Krakow, Poland

Among the most important sights in Krakow are: Wawel Hill, where you can admire the castle, the residence of Polish kings since the 11th century, and the cathedral where almost all Polish kings were crowned and buried.

The entire Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with its medieval houses of wealthy Krakow citizens, which remain in their original condition because Krakow was not destroyed during World War II.

The Market Square in the heart of the city, the largest medieval market square in Europe, with its magnificent Cloth Hall, commissioned by the Polish king as early as the 13th century.

Also located on the Market Square is St. Mary's Basilica, which houses the largest medieval high altar in Europe, the work of Veit Stoss. A signal, still played by firefighters, sounds from the church tower every hour on the hour.

The oldest buildings of Krakow University, which was founded by the Polish king in the 14th century, are located here. It is the second oldest university in Europe.

In the north of the Old Town, the remains of the 14th-century fortifications, built after the city's founding, can still be seen today.

Yes, it is worth visiting the Jewish quarter: In the 14th century, the Polish king founded a new town near Králové, which was divided and, from the very beginning, was home to both Poles and Jews—a concept almost unheard of in Europe at the time.

To this day, there are seven synagogues and two cemeteries there.

A special atmosphere pervades the town; Jewish music fills the streets, and in its charming restaurants, one can experience Jewish cuisine.

Nowa Huta was a new city founded by Russian communists in Krakow immediately after World War II. It was intended as an alternative to Krakow's intellectual elite, whom the communists feared most. Despite this, a beautiful city emerged, designed by some of Poland's finest architects.

This resulted in buildings adorned in the so-called Renaissance-Socialist style. The oldest of these were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in the 1990s. Even today, the streets evoke the socialist atmosphere of that era, and in restaurants and bars furnished in the style of that time, one can still sample some socialist-era cuisine.

If you want to learn more about Polish history and experience a completely different side of Krakow, this is highly recommended.

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, a world-famous museum housed in an actual mine where salt has been extracted since the 13th century, is a must-see. There, you can admire enormous chambers, chapels, sculptures, and everything created by the people who worked there. The tour is truly a unique experience.

An excursion to the High Tatras offers breathtaking views. The distinctive wooden architecture plays a prominent role in the landscape. The culture of the Gorals, who still live there today, contributes to the area's unique atmosphere.

In Krakow, you can pay in euros in all restaurants and shops.

You can also pay by bank card almost everywhere.

Both the Old Town and the Jewish Quarter are relatively small, so you can easily reach everything on foot.

You can also walk from the Old Town to the Jewish Quarter.

Only to Nowa Huta you need to take the tram or drive.

Public transport in Krakow is cheap. The cheapest ticket costs around €1.

A taxi ride in the city costs an average of around €13.