Krakow, Poland's second city and former capital, is a city with a rich historical and cultural heritage. It's an ideal destination for a long weekend, or even longer if you want to enjoy the mountains. The city's historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, having miraculously escaped the ravages of the Second World War. From squares to cobbled streets, you can't miss the main monuments, which reveal a whole range of styles, from Gothic to Baroque. Strolls through the various districts are an invitation to contemplate and soak up the lively atmosphere that reigns in the city, home to many students. The beautiful city of Poland has nothing to envy the most beautiful historic cities in Europe. Here are the 13 must-sees in what remains the country's scientific and cultural capital.
1. The Royal Way, Krakow's prestigious thoroughfare
Florianska Street on the Royal Way© Krzysztof Tabor - Shutterstock.com
Without visiting the monuments, the walk along the Royal Way only lasts an hour. Historically speaking, this was the route taken by monarchs returning from victorious battles , or by bishops on taking office. We take Rue Floria?ska before arriving at the Grand-Place. Then it's time to take Grodzka and Kanonicza streets before arriving at the Wawel. Quite simply, the city's main monuments are concentrated around the Royal Way: the Saint Florian Gate, the Barbican, the Cloth Hall, palaces, museums and churches. It's a must for anyone wishing to explore Krakow's treasures.
2. Wawel Cathedral, a remarkable place of worship
Wawel Cathedral© S-F - Shutterstock.com
Also known as the Basilica-Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslas in Krakow, this is Poland's most important church. The monument has been destroyed and rebuilt three times in the course of its history, and the current cathedral dates from the 14th century and takes the form of a Gothic basilica. Surrounding it is a delightful ring of chapels in different styles. They were added successively over the centuries. In addition to the beauty and uniqueness of its architecture, it's important to note that Wawel Cathedral is a true national shrine, since many kings, queens, poets and national heroes are buried here. It was also here that the kings of Poland were crowned for centuries.
If you'd like to take a guided tour of the cathedral and castle, click here for availability!
3. Visit Collegium Maius and Jagiellonian University
Visit the Collegium Maius© eFesenko - Shutterstock.com
The Jagiellonian University is the second oldest in Europe, after the one in Prague. It was founded in 1364 by King Casimir the Great. The Collegium Maius, the university's oldest building, is a splendid example of 15th-century Gothic architecture. It features a remarkable courtyard with an arcaded gallery. Today, the building is home to the Jagiellonian University Museum, and visitors can tour the historic interiors that were once used by professors and students, such as the former refectory, the library, the teachers' rooms and the auditorium, which houses a fine collection of paintings. You can also visit the room of the famous astronomer Copernicus, who studied in Krakow from 1491 to 1495, and see an incredible array of astrological and astronomical instruments.
4. The Cloth Hall, an architectural gem in Krakow
The Cloth Hall© Patryk Kosmider - Shutterstock.com
The Cloth Hall is one of Krakow's most important monuments and its oldest "shopping center". It combines architectural elements from very different eras, not surprising when you consider thatit was built over a period spanning from 1257 to the present day. In 1358, King Casimir the Great commissioned the construction of a 100-meter-long building with three naves, then after a fire in 1555, Giovanni Maria Mosca built a new two-storey building in Renaissance style. Between 1875 and 1879, Tomasz Prylinski added splendid neo-Gothic arcades on both sides. You can't miss this imposing building on Market Square, which in the past was mainly dedicated to the wholesale textile trade, but today houses numerous cafés and craft shops, as well as the Krakow National Museum 's collections of 19th-century paintings and sculptures on the upper floor.
5. Market Square or Rynek
Krakow's Rynek Square© PHOTOCREO Michal Bednarek - Shutterstock.com
Rynek means market in Polish. Krakow's Rynek, or Market Square, is an exceptional place, as it is the largest medieval square on the European continent. It's the city's busiest place, both for locals and visitors alike. It's a great place to stroll when the sky is blue, to enjoy the terraces and the view of the beautiful facades of the bourgeois houses. It's also a great place to catch a glimpse of some of the city's finest historical monuments: the Cloth Hall, the Basilica of St. Mary of Krakow, the Church of St. Wojciech and the tower of what remains of the old Town Hall.
We recommend that you book a guided tour of the Old Town right here, to discover the history of all these monuments.
