Kraków is the best city in Europe for a night out, IMHO. Here’s why you should visit.

In a bittersweet chain of events, I found myself in Poland by random chance. After spending a few days in Rome, I was supposed to fly to Tel Aviv for a wedding.

Well, that didn’t happen.

So I pulled up Google Maps, took a quick look at flight deals, and decided to go to Poland. 

I’m so glad I did!

I spent two days in Warsaw, but Kraków is the place that unexpectedly stole my heart. I even booked another night to bask in the tranquility of the city. It’s such an underrated place in Europe, especially for nightlife.  

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Incredible Street Life & Atmosphere

Kraków is a city that comes alive at night. First, you’re walking up some quiet streets, and the place feels peaceful and serene. As soon as you enter Kraków’s Old Town, the historic enclave comes alive with lights, restaurants, and tourists occupying the Main Square (Rynek Główny). 

The city has so much beauty; it feels modern, historic, and classical at the same time. From the tower of St. Mary’s Basilica to the massive Renaissance-style Cloth Hall (pictured), it’s a stimulating overload of captivating sights.

The area is bustling with tourists and locals alike. When I went, it was during a general election, and one of the candidates was campaigning in the city center. I walked around the street corner to chanting fans and massive flame machines – quite the experience! 

It’s Safe & Super Clean

This isn’t necessarily a big deal to me, especially living in New York City, but I know that some people will appreciate the cleanliness of a city. Poland is one of the cleanest countries I’ve visited. Even late at night, the streets were immaculate, free of the garbage and clutter I’ve grown used to. 

In addition, I felt safe walking around at night. While petty crimes like pickpocketing and theft are possible [Source], Kraków never made me feel uneasy, something I appreciate traveling as a woman. 

So, if safety is a concern, I can’t recommend Kraków enough! You’ll feel at ease while you lose yourself to later hours of the night. 

Another great thing about Kraków is that the public transportation is modern and far-reaching throughout the city. I took an Uber most of the time (super affordable), but there are other options available.

You can travel by bus or by tram using the same ticket, and both run frequently to different parts of the city. This is a good guide explaining the public transportation system. I will warn you; the trams and buses don’t run 24 hours, so you may have to use Uber or other rideshare options late at night. 

Very Affordable Food & Drinks

Coming from an expensive city like New York where a night out could cost you an arm and a leg, the prices for food and drinks in Kraków were much more affordable and great for travelers on a budget. Rest assured, you won’t be sacrificing quality for a lower price.

The food in Poland was nothing short of delicious everywhere I went. A local recommended a popular spot called Starka near the Main Square, and it was exceptional. The pierogis, red borscht, and potato pancakes were so good that I was depressed leaving!

After dinner, my friend and I did some bar hopping. We loved a spot called Viva la Pinta for its outdoor patio space. Bulldog Bar was great for its live music and chatting with patrons we met from London.  

Poland doesn’t have a tipping culture, but I usually leave something for the staff. I left roughly 10% at restaurants or a few Polish zloty. But don’t feel obligated. It was more of a personal preference since I’m from the United States. 

Side Note: Check out these hilarious menus!

I give Poland major props for creativity. I underestimated the Polish sense of humor. 

Every time we got handed a menu, it usually had some hilarious or creative graphic. The marketing gets an A+ for effort! 

It’s More Laid Back Than Larger European Cities

The city had this essence of being undisturbed and laid-back, yet alive with plenty of street buzz and clamor. I think this was my favorite thing about the nightlife in Kraków. There was quite a polarity compared to most cities I’ve been to in the United States and Europe. 

The overall temperament was calm while everyone was out on the town. Have no fear; people are open to chatting and meeting new people, though! We met multiple groups, from bachelor parties to families. The general city warmth alone makes Kraków a great choice for solo travelers. 

Also, Krakow is the second largest city in Poland at 126.2 mi², so you have plenty of options for bars and restaurants. Every time I took a turn on a different street, it felt prettier than the last. 

Krakow Retains Its Polish History

Hidden behind the vast beauty of Renaissance architecture, nature, and nightlife, is the memory of World War Two, a dark time in Polish history.

Locals never shied away from having conversations about history, global politics, and what happened during the war. It was an incredible eye-opener, and nothing felt like a secret or “off the table” to discuss. 

Most of Poland’s major cities were destroyed during the war. However, Kraków remained almost entirely unscathed. [Source]

For this reason, much of Krakow’s history and charm were preserved. The Rynek Główny is 800 years old and is an architectural marvel. We took a long walk to the 900-year-old Wawel Royal Castle perched on a hill that has fantastic views of the entire city. Make sure to check this out before you hit the bar scene! 

Pub Crawl & Vodka Tours With Package Options

Poland certainly has a strong drinking culture. It’s reflected in the sheer volume of vodka tours and pub crawls! (Wódka in Polish) 

I highly recommend checking out some drinking tours if you’re traveling solo or looking to meet up with other groups. The nightlife in the city is captivating, and the tours provide more insight into the best places to go, saving you from research.

My friend and I booked a pub crawl similar to this one, and we had an incredible time. You’ll get value for money, and it’s a great way to stay safe while enjoying the streetlife and bar hopping.

If you’re up for an excursion, I recommend venturing just outside the city to get a feel for Suburban Poland, rich in tradition and captivating in beauty. We booked this tour for a full-day trip that picked us up directly from our hotel. 

The tour took us to Zakopane in the heart of the Tatra Mountains, where Polish Highlander culture thrives. Still close to Kraków, we enjoyed vodka samples distilled in local villages. So whether you choose to drink in the city center or the rural countryside, locals will repeatedly offer you a drink. Na Zdrowie!

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Thanks for reading! Have you been to Krakow? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!

And if you liked this, you might love Matthew’s story on why Warsaw is his new favorite city.