What is a pub crawl and why is Krakow perfect for one?
A pub crawl — a night-time bar-hopping adventure — is one of the most popular evening activities in Europe. The concept is simple: gather your crew, pick a route and visit several bars or clubs in a single evening, spending 30 minutes to an hour at each spot. It's an excellent way to discover a city's nightlife, find hidden bars, try local drinks and make new friends.
Krakow is the perfect city for a pub crawl for several reasons. First, the compact Old Town means all the best bars and clubs are just a few minutes' walk from each other — no taxis or public transport needed. Second, the density of bars in central Krakow is among the highest in Europe — around the Main Square and its side streets you'll find literally hundreds of venues. Third, drink prices in Krakow are among the lowest in Europe — beer from 10 PLN, shots from 8 PLN, cocktails from 20 PLN — making a pub crawl here far kinder to your wallet than in London or Paris.
Whether you're a tourist visiting Krakow for the first time, an Erasmus student looking for weekend fun, or a stag-do crew — a Krakow pub crawl is an experience you simply can't miss. And we'll show you how to do it right.
Best neighbourhoods for a pub crawl in Krakow
Krakow offers several distinct nightlife zones, each with its own unique character. Here's a guide to the best areas for a pub crawl in Krakow:
Main Square — the starting point
Krakow's Main Square is the largest medieval square in Europe and the natural starting point for any pub crawl. Around the square and its side streets you'll find elegant cocktail bars overlooking the Cloth Hall, atmospheric cellars hidden beneath townhouses and stylish wine bars. It's the ideal place for your first drink of the evening — a cocktail or glass of wine surrounded by Gothic architecture and golden lantern light. The atmosphere is refined but relaxed. Prices are slightly higher than elsewhere in the city but still far below Western European capitals.
Floriańska Street — tourist hotspot
Floriańska is one of Krakow's most famous streets, connecting the Main Square to St. Florian's Gate. Both sides of the street are packed with bars, pubs and clubs — from typical tourist venues with loud music to cosy pubs with table football and darts. The atmosphere is energetic and sociable, making Floriańska a great second or third stop on your pub crawl route. Many bars offer "2 for 1" drink deals, especially on weekdays.
Plac Nowy & Kazimierz — Krakow's alternative soul
Kazimierz — the former Jewish quarter, now the heart of bohemian Krakow — is a must-stop on any serious pub crawl. Centred around Plac Nowy, Kazimierz offers an entirely different energy from the Old Town. Here you'll find craft-beer bars, alternative pubs with indie music, speakeasy-style cocktail bars and iconic venues like Alchemia and Starka. A glass of craft beer costs from 12 PLN and the atmosphere is far more relaxed and artistic. It's the ideal spot for the middle and late part of your evening — bars in Kazimierz typically stay open until 2-3 AM, and some clubs until 4 AM.
Szewska Street — student mecca of cheap drinks
Szewska is a legendary street among Krakow students and one of the best options for a pub crawl in Krakow if you're watching your budget. Bars on Szewska are famous for absurdly low prices — shots for 5-8 PLN, beers for 7-10 PLN, and drink deals in practically every venue. The atmosphere is loud, party-driven and unapologetically fun. Ideal as a mid-route stop when the group is warmed up and energy is peaking. Note: weekend evenings on Szewska can get very crowded, so be patient.
Mikołajska & Stolarska — hidden gems and speakeasies
For those who like to discover something off the beaten track, the area around Mikołajska and Stolarska streets hides some of Krakow's most interesting bars. Here you'll find unmarked speakeasies entered through hidden doors, intimate cocktail bars with bespoke drink menus and wine bars serving Polish natural wines. It's a less obvious route, but for connoisseurs — absolutely worth exploring. Drinks range from 22 to 35 PLN, but each one is a small work of cocktail artistry.
Suggested pub crawl route — step-by-step evening plan
Here's our tried-and-tested Krakow pub crawl route, refined by countless groups and considered optimal. Adjust it to your own pace and preferences:
- 20:00 — Start at the Main Square — Begin the evening with a cocktail or glass of wine at one of the bars around the square. Pick a spot with a view of the Cloth Hall, have something elegant as a warm-up and soak in the atmosphere of a Krakow evening. One drink, 30-45 minutes.
