Magical places in Krakow

Spending three days in Krakow, a city left unscathed during WWII, led to the discovery of many magical places. As one would expect, three days weren’t nearly enough to see everything but I tried my best. After all, Krakow is brimming with magical places. There’s something unique about it, a sort of magic that you can still feel in the Old Town and in Kazimierz, the Jewish Quarter. This list might get longer with time, as I will definitely revisit Krakow and probably find more magical places in this captivating city. In the meantime, I hope you enjoy these and they inspire you to visit Krakow!

Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz

Szeroka 1, 31-053 Krakow

Within the Jewish district in Krakow, it’s impossible to miss Once Upon a Time in Kazimierz. What looks like a few trade shops with window shutters and paint peeling off the doors is, in fact, hiding something magical. Originally called Dawno Temu Na Kazimierzu, it’s an enchanting cafe and restaurant. You might notice four different wall colors, corresponding to the four separate shop entrances.

Furthermore, the interior is the perfect amalgam of antiques, ranging from clothing, chandeliers, antique mirrors, and sewing machines, to tin boxes and working tools. On certain evenings, there is live music and normally, you will hear Jewish music playing through the speakers. Initially, I couldn’t stop taking photos of the doorways, unaware that even more beauty was waiting for me indoors. I would wholeheartedly recommend this spot, for the food and even more so for the unbeatable atmosphere of bygone days.

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Massolit Books & Cafe

Felicjanek 4, 31-104 Krakow

I always say that there is nothing better than combining a café with books. The cozy café setting only perpetuates being lost in books for hours on end. One such place is the Massolit Books & Cafe. This cozy café is one of the most magical places in Krakow. Every bookworm’s dream, it’s room after room filled with bookshelves. It goes without saying that I managed to find a book to take back home with me as a souvenir. If anything, it was hard to stop myself at one book! In short, this is the place of my dreams and I am definitely returning here on my next visit to Krakow!

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Krakow School of Economics

Kapucynska 2, 31-113 Krakow

On the corner of Straszewskiego and Kapucynska Street, rises a magnificent example of Art Nouveau architecture in Krakow. Dating back to 1904, today it houses the School of Economics. But first and foremost, it makes for a fantastic sight. I would go as far as to call it the most beautiful building in all of Krakow! Initially called the Academy of Commerce, this imposing edifice was high on my list of places to see in Krakow. I’m always chasing Art Nouveau and I think I found my favorite example of it in the city!

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METRUM Restobistro

Swietego Tomasza 43, 31-027 Krakow

Oddly enough, there aren’t that many rooftop bars that serve as beautiful viewpoints in Krakow. Be that as it may, I did have one ace up my sleeve and that was Metrum Restobistro. This café is one of Krakow’s best-hidden secrets and a former student lunch place. This kind of explains its obscure reputation because you won’t find a sign outside indicating that the café is here. You have to make your way up the Music Academy where you’ll find two separate terraces offering panoramic views of the city.

Since this is an academic building, the opening hours reflect that. So no cocktails in the evening taking place here! The doors close as early as 6 PM all year long, whereas school holidays mean Metrum is also shut down. Overall, I would say that coming here early in the morning is the best idea because you get the place all to yourself. The phenomenal view alone justifies why I included it on the list of the most magical places in Krakow!

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Church of St. Anne

Swietej Anny 11, 30-962 Krakow

As expected, Krakow abounds with churches from different periods. However, some of them stand out, and the first one on that list is the Church of St. Anne. In typical Baroque fashion, this church is tucked away at the end of a narrow street and you could easily miss it. I urge you not to because it’s hiding the most amazing fresco covering the entire nave. The church was rebuilt in the 17th century and flaunts all the Baroque details, from stucco decoration, countless statues to trompe l’oeil paintings. Alongside the main cathedral, it’s one of the most incredible church interiors in Krakow.

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House Under the Globe

Dluga 1, 31-147 Krakow

One of the most magical places in Krakow is a genuine hidden gem. The House Under the Globe dates back to 1904 and houses a publishing house today. Therefore, I wasn’t sure if we could see the marvelous interior that I was hoping to see. On our last day in Krakow, we decided to try our luck and ask for some clarification. Just as the guard was telling us that we needed to ask for permission to visit in advance since it was a place of work, two of the employees on their way out overheard us. It must have been our lucky day because they kindly took us up to the Mehofferovska Hall.

