Cracow is not only about monuments and history, but also modern, interactive spaces that provide the perfect backdrop for an exceptional selfie. The first point on the map for any instagram frame hunter should be Be Happy Museum Kraków. It's a place created with photography in mind - colorful installations, rooms full of balloons, neon signs and walls of flowers create a fabulous setting for your photos. The museum is located in the very center of the city at 3 Karmelicka Street, making it easily accessible while strolling through the Old Town. Unlike traditional museums, here touching the exhibits is not only allowed, but even encouraged! Each room offers a different theme, from a room with flamingos to a pool filled with plastic balls. Ticket prices are mid-level, and a visit takes about an hour - perfect for solo travelers who want to add variety to their sightseeing schedule.

Another place that will delight color lovers is the Colorful Stairs located at 8 Tatranska St. This inconspicuous attraction has become a real hit with photographers in recent years. The staircase is covered with multicolored patterns that change seasonally - from spring flowers to winter motifs. The best time to take a photo is early morning, when the sunlight brings out the colors beautifully and the place is not yet besieged by other tourists. Interestingly, the stairs were created as an initiative of the local community, which wanted to revitalize this part of the city. Today they are a symbol of the creativity of the people of Krakow and proof that art can exist in the least expected places. Admission is completely free, which makes this attraction even more attractive for travelers on a tight budget.

For those who want truly unique frames, the Mirror Labyrinth at 14 Grodzka Street will be a true paradise. This unusual attraction offers more than 70 mirrors set up to create an intricate maze full of optical illusions. The infinity effect, distortions and multiplications of your character will create photos that are sure to stand out on social media. The maze is especially popular among solo travelers, as it allows for creative selfies without having to ask someone to take a photo. The ticket price is affordable, and the attraction is located in the heart of the Old Town, making it easily accessible when visiting the main sights of Krakow. It's worth remembering that the place can get quite crowded on weekends, so it's best to plan a visit on weekdays or just after it opens.

To complete your artistic journey in Krakow, visit the MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art at 4 Lipowa St. This modern museum, located on the site of the former Schindler's factory, offers not only fascinating exhibitions of contemporary art, but also unique architecture, which in itself provides the perfect backdrop for photographs. Minimalist, spacious interiors, interesting art installations and the building's distinctive shape are elements that attract photographers from all over the world. MOCAK stands out from other museums in Krakow for its modernity and boldness in presenting controversial topics. Ticket prices are moderate, and admission is free every Tuesday, which is worth taking into account when planning a visit. The museum is well connected to the city center, and Oskar Schindler's famous Emalia Factory is also nearby, making it possible to combine a visit to both places in one day.

Cracow is a city that looks most beautiful from a bird's eye view, and the best panoramic views are offered by the famous mounds. The Kosciuszko Mound is not only a historical monument commemorating a national hero, but also one of the best viewing spots in the city. Erected between 1820 and 1823, this 34-meter-high mound offers a breathtaking panorama of all of Krakow. From its top, you can capture both Wawel Castle, the towers of St. Mary's Basilica and the distant Tatra Mountains in a single photo (if the visibility is good). The best time for a selfie is the golden hour just before sunset, when the city is bathed in warm, soft light. Interestingly, the mound was built from soil brought from the battlefields where Tadeusz Kosciuszko fought, which adds symbolic significance to the site. Surrounding the mound is a fortification from the 19th century, which is an interesting photographic feature in its own right. There is a fee to enter the mound, but the ticket price is affordable, and the views will certainly make up for the expense.

Slightly less well-known, but equally photogenic, is Jozef Pilsudski Mound, also known as Independence Mound or Sowiniec Mound. It is the youngest and also the largest of Krakow's mounds, raised in 1934-1937. Its height is 35 meters, and its location on the highest hill of the Wolski Forest makes the views from here even more spectacular than from the Kosciuszko Mound. The place is less besieged by tourists, which gives more freedom to compose frames without random passers-by in the background. The history of the mound is fascinating - it was mounded from soil brought from World War I battlefields and sites associated with the struggle for Polish independence. Admission to the mound is free, making it an attractive option for travelers on a tight budget. Getting here requires a bit more effort than the Kosciuszko Mound, but the peace and quiet and less crowded environment certainly make up for it.

The third of Krakow's mounds worth a visit is Kopiec Kraka - the oldest and most mysterious. According to legend, it was mounded over the grave of the city's legendary founder, Prince Krak. Archaeologists date its creation to the 7th to 8th century, making it one of the oldest monuments in Poland. The mound is located in the Podgórze district and offers unique views of the industrial part of Krakow and the Vistula River. It is a place shrouded in legends and mysteries, which adds an extra mystical dimension to the photos from here. Many stories revolve around the mound, including the one about the dragon of Wawel, which Krak was said to have defeated. Admission to the mound is free, and its location away from the main tourist routes means that you can find a moment of solitude and peace here. The best photos can be taken at sunrise, when the first rays illuminate the city's skyline.

