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Kraków was the official capital of Poland until 1596, and has traditionally been one of the leading centres of Polish academic, economic, cultural and artistic life. Cited as one of Europe's most beautiful cities, [10] its Old Town with Wawel Royal Castle was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978, one of the world's first sites granted ...
Find out everything you need to know about Kraków, Poland's second largest and oldest city, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore the city's attractions, restaurants, hotels, itineraries, and more with our comprehensive guide and map.
- Pack for the right season and for all occasions. Kraków has a continental climate, so your packing list will vary considerably, depending on the time of year you travel.
- Stay in the best neighborhoods for sightseeing. For a city of its size, Kraków is surprisingly compact, so it’s easy enough to flit between its neighborhoods, either on foot or using public transport.
- Book tickets for popular attractions in advance. Few of Kraków’s museums and attractions require advance bookings, but the must-see sights do, so if you have your heart set on visiting any of the following, make arrangements online ahead of time.
- Pack your ISIC card and consider getting a Kraków Card. Numerous Kraków attractions offer discounts to bearers of ISIC and other associated cards. If you’re planning on frenetic bouts of sightseeing and heavy use of public transport, it’s worth getting a Kraków Card (1, 2 or 3 days) that gives you free entry to 39 museums, free use of public transport and more.
- Wawel Royal Castle and Wawel Cathedral. Overlooking Old Town from its Wawel Hill perch, what was once the seat of Polish royalty for centuries is the city’s most impressive sight, not to mention the symbol of Poland and a source of local pride.
- Główny Rynek (Main Market Square) Surrounded by restaurants and overlooked by handsome centuries-old buildings, Główny Rynek (Main Market Square) is the focal point of Old Town, as well as Europe’s largest medieval town square.
- Auschwitz-Birkenau. You don’t know what will touch you particularly deeply until you get there. For some, it’s the "Death Block" with its torture cells and its crematorium.
- Explore Kazimierz. Southeast of Old Town, the Kazimierz neighborhood had been Poland’s most important center of Jewish culture for 500 years until mass deportation and extermination of Kraków’s Jews by the Nazis destroyed it.
- Main Market Square (Rynek Glówny) This square is enormous. In fact, it’s the largest medieval market square in Europe. The Main Market Square was built in the 13th century after the city was demolished by the Tatars.
- The Cloth Hall. The Cloth Hall is the centerpiece of the Main Market Square. During medieval times, this was a bustling market in the center of Krakow.
- St. Mary’s Basilica (Kosciol Mariacki) The Cloth Hall may be the centerpiece of the Main Market Square, but St. Mary’s Basilica is the the highlight of a visit here.
- Town Hall Tower. For another bird’s eye view of the Main Market Square, climb to the top of the Town Hall Tower. During inclement weather, you are permitted to climb the tower but you are not allowed to step out onto the terrace.
May 16, 2024 · Discover the best attractions and activities in Kraków, Poland's historic and cultural capital. Explore the Old Town, Wawel Hill, Auschwitz-Birkenau, Schindler's Factory, and more with guides, tours, and tips.
Discover Kraków, Poland's former royal capital and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Explore its medieval and modern attractions, from the Wawel Royal Castle and salt mine to the Jewish quarter and Nowa Huta museum.
