Your Pocket City Travel Guide To Krakow, Poland

The city of Kraków translates to Krakow or Cracow in English. It is one of the oldest and second-largest cities in Poland. Located by the Vistula River it’s also cited as one of the most beautiful cities in Europe.

In this Krakow travel guide we will cover the top attractions in Krakow in terms of sightseeing, museums, castles and churches, and everything worth seeing.

From exploring the Old Town to the Wawel Hill and Planty Park to Kazimierz you’ll surely find Krakow charming as you stroll through its attractive streets and squares.

Famous for its nightlife, a thriving food scene and plenty of green spaces to explore, Krakow will surely win you over.

How many days do you need to visit Krakow? 

If you’re planning a visit to Krakow, we advise you to spend at least a minimum of 2 days in Krakow, but ideally 3 days if you have an extra day to spare. This is because in 2 days you will get enough time to see most of the attractions in Krakow, and on the 3rd day you can plan a day’s trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp.

 

Sightseeing In Krakow

Krakow’s Old Town 

This is one of the most impressive medieval sites in Europe and an obvious choice for UNESCO’s World Heritage List. The Old Town is full of beautiful historic buildings and many fantastic restaurants and bars.  Here are a few highlights of Old Town you don’t want to miss: 

Krakow’s Market Square: The Market Square is the nerve centre of the city’s medieval Old Town. Dating back to the 13th century it has always been a place for meeting, eating, shopping, and strolling. With so much to see, break up your trip with a stop at one of the cafés or restaurants that sprawl out into the square.

St. Mary’s Basilica: The next stop on your tour will include Saint Mary’s Basilica with its breath-taking altarpiece of Veit Stoss. Later, catch the trumpet signal played every hour from the top of the Basilica’s towers.

Rynek Underground: Located at a depth of several metres below the surface of the Main Market Square, the Rynek Underground is a unique museum that takes travellers through the excavated remains of vendor stalls belonging to the Middle Ages. 

Cloth Hall (Sukiennice): This is the world’s oldest shopping mall and today it’s home to several shops, cafes, restaurants, art galleries and underground museums. If you want to buy some traditional Polish souvenirs in Kraków then Sukiennice is the best place to go. 

Town Hall Tower: As a museum, the Town Hall Tower offers a few exhibits like some medieval costumes, black and white photos and information about the clock at its top. A climb to the top offers amazing views of the Old Town.

Krakow’s Royal Route  

The best way to enjoy a walk in Kraków’s Old Town is to take a royal walk from the Floriańska Gate to the castle and cathedral on Wawel Hill. Here are a few highlights of the royal route: 

Planty Park: Known as the ‘Lungs of Krakow,’ the Planty Park is one of Kraków’s most unique and charming attractions. It stretches about 2.5 miles (4 km) and is a circuit of public parks and gardens, filled with trees, flowers, benches and historic monuments. Walking along the park is an ideal way to see several historic sites and attractions of the city.

Barbican: This masterpiece of medieval military engineering proved impenetrable and today stands as one of the only surviving structures of its kind in Europe. Today the Barbican is used for various special events and can be visited as an outdoor museum.

Florianska Street: This is the main street of the old city and for centuries hosted the solemn coronation and funeral processions of monarchs. Today, it is home to a variety of shops, restaurants, and clubs where tourists come and buy souvenirs.

Church of Saints Peter and Paul: Built in the early 17th century, St. Peter and Paul’s Church is one of the most magnificent examples of early Baroque architecture in Poland. The church has a striking exterior and an austere interior and features many interesting details like the marble altarpieces engraved in gold and a stucco dome.

Wawel Castle: The castle dates back to the 14th century and since then it has been home to many Polish rulers. Today it stands as a popular museum and is a symbol of Polish history and pride. Plan your Wawel castle tours today !

