Kraków is the second-largest city in Poland. Known for its unique blend of medieval charm, wartime significance and lively nightlife, it’s a popular tourist destination in Europe.

Here's your quick and easy guide from a writer who's visited countless times over the past 10 years.

A quick note on the links in this guide: we’re not affiliated with any external sites we’ve chosen to include, so we’re not getting any kick-backs or commission. We’ve only included resources we think will genuinely be useful to help you make a decision on whether this destination is for you.

Visas

With Poland being in the Schengen zone, obtaining a visa is fairly simple for most travelers:

• Travelers on an EU, or Swiss passport, you won’t need a visa at all. 
• Travelers on a UK, US or Canadian passport, you can travel visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180-day period at the time of writing. E-visas will soon be introduced for travelers from these regions (the planned start date is late2026), you’ll find more information on the ETIAS website here
• Travelers with any other passports, you can read about applying for a Schengen Visa here.

Cash & Currency

The currency in Poland is the złoty (PLN or zł) and at the time of publishing (July 2025), $1 USD was worth around 3.76 złoty.

The majority of bars, cafés, restaurants, and shops will accept both card and cash payments. However, change may be useful when paying at rural shops, markets and public toilets.

Polish złoty is not a closed currency, so you can exchange money outside the country in preparation for your trip. Although, there are plenty of ATMs across Kraków, so we’d recommend withdrawing what you need once you are there.

Getting There

Kraków is a relatively easy city to reach by air globally. It has one main airport, Kraków John Paul II International (KRK), which has non-stop routes from the UK and mainland Europe with Wizz Air and New York with LOT Polish Airlines (EWR). Otherwise, you’ll find plenty of connecting flights from other major US cities, and Canada.

Here’s a JFC guide on what to expect when booking your flight to KRK:

From Europe:

• Expected average price range for a non-stop flight: €40-€60 rtn
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 10+
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: €22 rtn

From the UK:

• Expected average price range for a non-stop flight: £40-£60 rtn
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 10+
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: £10 rtn

From the USA:

• Expected average price range for a 1-stop flight: $450 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year: 8+
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: $380 RT

From Canada:

• Expected average price range for a 1-stop flight: $800-$1000 RT
• How many cheap flight alerts we’d expect in a year:1-3 
• Lowest price we’ve ever seen: $800 RT

Seasonality

December-February (winter)

Winter is cold and snowy in Kraków, with temperatures often dropping below 0 °C/32 °F, so make sure to pack warm, waterproof clothes. The Christmas markets open towards the end of November, but fair warning, they can get quite busy. For a quieter experience, come in January-February. You'll find fewer crowds and, with any luck, a city still blanketed in a magical dusting of snow. 

March-May (spring)

March can still feel chilly, but quickly warms up to around 20 °C/68 °F by May. As Spring arrives, outdoor cafés eagerly set up their tables, vibrant flowers burst into bloom, and people flock to sun-dappled parks to savor the warmth.

Easter is one of the most important events in the Polish calendar, marked by families carrying beautifully decorated baskets with symbolic food to church to be blessed before Easter brunch. But beware – Easter Monday (Śmigus-Dyngus) is no ordinary day. Streets erupt into laughter and chaos in the spirited tradition of a collective day-long water fight!

June-August (summer)

Summer is by far the peak tourist season in Kraków, with temperatures averaging between 20 °C-30°C/68 °F-86 °F.

Floating bars and cafés pop up along the Vistula River, and parks are filled with barbecuing locals. 

With the city at it’s fullest, many people head to nearby lakes or the mountainous Zakopane region to cool off. See the ‘Day Trips’ section below for ideas of places to visit.

Lauren’s pro tip: In the heat of the summer, head to the recently regenerated limestone quarry in Zakrzowek, 3 km from Wawel Castle. You’ll find a trio of turquoise man-man pools that are perfectly safe for taking a dip and cooling off.

September-November (fall)

Personally, this is my favourite time to visit Kraków. The temperatures are pleasant (between 10 °C-18 °C/50 °F-64 °F, the sun glows golden, and the trees are ablaze with crimson leaves. It’s also a quieter window to visit before hoards of tourists flock to see the city’s spectacular Christmas markets.

