Guidebook for Kraków
Drinks & Nightlife
What is Krakow nightlife like? It's more than good! Find out where to go.
Opening in the formerly abandoned, monstrous and much-maligned Soviet-era Forum Hotel, Forum Przestrzenie immediately vaults itself to the top of the list of Kraków's most original, intriguing and hip locales, without even really trying (not caring is the key to being 'cool' after all). The owners have simply added dozens of beach chairs, bean bags, retro sofas and a bit of graffiti art to the original interiors and vintage neon signs of the reception area, assembled a competent kitchen to create stellar sandwiches, salads and pizzas, stocked the bar with good beer, and watched the talented, tattooed post-college crowd ("hipsters" you might call them) turn this vast riverside bar into the trendiest place to be day or night. With great views and plenty of space, in warm months their huge riverside terrace is sprawling with beach chairs, while inside there's enough room for ping-pong tables and foosball. DJ parties and other events are a constant, making Forum one of the most unpredictable and exciting venues in town.
400 locals recommend
Forum Przestrzenie
28 Marii KonopnickiejOpening in the formerly abandoned, monstrous and much-maligned Soviet-era Forum Hotel, Forum Przestrzenie immediately vaults itself to the top of the list of Kraków's most original, intriguing and hip locales, without even really trying (not caring is the key to being 'cool' after all). The owners have simply added dozens of beach chairs, bean bags, retro sofas and a bit of graffiti art to the original interiors and vintage neon signs of the reception area, assembled a competent kitchen to create stellar sandwiches, salads and pizzas, stocked the bar with good beer, and watched the talented, tattooed post-college crowd ("hipsters" you might call them) turn this vast riverside bar into the trendiest place to be day or night. With great views and plenty of space, in warm months their huge riverside terrace is sprawling with beach chairs, while inside there's enough room for ping-pong tables and foosball. DJ parties and other events are a constant, making Forum one of the most unpredictable and exciting venues in town.
his seemingly nondescript gallery/cafe/bar is the linchpin in a raft of new venues that have turned this quiet street between Plac Wolnica and the pedestrian bridge to Podgórze into one of the hippest places to hang out these days. In warm weather the small interior of white walls dressed in art canvases spills out onto the sidewalk as young people compete for a place to pass the time drinking delicious microbrews and homemade vodkas served out of a tiny fridge. Check their FB profile to see what art films they'll be screening this week. It doesn't take much, and whatever it is - this place has it. If you don't know, now you know, hipster.
25 locals recommend
Mostowa Sztuka Kawa
8 Mostowahis seemingly nondescript gallery/cafe/bar is the linchpin in a raft of new venues that have turned this quiet street between Plac Wolnica and the pedestrian bridge to Podgórze into one of the hippest places to hang out these days. In warm weather the small interior of white walls dressed in art canvases spills out onto the sidewalk as young people compete for a place to pass the time drinking delicious microbrews and homemade vodkas served out of a tiny fridge. Check their FB profile to see what art films they'll be screening this week. It doesn't take much, and whatever it is - this place has it. If you don't know, now you know, hipster.
One of Kraków's most evocative bars, the aptly-named Alchemia perfectly captures the sepia candlelight, forgotten photographs and antique intrigues of the former Jewish district. A dim bohemian cafe by day, in the evenings Alchemia's murky mystique metamorphoses blood into beer for the ruddy regulars and excitable tourists queuing before the indifferent bar staff. The cellar, when it's not being used as a student disco, plays host to some of the best concerts in town and is a prime participant in annual jazz and klezmer festivals, and the adjacent Alchemia od Kuchni serves a full menu of excellent eats until 23:00 (24:00 Fri & Sat). Essential in every way.
556 locals recommend
Alchemia
5 EsteryOne of Kraków's most evocative bars, the aptly-named Alchemia perfectly captures the sepia candlelight, forgotten photographs and antique intrigues of the former Jewish district. A dim bohemian cafe by day, in the evenings Alchemia's murky mystique metamorphoses blood into beer for the ruddy regulars and excitable tourists queuing before the indifferent bar staff. The cellar, when it's not being used as a student disco, plays host to some of the best concerts in town and is a prime participant in annual jazz and klezmer festivals, and the adjacent Alchemia od Kuchni serves a full menu of excellent eats until 23:00 (24:00 Fri & Sat). Essential in every way.
Food Scene
Real Polish Food
Traditional Polish restaurant in Kazimierz, good, traditional Polish food. Very good prices for food. Lemonade, zurek (Polish soup), kloptyka (Polish gnocchi) and one side for less than 10 EUR.
82 locals recommend
Marchewka z Groszkiem
2 MostowaTraditional Polish restaurant in Kazimierz, good, traditional Polish food. Very good prices for food. Lemonade, zurek (Polish soup), kloptyka (Polish gnocchi) and one side for less than 10 EUR.
Food trucks are the latest Polish food fad, and Skwer Judah in Kazimierz - so named after the massive street mural that adorns it - provides the parking for this culinary trend. Here you'll find several meals on wheels to choose from, and in warm weather beach chairs, benches and palettes are placed all over this concrete pitch, making it one of the coolest places in town to catch some quick grub. Tenants change often, but during our most recent visit the options included Big Red Busterant (a vintage UK double-decker bus with upstairs seating, serving soup, sausage, and fish and chips), Frytki Belgijskie (Belgian-style fries), Boogie Truck (burgers, paninis), Pan Kumpir (loaded jacket potatoes), Andrus Food Truck (serving maczanka - the Cracovian pulled pork sandwich), Kocham Naleśniki (crepes), Yatai (sushi), Wiązana Kawa (coffee) and Chimney Cake Bakery. Opening hours and availability vary with each, of course, but most are open roughly 12:00 - 22:00; Sat, Sun 12:00 - 24:00 (note that there are fewer venues open on Monday).
