Things to Do in Krakow
Discover 29 activities and experiences in Krakow, Poland — from outdoor adventures to cultural events. Curated from real traveler recommendations.
-
ARS
A film theatre with four screens named Aneks, Reduta, Kiniarnia and Salon, differing in atmosphere. For example in Reduta popcorn and cola are forbidden and Kiniarnia is basically a cafe with a screen. European, art cinema, retrospectives, documentaries, classics. Definitely not a multiplex experience.
-
- ul. św. Tomasza 11
-
-
Krakowskie Noce
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).
More info -
Krakow Film Festival
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
More info -
Jewish Culture Festival
A classic, one 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
More info -
Wianki
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
More info -
Kino pod Baranami
Cinema in a beautiful palace with three screens. Similar to ARS with their selection of films. They have special screenings of Polish films with subtitles in English.
-
- Rynek Główny 27
-
-
Kino Sfinks
one of the smaller, quite forgotten cinemas in Krakow, films usually arrive here a month after their premiere, but it's definitely not a multiplex experience.
-
- os. Górali 5
-
-
Sacrum Profanum
Music fest with concerts of such stars as Steve Reich, Aphex Twin or Kraftwerk taking place in unusual places like churches, museums and factories. September
More info -
Nowa Huta Lake
Artificial water reservoir right next to Huta centre. Place for sports, rollerskating, a sunbath and swan feeding (don't do the last one, it's forbidden).
-
Kijów
For a long time (until multiplexes arrived) the biggest cinema in Krakow, interesting modernist building from 1960s. Hits, old Polish movies, concerts.
-
- al. Krasińskiego 34
-
-
Live Music Festival
Typical summer opeair music fest. Stars that appeared past years include: Kanye West, Muse, The Chemical Brothers, 50 Cent. second half of August
More info -
ŻyWa Pracownia
Workshops for children and adults on handcraft, like weaving wicker baskets, clay sculpting, traditional doll making, etc.
-
- ul. Bartosza 1
-
-
Com-Com Zone
Sport centre close to Hutnik stadium: training halls, football pitches, climbing wall, swimming pool, sauna.
-
- ul. Ptaszyckiego 6
-
- Swimming pool 12/9 zł, halls & gym & sauna 20 zł
-
-
Scene under the Town Hall
The scene located in Town Hall's basement is part of People's Theatre (''Teatr Ludowy'') based in Nowa Huta.
-
- Rynek Główny 1
-
-
Photomonth
One month long festival with around forty different photography exhibitions around the city. May
More info -
Groteska Theatre
Puppet theatre, plays for kids mostly but they also do experimental stuff for mature audience.
-
- Ul. Skarbowa 2
-
-
ArtBoom Festival
Street art. In 2012 participants include Ai Weiwei and Russian collective Voina. June
More info -
Kika Cinema
A cinema and a cafe. Arthouse, European films, classics, showings for children.
-
- ul. Ignacego Krasickiego 18
-
-
Etiuda&Anima
International film festival built around animations and short films. November
More info -
Krakow Valley Golf & Country Club
Paczółtowice 328, Krzeszowice. Also a hotel, shooting range and horse rides.
More info -
Royal Kraków Golf & Country Club
Ochmanów 124, Podłęże. Between Wieliczka and Niepołomice. Also a hotel.
More info -
Jewish Community Centre
Jewish culture and language lessons, exhibitions, lectures.
-
- ul. Miodowa 24
-
Exploring Krakow: A Traveler's Guide to Activities
Krakow rewards curious travelers with an exceptional range of experiences. Whether you have a weekend or several weeks, the city's 29 documented activities cover the full spectrum — architectural landmarks and world-class museums at one end, local neighborhood festivals and underground cultural scenes at the other. The activities listed on this page come from Wikivoyage contributors who have personally explored Krakow and written detailed, practical descriptions to help you plan your visit.
The most rewarding way to experience Krakow's activities is with company. Solo travelers who arrive without plans often find that meeting a fellow traveler at a hostel, cafe, or through the Nomax app opens up entirely new itineraries — a museum visit becomes a half-day exploration, a street food crawl turns into an evening of discovery, a day trip to a nearby site becomes an adventure. Krakow has an active traveler community, and the city is designed to reward those who explore it with open curiosity.
