Krakow

As the Pigeon Flies: Kraków's Best Viewpoints

01 Sep 2025
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Like any ancient city, Kraków looks pretty great from above.

Full of iconic church spires and red-shingled roofs (and lacking almost any obtrusive skyscrapers), it's an impressive skyline full of recognisable architectural monuments that make it unmistakable from any other in the world.
Taking in the scenery from Wawel's Viewing Platform.

Kraków is full of opportunities for sweeping views, from romantic rooftop restaurants to unusual outdoor lookouts, each of which offers its own unique vantage on the city. Below we list venues that possess views you simply won't find anywhere else, but first - our top recommendations.

Rooms with a View:

Lush views of Wawel from the Sheraton's Grand Deluxe Suite.
If you're looking to book something special, romantic suites and apartments abound in Kraków; in fact we have an entire feature dedicated to hotels with spectacular views, so we don't list them amongst the venues at the bottom of this feature. Enjoy arguably the best views of Wawel Castle and the Wisła from the Sheraton, Kossak and Hotel Pod Wawelem, while the Venetian House, Wentzl and Bonerowski Palace offer the same optical delights of the market square.
 

Food with a View:

The sunny terrace of Ziyad Restaurant at Zinar Castle.
Listed below you'll find numerous restaurants and cafes that offer unique views, but we'll tell you straight up that the most spectacular are again from the Kossak's Oranżeria Restaurant & Cafe and Hotel Pod Wawelem's Groble rooftop restaurant (hello, Wawel), the romantic terraces of the restaurant at Zinar Castle (perfect for a sunset date), Forum Panorama, and the rooftop terrace of the Rubinstein overlooking Kazimierz all the way to Wawel.
 

View to a Thrill:

Krakus Mound
Kraków's Mounds are one of the city's most unique features, offering panoramic views in all directions, but nothing beats Krakus Mound in our opinion. Sandomierska Tower and the separate Viewing Terrace give you an intimate look over the interior spaces of Wawel, while a climb up St. Mary's Tower gives shutterbugs the best angles over the market square short of a drone.
Evening views from Forum Panorama.

For more local insight into Kraków, grab a copy of our regularly updated guidebook.

Kraków's Best Views
Kraków's Mounds

Kościuszko Mound
Al. Waszyngtona 1
EDITOR'S PICK
/krakow/kosciuszko-mound_97692v
History produces few men like Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746-1817). Having fought with distinction in the American War of Independence before inspiri
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Editor's pick
Kraków's Mounds

Krakus Mound
above ul. Maryewskiego
EDITOR'S PICK
/krakow/krakus-mound_49805v
The oldest structure in Kraków, Krakus Mound is one of two prehistoric monumental mounds in the city and is also its highest point, providing incredible …
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Editor's pick
Upmarket

Hotel Rubinstein
ul. Szeroka 12
EDITOR'S PICK
/krakow/hotel-rubinstein_32575v
One of Kazimierz's premier accommodation offers, named after Helena - the cosmetics mogul who was born on this street before making her millions. Combining …
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Editor's pick
Bars & Pubs

Roof Top Terrace
ul. Powiśle 7 (Sheraton Grand Krakow)
featured
/krakow/roof-top-terrace_104243v
You don't need a room key to enjoy the best of the Sheraton Grand Hotel. Take the lift, your camera and your sweetie to the 5th floor to enjo
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Featured
Bars & Pubs

Szklanki
ul. Jakuba 19
featured
/krakow/szklanki_19133v
Hidden away behind the Izaaka Synagogue, this lovely locale has long been a fave for its luscious year-round garden crawling with vines and small rooftop …
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Featured
Wawel

Wawel Town & Viewing Platform
Wawel 5
featured
/krakow/wawel-town-viewing-platform_173556v
This seasonal exhibit reminds visitors, via a short animated film, small artefacts and archaeological remnants, that for centuries there was a small town on …
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Featured
Churches

St. Mary’s Basilica
Pl. Mariacki 5
featured
/krakow/st-marys-basilica_17091v
After Tartar raids in the 13th century left the original church in a heap of ruins, St. Mary’s was rebuilt in Gothic style on the existing foundations and …
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Featured
Healthy Eats

Zielone Tarasy
Al. Słowackiego 64
/krakow/zielone-tarasy_139192v
Literally located on the roof of the modern 6-storey Herbewo office building, Zielone Tarasy does so much more than simply cater to their regular business …
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Outdoor Attractions

Observation Balloon
Bulwar Wołyński
/krakow/observation-balloon_51896v
For thrilling panoramic views, take a scenic lift in this massive colour-changing balloon tethered to the riverbank directly in front of Forum Prz
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Kraków's Mounds

Piłsudski Mound
Al. do Kopca (Wolski Forest)
/krakow/Pilsudski-Mound_19975v
This massive man-made earthwork mound is the highest point in Wolski Forest, and probably the most rewarding destination i
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Bars & Pubs

Forum Panorama
ul. Marii Konopnickiej 28
/krakow/forum-panorama_173485v
Although the guestrooms of the Hotel Forum may have gone ‘back to nature,’ 2024 saw the reopening of the famous hotel penthouse as a fine restaurant and …
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Museums

Town Hall Tower
Rynek Główny 1
/krakow/town-hall-tower_17118v
This 70-metre tower is the only remaining element of Kraków’s Town Hall complex. Dating back to the 14th century, numerous additions, fires and renovations had …
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Cafes

Fresh Coffee Place
ul. Nadwiślańska 4
/krakow/fresh-coffee-place_172520v
You can observe the primary selling point of this casual eatery/cafe on the top floor of the Cricoteka from below - large windows overlooking the river and …
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Polish

Ziyad Restaurant & Zinar Castle
ul. Jodłowa 13
/krakow/ziyad-restaurant-zinar-castle_16757v
One of the most romantic destinations in Kraków, here you can enjoy delicious dishes with a Kurdish twist made from local premium products as well as stunning …
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International

Copernicus
ul. Kanonicza 16 (Copernicus Hotel)
/krakow/copernicus_16799v
Inside one of Kraków's most exclusive hotels you'll find one of its most exclusive restaurants, with high-class service inside an elegant gothic interior that …
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Bars & Pubs

Sky Bar
ul. Szczepańska 5 (Hotel Stary)
/krakow/sky-bar_54275v
The cherry on top of the impeccable Hotel Stary, this seasonal cafe (open from April to end of September) has all the class you'd expect
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Cafes

Cafe Szał
Rynek Główny 1-3
/krakow/cafe-szal_90085v
On the second floor of the renovated Cloth Hall, during the warmer months Cafe Szał offers great views of
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Wawel

Sandomierska Tower
Wawel 5
/krakow/sandomierska-tower_80813v
One of Wawel's two artillery towers, Sandomierska Tower was built around 1460 to defend the castle against attack from the south. A small chamber on the third …
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International

Cafe Oranżeria
Pl. Kossaka 1
/krakow/cafe-oranzeria_67640v
Featuring marvellous views of Wawel, Hotel Kossak's
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International

Groble Sky Bar & Restaurant
Pl. Na Groblach 22
/krakow/groble-sky-bar-restaurant_162949v
When it comes to real estate, this is some of the best in Kraków, and it's been used to great effect. Just metres from Wawel Castle in
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Polish

Metrum Restobistro
ul. Św. Tomasza 43
/krakow/metrum-restobistro_153045v
One of Kraków's best kept secrets, this modest student restaurant on the 6th floor of the Kraków Music Academy (take the elevator!) boasts two fantastic …
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