26 locals recommend
Food truck Park
Dajwór Food trucks are the latest Polish food fad, and Skwer Judah in Kazimierz - so named after the massive street mural that adorns it - provides the parking for this culinary trend. Here you'll find several meals on wheels to choose from, and in warm weather beach chairs, benches and palettes are placed all over this concrete pitch, making it one of the coolest places in town to catch some quick grub. Tenants change often, but during our most recent visit the options included Big Red Busterant (a vintage UK double-decker bus with upstairs seating, serving soup, sausage, and fish and chips), Frytki Belgijskie (Belgian-style fries), Boogie Truck (burgers, paninis), Pan Kumpir (loaded jacket potatoes), Andrus Food Truck (serving maczanka - the Cracovian pulled pork sandwich), Kocham Naleśniki (crepes), Yatai (sushi), Wiązana Kawa (coffee) and Chimney Cake Bakery. Opening hours and availability vary with each, of course, but most are open roughly 12:00 - 22:00; Sat, Sun 12:00 - 24:00 (note that there are fewer venues open on Monday).
Opening after its sister establishment on the Rynek, the second Szara achieved local legend status just as quickly. What makes it so special is not the convenient location on Szeroka, nor the swift and bubbly staff, but the food: nowhere in the city can you eat so well for so little. This is top cuisine - try the daily specials chalked up on the blackboard - yet it comes in at bargain prices. Simple, affordable and very cheerful, all of Kraków should be like this.
20 locals recommend
SZARA KAZIMIERZ
39 SzerokaOpening after its sister establishment on the Rynek, the second Szara achieved local legend status just as quickly. What makes it so special is not the convenient location on Szeroka, nor the swift and bubbly staff, but the food: nowhere in the city can you eat so well for so little. This is top cuisine - try the daily specials chalked up on the blackboard - yet it comes in at bargain prices. Simple, affordable and very cheerful, all of Kraków should be like this.
Try MoaBurger for the best burger you have ever eaten! Open Mon-Sat 11:00 - 23:00 Sun 12:00 - 21:00 The Classic (200g beef patty, lettuce, tomato, gherkin, red onion, tomato sauce, mayo) - 17 PLN Surf’n’Turf (200g beef patty,grilled tiger prawns, home made garlic mayo, red onion, tomato, lettuce) - 27 PLN Highly recommend!
138 locals recommend
Moaburger
3 MikołajskaTry MoaBurger for the best burger you have ever eaten! Open Mon-Sat 11:00 - 23:00 Sun 12:00 - 21:00 The Classic (200g beef patty, lettuce, tomato, gherkin, red onion, tomato sauce, mayo) - 17 PLN Surf’n’Turf (200g beef patty,grilled tiger prawns, home made garlic mayo, red onion, tomato, lettuce) - 27 PLN Highly recommend!
Sightseeing
There are just some things everyone should see in Krakow - check our list and enjoy Krakow.
At a cost of less than €5 per person this place is a must if you are in Kraków. The first hand accounts really brought home how life was when Krakow was about to be occupied. Reached by tram 24.
622 locals recommend
Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory
4 LipowaAt a cost of less than €5 per person this place is a must if you are in Kraków. The first hand accounts really brought home how life was when Krakow was about to be occupied. Reached by tram 24.
Arts & Culture
Tempel Synagogue is not only a major place of worship, but also a booming center of Jewish culture, which hosts numerous concerts and meetings, especially during the Jewish Culture Festival.
72 locals recommend
Tempel Synagogue, Kraków
24 MiodowaTempel Synagogue is not only a major place of worship, but also a booming center of Jewish culture, which hosts numerous concerts and meetings, especially during the Jewish Culture Festival.
Shopping
Discover the best shopping in Kraków
The Christmas market in Krakow is a regular feature of the city’s festive season. Traditionally, it starts in the last week of November and lasts through December 26th at least. It takes place every year on the city’s huge central square, Rynek Glowny, in the middle of the Old Town historic district. It’s hard to trace the origin of this long tradition because the square has always been the major venue for diverse trade and the business naturally switched to Christmas-related merchandise with the approach of the festive season.
521 locals recommend
Rynek Główny
Rynek GłównyThe Christmas market in Krakow is a regular feature of the city’s festive season. Traditionally, it starts in the last week of November and lasts through December 26th at least. It takes place every year on the city’s huge central square, Rynek Glowny, in the middle of the Old Town historic district. It’s hard to trace the origin of this long tradition because the square has always been the major venue for diverse trade and the business naturally switched to Christmas-related merchandise with the approach of the festive season.
Merchant stalls surround the rotunda, and you’ll find something happening here daily from 7:00 in the morning until early afternoon. Fresh produce, sweets and random rubbish are constant guarantees but weekly highlights include junk/antique sale Saturdays, Sundays clothing market, and Friday mornings bewildering small critter expo/pigeon fair. A photo essay waiting to happen, arrive early to the latter to learn the answer to the riddle, 'How many rabbits fit in a suitcase?'
160 locals recommend
plac Nowy
plac NowyMerchant stalls surround the rotunda, and you’ll find something happening here daily from 7:00 in the morning until early afternoon. Fresh produce, sweets and random rubbish are constant guarantees but weekly highlights include junk/antique sale Saturdays, Sundays clothing market, and Friday mornings bewildering small critter expo/pigeon fair. A photo essay waiting to happen, arrive early to the latter to learn the answer to the riddle, 'How many rabbits fit in a suitcase?'