Krakow Boat Cruises and Rides

Kraków is a destination of great historical and cultural importance, considered the second most important city in Poland after Warsaw (the capital). Due to its location on the Vistula River, boat trips are a popular activity. So, if you don't know what to see and do in Krakow, this is a good plan during your stay.

You can cruise leisurely on the Vistula and admire a different daytime or night-time perspective of the city and its historical sites. In the meantime, you have the option to enjoy a boat party, take a private cruise or opt for some combined experiences, such as a boat trip with a visit to the Wieliczka salt mines or the Schindler factory in Kraków, among others.

Any time of year is the best time to travel to Kraków and enjoy a scenic boat trip on the Vistula River. You'll explore the city from a different perspective, taking in its rich landscape: historical monuments, green areas, etc.

As the boat moves away from the mainland you'll notice that the panorama begins to widen, and you'll be able to see must-see sights such as:

• The picturesque Bernatka Bridge, decorated with dozens of padlocks by locals and tourists.
• The Jewish Quarter, which served as the setting for the Oscar-winning film Schindler's List.
• The Manggha Museum, which will immediately grab your attention thanks to its wave-shaped roof.
• The iconic Wawel Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

At all times you will enjoy the enveloping scenery and tranquil atmosphere. You will have a unique experience on this cruise on the Vistula River in Krakow and you can take advantage of the different perspectives and the natural light to take amazing pictures.

Useful information

• Price: approximately €20 per person.
• Duration: usually one hour.

There are many cruises you can take in Krakow, but certainly one of the most beautiful is the night cruise on the Vistula River. From these tranquil waters you'll see the Polish city's most iconic sights, illuminated by the magical colours of the night.

This tour is ideal if you want to escape the bustling city and relax on the deck of a boat as you enjoy the picturesque night scenery, breathe in the fresh air and listen to the sound of the water. It is also a great plan for a couple's evening out, for example, to celebrate Valentine's Day in Krakow during February.

Some of the sights you can see on this night cruise on the Vistula River in Krakow include the following:

• The Church of the Rock, built in the 18th century and surrounded by beautiful greenery.
• The Monastery of the Norbertine Sisters, built more than 850 years ago on the banks of the Vistula River.
• The Cricoteka Museum, a performing arts venue founded in 1980 in honour of Tadeusz Kantor.
• The big Ferris wheel, a 50-metre high structure, which at night offers an amazing visual spectacle thanks to its illumination.

Useful information

• Price: around €21 per person.
• Duration: a maximum of one hour.

If you want to party in a different way in Krakow, then you should join a boat trip with music and open bar. You will have a unique and fun time while sailing on the Vistula River.

Once on board the boat, you will gaze at the skyline of the city. You will see places of historical and cultural interest such as Krakow Castle, Bernatek Bridge , the Jewish Quarter of Krakow, among others. You will also be able to dance and enjoy live entertainment.

When you get off the cruise, the adventure continues on dry land, as this Krakow boat party usually incorporates a visit to at least 3 pubs accompanied by a guide. After this adventure, you can continue with the activities on your itinerary. Perhaps embark on one of the best food tours in Krakow.

Useful information

• Price: from 53€ per person.
• Duration: about 8 hours.

Discover the gastronomic and scenic magic of Krakow in one experience: how about dinner at a local restaurant with a direct view of Wawel Castle and then a 30-minute boat ride on the calm waters of the Vistula River?

This magical evening usually starts at the Aquarius restaurant, located on a boat anchored on the banks of the Vistula River, which is considered among the best restaurants in Krakow . At this original destination you will have a three-course menu (soup, main course and dessert). For example, you could enjoy a tomato cream, duck leg confit, a cheesecake and a glass of wine.

After you've had your fill, you'll head straight for a cruise that will take you through the southern part of Kraków in the direction of the More Dębnicki district. As you cruise along the waters of this serene river you will see the city's skyline fully illuminated. A simply hypnotic landscape , full of colours and shades.

Useful information

• Price: approximately 45€ per person. Includes dinner and a glass of wine.
• Duration: the activity can last about 2 hours.

If you want to rest your feet and get away from the hustle and bustle, then this boat trip on the Vistula River is a good option. You'll take a scenic river route that will allow you to admire the main sights of the city. You will also stop at the Wieliczka Salt Mines to explore and get a closer look at this amazing place.

During the cruise you will see the imposing medieval, modern and even futuristic buildings of the city. For example, the Royal Wawel Castle, a complex of sacred buildings; the fortified Monastery of the Norbertan Sisters, built in the 12th century; the Manggha Museum, whose design is inspired by the waves of the Vistula River, etc.

Afterwards, the boat will stop for you to discover an underground world made of salt. This short excursion to the Salt Mines from Krakow will take you on a sightseeing tour through galleries, St. Kinga's Chapel, brine lakes, salt extraction traces and much more. Together with a group guide you will delve into Polish history and culture.

Useful information

• Price: 88€ is the average price for this activity. It includes entrance to the salt mines and a guided group tour of the site.
• Duration: The boat trip and the visit to the salt mines lasts approximately 6 hours.

