Poland
Kraków
Poland
Kraków
Updated Jul 19, 2025
Overview
Kraków captivates with its UNESCO-listed Old Town, royal castle, and authentic Polish atmosphere. Beyond tourist sites, discover milk bars serving piercing soup, underground jazz clubs in medieval cellars, and weekend markets where locals buy fresh oscypek cheese. The city pulses with student energy from ancient universities.
Best time to visit. Visit May through September for warm weather and outdoor café culture. Spring offers fewer crowds and blooming parks. Summer brings festivals and long daylight hours perfect for exploring.
City stats
Population
779,115
Land area
124 sq. mi.
Currency
Polish złoty
Year founded
1257 CE
Official langauge
Polish
English speaking
Somewhat spoken, esp. in hospitality
State/Province
Lesser Poland Voivodeship
Timezone
Central European (UTC+1)
Driving side
right
Website
Google Maps link
Quick links
How to get there
Neighborhoods
Getting around
Where to stay
Day trips
Cities within 8 hours
Active pursuits
Leisure activities
Bars, pubs and nightlife
Breakfast and brunch
Lunch and snacks
Dinner restaurants
Laptop friendly places
Where to stay for work trips
Work trip activities
Average weather
Country holidays
Major annual events
Cultural tips
City details
Hotels
Nearby
Nearby
Things to do
Food & restaurants
Work friendly
| Month | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 34°F - 23°F | 28°F - 16°F | Cloudy | 7:39 am | 4:09 pm | 8 days 1.2 in | 12 days 7.3 in | 9 mph |
| February | 37°F - 25°F | 32°F - 18°F | Partly Cloudy | 7:08 am | 5:04 pm | 7 days 1.1 in | 10 days 5.6 in | 9 mph |
| March | 46°F - 32°F | 43°F - 27°F | Partly Cloudy | 6:17 am | 6:02 pm | 9 days 1.4 in | 6 days 3.3 in | 11 mph |
| April | 57°F - 41°F | 55°F - 38°F | Partly Cloudy | 5:19 am | 7:04 pm | 10 days 1.7 in | 2 days 0.8 in | 9 mph |
| May | 68°F - 50°F | 67°F - 49°F | Partly Cloudy | 4:36 am | 7:56 pm | 12 days 2.7 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| June | 73°F - 57°F | 74°F - 57°F | Partly Cloudy | 4:15 am | 8:24 pm | 13 days 3.1 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| July | 77°F - 61°F | 79°F - 62°F | Partly Cloudy | 4:28 am | 8:17 pm | 12 days 3.2 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| August | 75°F - 59°F | 77°F - 60°F | Partly Cloudy | 5:07 am | 7:40 pm | 11 days 2.8 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| September | 66°F - 50°F | 65°F - 48°F | Partly Cloudy | 5:53 am | 6:46 pm | 9 days 1.9 in | 0 days 0.0 in | 7 mph |
| October | 55°F - 41°F | 52°F - 37°F | Cloudy | 6:43 am | 5:45 pm | 8 days 1.5 in | 1 days 0.3 in | 7 mph |
| November | 43°F - 32°F | 38°F - 27°F | Cloudy | 6:45 am | 4:06 pm | 8 days 1.4 in | 4 days 2.0 in | 9 mph |
| December | 36°F - 25°F | 30°F - 18°F | Cloudy | 7:25 am | 3:51 pm | 8 days 1.3 in | 11 days 6.4 in | 9 mph |
| Name | Date | Description | Travel rating | Closure rating | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Year's Day | January 1 | Celebration of the new year with fireworks, parties, and family gatherings. | Avoid travel, most businesses closed. | ||
| Easter | Varies (March or April) | Christian holiday celebrating Jesus' resurrection with special masses and family meals. | Limited services, cultural experience. | ||
| Easter Monday | Day after Easter Sunday | Extension of Easter celebrations, featuring unique water-splashing tradition. | Interesting cultural event, some closures. | ||
| Labour Day | May 1 | Workers' rights celebration with parades and political demonstrations. | Some closures, interesting local events. | ||
| Constitution Day | May 3 | Commemoration of 1791 constitution with parades, concerts, and patriotic events. | Patriotic celebrations, some closures. | ||
| Corpus Christi | 60 days after Easter | Catholic feast day with processions and flower-strewn streets in many towns. | Unique cultural experience, some closures. | ||