6. Get some height at Kosciuszko Mound
Ko?ciuszko Mound© Artur Bogacki - Shutterstock.com
This mound, 80 meters in diameter, was erected in the 19th century (in 1823) by the people of Krakow as a tribute to Tadeusz Kosciuszko, leader of the national uprising of 1794. In 1853, it was encircled by a brick military citadel, and in order to reach the top of the mound, you have to go to the little chapel of the Blessed of Bronis?awa, with its neo-Gothic architecture. It's a peaceful place for a stroll, and once you've reached the top of the hill, at 34 meters, you'll enjoy a splendid panorama of Krakow, the surrounding villages and several mountain ranges in the southern Carpathians.
7. Oskar Schindler's factory, a plunge into Krakow's history
The Oskar Shindler factory© Jaroslav Moravcik - Shutterstock.com
This museum is one of Krakow's most popular landmarks. While this must-see location inspired the famous film Schindler's List, its main purpose is to give visitors a better understanding of how this Nazi industrialist saved the lives of 1,200 Jews during the Holocaust. The museum's permanent exhibition, Krakow under Nazi Occupation 1939-1945, tells the story of the city from the end of 1939 to the winds of freedom of the Communist era. Through exhibits, sounds and images, a visit to the factory offers a journey back to the appalling times when Jews lived under Nazi occupation in Poland.
To visit this rather touristy place, we advise you to book a ticket right here to avoid the wait at the entrance.
8. Getting to Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle© Stephan Szeremeta
Krakow's royal castle stands on the hill of the same name, overlooking the old town and the Vistula River below. It was once home to the kings and queens of Poland, so guided tours give you the chance to discover the city's former glory. This splendid complex of buildings, churches and fortifications is a blend of different styles. There are Gothic, Renaissance, Romanesque and Rococo elements. As well as admiring its overall architecture and taking a tour of its remarkable courtyard, a visit to the royal apartments, the Museum of Oriental Art and the basement exhibition showing what the hill looked like 1,000 years ago are a must. At the foot of the castle, on the banks of the river, don't miss the statue of the legendary Wawel Dragon, which even spits fire.
For a guided tour of the cathedral and castle, click here for availability!
9. A green moment in the Parc des Planty
Parc des Planty, Statue of Jan Matejko© Ruslan Lytvyn - Shutterstock.com
The ring-shaped Planty Park encircles Krakow's historic center. It's the city's green lung, with its 21 hectares and numerous gardens in different styles. The Planty were created in the early 19th century on the site of the crumbling medieval fortifications, which were a veritable breeding ground for disease. Some fragments of the fortifications are still visible, however: the Barbican and the Saint-Florian gate. Today, 40 species of trees and shrubs can be admired here, as well as statues erected in memory of Polish artists. It's a peaceful place - no other city in Poland has a park like it. Visit Planty Park and see for yourself how pleasant it is to stroll here to observe the autumn colors, or to take shelter from the sun on hot summer days.
10. A moment of culture at MOCAK
MOCAK© Agnes Kantaruk - Shutterstock.com
Located in the Podgorze district, Krakow's Museum of Contemporary Art is the work of Italian architect Claudio Nardi. It is one of the city's most recent tourist attractions , having been inaugurated in 2011. A modern two-storey building houses permanent and temporary exhibitions featuring paintings, sculptures, photographs and installations by contemporary artists from Poland and abroad. It's a great place to immerse yourself in the relationship between art, individuals and society. There's also a bookshop and a pleasant café.
If you're a fan of art and history, click here and book your Krakow City Card giving you access to 387 museums, including MOCAK!
11.the former Auschwitz-Birkenau camp
eeelectra - Adobe Stock
The formerAuschwitz-Birkenauconcentration camp is located just outside Krakow. This gigantic camp, largely destroyed by the Nazis before they fled, was a veritable death factory. On arrival, the sinister facade of the guard building that marks the entrance to the camp stands before visitors, with the death gate that let in the trains in the middle. Climb to the top of the tower for an overview of the camp and its barracks. Most have been destroyed, but the chimneys, still standing tall, bear witness to their location. Some barracks can be visited. The Auschwitz Memorial Museum is an exceptional site, remembered long afterwards. We recommend that you take a guide to explain each place in detail.
Would you like to takeadvantage ofa special offer including transport from your hotel and entrance ticket with guided tour ? Click here for for prices and availability.
See also our article on Visiting the concentration camps near Krakow: what you need to know!
How do I get to Auschwitz from Krakow?