Needless to say, this magnificent room took our breath away. Designed by the Polish painter Jozef Mehoffer, it’s a stunning example of Art Nouveau. With its geometric compositions of flowers and use of folk motifs, it reminded me of the height of Secession in Hungary. From floor to ceiling, it’s a delight to look at. It was a dream come true to get special access to this magical spot. Nowadays, book signings and special meetings take place in this splendid chamber. I must say, the House Under the Globe doesn’t look like too bad of a workplace!

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HEVRE Bar & Restaurant

Beera Meiselsa 18, 31-058 Krakow

One of the most magical places in Krakow by far is Hevre, a breathtaking bar and restaurant. Situated inside a former house of prayer from 1896, it’s a one-of-a-kind place. Formerly a synagogue, you can still notice the upper floor reserved for women and children whereas the ground floor was for praying men.

I loved the juxtaposition of faded frescoes and walls chipping off against luxurious crystal chandeliers. And yes, those are the original frescoes that survived the WWII bombing! The bar opens at 10 and stays open until around midnight. Personally, we grabbed a quick lunch at Hevre and I took about a million photos of this place. Who knows, if I have enough time one day, I might just write a blog post about it!

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Bugle Tower

plac Mariacki 5, 33-332 Krakow

If you’re looking for the best viewpoint in Krakow, Bugle Tower is your place. However, you won’t only get a magnificent view of the city. If you visit at the full hour, you can witness the famous Bugle Call. According to the legend, the watchman playing the bugle received an arrow in his throat while trying to warn the people of an upcoming attack. Honoring the legend and the bugler’s memory, the call is abruptly cut off at the same moment. Every hour, day and night, you can hear the same melody echoing through Krakow.

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The Church of St. Joseph

Jana Zamoyskiego 2, 30-523 Krakow

The most out-of-the-way place on this list, the Church of St. Joseph in Krakow is more than worth the detour. Dating back to the beginning of the 20th century and built in a Gothic Revival style, it dominates the main square. The warm-colored bricks, copper rooftops, and clock tower create an astounding facade. And speaking of those, I think that St. Joseph’s church has the most beautiful facade in all of Krakow.

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Camelot Cafe

Swietego Tomasza 17, 33-332 Krakow

Possibly the most famous café in Krakow, Camelot Cafe deserves its reputation because it’s absolutely gorgeous. The entire cafe looks like the coziest little hollow with pale pink walls! We grabbed a hot chocolate here one rainy morning in Krakow and couldn’t stop marveling at this pretty place. Rickety tables, candles, and endless wooden sculptures create a unique atmosphere. You can even sit at a table situated inside a window. With a rich history spanning from brothel to movie set, Camelot Cafe has become one of the hotspots in the city, both for locals and tourists. Whether you’re up for coffee, lunch, or cocktails, you’ll find all of it at Cafe Camelot. And next door, you’ll find its sister cafe, Camelot Lulu, which is equally charming!

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Jagiellonian University Museum

Jagiellonska 15, 31-010 Krakow

The first thing I usually look up wherever I’m traveling is the university, in search of an old library. Usually, those are the hidden gems in most cities and Krakow was no exception. However, in this case, the hidden gem was the Jagiellonian University Museum. Situated within the university’s oldest building Collegium Maius, this little museum made for a wonderful visit. You can book a guided tour or you can do like us and opt for an unguided free visit. They take place every Wednesday afternoon, between 13:30 and 17:00.

Alongside the 16th-century library, old refectory, and professor rooms that make up the main exhibition, the Common’s Room and the Assembly Hall round up this unique place. Not far from it, you can enter the old university and wander around its pretty interior. Don’t miss these while in Krakow because I’m pretty sure most people inadvertently do!

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St. Mary’s Basilica

Plac Mariacki 5, 31-042 Krakow

The church on the main square that you see most often is St. Mary’s Basilica. This 14th-century church is a marvel of Polish Gothic architecture. The typical Gothic arches are made even more impressive with blue and gold artwork. The church is also famous for St. Mary’s Trumpet Call, a tradition that is bound to the city’s history. In essence, it’s a bugle call performed by a trumpeter every hour, played four times in four directions of the highest tower of St. Mary’s Basilica. To this day the tune ends abruptly, in memory of a 13th-century trumpeter who received an arrow to the throat while trying to warn off an incoming Mongol attack.

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