Things to do Alone in Krakow: Solo Female Travel Guide 2025

Why is Krakow such a great destination for solo female travelers? Krakow is a bite-sized city jam-packed with culture, arts, eclectic food, and quirky history that can easily be explored in a long weekend. There are so many things to do alone in Krakow, yet it feels super manageable as a solo female traveler. Krakow stands on its own, but it’s especially great if you want a taste of Eastern European charm but you don’t have the time or budget for a bigger city like Prague or Budapest. Krakow is far less clogged with tourists than some other big cities in central Europe. It is also far more affordable! As you plan your solo trip to Krakow, questions may pop up. Is Krakow safe for solo female travelers? What are the best day trips from Krakow? 

As a seasoned solo female traveler who has lived in Europe for nearly a decade, Krakow is one of my favorite European city breaks. Krakow’s laid-back, cultural vibe is perfect for solo female travelers over 30 who are looking for a slightly elevated city break on a budget. I recommend Krakow both to solo travel pros and complete beginners because there are truly a million things to do solo in Krakow for every kind of traveler. 

how to use this guide

I’ve organized this solo female travel guide into sections. Read it all or skip straight to the parts you need most! 

DAY: The best things to do in Krakow solo during the day, including day trips!

STAY: The best hotels to stay in as a solo female traveler in Krakow.

BITE: The best restaurants and cafes to visit as a solo female traveler in Krakow.

NIGHT: The best things to do alone in Krakow at night as a solo female traveler.

interactive map of things to do alone in Krakow

Use this map for directions and to access up-to-date information about attractions such as phone numbers, opening hours, etc.

faq about solo female travel to Krakow

IS TWO DAYS ENOUGH IN KRAKOW?

Krakow is a small city and an ideal city break for solo female travelers. Two days should be sufficient to explore Krakow. If you plan to take a day trip, three days in Krakow would be ideal.  

IS KRAKOW SAFE FOR SOLO FEMALE TRAVELERS?

Yes, Krakow is safe for solo female travelers. Poland has low levels of violent crime and is rated number 24 on the Global Peace Index.* Women who live in Krakow generally report feeling safe in Krakow. Krakow also has great public transportation. Using common sense, staying aware of your surroundings, avoiding unfamiliar/poorly lit places after dark, and planning how you’ll get home at the end of the evening before you go out should be sufficient to keep you safe in Krakow. When in doubt, trust your gut! 

*According to the Global Peace Index, Poland is the 17th safest country in Europe and is rated a ‘green’ or safe country. For context, the USA comes in at 131 (orange), and the UK is ranked 37 (green). 

getting around Krakow as a solo female traveler

Krakow has excellent public transportation. The city center is serviced by a variety of buses and trams.  

Krakow Card: Many solo female travelers to Krakow will find it convenient to get a Krakow Card. These 1, 2 or 3-day passes give you unlimited travel on Krakow’s busses and trams and access to many of the city’s museums and cultural attractions. 

Getting to Krakow City Center from the airport:  The train from Krakow airport to the city center takes about 25 minutes and costs 12 Złoty. You can also take the bus, which takes 45-60 minutes and costs 6 złoty. 

Krakow Public Transit App: The Krakow Public Transit app is called Jakdojade. It offers timetables and the ability to buy a ticket in-app!

Rideshare Apps: Uber, Bolt, and Freenow all work in Krakow. 

day

My favorite things to do alone in Krakow during the daytime!

Market Square

Krakow’s Main Square is the perfect place to start your solo female travel adventure in Krakow. The largest town square in Europe, Market Square is flanked by historic buildings, cafes, museums, and shops. A stroll around Market Square is the perfect thing to do alone in Krakow as you get your bearings in the city. 

Rynek Główny, 31-422 Kraków, Poland

The Ryneck Underground Museum 

When in Krakow’s main square, don’t forget to look down! The Ryneck Underground is an extensive subterranean exhibit leading you through the ruins of medieval Krakow. The interactive multimedia experience really helps you get lost in the past.

