Krakow

Our Top 5 Things to Do in Krakow on a Budget

1. Walking tour of Krakow Old Town

We always love to do a walking tour and this time we joined the Walkative Old Town free walking tour. Our guide was easily identifiable by their bright yellow umbrella, which was easy to follow as they led us through the city’s streets, sharing historical anecdotes and facts along the way.

During the tour, we explored the city’s historic defenses, including the Barbican and St. Florian’s Gate, dedicated to the city’s patron saint. Our journey also took us to the Church of St. Barbara and the magnificent St. Mary’s Basilica, learning the story behind its mismatched towers. Additionally, we visited the University, where illustrious figures like the Polish Pope, John Paul II once studied. A highlight was the captivating courtyard clock, serenading us with music as wooden figures parade every hour.

My favourite stop however, was a visit to the Castle and Castle Cathedral, an absolute must-see. The cathedral’s eclectic style, with each king adding their distinctive chapel, left us spellbound. We learned that the Castle, though partially destroyed and rebuilt by the Nazis, retained its original charm, especially when entered through the courtyard.

What made this tour extra special were the personal stories shared by our guide, offering a glimpse into his childhood during the Communist era. While the tour is styled as ‘free,’ it’s expected that you will tip the guide at the end how much you think the tour is worth. We tipped 50 zl each (about £10).

2. Wieliczka Salt Mines

This remarkable site holds UNESCO World Heritage status and was formed because Krakow was once submerged beneath the sea, leaving behind salt deposits as the waters evaporated.

Reaching Wieliczka Salt Mine is super straightforward, requiring just a 20-minute journey via public transport. Access to the mines is granted exclusively through guided tours, with English-speaking tours operating only at specific times. The tour is priced at 126zl (£24.12) per person, a very reasonable price for a memorable journey through the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

To avoid unnecessary waits, we recommend checking the website before your visit to ensure you’re on schedule for the next available tour.

During the tour, you’ll have the chance to taste rock salt water, boasting a 30% salt content (for comparison, seawater is only 0.5%). One of the highlights is St. Kinga’s Underground Chapel, a breathtaking masterpiece entirely carved from rock salt, including the exquisite chandeliers crafted from salt crystals.

Comfort facilities are available throughout the tour. Approximately 1.5 hours into the tour, there’s a pit stop at an underground cafe, complete with a souvenir shop and bathroom facilities. Here, we couldn’t resist purchasing a salt shaker filled with this unique salt. After another half an hour, the tour ends, and you have free time to explore the final chambers, which house a restaurant, a gift shop, and a museum.

Two key points to note are that the tour involves a total of 800 steps (378 of which are done continuously within the first 5 minutes) and that the tour concludes with a cramped lift ride in a mine shaft, making it unsuitable for individuals with a fear of elevators.

3. Oskar Schindler’s Factory

During our visit to Krakow, we made a conscious decision not to visit Auschwitz, deciding instead on a less overwhelming way to delve into the city’s WWII history. Schindler’s Factory seemed like the perfect compromise. It offered us the opportunity to learn about Krakow during WWII without the emotional intensity of Auschwitz.

The factory has been transformed into a war museum, providing insights into the experiences of Krakow’s residents leading up to and during the war. It offers details of Schindler’s story, and you can view some of the surviving items from his factory.

Our visit lasted approximately an hour, and the entry fee was 32zl (£6.09pp). We discovered various options for guided tours, with English-speaking guides stationed outside (though we weren’t sure about their pricing), and tour tickets available inside the ticket office for 62zl on Wednesday, Friday and Sunday at 4 p.m. Opting for a guided tour could be a wise choice if you prefer a more interactive experience, as most of the museum’s information is presented in printed form.

Schindler’s Factory provides an educational and thought-provoking window into Krakow’s wartime past, making it a valuable addition to any visit to this historic city.

4. Stary Kleparz

After lunch one day, we couldn’t help but notice a bustling covered area across from our restaurant. Intrigued, we decided to head over and seek refuge from the rain. What we stumbled upon was a vibrant indoor market, offering an wide array of food and knick-knacks.

During our initial exploration, Will was intrigued by what appeared to be dried fish, only to hilariously discover it was a dog treat stall! Undeterred by this encounter, we continued to wander, taking more care to decipher the diverse offerings at various food stalls. Eventually, we settled on pastries from a bakery stall. Despite the language barrier with the pastry vendor, a few friendly gestures and pointing gave us an assortment of surprise desserts, all of which turned out to be delicious.

Entry to the market is free, but we recommend ensuring you have cash on hand for anything you want to buy, as most vendors do not accept card payments. According to the tourist information we received from our hotel later that day, the market operates daily from 6 am to 3 pm, with the exception of Sundays. It’s a perfect spot to find all the local flavours and trinkets, making it a must-visit during your Krakow explorations.

5. Zakopane Day Trip

After seeing pictures of Tatra Mountains, we knew we had to visit Zakopane during our time in Krakow. We opted for the convenience of a £70.15 organised day trip from Krakow. However, if you’re feeling adventurous, we’ll also share some tips for a self-guided adventure at the end of this section.

Our journey began with a scenic drive of approximately 1 hour and 40 minutes, guided by a knowledgeable tour guide who shared facts about the region and played traditional Polish highland music to set the mood. Our first stop was at a roadside hut, nestled at the foot of the majestic mountains, where we were offered delightful samples of highland cheese and an array of flavoured vodkas, all included in our tour package.

Our second stop brought us to Zakopane itself, where the tour guide granted us 2.5 hours to explore independently.

Our tour ticket included a return trip on the funicular, which whisked us from Zakopane at the base to Gubałówka at the summit. We spent around 40 minutes at Gubałówka, enjoying the breathtaking views and for an additional 11zl, we took a brief but fun ride on the gravity slide. Numerous restaurants with mountain views and food stalls selling takeaways dotted the area.

After descending on the funicular, we strolled down the busy high street, lined with more dining options and souvenir shops. Although 2.5 hours was a decent exploration, we couldn’t help but wish for more time to discover the town’s more traditional streets and sights.

The final stop took us to Termy Bukovina geothermal pools, where we swam in warm, mineral-rich waters and enjoyed our relaxation for a leisurely 2 hours. After this we boarded our now very familiar mini bus, which took us on the 2hr trip back to Krakow, dropping us right outside our hotel.

Now, for those seeking a budget-friendly alternative to the organised day trip, we have some tips to help you craft your own adventure for just £40 (a saving of £30 from what we paid):

Skip the highlanders’ cabin for vodka and cheese tasting; you’ll find plenty of these in Zakopane.
Begin your journey by taking the TLK53104 Zakopane train (usually running at 11:10 am) for 37.10 zl (£6.92). The train ride takes approximately 2 hours.
Enjoy the freedom to explore Zakopane at your own pace, and consider taking the funicular to Gubałówka for 35 zl (round trip) or purchase a combined ticket with the geothermal pools for 106zl (£19.76).
The journey from Zakopane to Termy Bukovina takes around 30 minutes by train, or you can opt for buses departing more frequently (every half hour or so) but take about 20 minutes longer than the train. Prices range from 10-20 zl (£2-£4), depending on your mode of transport.
At Termy Bukovina, you can purchase a 3-hour ticket for 79 zl (about £15) or use your combined ticket. The pools are open until 10 pm, offering a relaxing evening escape.
Finally, for your return to Krakow, consider taking the 9:20 pm FlixBus for £9, arriving back in Krakow at 11:30 pm. Booking in advance is recommended.

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