Visiting this charming Polish city on a budget? Discover the best free things to do in Krakow, including must-visit landmarks, historical sites and free museum entry days.
Krakow is Poland’s second largest city, and a popular European tourist destination. From stag dos to romantic getaways, the combination of fairytale architecture and lively bars make it the ideal destination whatever your travel style.
As well as being a fascinating city with plenty to do, Krakow is relatively cheap to visit, especially when you compare it to other European cities like London or Copenhagen. There are plenty of affordable accommodation options in Krakow, and inexpensive food and drink spots are super easy to find. Most museums and attractions do charge an entry fee, however these are usually quite affordable.
If you’re really on a budget trip, this list of the best absolutely FREE things to do in Krakow will help you make the most of your visit, without spending a fortune! (along with some sneaky suggestions of activities that are worth the splurge!)
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Free Things To Do in Krakow Old Town
Krakow’s Old Town is usually the first stop for visitors, combining medieval history and exemplary Polish architecture with a lively restaurant and bar scene. Check out what you can do for free here:
Check out the landmarks in Rynek Główny Central Square
One of Europe’s largest medieval squares (second only to Prague‘s Old Town Square), Rynek Główny is the beating heart of Krakow’s Old Town. Surrounded by baroque building façades, landmarks and charming places to eat, drink and shop, Rynek Główny brings together some of Krakow’s most charming characteristics.
Soaking up the atmosphere here is absolutely one of my favourite free things to do in Krakow. You can also check out some of these popular landmarks around the square:
Town Hall Tower
The only remaining part of the Krakow Town Hall after it was demolished in 1820, the 70m Town Hall Tower is an imposing focal point of the town square. As part of its Gothic architecture, two stone lions guard the entrance.
BUDGET TRAVEL TIP: Access to the tower is free on Mondays from 10am-3pm. I’d recommend arriving early, as quite a queue can built for this!
St. Mary’s Basilica
St Mary’s Basilica was built in the 14th century, and is one of Polands’s best examples of Gothic architecture. Every hour, on the hour, a trumpet signal is played from the taller tower, to commemorate a trumpeter killed in the 13th century while signalling an attack.
Cloth Hall
The Renaissance architecture of the Sukiennice – ‘Cloth Hall’ – dominates the middle of Krakow’s town square. Historically a centre point for trade in the city, the building has been renovated and restored multiple times throughout the years. Today, market traders still operate in the lower section, which is free to access. An Iron Knife hangs in the central passageway, representing the ancient punishment of cutting off the ear of thieves.
BUDGET TRAVEL TIP: Admission to the Sukiennice’s upstairs museum is free on Tuesdays.
Church of St. Wojciech
On the southern side of the town square, you’ll spot the Church of St. Wojciech, which dates back to the early Middle Ages as a place of worship for travelling merchants. As a result of various renovations, it demonstrates a mixture of pre-Roman, Roman, Gothic and Renaissance architectural styles.
Adam Mickiewicz Monument
A bronze monument of renowned Polish Romantic poet Adam Mickiewicz sits atop a pedestal in the centre of Rynek Główny. Interestingly, it’s said that Mickiewicz never actually visted Krakow (although his body is buried at Wawel Castle), but as perhaps the greatest figure in Polish literature, they decided to honour him with a statue here anyway.
St. Peter and Paul Church
An impressive Roman Catholic baroque church, inspired by sacred Roman religious architecture. Built in the early 1600s, the magnificent stone facade is decorated with statues of the apostles. Entry is free, and if you visit on Thursday morning at 10am or 11am, you’ll be able to witness a demonstration of Poland’s longest Foucault’s pendulum (a device that shows the earth’s rotation)
St. Andrew’s Church
An austere Romanesque church with contrasting baroque towers. The inside has been renovated in the Baroque style, with a boat-shaped pulpit. Entry is free, but it’s only open during services.
Floriańska Street
Perhaps the best-known thoroughfare in Krakow, Floriańska Street stretches 335m between St. Florian’s Gate and Rynek Główny.
St Florian’s Gate
From eight original gates built into the city walls, St. Florian’s is the only one still standing. Part of 14th century Krakow’s city fortifications, this well-preserved Gothic tower is the starting point for the Royal Route. The gate was used by royal processions to enter the Old Town, making their way through Krakow towards Wawel Hill and Castle.
Barbican
During the Middle Ages, Krakow was a well-defended city, with walls surrounding the Old Town to provide defense against invasion. The Barbican is a fortified outpost that formed part of these City Walls, one of the few remaining buildings from the complex stone defenses that stands today.
Got some cash to splash? Although both are free to view from outside, Florian’s Gate and the Barbican are part of the City Defence Walls museum, which costs €9.
Planty Park
Surrounding Krakow’s Old Town, Planty Park is an expansive oasis of green during the summer months (although perhaps not as impressive if you’re visiting Krakow in winter). Eight seperate gardens combine for a circular walking route filled with flowerbeds, lawns and monuments.
