Explore the Green Spaces and Parks of Kraków

You’re almost certainly in Kraków for the pretty cobbled streets and photogenic palaces on every corner, but this is also one of Europe’s greenest cities – only Vilnius in Lithuania has more green space.

Kraków’s parks are part of the picture, but better still are its truly wild spaces; the meadows, forests, and nature reserves found at the end of a short tram ride from the center. Whether you want to hike through a river valley to a 1000-year-old monastery, climb pagan mounds, or explore a sci-fi-inspired garden, it’s likely Kraków has an outdoor spot that’s perfect for you.

Planty Park Surrounds the Old Town

You’ll probably pass through this thin strip of green that circles the Old Town multiple times. It was planted by the occupying Austrians in the 1800s, who filled in the medieval moat and assembled fountains, gazebos, and streetlights in the image of Vienna.

You can stroll the whole Planty circuit in under an hour, with the landmark Wawel Castle helpfully positioned at the southern end. You can also use it as the locals do – as an easy respite from the crowds of the Old Town. Even in tourist season, you’ll always find a free bench under the shade of a chestnut tree to enjoy an ice cream.

Hike the Trails through Las Wolski and Bielańsko-Tyniecki

Just a few minutes by tram west of town, the cobbles give way to an expansive nature reserve set along the valley of the Vistula River. There are playgrounds, museums, and the city zoo at its fringes, but it’s worth making a day of it. The deeper you go, the wilder it becomes. None of the well-signposted hiking trails take more than a few hours, and you’re never really far from the next restaurant, but the trails through woodland, riverfront, and limestone cliffs feel relaxingly remote.

It’s a two-hour hike to the small village of Bielany, past slopes filled with grapes, where you can try locally grown Pinot Gris at the Srebrna Góra vineyard. In summer, catch the Kraków water tram for a pretty cruise along the river to the 1000-year-old Tyniec Abbey perched on the cliffs. You can enjoy excellent Polish cooking here while talking to the chatty Benedictine monks.

Błonia Meadow: A Picnic Hot Spot

Incredibly, this pasture was utilized by locals to graze their livestock right into the 1970s. It’s a welcome miracle that these 50 hectares right in the city center have escaped Kraków’s relentless development since then. The flat expanse of grass is ideal for sunbathing, picnics, and letting dogs run after things.

Błonia is also popular with Popes. The masses of Jan Paweł II, or John Paul II as he is known internationally, given here helped rally Poles against Communism and became part of the national story. Moreover, Błonia still hosts rock concerts and notable events, so check ahead for gatherings before visiting.

Henryk Jordan Park: The City’s Best Park for Sports

If you seek more action than Błonia offers, head across the road. Henryk Jordan Park is named for the founder who introduced Poland to the concept of physical exercise for health. True to his spirit, it features tennis, volleyball, and basketball courts, and a skate park.

Furthermore, the park has an enjoyable family feel, especially on weekend mornings, as kids get to play on slides and sandpits or inside the inflatable balloons that float around on the small boating lake. The wide avenues, planted with century-old elms, are especially picturesque under winter snow, when Kraków’s children can be found throwing themselves down the toboggan hill.

Get the Best Kraków Views from Kościuszko Mound

Few things are more Krakovian than the city’s unique enthusiasm for building artificial hills. There are four city mounds, and all are popular for their views on clear days. Wanda and Krakus are prehistoric, rising about 50ft (15m). It’s believed they served as ancient calendars, with sunset aligning between the two mounds four times a year – so it’s worth the trip to take a stunning photo.

The 115ft-high (35m) Piłsudski Mound is more modern, constructed by thousands of volunteers in the interwar period as a monument to Prime Minister Marshal Piłsudski. However, it’s Kościuszko Mound that steals the show. Built in honor of Tadeusz Kościuszko, a globe-trotting freedom fighter, this mound contains soil from Polish and US battlefields. The paved walk-up is steep but reveals stunning views of Kraków, the surrounding countryside, and even the Tatra mountains beyond. After conquering the climb, reward yourself with a refreshment at one of the bars and cafes housed in the Austrian-era fortress that rings the base of the mound.

Stanisław Lem Science Garden: Fantastic Fun for Kids

Set in a spacious corner of Park Lotników Polskich, the science garden is inspired by the sci-fi books of local author Stanisław Lem. The hands-on equipment and installations explain everything from magnetism to acoustics. There is a giant kaleidoscope, hand-cranked whirlpool, and many other fascinating things to interact with. Kids love it, and parents appreciate the educational aspect.

It’s well worth the entry fee, while a few extra złoty may be required for the bigger attractions like the planetarium and toboggan run. The garden is open seasonally, from April to October.

Zakrzowek: A Lagoon in the Wilderness

Generations of locals have fond memories of summer holiday flirtations struck up over beer enjoyed on the banks of this flooded quarry. The appeal for students who come here on warm weekends often lies in the fact that swimming has always been officially prohibited.

A confusing history of ownership has left Zakrzowek completely undeveloped, allowing nature to transform it into an abandoned wilderness. The stunning curve of limestone cliffs, deep woods, and sparkling lagoon water beckons nature lovers. However, this may not last. Zakrzowek is currently fenced off by the city as it develops the 100 hectares into a sanctioned natural reserve by 2023.