A practical note before arrival: Krakow is easier than it looks. The Old Town is compact and walkable. Polish is not an easy language but English is widely spoken in the tourist areas. The city is safe, affordable, and surprisingly well set up for visitors. The main things to know are about money, weather, and the specific character of weekend crowds.

Money: Polish Zloty Only

Poland uses the Polish zloty (PLN). Krakow does not use euros. Some tourist-facing businesses will accept euros but at unfavourable rates — do not rely on this. Withdraw zloty from ATMs on arrival (the airport has machines) or exchange at a kantor (currency exchange). Kantors in the city offer better rates than hotel exchanges and airport booths. Avoid exchange services that advertise "0% commission" — this usually means the rate is simply worse.

At time of writing: 1 GBP = approximately 5 PLN, 1 EUR = approximately 4.25 PLN. Prices are significantly lower than Western Europe.

Best Time to Visit

May to June: the best weather (15–22°C), long days, not yet the peak summer crowds. The obwarzanek carts are out, Kazimierz is lively, and Morskie Oko is accessible.

July to August: peak tourist season. Wawel tickets sell out, Wieliczka is crowded, accommodation prices are at their highest. The weather is warm (up to 30°C) but can be humid.

September to October: shoulder season. Crowds thin, prices drop, the autumn light is good. Often the most pleasant time to visit.

November to February: cold and sometimes snowy. The Christmas market on the Main Market Square (late November through December) is excellent — one of the better markets in Central Europe. January and February are quiet and cheap.

Safety

Krakow is safe. The Old Town and Kazimierz are well-lit and populated throughout the evening. The main risks are what you'd expect in any busy tourist city: pickpocketing in crowds (especially around the Market Square on weekends), overpriced taxis from outside official ranks, and restaurants around the square that charge tourist prices for average food.

The stag and hen party economy operates most visibly on Friday and Saturday nights. It is noisy in specific areas (mainly around ul. Florianska and the Old Town cellar bars) but not threatening. The police presence in the Old Town is consistent at weekends.

What to Watch Out For

ATM skimming: use ATMs attached to banks rather than standalone machines in tourist areas.

Restaurant bills: check the bill at Old Town restaurants, especially near the Market Square. Errors and additions are not uncommon.

Taxis: use Bolt or Uber rather than hailing a taxi from the street, especially at night. The app shows the price before you book.

Wawel ticket queues: the timed entry system for the State Rooms means walking up and hoping for a same-day slot is unreliable in summer. Book online.

Getting Around

The Old Town is a 20-minute walk across. Kazimierz is a 20-minute walk from the Market Square. Public transport is needed for Nowa Huta (tram 4), Podgorze (tram over the Vistula), and the airport (train from Glowny). Bolt and Uber both operate reliably.

Language

Polish is hard and the effort of a few words is appreciated: "Dziękuję" (thank you, "jenk-u-yeh"), "Poproszę" (please, "po-pro-sheh"), "Przepraszam" (excuse me, "psheh-pra-sham"). "Na zdrowie" (to health) for drinking toasts. English is spoken at all hotels, most restaurants, and by younger Poles generally.

Our Take

Krakow is among the most rewarding city break destinations in Europe. The history is dense, the food is good, the costs are low, and the city has enough layers to reward repeated visits. Book Schindler's Factory and Wieliczka early. Everything else, you can figure out on arrival.