Krakow Explorers - Free Walking Tours

18/06/2026

03/12/2025

THIS THURSDAY!!!! On Thursday December 4th the 83rd annual Szopki Competition will happen on the Main Square of Krakow.

Won’t be here Thursday? Don’t worry- past winners will be on display throughout the city (some have already been put out).

And starting December 8th all the entries from this year will be at the Krzysztofory Palace where you can buy a ticket just to that exhibit.

PS this is the schedule for tomorrow…

Schedule
December 4th
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM - Nativity scene assembly at the Adam Mickiewicz Monument in the Main Square

12:00 PM - Nativity scene procession around the Market Square, then transfer of works to Krzysztofory Palace (until 2:00 PM)

25/11/2025

500 Things to do in Krakow (128/500): Grab a slice at Ciastkarnia Vanilla. (Brzozowa 13).

Tucked down a side street in the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, you’ll find one of the best bakeries in the city, the Vanilla Cake Shop. Specializing in whole cakes– the good news is, they sell them by the slice! Which means you can grab one to go, or sit down and enjoy it in the shop. In summer they even put little tables outside so you can do a bit of people-watching.

Of course they’ve also got fresh coffee, and cookies, and the cake shop itself is tiny and cozy, so a great place to take a little break from sightseeing.

If you’re in need of a birthday cake or perhaps something sweet to celebrate an anniversary, stop by Vanilla, and pick something out. Our little family tradition is to go and grab a few different slices to celebrate! Why get one cake, when you can try seven.

Each day you will find fresh cakes on display to choose from, what’s on display will vary based on the seasons, imagine in summer you’ll find layers of fresh berries, and in winter a focus on walnuts and carrot cakes. From classics like Kremowka, to Banana Toffee Tartes, you won’t go wrong with anything you get here, the question will only be, which was your favorite.

25/11/2025

500 Things to do in Krakow (128/500): Grab a slice at Ciastkarnia Vanilla.

Tucked down a side street in the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, you’ll find one of the best bakeries in the city, the Vanilla Cake Shop. Specializing in whole cakes– the good news is, they sell them by the slice! Which means you can grab one to go, or sit down and enjoy it in the shop. In summer they even put little tables outside so you can do a bit of people-watching.

Of course they’ve also got fresh coffee, and cookies, and the cake shop itself is tiny and cozy, so a great place to take a little break from sightseeing.

If you’re in need of a birthday cake or perhaps something sweet to celebrate an anniversary, stop by Vanilla, and pick something out. Our little family tradition is to go and grab a few different slices to celebrate! Why get one cake, when you can try seven.

Each day you will find fresh cakes on display to choose from, what’s on display will vary based on the seasons, imagine in summer you’ll find layers of fresh berries, and in winter a focus on walnuts and carrot cakes. From classics like Kremowka, to Banana Toffee Tartes, you won’t go wrong with anything you get here, the question will only be, which was your favorite.

11/11/2025

500 Things to do in Krakow (133/500): Take a Pickleback Shot at TramBar .krk

Okay, okay, you don’t have to come here just for a pickleback, but now they’ve we’ve got your attention…

Are the crowds in the Old Town causing long lines? Or maybe you went to the most popular Jewish Quarter spots in Kazimierz and couldn’t find a table? Don’t hesitate to check out some of the side streets, where you’ll find quieter places that will be happy to have you liven them up.

TramBar used to be located in the Old Town but this year they moved over to Kazimierz and are now on the corner of Dajwór and Wawrzyńca. They’ve got happy hour specials like Aperol and Hugo Spritzes or a classic G&T for 25 złoty (less than £5) from 4pm-7pm.

They’ve also got televisions- so you can catch a football match while you’re in town. And besides pickleback shots- they’ve got a full menu of cocktails, beer, ciders, and of course non-alcoholic options. For winter, they’ve just debuted a selection of hot drinks as well. And if you’re here in summer, they’ve added tables out front so you can enjoy some time in the fresh air.

TramBar has been around since 2003, and we’re very happy about their new location, right across from our apartment.

Oh and they’re pet friendly if you haven’t noticed!

While they don’t have a food menu, the Judah Food Truck Square is just up the street; or a few minutes further you can always grab street food at the famous Plac Nowy rotunda. But there are of course restaurants all around as well.

11/11/2025

500 Things to do in Krakow (133/500): Take a Pickleback Shot at TramBar

Okay, okay, you don’t have to come here just for a pickleback, but now they’ve we’ve got your attention…

Are the crowds in the Old Town causing long lines? Or maybe you went to the most popular Jewish Quarter spots in Kazimierz and couldn’t find a table? Don’t hesitate to check out some of the side streets, where you’ll find quieter places that will be happy to have you liven them up.

TramBar used to be located in the Old Town but this year they moved over to Kazimierz and are now on the corner of Dajwór and Wawrzyńca. They’ve got happy hour specials like Aperol and Hugo Spritzes or a classic G&T for 25 złoty (less than £5) from 4pm-7pm.

They’ve also got televisions- so you can catch a football match while you’re in town. And besides pickleback shots- they’ve got a full menu of cocktails, beer, ciders, and of course non-alcoholic options. For winter, they’ve just debuted a selection of hot drinks as well. And if you’re here in summer, they’ve added tables out front so you can enjoy some time in the fresh air.

TramBar has been around since 2003, and we’re very happy about their new location, right across from our apartment.

Oh and they’re pet friendly if you haven’t noticed!

While they don’t have a food menu, the Judah Food Truck Square is just up the street; or a few minutes further you can always grab street food at the famous Plac Nowy rotunda. But there are of course restaurants all around as well.

01/11/2025

Don’t forget to head to the cemetery today if you’re in Krakow. While any will do, Rakowicki is the one we recommend.

23/10/2025

Did you know we made helpful infographics for you?!?!

Read through them to plan your trip, and answer some of the most frequently asked questions, like what days of the week the museums are free, what apps you should download, and how to use the local public transportation.

There will be more to come, but as always if you want to download what we have so far, the pdf it can be found here: https://emilysguidetokrakow.com/2025/09/04/downloadablepdfkrakow/

28/09/2025

500 Things to do in Krakow (132/500): Have Pastries in Podgórze at Nad and Greg’s.

This is one of my favorite places in the city to go for a nice dessert, but they’ve got more than just desserts. You can also get sandwiches or croissants, and of course they have coffee and tea. But where they truly shine are their French-inspired cakes.

I get enough criticism on here for my Polish pronunciations, so I won’t dare try to start speaking French, but you can see from the video how wide the selection is here. Everyday they fill their case with the most delectable items, my favorite being the Lac Noir because of its dark chocolate flavors. But the Creme Brulee tart is absolutely fantastic. As well as anything fruit or cream related… like this beautiful mandarin cake they sometimes have.. Bottom-line, everything is going to be good.

In fact, one of the owners used to work at the Palace of the French President!

So you can come for something more substantial like a sandwich; or even start your day here with a croissant for breakfast (did I mention they have several different kinds?); or just stop by for a quick coffee and cake. The later you come, the more likely they will have sold out of something. But if you’re lucky and they’re not too crowded, you can even get a window seat looking out at the Main Square of Podgórze and its breathtaking St. Joseph’s Church.