When planning what to do in Krakow, consider mixing well-known attractions with neighborhood-level experiences. The city's most photographed sights are popular for good reason, but Krakow's character lives in its quieter corners too — the local markets, the parks where residents spend their weekends, the small performance venues where the next generation of artists and musicians are finding their voice. The 29 activities on this page include both categories, ordered by the richness of their traveler-written descriptions.
How to Get the Most from Krakow's Activities
Timing matters in Krakow. Many of the city's best attractions have shorter queues and better atmospheres on weekday mornings. Major cultural sites — museums, galleries, historic monuments — often run free admission windows on certain days or evenings; check before booking. Outdoor activities and walking tours are best enjoyed in the morning before the city heats up or fills with tour groups.
Budget-conscious travelers will find that Krakow has a strong free-to-access layer. Public parks, open-air markets, architectural walking routes, and many community events cost nothing. The price information included with activities on this page (where available) helps you plan a realistic daily budget. A mix of free and paid activities across a week in Krakow is entirely feasible for most traveler budgets.
For travelers who want to do more than just sightseeing, Krakow offers organized activities through local guides, tour companies, and traveler apps like Nomax. Group activities — cooking classes, cycling tours, kayaking excursions, photography walks — are a natural way to meet people while experiencing the city. Many travelers who use Nomax in Krakow coordinate these types of group experiences together, splitting costs and building memories that last beyond the trip itself.
Activities for Different Travel Styles
Not every traveler wants the same experience. History enthusiasts will gravitate toward Krakow's museums, heritage sites, and guided historical walks that reveal the layers of the city's past. Outdoor and adventure travelers will focus on the parks, cycling routes, climbing areas, and day trips to surrounding natural areas. Food travelers will treat Krakow's markets, restaurants, and food tours as the primary activities of each day. Culture seekers will fill evenings with concerts, theater, gallery openings, and street performances.
The 29 activities documented on this page span all these categories. Use the numbered list above to browse in order of description quality — longer descriptions generally mean more detailed, firsthand traveler knowledge. For each activity, the address and opening hours (where available) give you everything you need to plan your visit without needing to search elsewhere.
Connecting with Travelers in Krakow
One of the best things about traveling to Krakow is the community of international travelers already there. Backpackers, digital nomads, long-term expats, and short-trip tourists all share the same city at any given moment. Nomax makes it easy to find who is in Krakow right now, see what activities they are joining, and coordinate plans. Whether you want a hiking companion, someone to split museum entry with, or a group for an evening out — the app connects you to people with the same itinerary in minutes.
Download Nomax before your trip to Krakow to set your travel dates and start discovering who else will be there at the same time. The app is free, requires no subscription, and works across all the major traveler destinations worldwide — meaning the community you build in Krakow often extends to your next destination too.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best things to do in Krakow?
Krakow offers 29+ activities and experiences for travelers. Top highlights include ARS, Krakowskie Noce, Krakow Film Festival, and much more. This page lists every documented activity in order of description quality, so you can find both the major attractions and the hidden gems.
Are there free things to do in Krakow?
Yes — Krakow has a strong selection of free activities. Public parks, open-air markets, walking routes through historic neighborhoods, and many cultural institutions offer free admission on specific days. Scroll through the list above and look for activities marked with free or no price information — these are often the city's most authentic experiences.
How do I meet other travelers while exploring Krakow?
Download Nomax — a free travel companion app that shows you other solo travelers currently in Krakow. You can join group activities, chat with travelers at the same spots, and plan outings together. Many travelers in Krakow use Nomax to find companions for day trips, museum visits, and evening activities.
What activities can I do with travel companions I meet in Krakow?
Krakow has activities for every interest — guided tours, food experiences, outdoor adventures, cultural events, and nightlife. Use Nomax to coordinate with other travelers: join a group for a walking tour, split a day-trip cost, or simply explore the city together. The app makes spontaneous plans easy.
Explore Krakow with fellow travelers
Download Nomax — find travel companions, join group activities, and chat with solo travelers in Krakow right now. Free forever.
Travel tips by Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA 3.0). Content may have been updated since publication.