One Day In Krakow Old Town

Stare Miasto, also known as the old town of Krakow is one of those vibrant places that attract every person: no matter if it is a tourist or a local. It is a place of great architectural beauty, the center of the city’s history, and usually the most fun place to be (due to a large number of great bars, restaurants, and interesting stores). I wrote a few suggestions of what not to miss in Krakow old town if you have just one day to explore.

Things To Do 

Visit Mary’s Basilica

One of the highlights of the Krakow old town is the gothic basilica of St. Mary’s. Once you are in the Rynek Square (central square of old town), you cannot miss this basilica. It definitely stands out among other structures on the square.

St. Mary’s basilica has two beautiful towers from where you can hear (if you are lucky) a person playing music when the hour changes.

The basilica is as beautiful inside as outside. It is full of small details that create a stunning picture. Pay attention to the altar and the stained glass, those are the most precious elements in the basilica. 

Explore Wawel Royal Castle

Wawel Royal castle was built in the 14th century by the Polish king Casimir III the Great. 

Wawel castle is considered one of the biggest castles in Poland and an important historical landmark. 

You cannot think of the Wawel castle as one building plus the grounds, it is more a complex of structures from different periods and in different styles as well. Since the 14th century, Wawel castle has constantly grown in size. 

Nowadays tourists can visit pretty much every part of the castle. However, you need to know that there is not just a single ticket to explore the whole place. You can choose what parts/exhibitions you want to see and pay for them separately.

I recommend you to see the Wawel cathedral, the bell tower, crypts, and the garden. And although the garden area is not that big, you can get very beautiful pictures from there of the castle itself. To visit these parts of the castle, you will have to pay around 25 Zloty.

Do Your Souvenir Shopping At The Cloth Hall

The Cloth hall is a 13th century structure in the middle of Rynek square. This is the place where all the trades would happen. Nowadays the Cloth hall is a place where you can mostly find souvenirs.

Inside the Cloth hall you will see tons of stalls that offer different Polish souvenirs like amber jewelry, warm clothes, magnets, cute kitchen supplies, and many other things. 

You can find pretty much any souvenir you want at the Cloth hall, except maybe the pierniki (souvenir gingerbread cookies). 

Learn All The Krakow Secrets At Rynek Underground

Under the Cloth hall there is a hidden museum that you can visit – Rynek Underground. 

In 2005 the whole Rynek square underwent heavy excavation. During this dig, the archeologists uncovered 4000 square meters of hidden tunnels, roads, structures, and many other things. 

The museum opened up in 2010 (fairly recently). Rynek Underground is an interactive museum that would be interesting for adults and kids. There you’ll learn many secrets of the way people lived in Poland ages ago. I actually was surprised by many weird things that I’ve seen there. One of those things was a vampire ritual!

To get into the Rynek Underground museum you will need to buy a ticket. The ticket office is located on the opposite side of the Cloth hall from the entrance to the museum. 

The ticket is not that cheap. It will cost you 28 Zloty per person. Pay attention to the visit time on the ticket. You won’t be able to enter the museum before your time, and I am not sure if they will let you inside if you are late.

Have A Drink In One Of The Terraces In Rynek Square

Rynek square is quite big and open space with lots of things to visit, including many great restaurants, and cozy terraces. 

I strongly advise you to choose one such terrace and get yourself refreshments. It would be a great place for people to watch and relax. 

If you will sit on the side of the Rynek square where all the carriages with majestic horses are, you will enjoy your time there even more, and maybe get a few pretty pictures. 

Have A Vodka Tasting At Wodka Cafe Bar

One of the things to do in Krakow old town is to do a vodka tasting. You can do it by bar hopping, or at one place all together. 

Just 2 minutes away walking from Rynek square is a small bar that you would never notice if you don’t know about it. The bar is called Wodka Cafe Bar, and they offer great tasting sets.

The tasting set includes 6 shots (half shots to be precise since they are just 25ml). You can choose any flavored vodka (tinctures) you want. And believe me when I tell you that they have a huge selection of flavors. 

The tasting set will cost you around 50 Zloty (depends what flavors you choose).

Where To Try Traditional Polish Food 

You cannot come to a new country and not try a few of their traditional dishes, Poland is no exception. There are so many great savory dishes, and sweet pastries/desserts that will satisfy any foodie.

I want to recommend a few places in the Kazimierz district (Jewish quarter) of Krakow with a great selection of Polish traditional dishes.

Kuchnia u Doroty – a great place with cheap prices and delicious Polish food. This restaurant has an atmosphere of a grandma’s house, and the food looks homemade, and tastes very good. 

Mirror Bistro is a pierogi spot. This is a small restaurant that specializes in pierogi. Their menu has a great choice of pierogi with different stuffings, including sweet once (with cherries, and various berries).

Cukiernia Pod Arkadami is an old fashioned bakery that has a big selection of traditional Polish pastries. Here you can find delicious babkas with royal icing, pączki (polish donuts with plum and rose jam), sharlotkas (apple pie), and more. 

What To See After Krakow

If you are looking for what to do after Krakow there are a few places you can visit before leaving this area altogether. 

Two of the most popular locations that people visit as day trips from Krakow are the Auschwitz concentration camp, and the Wieliczka salt mine. 

Auschwitz concentration camp is located around an hour and a half away from Krakow. 

You can visit the concentration camp as a part organized tour group by a tour agency, or on your own. However there are a few things you need to know if you decide to visit Auschwitz concentration camp on your own. Click here to learn all the rules and regulations. 

Wieliczka salt mine is located just around a 30 minutes drive.

There is also a possibility to visit the salt mine with the group and on your own. Click here to learn the best way to get to Wieliczka salt mine by public transportation.

One Day In Krakow Old Town