Visit Wawel Hill & Castle for free
Explore the grounds of Wawel Castle
One of the essential attractions in Krakow, the imposing Wawel Castle is an absolute must-see. Perched atop one of the most culturally significant places in the whole of Poland, Wawel Hill, the complex is made up of various buildings, including the striking 11th century Wawel Cathedral.
The residence of Polish royalty until 1795, the castle and hill are recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A symbol of the country’s endurance and Polish pride, the castle is an opulent and beautifully preserved landmark with impressive architecture throughout.
An entrance fee does apply for the museums and state rooms inside the castle, however access to the grounds is completely free! You can explore the courtyard taking in the Gothic architecture, and take in the stunning views across Vistula River from Wawel Hill.
Got some cash to splash? Take a guided tour of the Castle and Cathedral.
See the Wawel Dragon breathe fire
Tucked away at the base of Wawel Hill, we almost missed out on this one. If you don’t know it’s there, you might not see the Wawel Dragon – but it’s worth adding to your Krakow weekend itinerary for a free, firey show!
In old Polish legend, the dragon plagued the city of Krakow until the king’s sons destroyed it using sulphur. The dragon has been referenced in literature of the region across the ages, and the supposed ‘dragon’s den’ cave under the hill is open to visitors for a small fee.
The cave’s location is marked by the 6m tall Wawel Dragon Statue, built in 1969, and every five minutes, a burst of flame erupts from the dragon’s mouth. It’s simple but very entertaining, and one of the most fun free things to do in Krakow.
(If you can’t wait five minutes for the dragon to do its thing, you can also text “SMOK” to 7168 for an on demand fire-breathing show. It’s a pretty tech-savvy dragon, I guess…)
Visiting Auschwitz from Krakow
If you’re visiting Krakow, a visit to Auschwitz should definitely be on your itinerary. Entry to Auschwitz itself is free (you just need to get there), however I’d highly recommend paying for a guided tour of Auschwitz and Birkenau to fully understand and comprehend what you’re seeing.
More free things to do in Krakow
Although the Old Town is the quintessential Krakow experience and tourist hub, there are plenty of other free things to do in Krakow outside of it!
Meander along the Vistula Riverbank
The Vistula river winds its way through the centre of Krakow, past Wawel Hill, intersecting between the Kazimierz and Stare Podgórze districts. A popular spot for picnics with locals, a stroll along the riverbank’s pathways is a lovely way to spend some time in Krakow for free.
Got some cash to splash? Take a daytime sightseeing cruise or romantic evening cruise along the Vistula River.
Find famous names on the Avenue of Stars
Close to the aforementioned Wawel Dragon along the Vistula riverbank, the Avenue of Stars pays tribute to Polish and French film directors with brass plaques. A much smaller (and more European) version of the Hollywood Walk of Fame, you’ll also find the names of some global megastars here, including Celine Dion and Elvis Presley.
Check out the statues at Father Bernatek’s Bridge
One of the best-known bridges in Krakow, Father Bernatek’s Bridge connects the Kazimierz and Stare Podgórze districts. Opened in 2010, and adorned with ‘love locks’, the bridge is adorned with ten sculptures of acrobats in gravity-defying poses, by contemporary Polish artist Jerzy Kędziora.
See Jewish history in the streets of Kazimierz
An important cultural centre for Krakow’s Jewish community since 1495, when the king expelled Krakow’s Jews to the neighbouring royal city of Kazimierz to bring prosperity through the area. During WWII, much of the district’s Jewish population was forcibly relocated to a ghetto the other side of the river in Podgórze. Many of them didn’t survive the war, and today Kazimierz stands to honour their lives and educate on Jewish heritage and culture.
Some of the key landmarks to pass by in Kazimierz (free to view from the outside, but most will charge an entry fee to go inside):
- Old Synagogue: Poland’s oldest synagogue, fortified to protect citizens from attacks (entry is FREE on Mondays)
- Remah Synagogue: Orthodox Jewish synagogue with Renaissance and Art Noveau architecture
- High Synagogue: Also known as the ‘tall synagogue’ due to its height
- Tempel Synagogue: A landmark synagogue built in the 19th century with an elegant Neo-Renaissance exterior.
- Courtyard of the Drezner family: A charming courtyard, used as a filming location for Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List
- Street art & murals: See below for a guide to the best street art and murals in Kazimierz and Krakow!
Got some cash to splash? Book a Kazimierz Jewish Quarter Walking Tour.
Corpus Christi Basilica
Alongside being a hub of Jewish culture, there are also Christian buildings dotted around Kazimierz. The one that’s most worth seeing is the Corpus Christi Basilica, which boasts an impressive Polish Gothic and Polish Baroque interior.
