Timeline
06:48
Arrive at Rakowicki Cemetery before sunrise. The grounds are quiet and open early. Find a spot near the prominent graves of Wisława Szymborska or Jan Matejko and wait for the first light. The sun rises in the WSW, so the eastern side of the cemetery will catch the first glow on the headstones and trees.
07:33
Watch the sunrise. At 07:33 the sun breaks the horizon. Stay for a few minutes to let the cold air clear and the golden light hit the cemetery’s old trees and iron gates.
07:48
Walk south towards the main station area. Stop at Wesoła Cafe. It opens at 07:30 on Mondays, Fridays, and weekends. Order a hot coffee or tea to warm up after the morning chill. The cafe is a short 13-minute walk from the cemetery, making it a perfect warm-up spot before the day begins.
08:18
Continue your walk south-east to Łupinka. This café is open from 07:30 on weekdays and 09:00 on weekends. If you are visiting on a weekday, you can arrive now. If on a weekend, you might need to wait until 09:00 or choose a different spot. Enjoy a light breakfast or pastry here. It is a 13-minute walk from Wesoła Cafe.
Local tip
Rakowicki Cemetery is large. Wear comfortable shoes and bring a light jacket even in winter. The sunrise is the main event, so give yourself time to just look around before heading to the cafes.
Check before you go
- Rakowicki Cemetery is open early, but check if it is open on the specific day of your visit as hours can vary.
- Wesoła Cafe is open Mo,Fr-Su from 07:30. It is closed Tu-Th.
- Łupinka is open Mo-Fr from 07:30 and Sa-Su from 09:00.
- If visiting on a Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, Wesoła Cafe is closed. In that case, go directly to Łupinka (open 07:30) or Novum Bistro (open 09:00).
Built from places in the Wikivoyage guide to Kraków (CC BY-SA 4.0), with open map data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).