Aqua Fun Vistula River Cruises

Aqua Fun runs sightseeing cruises on the Vistula. Its office is on the Czerwieński Boulevard, and its boats offer a different angle on the city, whether you are visiting for the first time or have lived in Kraków for years. The company describes its routes as developed by experienced guides, and the fleet includes several boats built to European safety and comfort standards, among them the side-wheeler Statek Legenda, which carries up to ninety passengers.

For visitors on a city break, a 30-minute cruise gives a quick look at the riverside, and a one-hour Vistula cruise allows more time to take in the views of Wawel Castle and the old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz from the water. Both are easy to fit between sights, and they make a gentle break on a day of walking. If your time in Kraków is short, a cruise is an efficient way to see Wawel and Kazimierz in one sitting, and photographers will appreciate the view of the castle on its hill above the river bank.

For a longer outing, two routes head away from the centre. A two-hour cruise runs between Bielany and Kazimierz, and a four-hour trip travels upstream from Kraków to Tyniec, passing Przegorzały Castle and the Camaldolese Hermitage at Bielany on the way to the Benedictine Abbey on its rock above the river. The Tyniec cruise turns a visit to the abbey into a relaxed half-day excursion.

The cruises suit families with children, couples, older travellers and anyone who would like to rest their feet while still sightseeing. Groups are also catered for: the company organises trips for schools, holiday camps and companies, and boats can be hired for corporate events. Bring a layer, as it can be breezy on the water.

Tickets can be bought online through the company's ticketing site, and its office is open daily from 9:00 to 18:00 for questions. Departure points and times vary by route and season, so check the details when you buy. The riverside boulevards are a short walk from the Old Town and Kazimierz, which makes a cruise easy to combine with a visit to the castle or dinner in Kazimierz afterwards.