| Assumption of Mary | August 15 | Catholic holy day honoring Virgin Mary, with church services and pilgrimages. | Religious observances, some closures. | ||
| All Saints' Day | November 1 | Day to honor deceased loved ones, with cemetery visits and candle lighting. | Solemn atmosphere, many closures. | ||
| Independence Day | November 11 | Celebration of Poland's independence with parades, concerts, and fireworks. | Patriotic events, some business closures. | ||
| Christmas Eve | December 24 | Important family gathering with traditional meatless dinner and gift-giving. | Limited services, festive atmosphere. | ||
| Christmas Day | December 25 | Christian holiday celebrating Jesus' birth with church services and family meals. | Avoid travel, most businesses closed. | ||
| Second Day of Christmas | December 26 | Continuation of Christmas celebrations with family gatherings and relaxation. | Limited services, festive atmosphere. |
| Name | Date | Description | Travel rating | Closure rating | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kraków Film Festival | late May - early June | International documentary and short film festival showcasing global cinema works. | Good time to visit with cultural events. | ||
| Wianki | June 21 | Midsummer Night festival celebrating summer solstice with concerts and fireworks. | Crowded but festive atmosphere downtown. | ||
| Jewish Culture Festival | late June - early July | Annual celebration of Jewish heritage with concerts, workshops, and cultural events. | Excellent cultural experience in Kazimierz. | ||
| Kraków Summer Jazz Festival | July | International jazz festival featuring renowned musicians in historic venues. | Great for music lovers, minimal disruption. | ||
| Pierogi Festival | mid-August | Food festival celebrating Poland's famous dumpling with tastings and competitions. | Fun culinary experience, city operates normally. | ||
| Conrad Festival | late October - early November | Literary festival honoring Joseph Conrad with readings, discussions, and events. | Minimal impact on tourism and attractions. | ||
| Christmas Market | December 1 - January 6 | Traditional holiday market in Main Square with crafts, food, and seasonal items. | Crowded but magical winter atmosphere. |
1 | Greet people with 'Dzień dobry' (good day) or 'Cześć' (hi) for informal settings. Polish people appreciate when visitors make an effort to use basic Polish phrases. |
2 | Remove your shoes when entering someone's home. It's customary to leave footwear at the entrance. Hosts often provide slippers for guests to wear inside. |
3 | Be punctual for appointments and social gatherings. Polish people value timeliness and consider it disrespectful to be late without a good reason or prior notice. |
4 | Respect religious sites. Poland is predominantly Catholic, so dress modestly when visiting churches. Remove hats and avoid loud conversations in places of worship. |
5 | Learn basic dining etiquette. Wait for the host to start eating, keep hands visible on the table, and don't refuse food or drink offers as it may be seen as impolite. |
6 | Avoid public displays of drunkenness. While drinking is common, excessive public intoxication is frowned upon. Pace yourself and know your limits when enjoying Polish vodka. |
7 | Use formal titles like 'Pan' (Mr.) or 'Pani' (Ms.) when addressing people, especially elders or in professional settings. Only use first names when invited to do so. |
8 | Be prepared for direct communication. Polish people tend to be straightforward in their speech. Don't take blunt responses personally; it's a cultural norm. |
9 | Tipping is expected in restaurants, usually 10-15% of the bill. In taxis, it's common to round up the fare. Tip hotel staff for carrying luggage or extra services. |
10 | Learn about Polish history. Many Poles are proud of their country's past and appreciate visitors who show interest in historical sites and events. |
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