Another important event on the Polish Calendar is All Saints’ Day, falling on November 1st. Locals across the country head to the cemeteries with flickering candles to pay their respects to lost loved ones. Take a solemn stroll through Rakowicki Cemetery after the sun sets on the 1st, for a beautifully poignant glimpse into Polish Catholic traditions.

Travel Style

Kraków is a compact and affordable city. Its Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, boasts the largest medieval market square in Europe and naturally appeals to a wide range of visitors.

In the past, the city garnered an unfortunate popularity with party-seeking bachelor/bachelorette groups thanks to its low-cost drinks and nightlife. Nowadays, its residents are eager to break free from this reputation and have introduced bar curfews and noise regulations.

In general, Kraków is relatively safe, and many of the historic attractions are suitable for families. In particular, Wawel sets its self apart from other European castles thanks to its real fire-breathing dragon, admired by all ages.

Solo (female) travelers should feel at ease by themselves in the city. The streets are usually busy and well-lit, and there is a reliable public transport system.   

LGBTQ+ travelers should be aware that Poland in general is still a very conservative country. Public opinions towards same-sex couples are mixed, many politicians openly advocate against the LGBTQ+ community, and discrimination is not uncommon, especially in more rural areas.

That being said, Kraków is one of the more progressive cities. The LGBTQ+ scene is small, but growing, with a handful of inclusive bars and cafés like Lindo. Though, outside of these safe spaces, public displays of affection between same-sex couples can illicit stares or discriminatory  comments.

Kraków does have a pride event each year, but it often attracts counter-protests from far-right political groups. For more support and advice, you can reach out to Kraków’s LGBTQ+ community centre.

Getting Around

Getting around Kraków is fairly easy. It’s a compact, mostly flat city that’s very walkable, especially given the proximity between popular tourist sites like the Old Town and Wawel Castle.

Trams and buses are another great option if you want to hop across the city more quickly. They are clean, reliable, and affordable at 4zł ($1USD) per 20-minute ride. You can purchase a ticket from the machines at each stop, and you’ll then need to validate them on board at the start of your journey. 

You will also spot taxis dotted across the city, although traffic controls are quite restrictive in busy tourist areas like the main square. Taxi drivers may have to park up and let you out a little further away if your destination is in one of these areas. Otherwise, I’ve personally found Uber to be surprisingly affordable, if you do prefer the convenience of a private transfer.

Day Trips

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Deep beneath the ground, around 40 minutes southeast of Kraków, sits one of the oldest salt mines in the world. Spanning over 300 km, it’s a subterranean maze of chambers, tunnels, lakes, and even a cathedral. A standard tour takes around two and a half hours, but you can even opt to stay the night if you want the full experience.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

This former Nazi concentration camp is around a one-and-a-half-hour drive from Kraków and offers a deeply moving look into the past atrocities of WW2. Entry is free without a guide, but you will still need to reserve a time slot on their website, and these get booked up weeks in advance. To fully comprehend the camp, I would strongly recommend booking a guided tour for zł130 ($35USD) on the website.

Zakopane

When city life gets to be a bit much, the fresh mountain air of Zakopane is only a two-and-a-half-hour drive away. Be it a summer hike to Morski Oko or a day spent on the (budget-friendly) slopes, this region is a must-visit at any time of the year.

Lauren’s pro tip: Look out for local oscypek sellers on the side of the mountain roads. It’s a salty, smoked cheese made from sheep’s milk, and it’s absolutely delicious—especially when served with a dollop of cranberry jam.

Food

Undoubtedly, my favorite part about visiting Poland is the food. It’s flavoursome, hearty and incredibly comforting.

If you're on a budget, look out for bar mleczny, otherwise known as milk bars. These canteen-style diners were originally subsidised by the government during communist times to offer affordable, home-style meals to workers. Nowadays, they're still a popular place to stop for a classic, no-frills meal on the cheap—and I can confirm, they are usually very tasty!

Here are my three favourite Polish dishes that you should look out for:

• Żurek: A salty, sour rye soup served with pork sausage in a bread bowl.
• Pierogi: A small dough dumpling filled with various ingredients like potato and cheese. Ask for pierogi ruskie if you want to avoid any surprise meat fillings.
• Sernik: A lighter, subtler take on a classic cheesecake.

Useful Links

• Jakdojade app: shows you public transport app routes and timetables.
• A guide to free museum days in Kraków.
• Events in Kraków.