Krakow is not only Poland’s second largest city, but also one of the most popular tourist destinations for visitors to the country. It is Poland’s cultural, artistic, and economic center due to its rich and long history, as well as its ancient and picturesque architectural works. It was founded in the seventh century and quickly became the country’s economic, cultural, and political center. From 1038 to 1569, it served as the capital of the Polish kingdom. Krakow, Poland’s oldest city, was designated a cultural city by UNESCO in 1978 and a European City of Culture in 2000.
The city is also home to one of the country’s largest academic centers, the Jagiellonian University, which was founded in 1364 and is regarded as one of the world’s oldest universities.
In this article, I’ll share my impressions and the major points of interest that I visited, as well as key information on how to get there.
When is the best time to visit Krakow?
Nature has favored Krakow and Poland in general, so the climate is mild and pleasant. You can go at any time of year, but for a more enjoyable experience, I think a season with little rain and not too cold is ideal.
Why should you go to Krakow?
Krakow is a charming and elegant city. After surviving almost intact during WWII, the city quickly became a popular tourist destination.
The city is rich in cultural sites and points of interest, with the Wawel Castle standing imposingly on the Wisla river, as well as the Wieliczka Salt Mines and Auschwitz nearby.
The castle is one of the most fascinating cultural attractions in Krakow, and it is easily accessible from the city center. The crypt of the complex’s cathedral houses the kings and queens of Poland at the time, and it’s worth climbing the tower to see Zygmunt’s bell (it is said that touching it makes wishes come true). The bronze incarnation of the dragon, located at the foot of Wawel Hill, will spit fire every 10/15 minutes.
If you want a good drink in a young and cheerful atmosphere, go to Forum Przestrzenie, which is located on the beach along the Wisla river in the former communist-era Hotel Forum. On clear days, you can take a stroll through Bednarski Park to the pagan tumulus Kopiec Krakusa, dedicated to Prince Krak, and enjoy a panoramic view of the city. A short hot air balloon ride is also available.
Furthermore, a short distance from Krakow is the Wieliczka salt mine, which has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, which was the site of much of World War II’s horrors and is well worth a visit to pay tribute to the memory.
How to get to Krakow?
The city is about 15 kilometers away from the airport (officially John Paul II International Airport in Krakow-Balice).
Krakow can be reached by:
Train: with a travel time of about 20 minutes, at a cost of 9 zloty (about 2 euros). When you leave the baggage reclaim area, you should note there is a moving staircase leading to the railway station.
Bus: it is possible to reach the city center in 30 minutes for about 1 euro by bus 252 or 208 (night bus is 902). To take the bus, simply exit the airport and you will see about 3 or 4 stops. Each stop serves different types of routes, such as long-distance buses and city center buses. You will find the first bus stop with the sign on the side of the bus numbers like 252, 208 is correct. Bus tickets can be purchased from ticket machines in the airport, at bus stations or directly on the buses. Tickets can be purchased with a bank card (such as Visa or Master cards), so it is better to use this method instead of exchanging money at the airport and then using Polish currency to purchase them.
Taxi/Uber: You can book an Uber through the app at a fairly reduced cost.
What to visit in Krakow?
The historical center of Krakow with its main square is definitely one of those destinations to add to every visitor’s list. As with every place, however, beauty is not just in the architecture, in its elegant buildings, crowded squares, but also in the understanding of the life history of that place.
The historic center of Krakow (Stare Miasto in Polish) is one of the most famous historic centers in today’s Poland, and one of the first places to be awarded the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is a very lively area, animated by shops, restaurants, and bars.
The main center of the old town of Krakow is Rynek Gลรณwny, that is the main Market Square, the largest medieval square in Europe, also famous for the Hall of Cloth and the Basilica of St. Mary. Inside the Hall of Cloth, there are various specialty shops and souvenirs, especially made with amber gems, very typical of these areas.
