Free things to do · Kraków · Poland
8 free things to do in Kraków
Kraków without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Zygmunt Put, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Kraków without paying an entry fee: Main Market Square, Cloth Hall, Kazimierz Jewish quarter and Ghetto Heroes Square and Pharmacy Under the Eagle are all free. Eat lunch at milk bars, where soups and pierogi cost a fraction of restaurant prices.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 8
- Low-cost extras
- 5
- Cost level
- Affordable
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Landmark · Old Town
1.Main Market Square
Listen for the hejnał bugle call played every hour from St. Mary's taller tower; it stops abruptly mid-tune.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- After dark
- Photo spot
Market · Old Town
2.Cloth Hall
Browse the ground-floor stalls for an overview, but compare amber prices with shops elsewhere before buying.
- Time needed
- 30 minutes to 1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Shopping
- Architecture
Neighbourhood · Kazimierz
3.Kazimierz Jewish quarter
Visit the synagogues in the morning, then return in the evening for dinner and drinks around Plac Nowy.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Food
- After dark
- Iconic
Historic site · Podgórze
4.Ghetto Heroes Square and Pharmacy Under the Eagle
Walk here from Kazimierz across the Father Bernatek footbridge and continue to Schindler's Factory, about 10 minutes away.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Free
- Off the beaten path
Park · Old Town
5.Planty Park
Walk the full loop in autumn, when the chestnut and maple trees turn gold.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
Viewpoint · Podgórze
6.Krakus Mound
Bring a drink and arrive about 30 minutes before sunset, when locals gather on the slopes.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Off the beaten path
- Outdoors
Neighbourhood · Nowa Huta
7.Nowa Huta
Take the tram to Plac Centralny and walk the main avenue, then visit the Lord's Ark church.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Off the beaten path
Waterfront · Wawel
8.Vistula boulevards
Walk from the Dragon's Den along the river to the footbridge at dusk, when Wawel is lit up.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- After dark
- Views
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Old Town | Main Market Square, Cloth Hall and Planty Park | 1 hour + 30 minutes to 1.5 hours + 1 hour |
| Kazimierz | Kazimierz Jewish quarter | Half a day |
| Podgórze | Ghetto Heroes Square and Pharmacy Under the Eagle and Krakus Mound | 45 minutes + 1 hour |
| Nowa Huta | Nowa Huta | Half a day |
| Wawel | Vistula boulevards | 1 hour |
Worth a small ticket
Religious site · Old Town
St. Mary's Basilica
The altarpiece's wings are opened ceremonially each day just before noon; arrive a little early for a good view.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Iconic
- Art
- Architecture
- History
Religious site · Wawel
Wawel Cathedral
Climb the narrow stairs to the Sigismund Bell for a view over the castle courtyard and river.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Iconic
Historic site · Wawel
Dragon's Den and Wawel Dragon
Visit the cave on your way down from the castle; the exit by the river leads straight onto the Vistula boulevards.
- Time needed
- 20–30 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- History
Historic site · Old Town
Barbican and St. Florian's Gate
Walk the wall-top passage between the Barbican and the gate in the warmer months for a view down Floriańska Street.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Viewpoint · Zwierzyniec and Salwator
Kościuszko Mound
Take the tram to Salwator and walk up through the leafy streets, about 30 minutes.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Views
- Outdoors
- History
- Active
More ways to save
- Eat lunch at milk bars, where soups and pierogi cost a fraction of restaurant prices.
- Several Kraków museums have one free-admission day a week for permanent exhibitions; check each museum's site.
- The Main Square, Kazimierz, the Planty, Wawel Hill's grounds and Krakus Mound are free.
- Decline dynamic currency conversion at ATMs and card terminals and pay in złoty; avoid exchange kiosks with poor rates near the Main Square.
- Use ride-hailing apps rather than street taxis to avoid overcharging.
- Travel by public bus or train to Wieliczka and Auschwitz instead of a tour if you want to save money, but book entry passes in advance.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Kraków expensive to visit?
Kraków is affordable for most visitors, but 8 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Kraków?
Main Market Square: Listen for the hejnał bugle call played every hour from St. Mary's taller tower; it stops abruptly mid-tune.