The best time to visit Kraków is during the shoulder seasons of May-June or September-October, offering warm, pleasant weather with fewer crowds than the busy summer months. May features blooming landscapes, while September offers mild temperatures and stunning autumn foliage, making them ideal for exploring.
While Kraków is slightly more expensive than other Polish cities like Łódź or Katowice, it is still much cheaper than most Western European hubs, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious travelers. Hotels and apartments in Kraków offer excellent value for money.
Kraków is widely considered one of the safest major cities in Europe, and for most travelers, walking around at night is generally comfortable and worry-free. The city attracts millions of visitors each year, and its central areas remain lively well into the late hours.
For a good visit to Krakow, 3 to 4 days allows you to see the main sights like the Old Town, Jewish Quarter, Wawel Castle, and take one major day trip (like Auschwitz or the Salt Mine), while 5 days to a week is ideal for a deeper dive with more relaxation and additional excursions, as many visitors wish they had more time. A quick weekend (2 days) covers highlights, but a longer stay lets you explore more culture, museums, and neighborhoods.
What Language Do They Speak In Poland? Polish is the official language, however English is widely (and fluently) spoken in central Kraków. Many will find the language difficult to pronounce, but it's good to learn the most basic phrases. To say “hello” or “goodbye” informally, use “Cześć” (pronounced “cheshch”).
The climate in Kraków is temperate since it has both an oceanic and continental climate, meaning that it has cold winters and mild summers. It rains all year round in Kraków and sometimes quite heavily. The average rainy days in winter are 7 days a month and in spring it climbs up to 16 days a month.
John Paul II International Airport, AKA Krakow Airport, is in Balice village, around 9.3 miles (15km) from Krakow city centre. It's the only airport in Krakow (Katowice is the next closest) and a gateway to many European cities.
The Krakow Christmas Market is internationally famous, consistently ranked among the most beautiful in Europe. It captivates guests with its traditional wooden stalls, the scent of gingerbread and mulled wine, and the stunning backdrop of the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Basilica.
Most visitors do not experience any difficulties. Serious crime against foreigners is rare, but crimes do occur and in some cases attacks have been racially motivated.
Shops, supermarkets and shopping malls. Since 2018, Poland has strict laws on Sunday trading, which means that most shops and supermarkets are closed on Sundays, with a few exceptions. Petrol stations – in Poland, most of them are not only places to fill up your car, but also small grocery stores and cafeterias.
You don't have to worry about tap water in Krakow, it's completely safe and meets EU standards. If it does taste a bit strange to you, it's just because of mineral and pH levels that you're not used to.
When visiting Poland, DO validate public transport tickets, dress modestly in churches, learn basic Polish phrases, and be punctual; DON'T drink alcohol in public, call Poles "Eastern Europeans," smile at strangers, or discuss sensitive history casually, while always respecting cultural norms like removing shoes at home and being mindful of tipping customs.
While Krakow is a very touristy city, and people might not mind your fashion, it is always a safe bet not to wear revealing clothes if you are a woman to avoid drawing unwanted attention from locals. As for the men, avoiding tank tops and very short shorts would be the best.
