10 Best Rainy Day Activities in Krakow

It can rain in Krakow at any time of the year, but that doesn't mean staying in your hotel. There are plenty of things to see and do in Kraków without being exposed to the rain. You can take a sightseeing bus tour , visit the Rynek underground museum, commemorate the victims of the Holocaust at the Schindler Factory, go shopping at the Sukiennice Market, play at the Pinball Museum and much more. I'll tell you all about it.

If your one-day stay in Krakow or longer coincides with a bad day, you don't have to worry. There are plenty of places in the city that you can visit without being exposed to rain showers. The Schindler Factory is one of them and a place where you can discover the history of the city during the Second World War.

During the tour of the factory (now a museum) you will enjoy a permanent exhibition called Krakow during the Nazi occupation (1939-1945), as well as documentaries, photographs, real artefacts and recreations of the streets, the train and other areas of the city.

With tickets to the Schindler Factory you can also learn the story of Oskar Schindler, the German businessman who, despite being a Nazi informer, employed over a thousand Polish Jews in his factory, saving them from dying in concentration camps.

Useful information

• Price: around €37 per person.
• Opening hours: from April to October it is open on Mondays (from 10:00 to 16:00) and from Tuesday to Sunday (from 9:00 to 20:00). However, if you are in Krakow in November or any other month until March, you will find the museum open on Mondays (10am-2pm) and Tuesdays to Sundays (10am-6pm). It is closed on the first Tuesday of every month.

Visiting Krakow Castle is another good plan during rainy days. All the exhibits are inside, so you can enjoy one of the city's most iconic historical sites without worrying about the weather.

When you arrive at the former royal residence, Wawel Castle, you'll be amazed by its imposing structure, which combines Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque styles. You can tour the interior and see the royal flats, armour, goldsmith collections, art, tapestries and other objects of great historical value.

You can also visit Wawel Cathedral if you wish. The Wawel Bells, the Royal Chapel and other valuable religious relics await you in this joint building. Please note that you can do this activity independently or join a guided tour of Wawel Castle.

Useful information

• Price: the guided tour costs approximately €37 per person. If you visit the castle on your own, you will have to pay between €5 and €10 per person for the entrance fee.
• Duration: The guided tour usually lasts 3 hours. The self-guided tour can last from 90 minutes to 4 hours, depending on how much time you take to appreciate each space.

Another interesting activity for rainy days is to take a ride on the Krakow Sightseeing Bus. You'll tour the city and see it from a different perspective without the rain, as the buses are equipped with a removable roof and indoor seating on the first floor.

You'll be able to take a scenic ride around the city and identify the main destinations of historical and cultural importance along the way. In addition, you have the option to hop on and off at your leisure to visit places of interest. So, when you see it's slowing down, you can stop and go outside.

Along the Krakow sightseeing bus tour you will see sights such as the following:

• Krakow's Market Square, originating in the 18th century and considered the largest medieval square in Europe.
• The Botanical Garden, present in the city since the 18th century and with an important collection of plants.
• Kraków's Jewish quarter or Kazimierz quarter, with its synagogues, memorials and modern bohemian areas.
• Wawel Castle, the former royal residence and World Heritage Site.

Useful information

• Price: approximately €16 per person
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (10:00 to 15:55). Friday and Saturday (from 10:00 to 16:30).

Any time of the year is the best time to travel to Krakow and visit the Rynek Underground Museum, and even more so if your stay coincides with rainy days. You will have an immersive experience in the ruins of the ancient medieval city without the bad weather being an inconvenience, as it is underground.

You will walk through a space of at least 4000 square metres, where it will seem as if you have travelled back to the times of medieval Krakow . You will be amazed by the immersive sounds and recreations of the streets and food stalls. In addition, you will see excavated buildings, ancient artefacts and more.

You should know that a guided tour of Krakow's Rynek Underground Museum is the only option for exploring this interesting place, as self-guided tours are not allowed. Upon arrival, a museum expert will accompany you through all the exhibits, providing information and answering any questions you may have.

Useful information

• Price: around €29 per person.
• Duration: The guided tour of the underground museum takes about 2 hours (approx.).

Attending a folklore show with dinner included is a good plan for rainy days in Krakow. You will be in a warm and cosy place where you will have fun while discovering Polish traditions and customs. In addition, you will taste the local gastronomy. All in one place.

This popular show takes place in Michalik's Cave restaurant , founded in 1895 and considered among the best restaurants to eat in Krakow There, you will see two traditional folk groups on stage and you can't help but get out of your chair and dance to their rhythms.