Rynek Główny 1, 31-042 Kraków, Poland

Krakow Cloth Hall 

Also located in Market Square is Krakow’s Cloth Hall. This indoor market dates back to the Renaissance and is a wonderful place to shop for all kinds of souvenirs. If you’re looking for amber jewelry, this is the place to go. I got myself a stunning amber necklace there. 

Rynek Główny 1/3, 31-042 Kraków, Poland

Europe’s Oldest Bookstore

Did you know that Krakow is a UNESCO City of Literature? Krakow is home to over 80 bookstores. The oldest bookstore in Europe is located right in Maret Square! Founded in 1610, this shop is still a mecca for readers. I don’t know about you dear reader, but an afternoon browsing a bookstore would be an ideal thing to do alone in Krakow!

23 Market Square, Poland

Krakow Old Town Guided Walking Tour 

Tight on time? Try a walking tour of Krakow. This 3-hour walking tour checks off all the highlights, including the Royal Route and the Wawel Castle complex; the medieval St. Mary’s Basilica and 17th-century St Peter and Paul’s Church; and the historic Cloth Hall.

Wawel Castle and Cathedral 

Overlooking the city is Krakow’s Wawel Castle and Cathedral. You can tour the royal apartments, and check out the armory, the treasury, and the castle’s extensive collection of porcelain and art from the Orient.

Bonus: Don’t forget to look for the legendary Wawel dragon!

Wawel 5, 31-001 Kraków, Poland

MUSEUMS IN KRAKOW

Museum of Contemporary Art 

 I had a blast exploring Krakow’s impressive Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCAK). While I was there MOCAK was focused on the work of young artists who came of age in post-communist Poland. There was also a fascinating exhibit based on Polish and German artist’s responses to Auschwitz. If you love art, an amazing thing to do alone in Krakow is to spend some time at this impressive modern art museum.

Lipowa 4, 30-702 Kraków, Poland

Banksy Museum (Muzeum Banksy)

Love street art? The Banksy Museum is Krakow’s permanent collection of life-sized reproductions of Banksy’s work.

Berka Joselewicza 21, 31-031 Kraków, Poland

Stained Glass Museum

Fall into the colorful world of Krakow’s Stained Glass Museum. Originally built as a stained glass workshop in 1902, this is the oldest continuously operating museum of its kind in Poland.

Aleja Zygmunta Krasińskiego 23, 31-111 Kraków, Poland

Oskar Schindler’s Factory

Oskar Schindler’s Factory is an immersive experience covering the German occupation of Krakow, the creation of the Krakow ghetto, and of course, how Oskar Schindler saved the lives of his factory workers.  You can get a combo ticket that gives you reduced admission for both museums, well worth it!

Lipowa 4, 30-702 Kraków, Poland

Kazimirez

Krakow’s colorful Jewish quarter is the place to be for cafes, street art, galleries, music venues, and much, much more. When I wasn’t taking in Krakow’s top historic and cultural sights, I spent most of my time in Krakow discovering Kazimierz. You’ll never run out of things to do alone in Krakow when you’re in Kazimierz!

Krakow Jewish Quarter Walking Tour 

Get the inside scoop on Kazmirez with a guided walking tour. Learn about the area’s 14th-century founding by King Kazimierz the Great and its modern emergence as the artistic heart of Krakow. Hear how the neighborhood was shaped by the devastating events of World War II, and visit important Jewish landmarks including the Old Synagogue, the New Cemetery, and the factory of Oskar Schindler.

day trips from Krakow

Wieliczka Salt Mine 

Who’d have thought a salt mine would turn out to be such a breathtaking celebration of human ingenuity? Wieliczka Salt Mine has been around for 400 years and is still a working mine today. It’s also an underground spa, a conference center, and a concert hall! Over the centuries the minders have carved out cathedral-sized underground chambers replete with epic sculptures and salt-crystal chandeliers. Illuminated underground lakes and rivers, and antique mining equipment that still works today complete this weird and wonderful journey.

auschwitz

Let’s face it, seeing the site of such an immense human tragedy wasn’t high on my list of things to do alone in Krakow. That’s why I think it makes so much sense to book a group tour of Auschwitz. I always feel like I learn more on a guided tour as well.

