Free Shows and Activies in Krakow (Cracow), Poland

If you are traveling on a budget and happen to make a stop in Krakow, Poland you are in luck. Here are five free activities you and your party can enjoy while staying in Krakow.

Visiting St. Mary's Basilica (Polish: Kościół Mariacki)

Conveniently located adjacent to Krakow's main market square, this 14^th century brick gothic church is a beautiful example of Poland's Christian masterpieces. This structure serves as both an activity and a show. You can enter the church during business hours and take a tour for free or simply stand outside to watch and listen to the show above. To mark every hour of the day, a trumpeter climbs to the top of the Basilica and plays the "heynal" - a tune which cuts off in middle to commemorate a famous 13^th century event, when a trumpeter was shot in the throat as he was sounding the alarm during a Mongol Attack.

Nightlife

If you are looking to dance the night away you are in luck, most clubs in Krakow do not charge a cover before midnight. Most of the clubs have a night where they essentially cover the entire dance floor with bubbles, think bubble bath with 100+ people. With such a great nightlife, it would be a shame to miss out on this free activity.

Art Displays at St. Florian's Gate (Polish: Brama Floriańska)

From the center of the main market square, you are a couple of minutes away from a lively outdoor art gallery located at the St. Florian's gate, just follow St. Florian road and you are there. The famous gate was built in the 1300's as part of an intricate fortification for the old inner city. Many of Krakow's local artists choose to display their art here, and are very open to tourists viewing their art from dusk till dawn.

Main Market Square (Polish: Rynek Główny)

The main market square itself is an attraction unlike any other. Crowded at all times of the day, it is home to the St. Mary's Basilica, Sukiennice and much more. You can catch many small free shows from the Slawkowska Street side during the daylight hours daily. In addition to the small shows, you can tour the Sukiennice or Cloth Hall, and admire the Renaissance style building, which used to be a economic hub for trade from the far east destined for the rest of Europe.

Swimming (Brzegi)

If you have a car at your disposal, there is a small town called Brzegi about 7 miles east of Krakow where the locals like to hang out in the summer months. There are three small man-made lakes which were built for swimming and sunbathing. If you are up for some summer-fun Brzegi is a great place to start. It is best to go while the sun is up, during the summer months.

Sources:

http://www.polskieradio.pl/historia/tags/artykul92218.html

http://books.google.com/books?vid=ISBN1566917212&id=2KzSp-AV3KIC&pg=PA496&lpg=PA496&dq=Krak%C3%B3w+market+square+largest&sig=HsrAY8aaOMHY6qvpoIlzzCVJZ-E#v=onepage&q=&f=false