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City in Poland
Photo: Diether, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Kraków (IPA: [ˈkrakuf]) is the chief city of Małopolskie Province in the south of Poland and was the capital of the country during the Middle Ages. At its core is a beautifully-preserved medieval town on the banks of the River Wisła or Vistula, and it's Poland's top tourist draw. The modern city, with a population of just over 800,000 (2023), stretches way beyond, including the communist-era "new town" of Nowa Huta.
Consists of the historic Kraków Old Town, as well as the Wawel castle hill. This district was included as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. These are the most popular tourist destinations, and if your time is limited, you would be best sticking to these.
An area located really close to the Old Town. An independent city in medieval times with a Christian quarter in the West and a former largely Jewish quarter in the east. Also included on the UNESCO list.
Includes Zwierzyniec (the greenest area in Kraków with Błonia, Las Wolski forest and the Kościuszko Mound), Krowodrza, Grzegórzki and several other districts.
Interesting areas include Podgórze, on the southern bank of Vistula River, where a Jewish ghetto was located during the Nazi occupation; and Dębniki, a green area to the South West of the Old Town, which includes the Tyniec Monastery.
With Nowa Huta, "The New Steel Mill" area built in the communist era.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Festiwal Kultury Żydowskiej
A classic, one of the biggest Jewish culture festivals in the world. A week of tours, concerts, workshops on cuisine, dance, music and calligraphy topped with a huge final show on Saturday evening. June/July
New Home in Hebrew
Jewish culture festival, organised by Jewish Cultural Centre in Kazimierz with concerts, exhibitions and lectures.
One of the oldest film events dedicated to documentary, animated and short fiction films in Europe. In a week over 200 films are shown in around six cinemas (10 screens) around the city and in an open air one next to Wawel castle. May
International festival of independent cinema. April
International film festival built around animations and short films. November
One month long festival with around forty different photography exhibitions around the city. May
Typical summer open air music fest. Stars that appeared past years include: Kanye West, Muse, The Chemical Brothers, 50 Cent.
World-renowned experimental music and art event. October
Music fest with concerts of such stars as Steve Reich, Aphex Twin or Kraftwerk taking place in unusual places like churches, museums and factories.
St. John's Night (Midsummer) celebration. An evening of concerts finished with a fireworks show taking place on Vistula river banks next to Wawel castle. A booze-up. June
Krakow Nights
Five nights (one in each month from May to September): Night of Museums (free museums), Night of Theatres (free theatres), Night of Jazz (free jazz concerts), Cracovia Sacra Night (free concerts of church music) and Night of Poetry (free poetic evenings).
Also a hotel, shooting range and horse rides.
Between Wieliczka and Niepołomice. Also a hotel.
By train
Kraków has good rail connections. Two direct trains run from Berlin via Wrocław: 7 hr 30 min daytime, 10 hours overnight which continues to Rzeszów and Przemyśl on the Ukraine border.
By bus
Flixbus (which has taken over Eurolines) runs to Kraków direct from Vienna (7 hr), Budapest (8 hr), Prague (8 hr), Berlin (8 hr), Hamburg (12 hr), Munich (13 hr), Cologne (14 hr), Venice (15 hr via…
By car
The main highway to Kraków from the west is the A4 motorway from the German border, where it meets Autobahns A4 from Dresden and A13 from Berlin.
On foot
Depending on your level of fitness, you can see the whole of the city centre without needing any transport.
By bus and tram
During the day, there is an excellent system of public transportation consisting of trams and buses managed by MPK (Miejskie Przedsiębiorstwo Komunikacyjne).
By taxi/rideshare
Uber and Bolt operate in Krakow and avoid nearly all taxi hassles with the language barrier, overcharging, etc.
By car
Don't bother driving in the city centre. There's often a lot of traffic, parking spaces are scarce and can be expensive, and Polish driving takes a lot of getting used to.
By bicycle
It is easy to get around the centre on two wheels, as there are some bike lanes, including through the 'Planty' that surround the Old Town. Some bike rentals also provide city and country tours.
By boat
You can take a cruise on the Vistula River. It is a good way to explore the city and learn about the history of Krakow's monuments.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Balice · International · KRK
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