View of the Main Square in Krakow. On the left is a horse-drawn carriage, on the square several people. In the centre of the picture is St. Mary’s Basilica, to the right of it the Cloth Hall © Sina Ettmer/stock.adobe.com
View of the Main Square in Krakow. On the left is a horse-drawn carriage, on the square several people. In the centre of the picture is St. Mary’s Basilica, to the right of it the Cloth Hall © Sina Ettmer/stock.adobe.com

Krakow – Poland’s Historical Gem

Published: 25 April 2024, 15:30

Krakow’s most important sights are located in Stare Miasto, the historic old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A stroll through the centre takes you on a journey through time: the cobbled streets of the old town lead past magnificent buildings such as St. Mary’s Basilica and the Cloth Hall. Wawel Hill with its impressive castle complex is a living witness to royal history. Jewish culture comes alive in the Kazimierz district – synagogues and museums recount its rich history. In addition, numerous bars, galleries and restaurants make Kazimierz one of the most vibrant districts in the Polish metropolis. An important sight not close to Krakow provides an insight into the darkest chapters of Jewish life: the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial.

Numbers, data, facts

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 780.000 
  • Official language: Polish
  • Currency: Złoty (PLN)

Ten Krakow highlights

Aerial view of a castle complex, the cathedral and the castle. The city can be seen in the background © Roman/stock.adobe.com
The impressive Wawel Castle complex dominates Wawel Hill and includes the castle of the same name, the cathedral and the royal residences. © Roman/stock.adobe.com
View of a cobbled street, shops can be seen on the right-hand side of the street, a wall can be seen on the left, pedestrians are walking along the street © Artur Bogacki/stock.adobe.com
Traditional shops and restaurants as well as several synagogues and museums offer an insight into Jewish life in the historic Jewish district of Kazimierz. © Artur Bogacki/stock.adobe.com
View of a lively market square with a church with two towers and a monument in front of it. Beautiful, brightly coloured old buildings can be seen in the background © Sina Ettmer/stock.adobe.com
The Rynek Główny market square and the magnificent St. Mary’s Basilica are just some of Krakow's main attractions. © Sina Ettmer/stock.adobe.com
Long side of a large building with neo-Gothic arcades and column capitals against a blue sky, with a large deserted market square visible in front of it © Sina Ettmer/stock.adobe.com
Fabrics and spices were traded in the Cloth Hall on the Main Square from the 13th century. Today, the historic building is a shopping arcade. © Sina Ettmer/stock.adobe.com
Several life-size figures can be seen behind glass performing various activities inside the museum. The figures show people both young and old who are completely white like statues © Alfredo/stock.adobe.com
Oskar Schindler’s former enamel factory now houses a museum and an important memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. © Alfredo/stock.adobe.com
Massive, round fortress with several small towers stands out against a blue sky and trees in the background © MarKord/stock.adobe.com
The Barbican in the north-west of the city was built in the 15th century as part of the fortifications as protection against attacks. © MarKord/stock.adobe.com
Parts of the city wall can be seen on the right of the picture, and St. Florian’s Gate with its two towers is in the centre © FrameFlow/stock.adobe.com
St. Florian’s Gate once served as the main entrance to Krakow and is the best preserved and most impressive part of the medieval city walls. © FrameFlow/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a hill surrounded by buildings and forest. The city can be seen on the horizon © Roman/stock.adobe.com
Kościuszko Mound was built in 1820 in honour of the Polish national hero Tadeusz Kościuszko. It offers a spectacular panoramic view. © Roman/stock.adobe.com
View of a river with a castle on its banks. A tour boat is travelling along the river, other boats can be seen in the background at the jetty © TYasonya/stock.adobe.com
A boat tour on the Vistula offers a wonderful view of the city. © TYasonya/stock.adobe.com
Aerial view of a square and park. A four-lane road is in the foreground, and the square is symmetrically surrounded by magnificent white socialist buildings © Mazur Travel/stock.adobe.com
Away from the historic old town: an impressive example of socialist architecture is the Nowa Huta district, which was created in the 1950s as a model district. © Mazur Travel/stock.adobe.com

Never forget

The memorial site of the former Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp is located not far from Krakow and offers a moving and informative insight into the history of the Holocaust. Excursion destinations such as the historic Wieliczka Salt Mine or the Ojców National Park offer something less heavy. 

Sites outside Krakow

View of the entrance gate to the concentration camp with the inscription “Arbeit macht frei”. The barrier to the entrance is open diagonally upwards, a road leads into the camp, a row of houses can be seen on the left, trees and other buildings on the right © Albin Marciniak/stock.adobe.com
The Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial is a historically significant place of remembrance, ensuring that the history of the Holocaust is never forgotten. © Albin Marciniak/stock.adobe.com
Underground tunnel in a historic salt mine, life-size human figures and a horse and cart can be seen on the left © Giuseppe Cammino/stock.adobe.com
The historic Wieliczka Salt Mine invites you into a fascinating underground world of salt chambers, sculptures and underground lakes. © Giuseppe Cammino/stock.adobe.com
Picture of the Ojców National Park, in the foreground you can see a rock formation, in the valley below a green meadow, forest and a house. The picture is framed by slightly autumn-coloured leaves © Grudnik Photography/stock.adobe.com
The picturesque Ojców National Park is located around 30 minutes north of Krakow and is perfect for hiking and exploring with its forests, rock formations and caves. © Grudnik Photography/stock.adobe.
View of traditional wooden houses in the Tatra Mountains. The houses are surrounded by conifers with a mountain landscape on the horizon © Yuriy Chertok/stock.adobe.com
The popular mountain resort of Zakopane at the foot of the Tatra Mountains enthrals visitors with its location, traditional wooden houses and hiking opportunities. © Yuriy Chertok/stock.adobe.com
View of a wide river on which several rafts with passengers can be seen. The high mountains of a national park can be seen on the horizon © Jurek Adamski/stock.adobe.com
Dunajec Gorge is one of the most beautiful natural attractions in Poland and is best enjoyed on a raft trip. © Jurek Adamski/stock.adobe.com

Krakow from BER

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Krakow Airport (KRK)

Five travel tips for ...

1. Discover trendy bars and restaurants in Tytano, a former tobacco factory

2. Experience the sunset over the Vistula from the Bernatka footbridge 

3. Explore the alternative Podgórze district off the beaten tourist track

4. Visit contemporary art and music at the Bunkier Sztuki cultural centre

5. Enjoy the great view of the city from the lesser-known Krakus Mound

1. Pierogi: these Polish dumplings with various fillings are a must

2. Obwarzanek: the ring-shaped, lightly salted pretzels are a Krakow speciality

3. Oscypek: traditional, smoked sheep’s cheese that is served grilled or fried

4. Zapiekanka: a kind of Polish pizza baguette and perfect snack for on the go

5. Kremówka: the puff pastry with vanilla cream literally melts in your mouth

1. Walk through Planty Park along the historic city walls

2. Spend some time in the hidden Kunsthof Passage in the old town

3. Enjoy the quiet and the view from Kościuszko Mound

4. Stroll along the Vistula and relax in one of the cosy beach bars

5. Visit the beautiful, tranquil monastery garden at St. Stanislaus Basilica

Picture source title:
© Sina Ettmer/stock.adobe.com

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