For lovers of rougher, more natural landscapes, Tvardowski's Rocks are an excellent alternative to urban panoramas. This picturesque complex of limestone rocks is located in the Debniki district and offers not only stunning views of the city, but also unique rock formations that make fascinating photographic subjects in their own right. The site is associated with the legend of the wizard Twardowski, who was said to have met the devil here. The most distinctive feature is Zakrzowek - a flooded quarry with turquoise water that resembles exotic lagoons. The contrast of the blue water with the white rocks creates a fairy-tale scenery, perfect for photos. Admission to the rocks is free, although some parts of the complex may be temporarily closed for safety reasons. The best time to visit is late afternoon, when the setting sun gives the rocks a golden hue.

It's worth noting that all of these natural vantage points offer more than just a nice backdrop for a selfie - they are places of deep historical and cultural significance, which adds additional context and depth to the photos. Each of the mounds represents a different period of Polish history - from the legendary beginnings (Krak's Mound), through the struggle for independence (Kosciuszko's Mound), to the regaining of sovereignty in the 20th century (Pilsudski's Mound). The Twardowski Rocks, on the other hand, combine natural beauty with local folklore and legends to create a place of unique character.

No photographic tour of Krakow would be complete without a visit to the MNK Cloth Hall, an iconic commercial building dating back to the Renaissance that dominates the Main Square. In addition to being a historic landmark, the Cloth Hall is also home to a branch of the National Museum in Krakow, where you can admire works of Polish painting from the 19th century. From a photographic point of view, the Cloth Hall offers countless opportunities - from majestic shots of the exterior facade, to atmospheric arcades, to rich interiors full of art. Particularly photogenic are the arcades surrounding the building, which provide a natural framework for photos with the Market Square and St. Mary's Basilica in the background. The history of the Cloth Hall dates back to the 14th century, when it was the center of international trade. Over the centuries, the building has been rebuilt several times, giving it an eclectic character combining Gothic and Renaissance elements. It's worth knowing that the best light for photos of the exterior facade is early in the morning, before the Market Square fills up with tourists. The entrance ticket to the museum gallery is in the middle price range, but the opportunity to photograph the building from the outside is, of course, free.

Krakow is a city full of contrasts, where history meets modernity and tradition meets the avant-garde. A perfect example of this combination is the MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art, which we have already mentioned. It's worth mentioning, however, that in addition to the interiors, the museum's exterior architecture is also a fascinating photographic subject. The modern body of the building, designed by Italian architects Claudio Nardi and Leonardo Maria Pronti, contrasts with the historic surroundings of the former industrial district. MOCAK is located on the site of Oskar Schindler's former Emalia Factory, which adds an extra historical dimension to the place. The museum regularly organizes temporary exhibitions, which often go beyond the traditional exhibition framework and offer new and surprising backgrounds for your photos. Keep an eye on the calendar of events on the museum's website to hit up particularly interesting installations.

For those looking for less obvious but equally Instagram-able destinations, Be Happy Museum is a real treasure trove of possibilities. This interactive museum was created with social media in mind and offers more than a dozen themed rooms designed specifically for taking photos. From a room with pink flamingos, to a room filled with balloons, to a wall with neon angel wings, each room offers a different colorful world. Unlike traditional museums, here touching the exhibits is not only allowed, but even necessary for the full experience. The museum is relatively new on the map of Krakow, but has quickly gained popularity among younger tourists and social media enthusiasts. Ticket prices are at an average level, and a visit takes about an hour.

If you're looking for truly unique frames that will stand out in a flood of typical tourist photos, be sure to visit Colorful Stairs in the Podgórze district. This inconspicuous attraction is the result of an initiative by local artists who decided to enliven the gray staircase connecting Tatrzanska and Redemptorist streets. Each step is painted in a different, vibrant color, together creating a rainbow effect that looks particularly good in photographs. Interestingly, these stairs are not widely known among tourists, which means you have a chance to take original photos without crowds in the background. The best light for photographing the stairs is in the morning, when the sun illuminates them at just the right angle, bringing out the intensity of the colors.

Comparing all the described places from a photographic perspective, it is worth noting that each offers something different. Mounds provide spectacular panoramas and natural light, perfect for selfies with wide backgrounds. Museums like MOCAK or the Be Happy Museum offer controlled lighting conditions and artistic backgrounds, perfect for more stylized, creative shots. In contrast, places like the Cloth Hall and the Color Staircase combine cultural and historical elements with aesthetic value. In terms of accessibility, the most solo traveler-friendly are the Be Happy Museum and the Mirror Maze, where it's easy to take a selfie without the help of others. In terms of cost, free attractions such as the Colorful Staircase and Twardowski's Rocks are the cheapest option, while museums require the purchase of a ticket. For those who appreciate peace and quiet and the opportunity to take photos without crowds in the background, the best choice would be lesser-known places like Krak's Mound or Twardowski's Rocks, which even during the peak tourist season are not as besieged as the Market Square or Wawel Castle.