Viewpoints in Krakow. Best view spots of Krakow

Many people visiting Krakow look for viewpoints. Krakow is not the best city when it comes to viewpoints, but there are some spots available. Where in Krakow can you go up to a roof? What are some interesting free viewpoints in Krakow? What are the paid viewpoints in Krakow? Here are the viewpoints in Krakow and restaurants with a view of Krakow and observation decks and towers.

A city without beautiful views

At the very beginning, it’s worth emphasizing that when it comes to viewpoints and scenic spots, Krakow falls quite short. There are few viewpoints in Krakow, and the views of the city are not among the most beautiful. Due to the terrain, Krakow does not abound in picturesque vantage points, and those that exist are not particularly interesting.

If you’re hoping for stunning views, it’s definitely worth seeking out more beautiful panoramas in Budapest or even Prague rather than Krakow. In Krakow, the views are what they are, and they don’t exactly take your breath away.

St. Mary’s Church Tower

One of the more interesting viewpoints in Krakow is the taller of the two towers of St. Mary’s Church, located next to the Main Market Square (Rynek Główny) in the city center. The observation point is the taller tower of the basilica, known as the Hejnalica. The tower reaches 82 meters in height and is crowned with a Gothic spire dating back to 1478. It is from this tower, at a height of 54 meters, that the melody known as the Hejnał Mariacki (St. Mary’s Trumpet Call) – a symbol of Krakow – is played. From the observation deck, which requires a paid admission, visitors can enjoy a panoramic view of Krakow’s Old Town. Unfortunately, due to ongoing renovation work, the tower remains closed to visitors at the beginning of 2025.

Town Hall Tower

Not far from the first viewpoint is the second one, offering fairly similar views. In Krakow’s Main Market Square, there is no town hall, as it was demolished in 1820. After World War II, the beautiful neo-Gothic guardhouse of the town hall was also destroyed, leaving only the Town Hall Tower, which can be climbed to reach an observation point. Admission is paid, and the tower is closed during the winter season.

The ascent involves 110 narrow steps, with varying heights ranging from 28 to 41 centimeters, making the attraction less suitable for those with mobility issues. The historic Gothic tower, dating back to the 15th century, stands 70 meters tall. At the very top, you can see the mechanism of the clock from Krakow’s town hall. Today, the clock is radio-controlled and always shows the exact time.

From the top, there is a beautiful view of Krakow’s smog, the Main Market Square, and Wawel Castle. An interesting fact is that the tower leans 55 centimeters from the vertical. On one day of the week, admission to the tower is free.

Krakus Mound

From paid attractions, we move on to one of the most interesting viewpoints in Krakow, which, moreover, is completely free. Near the district of Stare Podgórze, there is a 16-meter-high mound. The history of the mound is unknown, and it is also unclear exactly when and who built it. The mound is sometimes mentioned as the oldest man-made structure in Krakow. There are many hypotheses about its purpose. Some suggest it was a burial mound, but no graves were found during research.

From Krakus Mound, there is a view of the Old Town, Podgórze, and Kazimierz, as well as the surrounding areas. From here, you can see the TV tower on Krzemionki or the church in Bielany. On a clear day, you can even spot Babia Góra and the Tatra Mountains from Krakus Mound. It is a popular spot for walks and picnics. In our opinion, it is the best viewpoint in all of Krakow. After Easter, the Rękawka Festival takes place here.

Kościuszko Mound

The second mound on our list. Its history is much better documented and well-known. Kościuszko Mound, built between 1820 and 1823, is the only mound in Krakow that requires paid admission. The mound is located on the Hill of St. Bronisława in the western part of Krakow, in District VII Zwierzyniec. The pathway leading from Salwator to the base of the mound is an interesting walking route, and Salwator itself, with its old pre-war villas, is also worth a visit.

It can be easily reached by a special bus or simply by Uber or Bolt from the city center. It was erected in honor of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a national hero of Poland and a hero of the American Revolutionary War. The history of this place is fascinating, but the views are less so. From here, you can see a panoramic view of the city, but without much detail.

The most visible feature is Błonia, a large meadow in the city center. On a clear day, you can see the Tatra Mountains. In Krakow, there are two other very famous mounds – Wanda Mound and Piłsudski Mound. The views from them are not worth the time and effort it takes to get there.

Wawel Hill

Wawel Hill is primarily associated with the Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral, but it is also a popular walking spot for tourists and residents of Krakow, offering a view of the so-called bend of the Vistula River. The view isn’t breathtaking, but it’s there. From the viewing terrace on Wawel Hill, facing the Vistula River, you won’t see anything particularly interesting. You can see the river, the Dębniki district on the other side, the unattractive Dębniki Bridge, and further in the background, the aforementioned Kościuszko Mound, as well as the square opposite the Sheraton Hotel.

Like most views in Krakow, this one doesn’t leave a lasting impression.

Sandomierz Tower (Baszta Sandomierska)

On Wawel Hill, there are two more paid viewpoints. The first one we’ll mention is the so-called Sandomierz Tower. It is one of the three towers on Wawel, rebuilt in 1856 but originally constructed in the mid-15th century. The view from the Sandomierz Tower is similar to the one mentioned earlier, but since it’s higher, you can see a bit more. You can also look toward Wawel Cathedral itself and other districts of Krakow, including the Old Town.

Admission to the tower is paid, and tickets can be purchased at the ticket machine in front of the tower. There’s no need to book them in advance. In the previous 2024 tourist season, the entrance fee was 6 PLN (approx. 1.40 EUR, 1.20 GBP, or 1.50 USD). Inside the tower, there’s nothing particularly interesting. The tower is closed during the winter season.

Sigismund Tower

A viewpoint that absolutely must be mentioned is the second-largest tower on Wawel Hill, the Sigismund Tower. It was built in the 14th century as a defensive tower of Wawel Castle but was soon adapted to serve as the bell tower of Wawel Cathedral. Today, the Sigismund Tower is home to five bells, including the most famous Polish bell, Sigismund, cast in 1520. You can climb the tower while visiting Wawel Cathedral without needing to purchase an additional ticket, allowing you to see both the bell and the view. The view from the Sigismund Tower (pictured above) isn’t breathtaking.

From here, you can see part of the Old Town, including a section of the Planty Park, the building of the Higher Seminary at the very bottom, and further in the distance, the Town Hall Tower and St. Mary’s Church. Like all the views on this list, it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.

Viewing Tower at the Sanctuary in Łagiewniki

One of the most interesting yet lesser-known viewpoints in Krakow is located near the sanctuary in Łagiewniki. Next to the church stands a 77-meter-high viewing tower, with an observation deck at 46 meters. Thanks to the tower’s convenient location, which is not obstructed by other buildings or hills, you can see the entire city of Krakow from here – from the monastery in Bielany, through views toward Podgórze and the Old Town, the power plant in Łęg and Nowa Huta, to the surrounding towns near Krakow. Of course, in reality, there’s nothing particularly interesting to see here beyond the local infrastructure, as you can tell from the photos.

On a clear day, there’s a very good view of the Tatra Mountains. Admission to the tower in Łagiewniki is free or by voluntary donation (“co łaska“). Access is via an elevator. If you’ve already visited the tower in Łagiewniki, you can take a short walk further to the Sanctuary of John Paul II, which also has a viewing tower offering fairly similar views.

Fatima Tower at the Sanctuary of John Paul II

A short walk further will take you to the Sanctuary of John Paul II, where there is another viewing tower that “Krakow travel experts” on Facebook groups rarely mention. The Fatima Tower at the Sanctuary of St. John Paul II was open on April 2, 2016. The tower, including the cross at its top, stands 68 meters tall and is the highest viewpoint in the capital of Lesser Poland. The glass-enclosed observation deck is located at a height of approximately 50 meters. To reach the observation deck, you need to climb 272 steps. Elevator is available. There are bells on the tower. The largest of these bells, weighing 1.5 tons, is named after St. Andrew Bobola. Admission to the tower costs 5 PLN (approx. 1.20 EUR, 1.23 USD, or 1 GBP).

Viewpoints in cafes and restaurants

In many tourist cities around the world, rooftop cafes, restaurants, bars, and clubs with city views are popular. In Krakow, this is not the case. In Krakow, you can only find a few more (few) or less (most) interesting cafes with views. Moreover, many of them are not even located on rooftops, such as Fresh Coffee Place in the Cricoteka building. We are mentioning only the most interesting restaurants and cafes with views in our opinion, but there aren’t many of them. Literally, a few places didn’t make it into this list.

BTW: Metrum Bistro, often featured on Krakow blogs, remains closed to tourists in 2025. It might reopen during the tourist season, or maybe not at all – and honestly, the views there are mediocre anyway. The list also lacks the restaurant in the Unity Tower skyscraper, which was supposed to be built but has been delayed for years.

Przegorzały Castle (Schloss Wartenberg)

Przegorzały Castle, also known as Schloss Wartenberg, is a residence built during World War II under the German occupation of Krakow. It was constructed between 1942 and 1943 on the initiative of Otto von Wächter, the governor of the Krakow District. The castle, which now houses a hotel and restaurant, offers an interesting view of the surrounding area and the Vistula River flowing below. While it’s not a viewpoint for the entire city, it provides a perspective of the southwestern part of Krakow and the Beskid Mountains. It’s a rather intriguing spot, which is why we’re mentioning it here. Public transportation to this location is practically impossible, so you’ll need to rely on carsharing, Uber, or Bolt. The restaurant is truly interesting, and the viewpoint itself offers something different from the rest of the places in Krakow, especially when considering its chilling historical origins.

Sky Bar Hotel Stary

During the summer season, one of Krakow’s best hotels, Hotel Stary, located right next to the Main Market Square, operates a rooftop bar. The menu primarily features drinks and cocktails at prices that are quite high for Krakow. The tenement building housing the hotel is literally next to the Main Market Square, but it doesn’t tower over its surroundings, so the views are what they are. The most beautiful view from here is of St. Mary’s Church. You can’t see the entire Main Market Square from this place. It’s an interesting and exclusive spot. If you’re going to pay high Western prices in Krakow, it’s better to do it in places like this rather than in tourist traps.

Panorama Forum

On the top floors of the controversial former Hotel Forum building, a venue with views of the surrounding area called Panorama Forum has recently opened. The place offers breakfast (coffee or tea included with breakfast for 1 PLN) and lunch dishes. Breakfast prices are around 50 PLN, which is quite expensive for Krakow. Main courses range from 60 to 112 PLN, so also on the pricier side. It’s open from 9 AM. The view, as shown in the attached image, isn’t exactly breathtaking.

Other places

In Krakow, you’ll find a few more places with views. Some notable spots include the Roof Top Terrace at the Sheraton Hotel with a nice view of Wawel. However, the venue is closed from mid-November until the spring season. Among the places with views, there’s also Groble Skybar right nearby, Sky Bar 5.floor (Restauracja Rubinstein) in Kazimierz, and Cafe Oranżeria at Hotel Kossak. These are essentially the most interesting venues with views. Beyond these, there are two commercial viewpoints: the observation balloon and the Ferris wheel by the Vistula River, with views similar to those from Panorama Forum.