Hey there, fellow travelers! Today, we’re talking about what NOT to do when you visit Krakow, Poland. While many travel blogs will tell you the best things to do in Krakow, we want to be sure you know about the things you should NOT do on your Krakow tour.
Don’t Expect Ugly Communist Architecture
Krakow tourism is thriving with ten million tourists per year; it’s not an ugly city. You might think you know what to expect in Poland, and there are Polish cities with nothing but Communist architecture, but Krakow is not one of them. Krakow was largely spared during the war, so they still have a lot of Pre-War architecture. The main square is the largest in Europe, and it’s amazing!
Don’t Think You Have to Pay to Visit the Castle
The Wawel Royal Castle is up the hill from Krakow’s Old Town. You don’t have to pay to go up the hill to see the castle. You do have to pay to go inside the cathedral or the museums, but to go up the hill and walk around is completely free.
Don’t Take Photos Inside the Churches
Krakow has beautiful churches, and you’ll likely visit many of them during your Krakow trip. However, save your photos for outside of the churches. They don’t want photos taken inside, so please be respectful of the rules at each Krakow church that you visit.
Don’t Walk Around in a Tourist Daze
Krakow is so beautiful that it’s tempting to walk around gawking at everything around you. It’s easy to be distracted by all of the amazing sights, but make sure you are paying attention to where you are walking. Krakow drivers are usually moving pretty fast and not looking out for tourists who accidentally wander into the road.
Don’t Mix In With the Stag Parties
Krakow is affordable and accessible from many places in Europe, so it’s become a popular stag (bachelor) party destination. If you visit Krakow on a weekend, don’t be surprised to see large groups of drunk young men wandering the streets. They’re just having a good time, but I like to avoid them just in case a fight breaks out.
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Don’t Drink (Alcohol) in Public
Krakow is not like some places in Germany, where you can grab a few beers to go and enjoy them in the park. You cannot drink in public here, only at bars and restaurants. And don’t think you can play dumb to get out of a ticket if you are caught drinking in public.
Don’t Miss the Jewish Quarter
The Jewish Quarter has a lot of interesting history in the synagogues, cemeteries, and museums. But there’s more to the Jewish Quarter than historic spots. It’s actually a great neighborhood for Krakow nightlife. There are tons of great restaurants, cafes, and bars in Krakow’s Jewish Quarter.
Don’t Expect Over-The-Top Service
In general, Poland doesn’t have the most friendly service, and Krakow is no different. It is efficient, but not overly friendly. If you know this going in, you won’t be caught off guard.
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Don’t Just Stay on the Tourist Walk
The “tourist walk” in Krakow extends from the main gate down Main Street to the Town Square. It is a beautiful area with beautiful buildings, but this is where most of the tourists spend all of their time in Krakow. Make sure you plan for time outside of the tourist zone as well. There’s a lot to see in Krakow besides Town Square.
Don’t Just Stay in Krakow
Yes, Krakow is my favorite city in Poland, but it’s also a great home base for exploring other nearby areas of Poland. A couple of day trips from Krakow that I highly recommend include:
- A trip to the Salt Mines; there’s a salt mine just outside Krakow that they’ve turned into a tourist destination. It’s a really fun place to visit with kids.
- Visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, the concentration camp near Krakow. It’s not a fun visit, but an important part of history that needs to be remembered. Don’t feel like you have to join a tour at Auschwitz; you can visit on your own during certain hours. The signage is really good, so you can learn but also move through at your own pace. Plan on about two hours each way from Krakow to Auschwitz.
Don’t Fly Somewhere Other than KRK
When you book a flight to Krakow, make sure you are flying into KRK, the main airport. There’s another Krakow airport, but it’s at least an hour away. So if you find a really great deal, make sure you’re flying into the right airport before you purchase.
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Don’t let these “don’ts” keep you from planning a trip to Krakow. It’s my favorite city in Poland, and so much fun to visit. With fantastic Polish food, amazing architecture, and rich history, Krakow should be on everyone’s travel bucket list.
Want more travel tips for traveling in Poland? Check out some of our other blog posts: