Krakow is one of the most rewarding cities in Central Europe for travellers on a tight budget. The Old Town survived World War II largely intact, Wawel Hill is free to walk, and the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz gives you a full afternoon of architecture and atmosphere without spending a penny. Here is what we rate.

The Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny)

At 200 metres on each side, this is one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe. The Cloth Hall sits in the centre, St Mary's Basilica anchors the corner, and the surrounding townhouses have barely changed in plan since the 14th century. Entry to the square itself is free. You can sit, walk, and watch for as long as you like. The hourly trumpet call from St Mary's tower — the Hejnal Mariacki — is also free and happens every hour on the hour.

St Mary's Basilica (from outside)

The Gothic basilica on the main square charges a small entry fee for the interior, but the exterior is remarkable and free to appreciate from the square. If you want to see the famous painted interior and the carved altarpiece by Wit Stwosz, it is worth the fee — but the square-level view of the twin asymmetric towers costs nothing.

Wawel Hill

The hill overlooking the Vistula holds Wawel Cathedral and Wawel Royal Castle. The castle interior and cathedral crypts charge entry fees, but the hill itself — the courtyard, the ramparts, the views over the Vistula, the Dragon's Den entrance at the base — is free to walk. Allow an hour just to wander the fortifications and take in the skyline from the river side.

The Dragon of Wawel

At the base of Wawel Hill, where the hill meets the Vistula, stands a bronze dragon sculpture by Bronislaw Chromy. The dragon breathes real fire at intervals. It is a bit silly and entirely free. Children in particular find it compelling.

Kazimierz Jewish Quarter

The historic Jewish district, a short walk from the Old Town, holds seven pre-war synagogues, two of which are active. The streets, the plaques, the architecture, and the atmosphere of Szeroka Street are all free to experience. The Remuh Synagogue and the Old Jewish Cemetery charge a small entry fee, but the neighbourhood itself costs nothing to walk.

Planty Park

The ring of green space that encircles the entire Old Town follows the line of the original city walls. Planty stretches for almost 4 kilometres and is completely free. It is the city's default walking and cycling route, shaded in summer and pleasant in winter. A full circuit takes around 45 minutes at a relaxed pace.

Barbican and Florian Gate

The Barbican is a Gothic defensive outpost at the northern edge of the Old Town — one of the best-preserved medieval fortifications in Europe. Entry to the interior costs a few zloty, but you can walk around the outside and through the passage of the Florian Gate at no charge. The fragment of city wall connecting the two is part of the Planty walk.

Schindler's Factory (Exterior and District)

The Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory in the Zablocie district now operates as a museum (entry fee applies), but the industrial neighbourhood around it, on the south bank of the Vistula, is free to walk. The area has retained its factory-era character and gives a different view of the city's history from the polished Old Town. Walk over from Kazimierz via the footbridge.

Podgorze District

Directly across the Vistula from Kazimierz, Podgorze was the site of the wartime Jewish ghetto. Plac Bohaterow Getta (Heroes of the Ghetto Square) holds the memorial of 70 empty metal chairs — a free, powerful installation that is the deportations that took place here. The square and the surrounding streets are free to walk.

Nowa Huta

The Soviet-era planned district built east of the city in the late 1940s is served by tram from the Old Town. The central square (now renamed Ronald Reagan Central Square), the broad avenues, the Stalinist architecture, and the contrast with medieval Krakow are all completely free to see. It is an open-air architectural exhibit of a very specific moment in history.

Blonia Meadows

The large open meadow immediately west of the Old Town has been used for mass gatherings throughout Polish history — most famously the papal visits by John Paul II. Today it is a free public park, popular with joggers, cyclists, and families. The views back to the Old Town and Wawel Hill from the eastern edge of the meadow are excellent.

The Vistula Riverfront

The Boulevard along the Vistula, from Wawel Hill westward, has been redeveloped into one of Krakow's most pleasant free walking routes. Cafes and bars have terraces along the riverbank in summer, but the path itself costs nothing. Cross to the south bank at any of the footbridges for a different perspective on the castle and the skyline.

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