How to See Krakow on a Budget | The Ultimate Guide

On any trip around Europe, Krakow is a must-visit. Filled with history, beauty, and magical horses, this city will steal your heart and make it hard to leave! Read on to find out how you can see Krakow on a budget. Find free and cheap attractions, the best places to stay, and cheap places to eat.

Places to see in Krakow on a budget

There are plenty of things to see and do in Poland that are cheap. If you don’t believe us, make sure to check out this awesome breakdown of costs in Poland. Anyway, like the rest of Poland, Krakow can also be done on a budget. Walking around is completely FREE and you can see and experience so much without paying any entrance fees. Here are the top attractions.

Krakow Main Square

We started our first full day in Krakow by wandering around Main Square. The Sain Square is a magical place and I just can’t even begin to imagine how pretty and magical it must be in the winter when the streets are filled with snow. Christmas markets line the streets and people sit out drinking mulled wine. Even though we were here in the summer months, the main square is still very pretty with the old buildings, clock tower, and elegantly decorated horses and carriages circling around.

The Main Square is the perfect place to unwind in the evening, with plenty of enticing restaurants and outdoor seating areas. There are also lots of street entertainers; from break dancers to guitar players and singers.

Wawel Castle Grounds

Next on the list of Kraków budget attractions is Wawel Castle. Wawel Castle is one of the largest castles in Poland and a significant cultural site. People have lived on Wawel Hill for over 50 thousand years. When the hill became bustling with trade, the rulers of Poland decided to take up residence there as well. Whilst there is a small fee to go into many of the exhibitions, it’s FREE to walk around the gardens. As you walk around the garden you can admire the colourful flowers and the mix of European architecture.

Love admiring castles? Don’t miss Bran Castle in Romania!

Kazimierz District

Kazimierz District, also known as the Jewish District, is now a popular tourist attraction in Krakow. At the end of the fifteenth century, a large Jewish population moved to the Kazimierz District. The district is teeming with culture and history. There are also plenty of quaint bars and eateries around this area too.

Street art in Krakow

Krakow is filled with different types of street art. You will find plenty of art in the Kazimierz District that pays homage to the Jewish community. We recommend just walking around to find the art, but you can also take a guided street art tour too if you’re interested in the stories behind the images.

Auschwitz Museum

Whilst harrowing and hard to stomach, a visit to Auschwitz should be at the top of everybody’s list. The Auschwitz Museum is the Nazi concentration camp where many atrocities were committed against mainly Jewish people. It’s a heartbreaking piece of history, but one we must acknowledge to learn from and to make sure no such tragedies ever happen again. To keep costs down you can visit the Auschwitz Museum for free by booking your place on the official site beforehand. Alternatively, you can take a Krakow to Auschwitz tour that will provide you with more in-depth information.

How to get around Krakow

Getting around Krakow is easy! To see Krakow on a budget you can easily walk between the places mentioned above. Besides, you will be too busy admiring the historical buildings to notice how far you would have walked. Alternatively, you can easily jump on a tram or bus. When you get on the bus or tram, you will need to buy a ticket from the driver and then VALIDATE it in one of the machines. This is an essential tip for travelling in Europe as if you fail to validate your ticket, you could end up with a hefty fine. Public transport tickets cost 6 Zloty ($1.53) and are valid for 90 minutes.

Where to stay in Krakow

Feeling luxurious: Villa Zakamycze – Out of the main area for a quiet, peaceful stay but within a short drive to reach all of the main attractions of Krakow. The accommodation is modern and cosy, set in tranquil grounds, and boasts a swimming pool.

Budget private room: Fenna Apartments – Great for couples! The apartment-style accommodation is spacious and perfect for those who want to stay in the heart of Krakow and have easy access to Krakow Main Square.

Dorm life: Pillows Party Hostel – Pillow Party Hostel is in an excellent location. Just a 5-minute walk to the main square and surrounded by shops and tram lines. It’s the cheapest in the area for such a great location. The staff at the hostel are very friendly and will help you with anything you need. You can also arrange pub crawls and tours from the hostel.

For more prices and deals on properties in Krakow, CLICK HERE.

Cheap eats in Krakow

Lastly on the list of how to see Krakow on a budget, FOOD! Krakow has tons of places to eat, treating you to all kinds of the best Polish dishes. Even spending a full year in Krakow and eating out every day, I don’t think you could cover every establishment. You will be spoiled for choice. However, if you’re on a budget but are looking for a filling meal, then Smakolyki is the place to go. The menu is extensive and quite cheap. Psst…they have GRAVY! I can’t tell you how happy we were to see gravy on the menu after backpacking in Asia for 2 years where it’s almost unheard of. We paid 60 Zloty ($16) for 2 meals and 2 large beers. Not bad for a bit of fine dining. Beats cooking pasta with a manky sauce in the hostel!

Essential resources for travelling in Poland

Travel Insurance – No matter where you’re travelling to, it’s a good idea to make sure you’re covered for any accidents or losses. We spent days and weeks searching for insurance, but most insurers would not allow us to take out a policy as we were already abroad. Our personal choice is Safteywing. You can opt for automatic monthly payments, just like a subscription. More importantly, it is available in 180 countries and can be purchased whilst already travelling. There is no cap on the duration of travel.

Visa – Before you travel to any country, make sure to check if you need a visa. iVisa is a fantastic website that is super easy and quick to use. Just type in where you are from. and where you are going. to check if you need a visa. If you do, you can quickly make an application online.

Accommodation – Booking.com is our go-to when looking to pre-book accommodation online. Booking.com tend to almost always have the best rates and a FREE cancellation policy for most properties.

Overland transport – Our go-to website for overland transport is Bookaway. Bookaway offers multiple forms of transport, from buses, mini-vans, trains, and ferries. The routes on offer are extensive and certainly cover most of the backpacker trails. Bookaway works a little like Skyscanner but for overland transport. You will find plenty of transport options from a range of companies. All you simply need to do is book online and receive your ticket by email. The email will contain essential information, such as where the bus leaves from and departure and arrival times.

Tours & Activities – If you want to book tours and activities online, make sure to check out Get Your Guide. Get Your Guide takes the stress out of booking activities abroad. You will also find a range of benefits, such as skip-the-line passes, lunch included in your tours, and so much more.

Travel tips ebook -Before you head off on your adventure, make sure to download our free ebook. It has a whopping 109 budget travel tips to help you make your hard-earned cash go further. Click here to download your FREE ebook.

We hope you enjoyed our guide on how to see Krakow on a budget. We are sure Krakow will steal your hearts just as much as it did ours. If you’re heading to Slovakia next, make sure to check out our Bratislava guide.

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