In addition, with these tickets for the folk show with dinner in Krakow you will have the opportunity to satisfy your palate with an exquisite Polish menu. Among some of the culinary delights you will eat are pierogi, a kind of ravioli that can be filled with vegetables, meat, cheese, etc.

Useful information

• Price: the folklore show with dinner costs approximately €43 per person.
• Duration: The activity usually lasts about 2 hours.

If you plan to be in Krakow between June and August, you should know that these are the rainiest months of the year. However, this does not prevent you from visiting some really interesting places. Such is the case of the Aviation Museum which houses amazing aeronautical exhibits in an indoor environment.

The museum is located in the former regional airport and houses an important collection of around 300 artefacts. All of them are properly identified so you can learn about their origin, function and historical importance. You will also learn about the pioneers of Polish aviation.

With tickets to the Museum of Polish Aviation in Krakow you will have the opportunity to see historic fighter planes such as the Antonov AN-26, as well as engines and helicopters. You will also see the Soviet seaplane Grigorovich M-15, built in 1916 by Dmitri Pavlovich Grigorovich, among others.

Useful information

• Entryfee: about €7 per person.
• Opening hours: 9:00-17:00 (Monday to Friday) and 10:00-18:00 (Saturday and Sunday).

If you are enthusiastic about classical music, you can take advantage of your visit to Krakow to attend a Chopin piano concert. This is a unique cultural experience. What's more, you'll be indoors, which is ideal if it's a rainy day in the city.

This performance usually takes place in the Chopin Gallery in the Bonerowski Palace. It is a 15th century building, inside which you will have an unforgettable evening. You will see some award-winning pianists on stage performing pieces such as polonaises, mazurkas, etc.

With Chopin piano concert tickets in Krakow you will get an insight into an important part of Polish culture. It is also a way of paying tribute to the composer Fryderyk Chopin, whose melodies have managed to transcend borders and become a symbol of the nation.

Useful information

• Price: around €24 per person.
• Duration: The concert lasts approximately 1 hour.

Whether you visit Krakow in winter or summer, you may encounter a few rainy days. To be prepared for this, you should always incorporate a few indoor activities into your itinerary. The Museum of Japanese Art and Technique (Manggha) is an excellent cultural alternative.

At the Manggha you will find an impressive collection of Japanese art, and you can enjoy the permanent exhibition of ceramics, weapons, woodcuts, traditional costumes, textiles and more. You'll also see the temporary exhibition, which varies but focuses on Japanese art, customs and culture.

During the tour, you'll have the opportunity to browse the library area, buy some souvenirs in the museum shop or recharge your batteries in the tea room. You can also take advantage of the beautiful view from the museum, with a panoramic view of Wawel Castle and the Vistula River cruises.

Useful information

• Price: admission costs about 7 euros per person. Admission is free on Tuesdays.
• Opening hours: 10:00 to 18:00 (Tuesday to Sunday). Closed on Mondays.

Your 2-day stay in Krakow or longer is not complete without a visit to the Sukiennice Market, also known as the Cloth Exchange. This is a popular place all year round, especially on rainy days, as you can shelter from the rain while shopping for souvenirs.

In this iconic 13th century Renaissance building, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, you'll find a number of shops selling souvenirs, religious objects, local products, handicrafts and much more. It also houses a 19th century Polish art gallery with sculptures and paintings.

The Sukiennice Market is also home to the former Café Noworolski, where you can sip a delicious tea or coffee while you recharge your batteries to continue with the activities on your itinerary.

Useful information

• Price: entrance to the Sukiennice Market or the Cloth Exchange is free of charge.
• Opening hours: daily from 10:00 to 19:00.

If you grew up in the 1980s, then you will definitely want to visit the Pinball Museum This is a nostalgic place where you will have a different and fun time that will brighten up a grey rainy day.

This activity is entirely on your own. When you arrive at the museum the only rule you have to follow is to have fun playing on the more than 60 Pinball and Arcade machines. You will enjoy legendary titles such as Star Trek, Terminator 2, Street Fighter, Mortal Kombat and many more. You can also enjoy a coffee, soft drink or tea in the bar area.

If your itinerary time permits, don't hesitate to visit the Pinball Museum. You'll have a great time. And if you visit Krakow with children, they will be able to find out what games were like before the advent of consoles. They are sure to be amazed.

Useful information

• Price: admission is around €10 per person. This cost does not include drinks in the bar area, which you will have to pay for separately.
• Opening hours: Monday to Friday (from 12:00 to 22:00) and Saturdays (from 12:00 to 23:00).