Rynek Główny, Wawel and Kazimierz are 15–20 minutes' walk apart. The eight main sights here are the ones travel guides recommend, 34travel first of all, and the two vintage shops come from my own list of saved spots. The descriptions are put together from Google Maps reviews; I haven't added my own notes yet.
Prices are Google's average spend per person, valid as of 7 October 2026. Rate: 1 zł ≈ $0.26.
In short
- If you have one day: Sukiennice and Bazylika Mariacka on Rynek Główny, then down Grodzka to Wawel.
- The most powerful museum: Fabryka Emalia Oskara Schindlera in Zabłocie, on Kraków under the occupation.
- Kazimierz and Zabłocie: Stara Synagoga on Szeroka, and across the river Schindler's Factory with MOCAK next door.
- A clock with figures: the Collegium Maius courtyard, where Copernicus studied — until 15:30 on weekdays, closed Sundays.
- City view: Kopiec Kościuszki, a climb up a man-made hill outside the centre.
- Vintage: Flyin' Vintage on Stradomska, between Wawel and Kazimierz, and Inspiro almost opposite Eszeweria.
What to see
Sukiennice
Stare Miasto · market hall & museum · Tue–Sun 10:00–18:00, closed Mon
Google Maps · website · Rynek Główny 3
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 16,600+): the Renaissance cloth hall in the middle of Rynek Główny, Kraków's postcard image. Downstairs are souvenir stalls, mostly Baltic amber; upstairs is a gallery of 19th-century Polish painting that many people only find out about afterwards (the entrance is on the north side and easy to miss). The square is very touristy, but so spacious that it hardly matters. 34travel recommends it too (article).
Bazylika Mariacka
Stare Miasto · Gothic church · Mon–Sat 11:30–18:00, Sun 14:00–18:00
Google Maps · website · plac Mariacki 5
According to Google Maps reviews (4.8 from 20,300+): the red-brick church with two towers of different heights on the corner of Rynek Główny. Inside are painted vaults and a carved altarpiece that leave many visitors speechless, and every hour the famous hejnał trumpet call sounds from the tower. Tickets are sold to the right of the entrance as you face the front. Some find the entry fee steep for a visit of five to thirty minutes. 34travel recommends it too (article).
Collegium Maius
Stare Miasto · university museum · Mon–Fri 9:00–15:30, Sat 10:00–14:30, closed Sun
Google Maps · website · Jagiellońska 15
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 1,600+): Poland's oldest university building, from the 14th–15th centuries, where Copernicus studied — Gothic arcades, a quiet courtyard, wooden staircases. The museum upstairs is small; half an hour is enough. The highlight is the courtyard clock: every two hours a little door opens and a procession of historical figures comes out. It closes early and is shut on Sundays. 34travel recommends it too (article).
Stara Synagoga
Kazimierz · 15th-century synagogue and museum · Mon 10:00–15:00, Tue–Sun 9:00–17:00
Google Maps · website · Szeroka 24
According to Google Maps reviews (4.4 from 5,700+): Poland's oldest surviving synagogue, built in the 15th century and later remodelled in Renaissance style, now a branch of the Museum of Kraków on the history and traditions of the city's Jewish community. A quiet, reflective place; the exhibition is clear and well presented. Downside: there are only three rooms, and some visitors are through in half an hour. 34travel recommends it too (article).
Zamek Królewski na Wawelu
Wawel · royal castle & museum · Tue–Sun 9:00–17:00, Mon 10:00–16:00
Google Maps · website · Wawel 5
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 168,000+): the residence of Polish kings on the hill above the Wisła, with an arcaded courtyard, gardens and terraces over the river. Reviewers praise the restoration and the sheer scale: there are so many rooms and exhibitions that you need half a day at least. Some say the outside and the courtyards impress more than the interiors. 34travel recommends it too (article).
Fabryka Emalia Oskara Schindlera
Zabłocie · history museum · Tue–Sun 9:00–20:00, Mon 10:00–15:00
Google Maps · website · Lipowa 4
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 26,000+): a museum of Kraków under Nazi occupation, in the former office of Schindler's factory. Many call it the most powerful museum of their trip, with immersive rooms, testimonies and photos; allow from an hour and a half to half a day. Know before you go: this is not a tour of the factory, which is down to a desk and a case of enamel pots, and some visitors feel let down. Entry is by time slot, so buy tickets ahead. 34travel recommends it too (article).
MOCAK
Zabłocie · contemporary art museum · Tue–Sun 11:00–19:00, closed Mon
Google Maps · website · Lipowa 4
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 6,400+): a three-storey contemporary art museum next door to Schindler's Factory — an interesting building, strong exhibitions (with many works by women artists), a good bookshop and coffee. Labels are in English too, and student tickets are cheap. Downsides: it's fairly small, and one review complains that renovation left only part of it open. 34travel recommends it too (article).
Kopiec Kościuszki
Zwierzyniec · man-made mound, fort & museum · daily 9:00–18:00
Google Maps · website · al. Waszyngtona 1
According to Google Maps reviews (4.7 from 25,600+): an 1820 mound in honour of Tadeusz Kościuszko, ringed by an old fort. One ticket covers a small museum about Kościuszko and the climb to the top, where you see the whole of Kraków. Fewer tourists make it here, which is a pity: the walk along the Rudawa and through Salwator is a nice outing in itself. There's a café with a view at the top; the museum is a bit dull for small children.
Vintage
Flyin' Vintage
Stradom · vintage clothing · Mon–Fri 11:00–19:00, Sat until 20:00, Sun 12:00–19:00
Google Maps · website · Stradomska 16
According to Google Maps reviews (4.6 from 220+): colourful vintage clothing at modest prices on Stradomska, between Wawel and Kazimierz. Reviewers praise the selection and the friendly owner, and you may get a discount for an Instagram post. The men's section is small, and one shopper couldn't exchange an item.
Inspiro Vintage Shop
Kazimierz · vintage clothing · Mon–Fri 11:00–18:00, Sat 10:00–18:00, Sun 10:00–17:00
Google Maps · Facebook · Józefa 12
According to Google Maps reviews (4.5 from 40+): two small shops in one passage on Józefa, almost opposite Eszeweria: women's clothes in one, men's in the other. Lots of glamorous 1950s–80s vintage, plus bags and pieces remade from old clothes. The style is an acquired taste, and the welcome, judging by reviews, ranges from very warm to cold.
One last thing
Kraków's museums are mostly closed or on short hours on Mondays (Sukiennice is shut, Wawel and Schindler's Factory close at 15–16:00). Keep Monday for Kopiec Kościuszki and the vintage shops, which are open, and move the museums to other days.
More on Kraków: where to eat, bars, breakfast, cocktail bars near the Rynek, Kazimierz bars.