By virtue of its peculiar architecture and enthralling history, still present in all corners of the city, Kraków is one of the most stunning and surprising. Former capital of Poland and still one of the country’s most important cities. It’s also considered one of the most beautiful cities in Europe thanks to the excellent preservation of its buildings and its rich artistic cultural heritage.
Krakow’s Old Town, listed as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, is packed with exquisite Gothic, Baroque, and Renaissance-style edifices.
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PLACES TO VISIT IN KRAKOW
Visit the stunning Krakow Old Town.
Where is largest number of Krakow attractions? In Krakow Old town, especially the Main Square, is filled with the most important points of interest such as: St Mary’s church, Town Hall tower, Cloth Hall.
But not only the history is alive in Krakow Old Town; inside the historical tenement houses there are also many bars and restaurants.
Wawel Castle, Wawel Cathedral, Wawel Dragon… attractions of Wawel Hill.
This is a place you have to see. Symbol of Polish history and a royal home for hundreds of years. Together with the richly decorated Wawel Cathedral, it is a paradise for architecture and history lovers.
Besides the castle and the church there is also… the dragon’s den – a place where a legendary Krakow beast – called Wawel Dragon – lived and terrorised people.
Get lost in Krakow Kazimierz.
Krakow Kazimierz district, because of its history, is also called Jewish quarter. Tourists can visit, among others, the beautiful synagogues, and one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe.
This part of the city is full of charming places, bars, pubs and restaurants hidden behind historical signs (Alchemy for example).
Kazimierz is also a good place to try Jewish cuisine, and famous Polish street food called zapiekanka (you find them at Plac Nowy).
Visit Oskar Schindler’s Factory.
Have you seen Schindler’s List by Steven Spielberg? That story happened in Krakow, and now you can visit the museum located exactly in this building. During the visit you learn some about Krakow war history. Especially about the tragic history of Jews living in Krakow ghetto.
After visiting Schindler’s Factory you can also check out a small museum named The Eagle Pharmacy. Is located at the Ghetto Heroes Square (a square with chair monuments). Which is a branch of the main museum, and complements its story very well.
Walk by the bank of the Vistula River.
It’s a perfect idea for a sunny afternoon. You can walk along the Vistula river and admire the Wawel Castle, visit the dragon or sit and chill out in one of a few restaurants on boats.
You can change the side of the river by the Father Bernatek’s Bridge, a beautiful Krakow bridge at Vistula River connecting the Jewish Quarter and Podgorze district. It owes its charm to beautiful modern sculptures hanging over the river and cute love locks left by lovers. Bridge looks amazing at sunset and at night, when colored light falls on him.
Get on the Kosciuszko Mound.
The mounds are a specific Krakow attractions. The most popular – Kosciuszko Mound is a hill made to honour Polish hero – Tadeusz Kościuszko. From its top you can see one of the best panoramas of Krakow. On its premises is located the old fort with the museum situated inside.
Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum.
Experience a poignant piece of World War II history on a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau from Krakow. Led by a knowledgeable guide, explore the UNESCO-listed former Nazi concentration camp complex and preserve the memory of those who perished there.
Rynek Underground Museum.
In the mysterious atmosphere of the underground museum it will be very easy to get to the Middle Ages, to understand the joys and sorrows of the people of that time, their life, the architecture that surrounded them, and much, much more!
Underground of the Main Market Square – a branch of the Historical Museum of the City of Krakow located under the eastern part of the Main Market Square. For almost 800 years the Market Square has been the central square of Royal City!
Jewish Ghetto.
Take a look at where the Jewish people lived during the Nazi occupation of Krakow
The streets of Jewisz Ghetto and Podgórze district still keep evidence of those terrible events. You will see a part of the undestroyed wall around the ghetto, houses where thousands of displaced Jews used to live, the pharmacy “Under the Eagle”, a monument with 68 chairs in the Heroes’ Square in the ghetto.
Jewish Quarter Kazimierz.
Kazimierz is a fashionable artistic part of Krakow, located in the place of the former Jewish district, where there are now independent galleries, unusual shops, vintage fashion boutiques. Feel the atmosphere of this unique place
Jewish Kazimierz (UNESCO monument) is devoted to history and traditions of the Jewish people, since XIV century up to now: the closed life of the first settlements, assimilation of XIX century, tragic death during the Second World War, history of filming of Steven Spielberg`s film “Schindler`s List”. Today, Kazimierz is one of the most fashionable areas in Krakow, where synagogues still stand, old cemeteries, cafes and shops have been preserved.