Wawel Cathedral: Also on the hill is the Wawel Cathedral, the crowning site of many ancient kings. It’s a medley of architectural styles, each the whim of the various Polish kings and queens who are all buried there.

 

Kazimierz and Beyond

Founded by Polish King Casimir during the mid-1300s, Kazimierz was once an independent town, governed separately from Krakow until the late Middle Ages. Later, it became known as the Jewish Quarter of the city and was finally transformed into a centre for Krakow’s beatnik bars and cafe culture. 

Walking along the Street of Kazimierz is an unforgettable experience. You can feel the climate of the old Jewish district. It’s full of interesting places like the Schindler’s factory, Ghetto Heroes Square, Remuh Synagogue and Cemetery all are well worth visiting.

 

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Day Trips from Krakow

Many tourists visiting Krakow have other reasons for visiting the city i.e., there are several well-known places along the countryside which can be visited on a day’s trip from Krakow.

Auschwitz-Birkenau: Set off on a day’s trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau and discover this Nazi concentration camp during World War II. Over one million people were killed here. During the 3.5 hour sightseeing you will visit Auschwitz I and Auschwitz Birkenau.

Wieliczka Salt Mine:  Visit the Wieliczka Salt Mine on a day’s trip from Krakow. Follow your guide down 350 steps and into one of the oldest salt mines in Europe. Discover over 20 salt-chiselled rooms, some of which are beautifully decorated during the 3.5 kilometres walking-tour, as well as underground lakes, salt-made sculptures and low reliefs. 

Zakopane: With direct access to the best ski-runs in the peaks of the nearby Tatra Mountains, Zakopane is surely the winter capital of Poland. Not only can you enjoy a variety of winter sports when touring the region, in summer you can take part in hikes into glacial valleys decorated with waterfalls and mountain lakes.

 

What is the best month to visit Krakow?

The best time to visit Krakow is during the summer (June to August). During these months the temperature is hot around 23°C (75°F) and it rains occasionally and tourism is at its peak. 

You can also visit Krakow during the shoulder seasons (late April-May and September-October). During these months the crowds are lesser and the temperature is milder. You may get more rain in spring but also blooming flowers, while the fall season offers stunning autumn colours.

Winter in Krakow can be cold and harsh, with temperatures falling to 0°C (32°F) during the day and down to -5°C (23°F) at night. This is the ideal time to visit if you plan to go skiing or take part in other winter activities. Further, the Christmas market here in December is popular and worth spending a day at if you visit in the winter.

 

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Krakow Nightlife 

Nightlife in Krakow is something you should experience. In the past few years, Krakow has been not only the best city to party in Poland, but also the top destination in Europe for nightlife.

Book a private tour with Rosotravel and we will help you spend your time exactly as you like. This includes visiting the best bars, pubs and nightclubs in Krakow, along with other interesting trips and organized events.

How to Get Around Krakow?

Many websites suggest taking day trips using a variety of public transport. But we advise you to book our private guided tour with a car for a day, as this gives you more flexibility and independence. With a private car at your disposal, you will be in control of your time and schedule, and depending on how many people are in your group, renting a car with us might even work out cheaper than other forms of transportation.

 

 

Is Krakow Safe?

Poland is one of the safest countries in the world, but you must take all precautions while you’re here. 

  • Theft and pickpocketing are rare, but they can still occur, so keep your valuables away in busy tourist areas or while using public transport.
  • Solo travellers (especially women) will also find the city quite safe. However, make sure you follow the standard precautions when you’re out exploring like don’t accept drinks from strangers or don’t walk home alone at night while intoxicated, etc.
  • There is no risk of any real natural disasters or terrorism in Krakow, as long as you take all precautions you should be able to have a fun and safe trip.
  • For emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

 

Summing up, we hope this Krakow Travel Guide has been useful to you. There’s plenty of more attractions to explore and Krakow is definitely a great place to base yourself when exploring Poland.

Get in touch with us and plan your Krakow City Tours today!! 

 

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