Lesser Poland, Poland

Krakow

Krakow's medieval Old Town, Wawel Castle and the old Jewish district of Kazimierz make a compact, walkable centre full of history.

Krakow: Old Town Krakow & Wawel Castle Walking Tour
Featured walk: Old Town Krakow & Wawel Castle Walking Tour · Photo supplied by Viator

The city on foot

Krakow was Poland's royal capital for centuries, and unlike Warsaw it came through the Second World War largely intact. Its Old Town, built around one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe, was among the first places added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.

A ring of parkland called the Planty follows the line of the old city walls. From the square, it is a short walk to Wawel Castle on its hill and to Kazimierz, once the heart of Krakow's Jewish community and now known for cafés and bars.

What makes Krakow distinctive

  • The Main Market Square and its Cloth Hall
  • Wawel Castle and Cathedral
  • Kazimierz, the historic Jewish district
  • The Planty, a park circling the Old Town

Walking tours in Krakow

Hand-picked guided walks in Krakow, each rated highly by travellers. Ratings and photos are from Viator; select a tour to see dates, prices and full details, and to book.

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Prices are Viator's lowest "from" price per person, converted to pounds and checked on 29 October 2026. The booking page shows the current price in your currency.

By theme: Free walking tours in Krakow · Food tours in Krakow · History walks in Krakow

Compare with other cities: Free walking tours · Food tours · History walks · Night and ghost tours

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Main sights

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Neighbourhoods worth wandering

  • Old Town (Stare Miasto)

    The medieval core within the Planty.

  • Kazimierz

    Jewish heritage, bohemian bars and restaurants.

  • Podgórze

    Across the river; the site of the wartime ghetto and Schindler's factory.

Free self-guided walk

The Royal Way from the Barbican to Wawel

A free self-guided walk along Kraków's Royal Way, from the Barbican and St Florian's Gate through the Main Market Square to Wawel Castle.

2 km · 7 stops · map and directions

See the walk

Best areas to explore on foot

  1. The Royal Way

    From St Florian's Gate through the Market Square and along Grodzka street to Wawel.

  2. The Planty

    A ring of shaded paths around the Old Town, about 4 km.

  3. Along the Vistula

    Riverside paths from Wawel to Kazimierz and across the footbridge to Podgórze.

Practical walking notes

  • Terrain

    Mostly flat, with cobbles in the Old Town and a short climb to Wawel.

  • Distances

    The Market Square to Wawel is about 10 minutes; to Kazimierz about 20.

  • Weather

    Summers are warm; winters are cold and can be snowy.

When to visit

  • Spring and summer

    Warm, long days and busy café terraces.

  • Autumn

    Golden trees on the Planty and fewer visitors.

  • Winter

    Cold, with a Christmas market on the Main Square.

Getting there and getting around

Arriving

  • By air

    Krakow airport is linked to the main station by train in about 20 minutes.

  • By rail

    Express trains reach Warsaw in about two and a half hours.

Local transport

  • On foot

    The Old Town and Kazimierz are best walked.

  • Trams

    A good tram network links the centre with outer districts.

Questions travellers ask about Krakow

Can I visit Auschwitz from Krakow?

Yes. The Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial is about 70 km away. Entry is free but must be booked, and guided visits are recommended.

How many days do I need?

Two days for the city; add a day each for Auschwitz-Birkenau or the Wieliczka salt mine.

Is Krakow good value?

Generally yes, compared with Western European cities, though prices around the Market Square are higher.

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Country overview

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Sources and review date

This guide was last updated on 2026-10-26. Opening hours, fares and services change; please confirm details with official sources before travelling.