Historic Walking Areas in Krakow

THE 10 BEST Krakow Historic Walking Areas

Historic Walking Areas in Krakow

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Sights & Landmarks
Sights & Landmarks
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17 places sorted by traveler favorites

What travelers are saying

  • AttitudeAdjuster
    Gillingham, UK955 contributions
    A beautiful centre-piece to Krakow Old Town. Lovely just to wander around and on a fine day with the horse-drawn carriages clip-clopping by it's gorgeous.
    Written August 13, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • PiotrKal
    24 contributions
    In general it takes about 3 days to see all the exhibitions and it is quite expensive, there are some handy hacks. I have seen 6 exhibitions (5h trip) for as little as little as 5 euro altogether (children <7 are always free except for the Cathedral. To go to the hill itself and have a walk around is free. On Monday ~9 AM you can pick up free tickets (30m queue) for 3 exhibitions and cheap tickets for further 3. This is not even 30% of it but a good start. It is always worth it to buy Cathedral tickets, in the morning is better because there is no queue. Other exhibitions are breath- taking and you can buy tickets online but it will cost ya to see it all.
    Written August 13, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • eric_weber
    Leipzig, Germany82 contributions
    It is a nice quarter! some very good Restaurants, also with traditional / kosher cuisine. lot of synagoges, however some of them not in the best shape at the moments. the other buildings are comparable to other parts of the city
    Written August 2, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • pawel_hbg
    Sopot, Poland9,993 contributions
    Planty is one of the largest city parks which encircles the Old Town, where the Medieval city walls used to stand until the early 19th century. It is beautiful every season of the year. I reccommend to walk it all around.
    Written May 21, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • TheShis
    Tel Aviv, Israel39,117 contributions
    This is the main street in the old Jewish quarter of Krakow.
    The name "main street" may be misleading, as it as tranquil and picturesque as it gets.
    The street features several synagogues, restaurants and shops.
    Written March 20, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Abovetheclouds
    2,006 contributions
    Busy and atmospheric! One of the main walking streets in the Old Town and part of the Royal Route. Always busy and lined with shops, restaurants and bars. Walking street only meaning no cars!
    Written April 7, 2023
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Neil K
    Liverpool, UK616,525 contributions
    Located in the heart of Kazimierz ( The Jewish Quarter ) is Dzienica Zydowska which is more commonly known as The Jewish Square.
    Dominated by the Old Synagoge ,there are three other synagogues here plus some great restaurants ,one of the most beautiful aspects of this square is Ulica Szeroka ,a wonderful and beautiful street that a joy to walk down ,all in all a lovely square and area to visit if you're in the area
    Written August 25, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • DiomiraLeo
    Leeds, UK46 contributions
    There were some teenagers abseiling down one of the tower structures here. They were brave to even climb up it. An excellent piece of entry level ‘urban exploration’.
    Written March 31, 2019
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • lox95
    Cambridge, UK57 contributions
    If you are interested in abandonned buildings, places, and things then the train graveyard is a must see! I had seen a post that it was somewhere in Krakow area but found it hard to find more information. After cycling there from Krakow center, which is a nice ride, I found that the site of the train graveyard is actually on the main train line with a station right next to it!
    There is a long pedestrian bridge with steps leading down to the trains, the trains are unfenced and can be explored.
    Very atmospheric and great for photos and thinking about the busy lives that the trains have had, now to be resting up here.
    Be wary as there are some undesirables hanging out there too, so perhaps dont take all your expensive kit and dont be too naive going to a place like this.
    Written November 26, 2018
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Neil K
    Liverpool, UK616,525 contributions
    When Podgorze was a free city this was once the main market square until the independent city was absorbed into Krakow in 1915 ,the square was originally laid out in the 18th century at the foot of Lasota Hill.
    This was once a bustling market place but nowadays is a very impressive square that's surrounded by some really good looking buildings and the centrepiece of the square is one of the most beautiful churches in Poland namely St Josephs Church ,it's a beautiful square to check out if you're in the Podgorze District .
    Written August 17, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Mikael F
    Helsinki, Finland30,625 contributions
    This square is located on Grodzka street, between Holy Trinity Church and Church Of St Francis Of Assisi.

    The beautiful Wielopolski Palace next to the square has been the seat of the city authorities since 1864.