Visit UNESCO World Heritage–listed Auschwitz-Birkenau, a former Nazi concentration camp where more than a million European Jews and other prisoners were confined or killed during World War II. A professional guide sensitively portrays the horrors of the Holocaust as you tour the barracks, watchtowers, railway ramps, gas chambers, and crematoriums at the two camps, located in Oświęcim. See poignant museum exhibits and witness moving memorials, where you hear narratives by former detainees and learn of Auschwitz’s liberation in 1945.

zakopane

This tour I’ve hand-picked for you also includes hotel pickup and dropoff. If you’re ready to spoil yourself, a spa day in Zakopane is the perfect thing to do alone in Krakow.

Soak up the views of the Tatra Mountains on this bestselling Zakopane day trip. Experience the hot spring pools and warm water slides of the best Thermal Baths, ride the Mt. Gubałówka funicular, stroll along Krupowki Street, and taste local cheese and vodka in the village of Chocholow.

stay

The best places in Krakow to stay as a solo female traveler. One of the great things about traveling solo to Krakow is how cheap the accommodation is. Feel like a princess for less!

The Queen Boutique Hotel

I fell in love with The Queen Boutique Hotel. This darling hotel overlooking Wawel Castle boasts a delicious breakfast and a very attentive staff. They even upgraded my room to a deluxe queen without me even having to ask! Just around the corner from Krakow’s Old Town, The Queen Boutique is ideal for a solo female traveler to Krakow who wants to explore top attractions on foot!

1891 Garni hotel

This hip and modern hotel boasts an old town location, complete with up-to-date amenities like flat-screen TVs, a fitness center, and a restaurant offering vegetarian and Kosher options.

cu residence loft affair collection

This trendy design-forward hotel is yet another, ‘I can’t believe how cheap and elegant this hotel is’ moment! These are apartment-style studio rooms in the center of Krakow with luxe interiors and amenities. And they cost a fraction of what a hotel in another major city would!

bite

From cozy cafes to world cuisine to veggie food, I was pleasantly surprised by the variety of food on offer in Krakow. 

Miod Malina

If sampling some traditional Polish food is high on your list of things to do alone in Krakow, then you can’t miss Miod Malina! I loved the dumplings and mushroom sauce. 

Młodej Polski 1, 83-010 Straszyn, Poland

Kolonko No. 6 

Looking for a little bit of everything? Kolonk No. 6 serves up everything from beer, to smoothies to crepes. It’s even a live music venue! 

Józefa 17, 31-056 Kraków, Poland

Moment Cafe

Moment cafe has funky retro decor and serves breakfast all day. A late brunch at Moment is the perfect thing to do in Krakow after a late night out!

ul. Estery 22, Krakow 31-056 Poland

Manzana

Did somebody say Mexican food? In Europe!? As an American, I’m usually pretty disappointed by the Europan take on Mexican food. But not at Manzana! It is, simply put, the best Mexican food I’ve had since moving to the continent!

Świętego Tomasza 6, 31-014 Kraków, Poland

Samui

Mouthwatering Thai steps from town square!

Zwierzyniecka 29, 31-105 Kraków, Poland

Krakow Food Tour

Are you ready for a true taste of Poland? Why not try a food-tasting tour in Kazimierz? Visit several local favorites to sample a host of traditional foods. Feast on Krakow-style food, authentic Polish cuisine, Polish vodka, craft beer, and a delicious dessert while learning about the culinary culture of the city from your guide.

night

It’s not always easy to find things to do alone at night when you’re traveling solo. So I’ve put together a list of my favorite solo-friendly things to do in Krakow. These places are great for people watching, or striking up a conversation if you wish to. 