A boat trip on the Vistula River to the Podgórze Jewish Ghetto is another must-do activity that will take you deep into the history of Kraków. You will also enjoy breathtaking views of the city's skyline from the water.

You will board a catamaran and sail down the Vistula River to the historic Podgórze quarter, where during World War II the Nazis established a Jewish ghetto. During this 30-minute cruise, you will see the Kościuszko Mound, the Wawel Royal Castle and the Jewish Quarter of Kraków, among other sights visible from the side of the river you are travelling on.

Upon arrival in Podgórze, you will meet your tour guide, who will be waiting for you to take you on a tour of the former ghetto. You will see the famous monument to the empty chairs in the Ghetto Heroes' Square, the houses where the displaced Jews lived and part of the wall that once guarded the ghetto, among others.

Useful information

• Price: the cost of this tour is €37 per person (approx.). Includes live guide in the ghetto and one-way cruise without guide.
• Duration: 2 hours is the average time of the experience.

Cruising along the Vistula River to enjoy the city's skyline and a stop at the Schindler factory is another adventure you can embark on during your stay. You'll see many places of historical and cultural interest.

From the deck of the ship, you'll enjoy a breathtaking view of Kraków; a landscape adorned by a number of iconic monuments such as these:

• The Kościuszko Mound, which honours Tadeusz Kościuszko.
• The Church on the Rock, a Baroque enclosure dedicated to St. Michael the Archangel and St. Stanislaus.
• Wawel Castle, an architectural icon of the city.

After this amazing and peaceful sightseeing tour, you will visit the Schindler factory in Krakow. In this museum you will learn about the impact of the Second World War on Krakow's multicultural population and learn all about what Oskar Schindler did to save his employees from death.

Useful information

• Price: from €52 per person. Includes tickets to the museum and a live guide as you tour the museum.
• Duration: usually the activity lasts 5 hours.

Making the most of every minute of your itinerary is one of the best tips for travelling to Krakow. Therefore, this water and land tour could be a great option for you, as it combines a scenic cruise on the Vistula River and a tour of the Old Town in a golf cart in one experience.

Land tour

From the comfort of a golf cart, you will take a ride through the historic centre of Kraków with an experienced driver. Some of the sights you will see include the following:

• The Barbican, a fortification representative of medieval European military architecture.
• Krakow's Market Square, considered to be the largest square in medieval Europe and the nerve centre of the city.
• The Sukiennice Shopping Centre, one of the oldest in the city and an example of Renaissance architecture.

Cruise on the Vistula River

After the private golf cart tour of Krakow, you will board a boat for a cruise on the Vistula River. You will see monuments and destinations of interest on both sides of the boat.

Such is the case of the House of the Polish Pope John Paul II, the Camaldolese Monastery in Bielany and the Church of St. Catherine. You will also see the imposing defensive wall of the Wawel and the Royal Castle and the Kościuszko Mound, among others.

Useful information

• Price: from €52 per person. Includes a driver - guide during the golf cart tour and audio guide for the boat trip.
• Duration: about 2 hours.

With this tour, you will not only get a unique perspective of the city as you navigate the waters of the Vistula River, but you will also get a close look at one of the most important destinations in all of Poland: the Wawel Museum. An ideal activity if you are in Krakow with children or friends.

In this activity you will tour the interior of the Royal Castle, which houses a number of permanent exhibitions from the Baroque and Renaissance period . You will also walk through the Cathedral with a guide and learn about the history of this important place.

After visiting the Wawel Castle you will continue the adventure on board a boat. You will sail along the Vistula River and see all the monuments visible from the shore, such as the Kościuszko Mound, the Monastery of the Norbertan Sisters, the Royal Castle, located on a limestone hill, etc.

Useful information

• Price: from €72 per person. Includes tickets to Wawel Castle and a guide.
• Duration: just over 4 hours.

A gondola ride on the Vistula River is another experience not to be missed, whether you plan to spend 1-3 days in Krakow or more. This is an activity that you can do with your family or group of friends and will give you a unique perspective of the city and its main attractions.

Once you board the gondola you will be seated in the designated area and start an unforgettable river adventure. As the gondolier slowly paddles down the Vistula River you will be able to see some must-see destinations:

• The Church on the Rockel, an 18th century building located in the Kazimierz district.
• The Dębnicki Bridge, an imposing structure approximately 157 metres long.
• The monastery of the Norbrtan Sisters, formed by the order of the Norbertine or Zwierzyniec Virgins.
• The Manggha Museum, a building with a futuristic architectural style that houses works of art from Japanese culture.

This gondola ride is included in the 24 or 48-hour Kraków sightseeing bus ticket , so you can buy the one that suits you best and enjoy this 30-minute experience on the Vistula River. Afterwards, continue exploring the city but this time by land via the scenic bus route.

Useful information

• Price: from €16 per person (ticket for the sightseeing bus including gondola ride).
• Duration: the tour lasts 30 minutes.