    Busy tram traffic goes through the square.
    Written November 26, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Neil K
    Liverpool, UK616,525 contributions
    Ulica Szewska is an absolutely fantastic street that brings you into the magnificent Rynek Główny .
    This street is lined with great buildings ,so pretty ,it's also home to some great pubs,bars and restaurants ,we visited Pieogarnia Krakowiecy were we enjoyed great dumpling meals and vodka,we dropped into BaniaLuka for a tray of flavoured vodka and Mult Qlti Tap Bar for craft beers ,my twin and I also visited Piec Acoustic Jazz Bar for beers sat in the sun and we dropped into McDonalds later on in the evening for a tasty burger meal,it's a busy street and lively day and night,it's most definitely a street to check out if you're planning a trip to Krakow.
    Written August 5, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Neil K
    Liverpool, UK616,525 contributions
    In my opinion the Kazimierz District,the historic Jewish quarter is the best area of the city to visit,as beautiful as the Old Town is there's no denying that's is solely aimed at the tourists that flock to this beautiful and eclectic city ,in the Kazimierz District you get more of a feel for the city and if one street encapsulates all that's great about this district it's Miodowa.
    It's quite a long street ,architecture is fabulous ,even the more run down buildings have a faded elegance to them,some great synagogues along the street ,my favourite is The Tempel Synagogue ,the history attached to this street is evident ,visit the Ramuh Synagogue and cemetery which I think is such a poignant place to visit ,amazing these synagogues are still here when you consider that the German Army occupying forces more or less obliterated all vestiges of the Jewish faith.
    I love the pubs,bars and restaurants along this street ,I don't think there's a minutes walk between pubs,bars and restaurants along this street,some of my favourite pubs and bars in Krakow are along this street,Zlew,Wschod Bar,Kazimir,Bistro Pod 13,M22 Burger,Oliwa,Saltoki,Cytat Cafe,MiodowaLove to name but some of my favourite places to chill out in ,all in all it's a great street and area to check out if you're planning on visiting Krakow and the Kazimierz District.
    Written August 7, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Neil K
    Liverpool, UK616,525 contributions
    Located just off the stunning Main Market Square ( Rynek Główny ) is Plac Mariacki ,another much smaller but no less pretty square that's a joy to visit.
    From this square you have great views of both St Mary's Basilica and Church Of St Barbara ,theres a great fountain and statue combined called Fontanna Pomnik Zaka which is also very beautiful ,as this square is in the middle more or less of the Old Town ( Stare Mesto ) is very busy so there's lots of pubs ,bars and restaurants close by the square ,in fact Hard Rock Cafe Krakow is located on the square ,it's most definitely a square to check out if you're planning on visiting Krakow.
    Written August 8, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
  • Neil K
    Liverpool, UK616,525 contributions
    One of the most beautiful square's in Krakow has to be Plac Swietego Ducha .
    On this square you will find one of the most beautiful theatre buildings in the city namely Juliusz Slowacki Theatre ,a stunning looking building,The Roman Catholic Parish Of The Holy Cross Church is also a fantastic looking church building plus the Scena Miniature Building ,there's also the famous Three Legged Horse Statue,all around the square are great looking buildings and some fantastic cafés and bars,if you're planning a trip to Krakow it's a square I highly recommend you seek out.
    Written August 3, 2022
    This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions about Krakow







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Has anyone done both tours before?
Do you think the former is worth doing?

I have done the tour with a guide - so i guess techncially i have gone on the "General tour 3.5h" or something similar, but i am only at Auschwitz 1 for 1.5h, and then we rushed to Auschwitz 2-Birkenau for 1h. i recently went on a organized tour from Krakow bc i couldnt secure guided tour ticket at the last minute from the website. but i think my guide may a person in training (?) cos he was guiding us with an Auschwitz educator standing beside him all the time. I still couldnt figure out whether he is a new guide in training within Auschwitz, or he needs to be chaperoned bc he is a guide hired from the 'outside' (ie not someone hired by the Aushcwitz site). I am inclined to believe it is the latter, but not sure, so would appreciate anyone with better insights. So this means there could be 2 diff guides - one is a tour agency guide from the outside, and another is a Auschwitz educator guide?
Answer: for future readers - I did the 6 hour tour and it is a better pace,smaller group and you visit a few more places in the camps. Our guide was very good. Worthwhile if you have more than a passing interest in the history. We were at Auschwitz for 3 hours and birkenau for 2.25 hours. Crowds were smaller that day so we didn’t have to stop to wait for other groups. I then returned to Auschwitz around 4pm to walk through on my own and to visit some of the country specific exhibits - Hungary’s exhibit is especially good. In order to return to camp 1, I purchased free tickets ahead of time since you have to renter the queue.

Tour vs self guided - 100% go on a tour. The guides paint a more complete picture than you will get from a guidebook. You can arrive early if you want to see birkenau before it gets crowded and walk on your own. No ticket is required to visit birkenau.

Auschwitz vs birkenau - you want to see both. Auschwitz is more intact and has almost all of the exhibits. The exhibits of luggage,eyeglasses, shoes, and human hair is overwhelming. Birkenau is 25x the size of Auschwitz camp 1. Many buildings were destroyed but you can get a better feel for the scale of the genocide. Even with most buildings destroyed you get a chill realizing how people were sorted and put to death. Many times within hours of arrival.

Krakow ghetto - to round out your experience walk through the ghetto and Jewish quarter. Visit the synagogues. Realize the size of the Jewish community that thrived in this area and then 90% of them were killed.

Last - learn about the history that led up to the holocaust. Hitler did not rise up in a vacuum. There were 20 years of anti-semitism that occurred before the death camps. The nazis were very good at isolating Jews, cutting them off from day to day community and business involvement and then eventually shipped them off to forced labor and death. Awareness of that history will help prevent this from ever happening again.
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