- 20:45 — Second stop on or near the Square — Move to a nearby pub or cellar bar. Krakow's cellars are unique venues hidden beneath medieval townhouses — vaulted ceilings, brick walls and an atmosphere you won't find anywhere else. The ideal spot for your first beer of the evening.
- 21:30 — Floriańska or Szewska — Time for a few rounds in the energetic part of town. Floriańska has tourist pubs with loud music; Szewska has student bars with cheap shots. Choose to taste or visit one bar on each street. Two stops, 30-40 minutes each.
- 23:00 — Kazimierz & Plac Nowy — Head to Kazimierz, the coolest district in nighttime Krakow. It's a 10-minute walk from the Main Square. At Plac Nowy grab a legendary zapiekanka — a late-night snack for 10-15 PLN — then duck into a craft-beer bar or alternative venue. Spend an hour or more here, soaking up the bohemian atmosphere.
- 00:30 — Grand finale at Royal Island — When the bars start closing and the night reaches its peak, it's time for something extraordinary. End your Krakow pub crawl at Royal Island Gentlemen's Club — a venue that takes the night to an entirely different level. Tropical atmosphere, live performances, premium cocktails and VIP rooms. No cover charge, open until 5 AM on weekends. This is the finale your group will be talking about for years.
Tips for a successful pub crawl
Before you head out on a night-time tour of Krakow's bars, keep these practical tips in mind to make your pub crawl successful and safe:
- Eat a proper meal before going out — A solid dinner is the foundation of a good night. Krakow's restaurants offer hearty dishes from 25 to 50 PLN. Pierogi, żurek, schnitzel — fill up before your first drink.
- Pace yourself — You don't need to race. One drink per stop is a sensible pace that lets you last the whole route in good shape. Order water between drinks.
- Stick together — A pub crawl is a group activity. Designate one contact number, agree a plan in case you get separated and look after each other. Partying in a group is safer and more fun.
- Use Bolt or Uber — If you're tired of walking or want to get to the next spot quickly, book a ride via the app. Krakow is a cheap city for Bolt/Uber — a trip across the centre typically costs 10-20 PLN.
- Cash and card — Most bars in Krakow accept card payments or BLIK, but some smaller venues still prefer cash. Keep 100-200 PLN on you just in case.
Pub crawl + strip club — the ultimate night combo
Combining a pub crawl with a strip club is a classic of Krakow nightlife, especially popular among stag-do groups and international tourists. The formula is simple: a few hours of bar-hopping, building energy and having a blast, then for the finale — a visit to Royal Island Gentlemen's Club, where the night shifts to an entirely different level.
Royal Island offers professional live entertainment, exotic cocktails, private dances and VIP rooms — all in a tropical setting you won't find anywhere else in Krakow. No cover charge means you can walk in stress-free and see if the vibe suits you. Many guests stay until closing because the atmosphere is simply magnetic.
Organised pub crawls in Krakow
If you don't want to plan the route yourself, many hostels and tour companies in Krakow offer organised pub crawls with a guide. They typically start at 21:00, last 3-4 hours and cover 4-5 bars. The price (50-100 PLN) includes a welcome drink, shot deals at each venue and queue-skip entry. It's a great option for solo travellers or small groups who want to meet people from around the world. Organised pub crawls usually depart from the Main Square area — check hostel receptions, booking sites or tourist information points for details.
Pub crawl safety — how to get home in one piece
Krakow is a safe city, but nights out require common sense. Here are a few rules worth keeping in mind during your pub crawl in Krakow:
- Watch your drinks — Never leave a drink unattended. If you stepped away from the table, order a fresh one. This is a basic safety rule in any city.
- Stick to main streets — The Old Town and Kazimierz are well-lit and full of people until late. Avoid dark alleys and side streets away from the main routes.
- Don't walk alone — A pub crawl is by definition a group activity. If you need to leave, tell someone in the group and share your location via phone.
- Choose reputable venues — Stick to bars on the main streets and in the districts described in this guide. Avoid venues that aggressively hustle customers off the street or don't look legitimate. Read more in our guide to dangerous clubs in Krakow.
- Book a Bolt/Uber home — When the night is over, don't wander the streets. Book a ride via the app — it's quick, cheap and safe.