Take a self-guided tour of Kazimierz’ street art
One of my favourite ways to see art for free is checking out public murals – these are some of the must-see street art pieces in Krakow:
- Bawol Square Mural: Art noveau style black and white mural to honour the memory of the Bosak Family. (3 Bawol Square)
- Galicia Jewish Museum Mural: A vibrant mural with a menorah at the centre, on the side of the Galicia Jewish Museum
- Singin’ in the Rain: Gene Kelly from the famous musical (ul. Bożego Ciała 18)
- Tree That Cannot Be Cut Down: A tree mural, representing Jewish strength and perseverance (Plac Nowy)
- Corner of ul. Nowa & ul. Józefa: Colourful and vibrant doodles brighten up this corner townhouse
- Judah Mural: Created as part of the Jewish Culture Festival, representing vulnerability and courage (Św. Wawrzyńca 16)
Ghetto Heroes Square
Across the Vistula River from Kazimierz, you’ll reach the district of Podgórze. During World War II, the area was designated as a Jewish ghetto by the Nazis. The Empty Chairs Memorial is composed of empty iron chairs placed across Ghetto Heroes Square, as a monument to the Jews who were expelled to death camps from the ghetto.
St Joseph’s Church
This beautiful Roman Catholic Church in Podgorze has an impressively intricate exterior. The Gothic style church is actually surprisingly modern, built in the early 1900s.
Krakus Mound
Krakow is home to five mysterious mounds, and Krakus is the oldest of them all. A 7th century man-made mound, legend tells that this spot is the tomb of the presumed founder of Krakow, Prince Krak. Whether you believe the stories or not, Krakus Mound offers impressive panoramic views of Krakow on a bright day.
Rainbow Stairs
Not worth making a special trip out for, but if you’re nearby in the Podgórze area, check out this colourful painted staircase. The installation was created to bring life to these forgotten steps – however, the colours have now faded with time so it’s not as impactful as you’d expect.
Free museum days in Krakow
Most museums in Krakow charge an entry fee to visit. However, budget travellers can get around this by planning their visit to coincide with the weekly free museum days in the city. Mostly on Mondays or Tuesdays, these days allow free entry to some of Krakow’s most popular museums and galleries.
Schindler’s Factory
One of the most well-known names in World War II history, Oskar Schindler was a German businessman who sheltered around 1200 Jews by giving them jobs in his factories. At this former enamelware factory, exhibits depict life for Krakow citizens under Nazi occupation.
Free entry on Mondays (except first Monday of the month)
Regular entry fee: from zł 36 (around €8)
Old Synagogue
Living up to its name, the Old Synagogue is Poland’s oldest synagogue, originally built in the 1400s (and rebuilt in 1570). A testament to Jewish heritage and perserverance, it’s an impressive example of Jewish Polish architecture. As a ‘fortress synagogue’, it was built to protect civilians during a siege. Nowadays, it’s a museum, chronicling Jewish life, traditions and heritage in Poland.
Free entry on Mondays between 10am-2pm (Regular entry fee: from zł 36 (around €8)
National Museum in Kraków
Poland’s largest museum holds around 780,000 objects, from traditional painting and sculpture to military memorabilia, musical instruments and stained glass from Kraków’s churches.
Free entry on Tuesdays between 10am-6pm.
Regular entry fee: zł 32 (around €7.40)
Sukiennice Gallery
Krakow’s Cloth Hall’s upper floor houses one of Poland’s largest 19th century art collections, including paintings and sculptures.
Free entry on Tuesdays between 10am-6pm.
Regular entry fee: zł 32 (around €7.40)
Czartoryski Museum
Exquisite is the name of the game at the Czartoryski Museum, housing perhaps the most beautiful collection in the city of furniture, antiques, tapestries and more. The initial collection was founded in 1796 by Princess Izabela Czartoryska, and the Krakow museum opened its doors in 1878, intended to preserve the history of Polish art and design.
Free entry on Tuesdays between 10am-6pm
Regular entry fee: zł 60 (around €14)
Rynek Underground Museum
Hidden below the well-pounded pavement of Krakow’s Old Town Square, the Rynek Underground Museum goes back in time to experience life in the Middle Ages. The subterranean route takes visitors through medieval market squares and forgotten chambers, using audiovisial and hologram technology to transform the space.
Free entry on Tuesdays (except first Tuesday of the month)
Regular entry fee: zł 32 (around €7.40)
The Museum of Municipal Engineering
Located in Krakow’s oldest tram depot, The Museum of Municipal Engineering chronicles the history of transportation and industrial production in Poland.
Free entry on Tuesdays
Regular entry fee: zł 32 (around €7.40)
Manggha Museum of Japanese Art and Technology
Permanent and temporary collections of Japanese art and design, including crafts, costumes, fabrics and weaponry.
Free entry on Tuesdays
Regular entry fee: zł 30 (around €7)
MOCAK: Museum of Contemporary Art Krakow
Located in the former halls of Oscar Schindler’s Factory (as a seperate exhibition), MOCAK opened its doors in 2011 to showcase post-war avant-garde and conceptual art from the past two decades.
Free entry on Thursdays 11am-7pm
Regular entry fee: zł 30 (around €7)
