Everyone needs a break from a city bustle, and that’s where green spaces come in. These are green oases where you can relax, sit on a bench, walk your dog, stroll, cycle, have a picnic or play.
1. Henryk Jordan Park
Address: Al. 3 Maja 11
Henryk Jordan Park is a lovely park around a twenty-minute walk from the Old Town centre. It’s well kept and has some fantastic features including an artificial little lake and innumerable statues of important polish leaders. This is a nice place where you can relax or just go for a walk as there are a lot of pathways to take a stroll for everyone. Also people go there to play some sports. During the summer there are plenty of activities to do in the park, as playgrounds for kids, go-carts, some kinds of vehicles or pedal boat to rent as well. What’s more, there are two cafes in the park where you can grab something to eat and rest for a while.
2. Wolski Forest
Address: ul. Kasy Oszczędności Miasta Krakowa 14
Fantastic large wooded area on the outskirts of Krakow with numerous paths inside, making it an ideal place for a stroll. It’s perfect to combine it with a visit to the zoo, which is situated in the middle of the forest, or to Piłsudski’s Mound which is situated towards the north. There are plenty of biking trails, running trails & walking paths to go around and two big mounds providing superb views on Wisla valley surroundings. This place is just 15-20 minutes away from the city by car or you can get there by buses 134, 152.
3. Park Lotnikow Polskich
Address: al. Pokoju 67
A great little park where you can stroll through and get away from the bustle of the city. Moreover, it’s a very popular place not only for walks but also for bicycle trips. There are playgrounds, basketball courts, bicycle paths and the Garden of Experiments. The Tauron Arena Krakow is also nearby and on the other side of the al. John Paul II there is a Polish Aviation Museum with an extensive outdoor exhibition.
4. Bednarski Park
Address: ul. Parkowa, ul. Krzemionki, Kraków
Park was created in the old quarry by a social worker and teacher Wojciech Bednarski. It is located within the old part of Podgórze district on the right bank of the Vistula. Here you can find around 100 specimens of trees and bushes surrounded by Jurassic rocks. There are two parts within the park – the older one is neoclassical and the newer is modernist. The park is divided into several main parts: the central terrace, the upper terrace, a large serpentine and a playfield.
5. Planty Park
Address: The Old Town Area
A favorite place of locals for walks and a real gem of Krakow. There is no other city in Poland that could boast a similar park. The Planty reminds of a green ring surrounding the Old Town, which is the reason why they are sometimes called the “green necklace at the neck of the city”. The Park is divided into 8 gardens, is about 4 km long and extends over an area of 21 ha, which makes it the largest municipal park in Krakow. There are 40 species of trees and shrubs in their area, including nature monuments, like the 130-year-old plane tree at the end of Wiślna street. Every season, in any weather, the Plants are unique in their own way!
6. Decjusza Park
Address: Ul. Królowej Jadwigi
This park is one of Kraków’s oldest parks. It was founded around 1535 together with the villa Decjusza as a resting place for Justus Ludwik Decjusz, the secretary to King Zygmunt I Stary (Sigismund I the Old). The park was designed by Italian architects Jan Cini and Zenobiusz Zanotti. The park covers an area of ten hectares, and is home to the Decjusz Villa, a gallery of sculptures and paintings by Bronisław Chromy (as well as a nice restaurant inside the building). The park is famous for its beautiful flora including ancient limes and hornbeams. It is one of the favourite places of relaxation among locals and tourists alike. The park beckons with its beauty and calm atmosphere.
7. Park Krakowski
Address: Aleja Mickiewicza Adama
The park was founded on the model of the Vienna gardens at the end of the 19th century. Before the first World War, it was a favourite meeting place of the locals. Currently, the park covers an area of 5 hectares. After recent renovation, the park changed and now everyone will find something for themselves. There is a large playground for kids, picnic tables, chess tables, ping-pong tables, a recreation area, reading rooms as well as a separate area for smokers. You can also admire the pond with its fountain and 19 abstract outdoor sculptures from the early 20th century.
8. Twardowski Rocks Park
Address:ul. Twardowskiego
This park is located on the grounds of Bielany-Tyniec Landscape Park next to Zakrzóweklagoon. It is one of the most beautiful recreational areas in Poland. Hidden away in the forest overgrowing the pit are two caverns: Jasna and Twardowski Cave. Beautiful walking paths and grottoes add charm to this park. Legend says that in the 16th century, Kraków’s magician Master Twardowski had his own studios there which one day exploded during an experiment and created beautiful rock valleys. It is definitely a very charming place surrounded by beautiful limestone rocks, which make it very photogenic. The place is popular among cyclists and rock climbers as well as tourists who want to enjoy this picturesque and wild part of Kraków. During Summer locals prefer to gather all their families for picnics at the foot of the rocks.
9. Błonia Park
Address:ul. Aleja 3 Maja
Błonia Park is a vast meadow with an area of 48 hectares. It’s a national heritage and perhaps one of the biggest parks you will find in Europe. The history of the park began in 1162. Nowadays, Błonia is a unique area located in Kraków’s city centre. There is a promenade that circles the entire park which is used by locals for running, cycling and rollerblading. This is a perfect place for anybody looking for a serene, green spot, wants to exercise in the fresh air, walk with a dog or just enjoy a picturesque space!
10. Ojców Park
Address: Ojcowski Park Narodowy Ojców 9
Ojców National Park is the smallest National Park of Poland with a total area of 2145 ha which is located only 16km away from Kraków. A walk through this area allows you to see many different caves, unusual limestone cliffs, ravines and Jurassic rock formations with the most famous one – the Hercules’ Club. You’ll also find Renaissance Castle of Pieskowa Skala, picturesque Pradnik River Valley and others. You will see rare examples of fauna and flora (like fir, hornbeam, bats, owls, goldcrest and others). All of this makes this place truly magical and perfect to enjoy the natural landscape at its best!
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