In Krakow’s old town, there are countless churches and other religious buildings, and Poles are generally considered to be very religious. Up to 95% of the population is believed to be religious, and most churches are open for visits also from tourists. It’s Poland’s Westminster Cathedral, the absolute focal point of the country’s religious history, crowning place of kings and queens and architectural overseer of the famous Cracovian gothic skyline. A 2-hour drive south of Kraków, Poland’s outdoor activity capital is nestled deep below the sharp peaks of the high Tatras. Travel Insurance: World Nomads offers simple and flexible travel insurance. Claim online anywhere in the world.

Visit Krakow - Your Krakow Travel Guide - Visit Krakow

Closer to the centre, the Old Town has many charming cellar bars and restaurants, and one of Kraków’s newest museums is Rynek Underground, built directly beneath the main square. Entry is strictly limited by demand, so a guided tour will not only increase your enjoyment of this excellent museum but also ensure you get in. Kraków began as a hamlet on Wawel Hill and was already being reported as a busy trading centre of Slavonic Europe in 965. With the establishment of new universities and cultural venues at the emergence of the Second Polish Republic in 1918 and throughout the 20th century, Kraków reaffirmed its role as a major international academic and artistic centre. Today the city has a population of approximately 760,000 and about 8 million people live within a 100 km radius of its famous main Market Square.

Park Wodny

Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is hardly your usual tourist attraction. Never-the-less its historical importance cannot be overstated; visiting will leave an impression on you. An excellent way to see Kraków’s Old Town is to follow the royal coronation route from Floriańska Gate to the castle and cathedral on Wawel Hall. In fact, most of Poland’s regal ancestors are also buried there in the royal crypts. I can recommend this informative guide to the Wawel Royal Apartments. Plan your Kraków visit with our comprehensive Kraków map to explore Kraków’s attractions, restaurants, sightseeing and hotels.

Things To Do In Kraków - Visit Krakow Things To Do In Kraków - Visit Krakow

Kraków is blessed with dozens of museums and galleries covering different styles and periods of art and many different areas of expertise. In addition to the attractions already listed, I’d recommend the following as must-see for visitors to the city. Wawel Hill is the ancient nucleus of the city, perched on a limestone bluff on the banks of the Vistula, with a magnificent 14th-century castle. One of Kraków’s absolute must-see highlights, you could spend the whole day here. I personally recommend this excellent guide to the Wawel Royal Apartments. Steven Spielberg shot much of Schindler’s List in Kraków locations. The enamel factory, where Oskar Schindler protected Jewish employees during the Nazi occupation, is now a fantastic museum covering all aspects of this horrific period. Sobering, even frightening, this is none-the-less a recommended experience. Advanced booking with a knowledgeable guide is even better and will ensure your entry to one of Kraków’s most popular museums. We also offer tours from Krakow to the so-called winter capital of Poland – Zakopane . Superb skiing conditions in winter and a variety of hiking trails in summer is what makes Zakopane a number one holiday destination all year long. Zakopane is a real treasure of Tatra Mountains with interesting local customs and folklore, located only 100 km from Krakow. It is the best place for people who like a lot of activities. Each year, many new attractions are created there. The journey takes just 3 hours. We can also offer you comfortable airport transfers directly to Zakopane. Kraków is an excellent city for shopping and souvenirs, especially as prices can be remarkably low. You’ll find the same brands as in other European countries, but the real fun is in exploring the shops for uniquely Polish specialities. Although originating in the Baltic regions to the north of Poland, Kraków became an important centre for amber due to its location on the Vistula river, the main trading route for the precious material. There are amber shops all over the city, full of beautiful and imaginative items crafted from fossilised tree sap.Find the cheapest flight to Kraków with 12go - one search will show you the prices and times from scores of airlines for your trip. A real timesaver. Popular among pilgrims, John Paul Tour features places that shaped pope John Paul II. This Krakow tour covers pope’s hometown of Wadowice with a museum established in his family house and Kalwaria Zebrzydowska where he often prayed as a young cleric. It ends in Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Lagiewniki, major shrine of Faustina Kowalska, canonised by the pope. During this tour, our knowledgeable and English- speaking driver tell you all interesting facts from the life of Karol Wojtyla. For confectionery gourmets, in this town they also serve the best cream cake in Poland.

Lonely Planet Pocket Krakow - Travel Guide (Paperback) Lonely Planet Pocket Krakow - Travel Guide (Paperback)

All year round, cobbled, historical Floriańska Street is where many of Kraków’s landmarks are to be found. There is more than 700 year’s of history in these buildings, including the house of artist Jan Matejko and the Museum of Pharmacy. One of the most enjoyable way to take in Kraków’s Old Town is to trace the historic path of royal coronations from Floriańska Gate to the castle and cathedral on Wawel Hill, where most of Poland’s regal ancestors are buried there in the royal crypts.The Old Town is the heart of the city and is surrounded by parks and green areas. The district is built around the large marketplace where the first “shopping mall” is still active. Today you won’t find your daily necessities, but all sorts of souvenirs and bargains for tourists. Next to the shopping mall is also a tower, which is actually the old town hall tower. It was planned to demolish the tower along with the old town hall, but the tower was spared. Two of the biggest reasons to visit Kraków are not actually in the city itself. And less well known to visitors is the stunning variety of surrounding countryside, much of which can be seen within a day. There is a lot to see and do in Kraków. This four-day schedule includes many key attractions, focusing on the Old Town, a day trip to either Auschwitz or the Wieliczka Saltmines, the ‘socialist realist’ area of Nowa Huta, as well as the Kazimierz and Podgórze districts. Wieliczka Salt Mine is also worth a visit. It is possible to get to the mine either by bus or car, but you can also choose one of the guided tours running several times a day from Krakow center and directly to the mine. Tours are arranged with guides in different languages, so be sure to get a seat on a trip in a language you understand.

Krakow Marco Polo Pocket Guide (Marco Polo Travel Guides Krakow Marco Polo Pocket Guide (Marco Polo Travel Guides

When you walk around in Krakow, there are plenty of opportunities to find venues in the city. Often you are handed leaflets offering Chopin piano concertos or jazz concerts that take place at smaller venues. Kazimierz remains one of Kraków’s liveliest and loveliest districts. Retaining the soul of Jewish Kraków, it is home to some pretty buildings, cobbled streets, and numerous interesting attractions. Kazimierz is also one of the city’s best areas for food and drink. Many tours also include some excellent museums in Podgórze, on the other side of the river. Krakow is the 3 largest Polish city with approx. 900,000 inhabitants. Or that is actually the second largest in Poland after Warsaw with 1.5 million. inhabitants. The city in the world with the most Poles living is namely Chicago, USA. Here live more than 2 million. Polish immigrants and their descendants. Three days in Kraków lets you explore the key sightseeing districts in the centre of the city and to head out of town for at least one day trip. This is the ideal way to make the most of three days in Kraków. Each category is on a different layer, which can be switched on and off. So you can just see the Hotel or Restaurant pins, for example.On the north side of Kraków’s Old Town, far away from the Wawel castle hill, stands the remnants of old Krakow’s outer fortifications. A KrakowCard will get you into both of these. Rynek Główny is 40,000 sq ft of cafés, museums, landmarks, and hotels is punctuated with some of the most magnificent architecture the city has to offer. A private walking tour is an ideal way to get the inside story on this astounding square. Kraków’s Old Town is relatively free of traffic which makes cycling an excellent way to get to know the highlights. Informative tours are available covering every conceivable area, duration, and aspect of history. This 4-hour tour covers a lot of highlights and includes insurance. Or let an electric bike do the hard work for you.