Parks and the outdoors in Kraków

Parks and the outdoors in Kraków

1. SeeSouth

   Bednarski Park

   Park Bednarskiego

   Established (by the end of 19th century) around former industrial area (limestone quarry). These days slightly run down but has its own unique atmosphere and is considered the most beautiful park in Krakow.

2. SeeWest

   Botanic Garden of Jagiellonian University

   Extensive peaceful gardens (closed winter), ticket includes a small museum.

   April–Oct daily 09:00-21:00·Adult 7 zł, conc 4 zł

3. SeeWest

   Bronisław Chromy Sculpture Gallery

   This collection of offbeat modern sculpture is in Decius Park just north of the Villa, both outdoor and within the gallery. Chromy (1925-2017) created many public sculptures around the city, including Smok the dragon at the foot of Wawel.

   Mon-Fri 15:00-18:00, Sat Sun 11:00-18:00

4. DrinkOld Town

   Cafe Bunkier

   Big patio cafe open to Planty park, next to Bunkier Sztuki gallery of contemporary art.

   Daily 09:00-01:00

5. EatOld Town

   Chimera

   Tucked away in the yard of a Renaissance house, the main drawcard here is the giant salad bar of 20-plus mostly-vegetarian options, with both hot and cold items available. Beer garden and wine cellar.

   Mon-Sat 09:00-22:00, Sun 11:00-22:00·20/30 zl for 4/6 options.

6. SeeEast

   Garden of Experiences

   Ogród Doświadczeń im. Stanisława Lema

   Named after the most famous Polish science fiction writer Stanisław Lem, the Garden is a place where kids (but not only them) can learn about optics, physics and astronomy using free standing installations like Newton's cradle, gongs, liquid vortexes, etc. There's also a spherical cinema with educational films.

   April - October·8 zł, 5.50 reduced

7. SeeOld Town

   Holy Cross Church

   It was constructed in 1186. The oldest part of the church is a stone presbytery, while a brick part of the construction dates from the 15th century. The interior is very beautifully decorated with wall paintings dating back to 1420, like 'The Agony in the Garden' in the chapel and a wonderful Gothic palm vault which is based on only one very high pillar.

8. SeeOld Town

   Józef Mehoffer House

   Dom Józefa Mehoffera

   Atelier of one the best known Polish painters with great garden and a cafe.

   Wed-Sun 10:00–16:00·6 zł, 3 zł reduced

9. SeeSouth

   Krakus Mound

   Kopiec Krakusa

   An artificial mound of great age, but just how old and its original purpose are unknown. It was supposedly built in honour of King Krakus, a mythical figure, but it contains no human remains and its earliest artefacts are 8th century. Four smaller mounds ringed it but were raided for building material in the Middle Ages. There is a curious astronomical alignment: if you stand atop it on Beltane (1 May), the sun rises over the equally unexplained Wanda Mound north of the river. But Beltane is a Celtic rite: this region hasn't been Celtic since the La Tène Iron Age culture of 2000 years ago. A mystery.

   24 hours·Free

10. SeeSouth

    Manggha Centre of Japanese Art & Technology

    Centrum Sztuki i Techniki Japońskiej Manggha

    Core of the collection is the artwork amassed by the Kyoto-Krakow Foundation set up by Andrzej and Krystyna Wajda, especially the 6500 items collected by Feliks Jasieński (1861-1929). The building, facing Wawel across the river, is an interesting contemporary structure by Arata Isozaki.

    Tue-Sun 10:00-18:00·Adult 30 zł, conc 20 zł, Tuesdays free

11. DrinkKazimierz

    Mleczarnia

    Typical Kazimierz place with chairs and tables found on the attic. Very nice courtyard beer garden in summer.

12. DoEast

    Nowa Huta Lake

    Artificial water reservoir right next to Huta centre. Place for sports, rollerskating, a sunbath and swan feeding (don't do the last one, it's forbidden).

13. DrinkOld Town

    Re. Klub

    In summer, drink in the pleasant beer garden, on cold evenings head for the cellar bar which often has live music.

    Daily 12:00-02:00

14. SeeOld Town

    Royal Castle

    Wawel Castle

    The earliest parts of the present castle are medieval but most of it was built from the 16th C in Renaissance style, with baroque additions, surrounding an Italianate courtyard. It suffered when the centre of power moved to Warsaw, the country was partitioned, and there was a harrowing series of military occupations and wars. It was lavishly restored in the 20th C. No combi ticket: State Rooms (49 zł), Royal Private Apartments (25 zł), Crown Treasury (43 zł), The Armoury (15 zł), "Lost Wawel" (decorative fragments from buildings that are gone) (15 zł), First Floor Galeries (5 zł), Royal Gardens (5 zł), Dragon's Den (9 zł) and Sandomierska Tower (5 zł). The audioguide is recommended.In November some exhibits benefit from the "Free November" programme, but they will sell out so you must book well in advance.

    April-Oct daily 09:30-17:00, Nov-Mar Tue-Sun 09:30-17:00

15. SeeKazimierz

    St. Michael's Church

    Kościół Św. Michała Archanioła i Św. Stanisława Biskupa i Męczennika w Krakowie (Skałka)

    With the monastery of the Paulins, one of the oldest in Poland. The defensive position of the "Church on the Rock" (Skałka) brought settlement already in the 9th century. Bishop St. Stanislaw is said to be killed there by King Boleslaw II in 1079. The garden pond is traditionally believed to have served for pagan sacrifices. Many famous Poles like Jan Długosz, Stanisław Wyspiański, Adam Asnyk, Karol Szymanowski, Józef Ignacy Kraszewski, Jacek Malczewski, and Czesław Miłosz are buried there.

16. SeeSouth

    The Benedictine Abbey in Tyniec

    Opactwo Benedyktynów w Tyńcu

    St. Peter's and St. Paul's Church and Benedictine Abbey are situated at the bank of Vistula river. In the 11th century it was one of the most important scientific places in the first Polish Kingdom, the first chronicles of Poland were written here about 1100. Built as a fortress, in the 15th century the church was rebuilt and later remodelled in the 17th and 18th centuries. Its buildings were damaged during the Confederation of Bar in 1764 hostilities. The revival of the Benedictine tradition at Tyniec occurred in the 20th century.

    Visit the abbey with a guide: 6zł. Museum: 7zł normal ticket, 5zł reduced ticket

17. DoWest

    Waterpark

    Park Wodny

    Indoor pool with slides, children's pool and padding area, plus sauna.

    Daily 08:00-22:00·Day ticket 50 zł

18. Do Not mapped

    Wianki

    St. John's Night (Midsummer) celebration. An evening of concerts finished with a fireworks show taking place on Vistula river banks next to Wawel castle. A booze-up. June

19. DrinkOld Town

    Betel

    Great beer garden in a courtyard.

20. DrinkKazimierz

    Eszeweria

    Old pub with a nice small garden in the back.

21. DoEast

    GOjump Trampoline Park

    33 zł per hour

22. DrinkWest

    Pub Amnezja

    Beer garden and sausages.

    Tue-Sun 16:00-22:00

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Kraków (CC BY-SA 4.0).