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Poland · Lesser Poland

Kraków travel guide

Poland's royal city, with a vast medieval square and lively bars

The Main Square and Cloth Hall. Photo: Jorge Lascar, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons

2h 15mflight from London
KRKnearest main airport
20° in Julwarmest month
-3° in Jancoolest month

Kraków escaped serious damage in the Second World War, so its old town, Wawel Castle and the Jewish district of Kazimierz are beautifully intact. The Main Square is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe.

It's very good value, with bars in old cellars, cheap restaurants and day trips to the Wieliczka salt mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial.

Good forCity breaksHistoryNightlifeFood

What Kraków is known for

  • Wawel Castle

    The castle of Polish kings.

  • The Main Square

    Cloth Hall and St Mary's trumpet call.

  • Kazimierz

    Bars, cafés and Jewish heritage.

  • Day trips

    Salt mine and Auschwitz.

Top things to do in Kraków

  1. 1

    Wawel Castle

    The cathedral, royal rooms and dragon's den.

    Find tours and tickets
  2. 2

    The Main Square

    Hear the trumpeter from St Mary's Basilica each hour.

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  3. 3

    Kazimierz

    Synagogues, street art and evening bars.

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  4. 4

    Wieliczka Salt Mine

    Chapels carved from salt underground.

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  5. 5

    Auschwitz-Birkenau

    A guided visit to the memorial and museum.

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  6. 6

    Schindler's Factory

    A museum of Kraków under occupation.

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See all tours and tickets in Kraków

Where to stay in Kraków

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Best time to visit Kraków

Best value: Mar–May, Sep–Oct. April to June and September: mild weather and fewer crowds. December for the Christmas market.

  • Best valueGood weather, smaller crowds
  • PeakBusiest, highest prices
  • QuietCheapest, cooler or wetter
-3.3 C-3°J-1.7 C-2°F2.6 C3°M8.7 C9°A13.8 C14°M17.7 C18°J20 C20°J19.7 C20°A14.5 C14°S8.8 C9°O3.8 C4°N-1.3 C-1°D
Bar height is the average temperature in Kraków, °C, 2001–2025 (NASA POWER).

Getting there and around

About 2h 15m from London to KRK, and flights from most UK airports. How long is the flight from your airport?

Walk the old town and Kazimierz. Trams and buses cover the rest.

Airport transfer to Kraków

Find flights to Kraków (KRK)

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Good to know

  • Book Auschwitz-Birkenau tickets weeks ahead, especially for guided tours.
  • Pay in złoty, not pounds, when asked by card machines.
  • Try obwarzanek from street carts for breakfast.
Poland guidesVisasPlugs & adaptersWhen to go

Kraków FAQ

How many days in Kraków?

Three or four, including day trips.

Is Kraków cheap?

Yes, it's one of Europe's best-value city breaks.

More places in Poland

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