From the square, you can also reach the main shopping street, with numerous shops and cafes. The historic Florianska Street directly connects to the St. Florian’s Gate, one of the main (the second is the Barbican).
Basilica of St. Mary
The cathedral is composed of 2 bell towers 69 meters and 82 meters tall. On the second floor, you can listen to traditional melodies, usually once an hour, so when you come here, you feel very sweet and tranquil. Basilica of Santa Maria (opening hours: 11:30-17:45, ticket price 3 euros, skip the line).
I think this square is very beautiful. It’s safe to say that it’s one of the most beautiful places in Krakow.
You can climb the wooden stairs to be able to enlarge and have a panoramic view of the beautiful Polish city of Krakow. There is also a wooden altar, considered the largest in the world. Here you can feel the majesty and attraction of the space.
The Cloth Hall
The Cloth Hall is a Renaissance building located in the central square of the historic center of Krakow. It is one of Krakow’s most famous monuments. The entire historic center was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978. It was also a famous international trade center. During the period of maximum splendor of the 15th century, Krakow had a great availability of products imported from the East, including spices, silks, furs and waxes. Before the Renaissance, Krakow was the royal capital of Poland, one of the most beautiful cities in Europe. However, the prosperity of the place did not continue. Wars and political conflicts led to the partition of Poland at the end of the 18th century, accelerating the decline of the city. In 1870, under the domination of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, the Cloth Hall was restored. It is also one of the proudest results of this period. Over the centuries, it has hosted countless guests, politicians and VIPs and is still in use.
Kazimierz (the old Jewish quarter)
It is definitely a place worth visiting. It is a neighborhood that has experienced many ups and downs in history. After World War II, former Jews abandoned the area. Since 1988, the Jewish Cultural Festival is held every year to attract Jews back and to promote tourism.
This is also the location of the film “Schindler’s List,” one of the best films in American film history that tells the story of Schindler. A German merchant saved the lives of thousands of Jews during a time when this race was hunted by Hitler.
The Wawel complex:
Within the Wawel complex, you will find the Royal Castle and the Cathedral. The palace is a Gothic building built in the 14th century by the Polish king Casimir III the Great.
Legend has it that, once upon a time, a very fierce dragon lived in the cave inside the Wawel hill, and no one could defeat it. One day a young man named Krakus plotted and killed the dragon. This young man later became a national hero and was greatly loved by the population. The name of the city of Krakow also derives from the name of this boy. The two tourist attractions in Krakow that you should visit when you come to Wawel are:
The Wawel Castle complex is located on the eponymous hill south of the old town. This tourist attraction is also one of the most interesting architectural works in today’s Poland.
This place is not only one of the largest castles in the country, but also a place that shows the regality of the Polish empire during the 16th-17th centuries. The Wawel castle was the residence and resting place of Polish kings at the time.
The Wisla River
The Wisla River, which runs through Krakow, will offer visitors wonderful moments of relaxation. You can take a walk along its banks or organize a small picnic on lush meadows. Normally, this area is always bustling with numerous events. It is also possible to dine on boats that sail the river during a cruise.
Other recommended activities and stops
Among the most interesting things to do in Krakow, I definitely recommend a walking tour. In the city, you will find many free walking tours to learn about the history of the city, at the end of which you can make a voluntary contribution. Along with my friends, we took part in a tour organized by Antonio (here). The tour, quite complete and never boring, was perfect to understand the life of a historic and strong city like Krakow. Each tour lasts about 2/3 hours and is available in many languages.
Once in Krakow, two unmissable excursions are definitely those to the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp (here is my article). Unfortunately, for time reasons, we were not able to go to the Salt Mine, but it is definitely one of those destinations that I would like to visit. Both stops are quite far from the city but definitely worth visiting.
I hope I have convinced you to visit this beautiful city! To find out more, here are other articles on Krakow:
5 good reasons to visit Cracow
A Day at Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp: A Journey and Reflections
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