I've spent quite a bit of time in Poland's two main cities, and they offer very different opportunities for street photography.
Krakow's old town has that timeless quality – narrow streets, historic architecture, morning light hitting stone buildings. Warsaw is more complex – the reconstructed Old Town next to Soviet-era blocks and modern glass. That mix creates interesting contrasts.
These are the specific spots I keep returning to, with the exact locations and what tends to work there.
Krakow
Get up early – 6:00 AM early. Trust me on this. You'll have the streets mostly to yourself, and when locals start heading to work around 6:30, you'll already know where you want to be. Plus, those long morning shadows hitting the old buildings? Pure magic.
Krakow Spot #1: Main Market Square Light Play
Face into the sun here. I know it sounds wrong, but the contrast creates these incredible shadow patterns. Set your aperture to f/8 or smaller, grab a 35mm or 50mm lens, and wait for people to walk through those light patches. The compression helps tie everything together.
Krakow Spot #2: Pigeon Square by St. Mary's Basilica
Walk past St. Mary's Basilica and you'll hit another square. Look for the red and green walls – the morning sun hits them perfectly. Yes, there are pigeons everywhere. Use them! Wait for someone to walk through and disturb the birds. It takes patience, but when it all comes together, it's worth it.
Krakow Spot #3: Cricoteka Reflections
Cross the Father Bernatek's Bridge, turn left, and you'll see the Cricoteka building. The ceiling here is a reflection goldmine. Play around with angles – the building's weird architecture makes for some really creative shots.
Warsaw Spot #4: Central Station Palace View
Outside Warsaw Central Station, you get this perfect view of the Palace of Culture and Science. Crouch down, point your camera up, and wait for people to walk into frame. Use f/8 or smaller. The contrast between everyday people and this massive Soviet-era building tells the whole story of modern Warsaw.
Warsaw Spot #5: Underground Passage Geometries
Check out the underground passages near the station. Look up when you're on the stairs – the ceilings have these crazy shapes and colors. I found one spot where I just stood on the stairs, camera pointed up, waiting for the right person to walk through that geometric frame. Simple but effective.
Quick Technical Tips
Zone focus is your friend here. Set your focus manually, shoot at f/8-f/11, and forget about your settings. Just watch and wait.
Take your time. Watch the scene develop before you press the shutter. One thoughtful shot beats dozens of rushed ones.
These spots have worked well for me over multiple visits. Hope they help you too.