The memorial and museum are an hour's drive from the city center. If you don't have a car, the easiest way to get there is by bus. Go to the Central Bus Station above the railway station. Ask at the ticket office for a bus to Auschwitz. In the morning, there's one leaving every 20 minutes. It's about an hour and a half's drive, and the round-trip ticket costs around PLN 30 (approx. ?7). There are also a number of tours available to this memorial site. For more information, see our guide How to visit Auschwitz from Krakow? The best excursions!
12. The Jewish quarter of Kazimierz
rochu_2008 - Adobe Stock
Before the Second World War, a third of Krakow's population was Jewish. Much has been done to preserve the buildings and synagogues of this historic district. In its center, on Nowy Square, formerly known as "Jewish Square", stands a circular hall built in 1900 for the ritual kosher slaughter of poultry. It now houses a multitude of kiosks selling the famous zapiekanka, a succulent long sandwich filled with mushrooms, vegetables and cheese, served hot. Lined with a multitude of bars, cafés and restaurants, the square becomes the center of all evening outings. On Saturday and Sunday mornings, there's a small flea market that mixes trinkets and artifacts from the Second World War.
13. Wieliczka salt mines
pavlo Vakhrushev - Adobe Stock
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Wieliczka Salt Mines have existed since the 13th century. This journey into the bowels of the Earth is a must-see during your stay in Krakow! Discover the fascinating history of the mine through its halls and galleries. Admire the underground lakes, period tools and machinery, as well as the impressive sculptures and bas-reliefs, all made from salt blocks by the miners. The chapel of St. Cunegonde (St. Kinga), made entirely from salt, is a masterpiece. In addition to the classic tour, there's also the "mining tour", a real expedition in which visitors, accompanied by a guide and dressed and equipped as miners, descend into the mine via the Regis shaft, the oldest of the existing shafts. Click here to book your guided tour ticket for a guided tour and avoid the wait as the Wieliczka salt mines attract many tourists.
Where to go out at night in Krakow?
Krakow is a dynamic city and a great place to party (it's not one of the 13 best EVG destinations in Europe for nothing!). Krakow's Market Square is the city's busiest spot, and Nowy Square, in the heart of the Jewish Quarter, is also a central meeting point, always teeming with people in the evenings. We recommend the Alchemia, the district's most famous bar, a cult venue with its muted lighting and typical retro decor. Need more recommendations? See all our favorite places to have fun and have a drink in Krakow.
How to get to Krakow
Krakow is a very touristy city, and easily accessible from most French cities, especially on low-cost flights . However, we advise you to book in advance to benefit from the lowest prices. You can check see the fares here.
Getting around Krakow
You'll have no trouble getting around on foot, by streetcar or by bus. A network of buses and streetcars will connect you quickly and inexpensively to all the city's districts and points of interest. You can even go as far as the Wieliczka salt mines. Take the Pope's streetcar (line 24) to follow in the footsteps of John Paul II.
Where to stay in Krakow?
Krakow is very touristy, so you'll have no trouble finding a hotel or a room in a guesthouse. However, we advise you to book your accommodation online in advance in summer and during Easter, when tourist numbers are at their peak. Discover our favorites below.
- The best hotel in town:
The Metropolitan Boutique Hotel is the best hotel in town and, what's more, one of the most popular in the country. If you're lucky enough to have a place there, go for it - you won't regret it! For rates and availability, click here!
- The most intimate
Set in a beautiful 19th-century villa, U pana cogito offersa unique, intimate and resolutely Polish experience. The service, Polish cuisine restaurant and breakfast are all typical of what was the norm even twenty years ago. Click here for for rates and availability.
- The most central and economical
Hostel no.7 is a youth hostel located right on Rynek Square. You won 't find anything more central and less expensive! What's more, you'll have a superb view of the city. For rates and availability, click here.
Want to see all available hotels? Find out here the full list of our recommendations.
When to go to Krakow
You'll need to bundle up if you want to discover Krakow in winter. It's cold, the sidewalks can be snow-covered or even frozen, and the sun is often hidden. But Krakow in the snow is not lacking in charm! And religious fervor is at its peak, with daily services and packed churches for all generations. Christmas in Krakow has all the magic of Eastern Europe. It's particularly grand with its famous Christmas market and nativity scene competition. However, it's in summer that you can make the most of your strolls through the city's various districts, parks and entertainment.
Did you know? Poland is one of our top 10 budget destinations in Europe and one of our top 8 destinations to discover Eastern Europe.
See also our article on The best destinations less than 2 hours' flight from France.
Find out more about the trendiest things to do in Krakow:
