Old Town
The Old Town section of Kraków is one of Poland’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. This is an honor usually reserved for specific buildings or landmarks, but the Old Town is so full of outstanding sites of cultural and historical significance that the entire region was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1978, making it one of the first places to make the list. Walking through the ancient capital, with its medieval urban layout, is like taking a walk back in time, with well-preserved churches and monuments that can convey a sense of history in a way that merely reading books could never accomplish.
Kraków’s Old Town actually managed to escape much of the damage that ruined historical landmarks in other parts of the country during times of war. This stroke of luck enables Kraków to gift visitors with a seemingly endless list of interesting places to visit. All told, the number of Poland’s historic sites that can be found in Kraków is in the thousands! If you begin in the center of town and walk outward, you can actually walk through architectural history just by observing how the styles of buildings changed over the years.
Main Market Square
Main Market Square - the vibrant Market Square has been around since 1257 and has always been the main place for commerce and socialization in Krakow. Here you’ll find everything you might expect from a European market but on a grander and more beautiful scale. From mime artists to pigeons to charming sidewalk cafes, you’ll find plenty of opportunities to soak up the culture and enjoy some people watching. You can even fit in some shopping in the world’s oldest shopping mall, the 16th century Cloth Hall.
Wawel Hill, Royal Castle, and the Cathedral
Wawel Hill, Royal Castle, and the Cathedral - Wawel Castle is a great place to pass part of the day. The State Rooms are a sight to behold with their ornate furnishings and beautiful Flemish tapestries. It’s hard to believe that the rooms once actually served as military barracks. The treasury and armory show off all the extravagance of bygone eras, with their exquisite jewel-encrusted swords among the many treasures on display. The nearby Wawel Cathedral is also impressive, with its many tombs and chapels adorned with sculptures and stained glass. The most famous of these is the tomb of Saint Stanislas, a commanding structure where kings have been crowned in the past.
Churches and places of worship
The Gothic St. Mary’s Church is a richly adorned church that leaves a lasting impression on even the most seasoned travelers. The gold-appointed interiors are impressive in their own right, but it is the ornate, colorful wooden altarpiece that was carved by Wit Stwosz with its intricate stained glass backdrop that sets this church apart from the rest of the pack. There are two towers in front, and you can hear the sounds of a trumpet playing from the top of the taller tower every hour. Other equally interesting churches and synagogues can be visited in this magnificent and royal city.
Planty
Greenery is no less vital to Kraków’s cityscape than its historical monuments. Kraków’s Old Town is surrounded by the impressive two and a half miles green ring called the Planty. This park was constructed on the site of the city’s medieval moats, which were filled in early in the 19th century. Forty species of trees and shrubs were gradually planted in their place. The most magnificent specimens, such as the hundred and thirty year old plane tree at the end of Wiślna Street, are natural monuments.
Museums
Kraków boasts some of the best and priceless collections in Poland. The National Museum in Wawel, the Jagiellonian University Museum, the Jewish Museum, and Oscar Schindler's factory and the Rynek Underground Museum are only some of the museums available to visit during a longer stay in Kraków.
The Vistula Embankments
A scenic space for walking and leisure activities in the heart of the city, at the foot of Wawel Castle. Together with the floodbanks of the Vistula and the Rudawa, they are popular recreation and leisure haunt for locals and tourists alike. Crisscrossed by numerous alleys, they are furnished with cycle paths along the river
Dining and Culture
From the budget milk bars, slow food restaurants, food trucks, and high end dining Kraków is the place to be. Named the European Capital of Gastronomic Culture 2019, Kraków promises to satisfy any tastes, especially those seeking traditional and regional flavors. As far as the entertainment goes, Kraków is home to countless venues and establishments offering a wide range of experiences from refined to casual.