THEATER

Krakow is home to many theaters. Honestly, a night out at the theater is one of my favorite things to do alone in Krakow or any place I travel to. Don’t know the language? No problem! Operas often have subtitles in multiple languages and you don’t need a foreign language to appreciate a dance performance. If you’re adventurous, experimental, and performing art in a foreign language can be a fun cultural experience. Why not try it out on your solo trip to Krakow? 

Słowacki Theater

This art nouveau architectural masterpiece of a theater is located in Krakow’s Old Town. All of their theater productions now have English subtitles! 

plac Świętego Ducha 1, 31-023 Kraków, Poland

Groteska Theater (Teatr Groteska)

Groteska is Poland’s oldest puppet theater and its focus is on spectacle! They organize some of the city’s most colorful events, such as the annual dragon parade. All performances are in Polish, however the visual nature of this art form makes it easy to access in any language. Enjoying a puppetry performance would be high on my list of things to do alone in Krakow! 

Skarbowa 2, 31-121 Kraków, Polan

Supernova Stage (Scena Supernova)

Get a glimpse of Krakow’s underground art scene at Supernova Stage. This alternative performance space offers concerts, art openings, performances, improvised comedy shows, stand-up shows, film screenings, talk shows, performances for children, numerous artistic workshops and other theater-related events.

Mikołaja Zyblikiewicza 12/4, 33-332 Kraków, Poland

BARS AND PUBS

I’ve curated a list of solo-friendly bars, pubs, and music venues in Krakow. People-watching is an amazing thing to do alone in Krakow on your evenings. All of these places offer relaxing spots to kick back and watch the world go by or strike up a conversation if you wish!

Trzcina

This bold sophisticated Kazmirez bar boats ‘designer cocktails’ in an upscale environment. One of my favorite things to do alone in Krakow is to grab a seat at a great bar and strike up a conversation with the bartender. 

Beera Meiselsa 22, 31-063 Kraków, Poland

Top tip: If you’re alcohol-free, don’t be afraid to ask for a mocktail. I’ve found that most good bartenders enjoy whipping you up a booze-free brew or two. 

Eszeweria

This cozy, divey chic little pub in Kazmirez also offers a lovely beer garden. Whiling away and evening in a charming beer garden would be an amazing thing to do alone in Krakow. 

Józefa 9, 31-056 Kraków, Poland

Cafe Philo

This laid-back, intimate little bar is a hidden gem right in the heart of Krakow’s old town.

Wiślna 10, 31-007 Kraków, Poland

MUSIC VENUES

Harris Piano Bar

One of Krakow’s premiere Jazz bars, an evening in this atmospheric underground venue is a not to be missed thing to do alone in Krakow! 

Rynek Główny 28, 31-000 Kraków, Poland

Theater Cabaret (Teatr Cabaret) 

Theater Cabaret is a performance venue that hits just the right spot between hip and slightly sleazy. It hosts a variety of lively theme nights from open mics, to burlesque to salsa dancing. I really enjoyed sitting on the club’s mezzanine and enjoying the performances. People-watching at Klub Kabaret was one of my favorite things to do solo in Krakow. 

Krakowska 5, 31-062 Kraków, Poland

Alchemia

There’s hip, and then there’s Alchemia. This chic vintage pub in Market Square also doubles as a music venue. 

Estery 5, 31-056 Kraków, Poland

stay safe on the road!

Nomad insurance is a great way to have peace of mind so you can kick back and enjoy Krakow knowing you’re covered! Why not give Safetywing a try?

By now I hope you’re with me on the fact that when it comes to safety, affordability and fun, solo female travel to Krakow is an ideal choice.

What did you get up to on your solo female travel to Krakow? Let me know @alyssaowrites

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