10 Best Rainy Day Activities in Krakow

It can rain in Krakow at any time of the year, but this does not mean staying in the hotel. There are many things to see and do in Krakow without being exposed to rain. You can take a tour on the sightseeing bus, visit the Rynek subway museum, commemorate Holocaust victims at the Schindler Factory, go shopping at the Sukiennice Market, play at the Pinball Museum and much more. Here I tell you all about it.

If your 1-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 World War II.

During the tour of the factory (now a museum) you will enjoy a permanent exhibition called Krakow during the Nazi occupation (1939 to 1945), as well as documentaries, photographs, real artifacts 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 more than a thousand Polish Jews in his factory, saving them from dying in concentration camps.

Information of interest

• Price: about 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). But, if you are in Krakow in November or any other month until March, you will find the museum open on Mondays (from 10:00 to 14:00) and from Tuesday to Sunday (from 10:00 to 18:00). It is closed on the first Tuesday of each month.

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

When you arrive at the former royal residence, Wawel Castle, you will be amazed by its imposing structure, which combines Gothic, Renaissance and Romanesque style. You can tour the interior and see the royal apartments, some armor, goldsmith collections, art, tapestries and other objects of great historical value.

In addition, if you wish, you can access the Wawel Cathedral. 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. Meanwhile, the visit on your own can last from 90 minutes to 4 hours, depending on the time you take to appreciate each space.

Another interesting activity for rainy days is to take a ride on the Krakow sightseeing bus. You will tour the city and see it from a different perspective without rainfall being an inconvenience, as the buses are equipped with a movable roof and indoor seating on the second floor.

You can take a panoramic tour of the entire city and identify the main destinations of historical and cultural importance as you pass by. 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 letting up, you can stop and go outside.

Along the Krakow sightseeing bus tour you will see places 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 eighteenth century and with an important collection of plants.
• Krakow's Jewish quarter or Kazimierz quarter, with its synagogues, memorials and modern bohemian areas.
• Wawel Castle, the former royal residence and World Heritage Site.

Information of interest

• Price: approximately 16€ per person
• Opening hours: Monday to Thursday (10:00 am to 3:55 pm). Friday and Saturday (from 10:00 to 16:30 hours).

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 live 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 meters, in which it will seem that you have traveled 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'll see excavated buildings, ancient artifacts 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 escort you through all the exhibits, providing information and answering any questions you may have.

Information of interest

• Price: about 29€ per person.
• Duration: the guided tour of the subway museum is 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 cozy space 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 won't be able to avoid getting out of your chair and dancing to their rhythm.

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.

Interesting information

• Price: the folkloric show with dinner has an approximate cost of 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 months are the rainiest of the year. However, this is not an inconvenient for you to visit really interesting places. Such is the case of the Aviation Museum that houses amazing aeronautical exhibitions in a roofed environment.

The museum is located in the former regional airport and houses an important collection of about 300 artifacts. All of them are properly identified so you can learn about their origin, function and historical importance. In addition, you will 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.

Information of interest

• Price: about 7 euros per person per ticket.
• Hours: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Monday to Friday) and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm (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. You will live a unique cultural experience. In addition, you will be indoors, which is ideal if it is a rainy day in the city.

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

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

Information of interest

• Price: about 24€ per person.
• Duration: the concert lasts about 1 hour.

Whether you visit Krakow in winter or summer, you may encounter some rainy days. So, to be prepared, 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 can enjoy the permanent exhibition of ceramics, weapons, woodcuts, traditional costumes, textiles and more. You will also see the temporary exhibition, which, although it usually varies, focuses on Japanese art, customs and culture.

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

Information of interest

• Price: the entrance fee is about 7€ per person. On Tuesdays the entrance is free.
• Opening hours: from 10:00 to 18:00 (Tuesday to Sunday). Closed on Mondays.

Your 2-day stay in Krakow or longer will not be complete without a visit to the Sukiennice market, also known as the Cloth Exchange. This is a very 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 can find a number of stores with 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.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 7:00 pm.

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 spend 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 to follow will be 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. In addition, you can have a coffee, soda 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 can learn what games were like before the advent of consoles. They will surely be surprised.

Interesting information

• Price: the entrance fee is around 10€ per person. This cost does not include drinks in the bar area, which must be paid separately.
• Hours: Monday to Friday (from 12:00 to 22:00 hours) and Saturdays (from 12:00 to 23:00 hours).