the river from Kazimierz. Book timed tickets online; walk-ups sell out by midday. Free on Mondays but limited entry.

The area across the river from Kazimierz was the wartime Jewish ghetto. The Ghetto Heroes Square has a memorial of 70 empty metal chairs representing the belongings left behind. The Pharmacy Under the Eagle on the square tells the story of a pharmacist who helped ghetto residents.

Milk bars are Communist-era canteens still serving cheap Polish food: pierogi, bigos (hunter's stew), zurek (sour rye soup), and placki ziemniaczane (potato pancakes). A full meal costs 15-25 PLN (3-6 EUR). Point at the menu; English is limited but the staff are patient.

Poland's answer to street pizza: a halved baguette loaded with mushrooms, cheese, and various toppings, toasted in an oven. The round kiosk at Plac Nowy is the classic spot. Costs 10-18 PLN depending on toppings. Best eaten late at night after a few beers.

These twisted bread rings covered in poppy seeds, sesame, or salt are sold from blue carts all over the Old Town. Costs 2-4 PLN. They are a protected regional product and can only be made in the Krakow region. Best fresh in the morning.

Kazimierz has the densest concentration of bars in Krakow, from craft beer spots to cocktail lounges to dive bars. Drinks are cheap by European standards: a pint of local beer costs 10-15 PLN (2-3 EUR). Plac Nowy and Ulica Jozefa are the main strips. Things get going after 10 PM.

Order a shot of Zubrowka (bison grass vodka) with apple juice, a classic Polish combination called a szarlotka (apple cake). Or try a tasting flight of 3-5 Polish vodkas at a vodka bar in the Old Town. Shots cost 8-15 PLN in most bars. Chilled, never warm.

70 km west of Krakow (1.5 hours by bus or organized tour). Book the official guided tour (3.5 hours) months in advance during peak season at the memorial's website. Free entry with a guide booking. The experience is harrowing but essential. Dress respectfully. Photography is allowed in most areas but not in certain rooms. Leave a full day.

A UNESCO World Heritage Site 14 km southeast of Krakow. The 2-hour guided tour descends 135 meters underground through carved chambers, chapels (including a cathedral made entirely of salt), and underground lakes. Runs year-round; book online. The tourist route covers 3.5 km. Temperature underground is a constant 14C, so bring a layer.

The town of Zakopane (2 hours south by bus) is the gateway to Poland's highest mountains. Take the cable car to Kasprowy Wierch for summit views, or hike the Morskie Oko lake trail (the most popular trail in the Tatras, 9 km one way). Go on a weekday to avoid crowds. The mountain architecture and smoked cheese (oscypek) are highlights even without hiking.