Macabre Kraków: A Walking Tour of Dark Legends and Crime
Dark legends and crime in Kraków’s Old Town. We cover ghosts and urban legends, medieval torture and the executioner’s trade, and factual 20th‑century serial killers. We stop by former punishment sites, a haunted palace and a monastery gate, ending on Kanonicza Street.
Basic Information
Total time
1h 20m
Language
English, Polish (check the calendar for availability)
Price
Our “Pay What You Wish” tours don’t have a fixed price — you decide how much the experience was worth. At the end of the tour, please make a fair contribution that reflects your satisfaction and appreciation for your guide’s work. Most guests give between €10 and €50 per person.
Meeting point
Between St. Florian´s Gate and Barbican Nearest public transport: Stary Kleparz 01 tram stop; Teatr Słowackiego 02 tram stop
Additional info
☂︎ This tour is organised by Walkative Krakow guides. Look for the guide with the yellow umbrella.
♿️ Tour suitable for people with reduced mobility and strollers
❗Our tours run in all weather conditions. High or low temperatures, rain, or snow are never a reason for us to cancel. We’re always here for you! The only reasons for cancellation are extreme weather conditions (such as heavy storms), a guide’s sudden illness, or if there are fewer than 5 registered participants. In such cases, we will always notify you using the contact information you provided when booking the tour.Booking rules
Booking is obligatory. Our “Pay What You Wish” tours are meant for individual travellers and small groups. Large groups (8 or more people) cannot join these tours, as they significantly affect the experience for others and the guide. For school trips, organised tours, or groups of friends, please book our paid option (18€ per person) or arrange a Private Tour. For more information or to schedule a group visit, please contact us directly.
About the tour
Every city has its dark secrets and Kraków is no exception. Come with us and we will tell you stories that will make your hair stand on end…
During the walk through the streets of Old Town you will hear about Krakow’s Lady In Black and other ghosts and urban legends. You will find out about some of the instruments of torture used here in dark medieval times. Your blood will run cold when we will unveil the secrets around the executioner’s profession and you will have a chance to feel a hangman’s noose tightening around your neck. At the gates of a monastery you will hear a story straight from a Gothic romance — for forbidden love, there must be a severe punishment. And last but not least, you will hear the historically factual tales about brutal serial killers that terrorised Kraków in the 20th century.
Join us… this time only if you dare!
Final point: Kanonicza Street
Highlights
- 1
Urban Legends & Ghosts
Hear chilling tales of Kraków’s famous Lady in Black and other ghoulish stories that haunt the city.
- 2
Medieval Punishments
Discover the gruesome instruments of torture and harsh punishments used during the city's darkest medieval times.
- 3
The Executioner
Unveil the grim secrets of the executioner's profession and learn how public executions were carried out.
- 4
A Gothic Romance
Hear a tragic tale of forbidden love and severe punishment that unfolded at a local monastery.
- 5
20th-Century Serial Killers
Learn the true, brutal stories of the serial killers who terrorised Kraków in the modern era.
6A Haunted Palace
Visit the site of a real haunted palace and listen to the eerie stories of its ghostly residents.
Map
Between St. Florian´s Gate and Barbican Nearest public transport: Stary Kleparz 01 tram stop; Teatr Słowackiego 02 tram stop
Our customers said about us
Krakow
5.0Bob Sheffield Wednesday
Big Tom is a sensation
A fantastic tour of serial killers, ghost stories and executioners of the past. The tour was made so much more by our excellent guide Big Tom. So much enthusiasm, charisma and knowledge. Went above and beyond after the tour too. An exemplary human being.
Krakow
5.0Julis Burkhardt
Great and entertaining
Damian made the tour really interesting and entertaining. Recommended!
Krakow
5.0Jesse
A quick look into the darker history
Really enjoyed the tour! Unfortunately I did not catch up the guides name, Michael, or preferably a polish version of it. REALLY good guide for this tour! It was not just story telling, the guide knew what he was talking about and was very lively on when telling the history of places. I highly recommend checking this out!
Krakow
5.0Rebecca
Macabre tour with Maciek 10/7/25
Tour guide was very engaging and also incredibly knowledgeable about the topic at hand. Very much enjoyed the tour, sight-seeing, and humour that was present. Would definitely recommend if you’re a lover of history and/or interested in dark topics
Krakow
5.0Eugenia
Nocturne
The Macabre Krakow tour took place at the end of one of the hottest July days in 2025. There were only two of us who showed up, but the guide didn’t cancel and still ran the tour — we really appreciated that! Even though the topic was dark, the tour itself felt surprisingly light and even had humorous moments. We heard stories about medieval executions, life of an executioner, torture practices, and different types of punishments, the cult of death, vampires, the horrors of World War II, Karol Kot and Wladyslaw Mazurkiewicz. Not the most cheerful parts of Krakow’s past — but definitely the ones worth knowing. Huge thanks to our guide for creating such a thoughtful and engaging atmosphere, and for turning a scorching summer evening into a breath of fresh air!
Krakow
5.0Sydney
Google when capital punishment was banned in your country first
If you're lucky enough to get big tom as your guide you will have the time of your life. It felt less like a tour and more like going on a stroll with a group of friends who happened to be talking about serial killers. It was awesome. He also stayed behind so we could ask a million questions at the end. 1000000/10 for big tom
Krakow
5.0nicole
Big Tom's Macabre Tour was Fantastic
Our tour was super enjoyable and fun. Big Tom was a great story teller that clearly loves his job. I would highly recommend taking this tour! Thank you for a great night, Your Canadian Fans.
Krakow
5.0Christine
Macabre Krakow
An alternative and interesting way to experience Krakow Old Town after dark. Our guide, Iza, shared interesting and somewhat creepy details about Krakow’s killers, ghosts and other dark secrets. Highly recommended
Krakow
5.0Lisa
Amazing tour! Nice atmosphere
It was very interesting tour for people who like to listen about scary stories and dark history of places. Highly recomend this tour and any other tour Walkative has to offer!
Krakow
5.0Lorraine
Macabre walking tour
Big Tom was our guide and he really made the tour enjoyable. He was really friendly and had a great sense of humour. Is clearly passionate about the city and his country
