The old royal capital of Poland for 500 years, the city of Krakow hosts fascinating historical and cultural sights boosting the charm of this historical city and the cultural heart of Poland, which today hosts a large number of international visitors. As the cultural and entertainment center of Southern Poland, Krakow also contains some of the best museums in Poland. So, pack your bags, charming Krakow awaits!
Historical sights. The well-preserved historical city is a World Heritage site and a showroom of Polish history, where you can find spectacular sights such as the historical Royal Castle. The castle stands on the most popular Krakow location, the Wawel Hill, which also is the home of the Wawel Cathedral with fascinating church art. Moreover, Krakow's Old Town hosts a wide variety of other interesting sights such as churches, monasteries and historical monuments. It has also high class art museums, where you can admire masterpieces of world wide famous painters such as Da Vinci and Rembrandt.
Cultural attractions. Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter of Krakow, hosts interesting synagogues, prayer houses and museums, which together with the interesting architecture of this 14th-15th century city park, have made Kazimierz a highly popular place to visit. Krakow is an entertainment city with cultural entertainment such as theatre and opera available, as well as excellent facilities for shopping in Krakow.
Shopping and nightlife. In general, best places for shopping and lively nightlife in Krakow are found in the Old City areas, where most of the touristic attractions of Krakow are located. However, if you want to see the sights outside the city, you could visit for instance the beautiful Ojcow National Park. The notorious Nazi death-camp Auschwitz is within a short driving distance from Krakow, and the ancient salt mines of Wielicka or the lovely spas of Krycnica or Busko Zdroj are also worth a try while visiting Krakow.
Historical sights of Wawel Hill joined with entertainment facilities: Attractions of Krakow
Located in southern Poland at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains, Krakow stands in lovely settings created by the background of mountains and the river flowing through the city. However, for tourism in Krakow, the beautiful settings of this charming city are of minor importance in comparison with its historical and cultural attractions.Historical sights. The well-preserved historical city is a World Heritage site and a showroom of Polish history, where you can find spectacular sights such as the historical Royal Castle. The castle stands on the most popular Krakow location, the Wawel Hill, which also is the home of the Wawel Cathedral with fascinating church art. Moreover, Krakow's Old Town hosts a wide variety of other interesting sights such as churches, monasteries and historical monuments. It has also high class art museums, where you can admire masterpieces of world wide famous painters such as Da Vinci and Rembrandt.
Cultural attractions. Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter of Krakow, hosts interesting synagogues, prayer houses and museums, which together with the interesting architecture of this 14th-15th century city park, have made Kazimierz a highly popular place to visit. Krakow is an entertainment city with cultural entertainment such as theatre and opera available, as well as excellent facilities for shopping in Krakow.
Shopping and nightlife. In general, best places for shopping and lively nightlife in Krakow are found in the Old City areas, where most of the touristic attractions of Krakow are located. However, if you want to see the sights outside the city, you could visit for instance the beautiful Ojcow National Park. The notorious Nazi death-camp Auschwitz is within a short driving distance from Krakow, and the ancient salt mines of Wielicka or the lovely spas of Krycnica or Busko Zdroj are also worth a try while visiting Krakow.
Practical information for staying in Krakow
Krakow has a temperate climate warm summers and cool winters.
Photo: 13bobby, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Temperatures are generally warm from May to September, which is the best time to visit Krakow, but if you bring warm clothing, the winter is not that bad either, not to mention the Spring or Autumn, when some think Poland is at its best.
How to get there. Located in the heart of Central Europe, in southern Poland, Krakow is an easily reachable city. International flights to Krakow are widely available, and the city is well reachable also by road or rail. There is a quite efficient public transport system available for getting around in Krakow, including trams and buses. Most of the sights of the inner city are located within a walking distance. About public transportation in Krakow, note that tickets should be bought before entering the transport vehicle. Furthermore, traffic inside the city is heavy and parking space limited, but rental cars in Krakow are widely available, and offer a good way of exploring the surroundings of the city.
Tourist services in Krakow are good, with multiple hotels in Krakow available, as well as a wide range of restaurants in Krakow. Tourist information points where you are served in English are found in the city center. Adding the easiness of your stay in Krakow, many younger locals in Krakow can speak English.
Safety. Although pickpocketing is not that uncommon in this historically and culturally interesting city, Krakow is a safe destination where you can walk safely outside also after dark.
hint See also these nearby destinations: Zakopane (Tatra mountains), High Tatras (Poprad), Banska Bystrica
