Kraków Travel Guide: Old Town, Kazimierz and Day Trips

Kraków, Poland's former royal capital, survived the Second World War largely intact. Its Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, its Jewish quarter is full of history and creativity, and its food and nightlife are excellent value. Here's how to plan a trip, from the main sights to day trips.

The Old Town

1. The Main Market Square

Rynek Główny is one of Europe's largest medieval squares, surrounded by colourful townhouses. In the centre stands the Cloth Hall, with stalls selling amber and crafts, and beneath it an underground museum of the city's history.

Horse-drawn carriages clatter over the cobbles, pigeons flutter around the Cloth Hall and every hour a trumpet call rings out from the tower of St Mary's, cut off mid-note.

2. St Mary's Basilica

Listen for the hejnał – a trumpet call played every hour from the tower, which stops abruptly in memory of a medieval trumpeter. Inside, Veit Stoss's carved wooden altarpiece is a masterpiece.

Inside, the deep blue ceiling is scattered with gold stars, and the huge carved altarpiece by Veit Stoss opens each day at noon.

3. The Planty and Florian Gate

A ring of parkland follows the line of the old walls. Enter the Old Town through the Florian Gate and the Barbican.

The green belt of the Planty park circles the Old Town, shady and quiet, and at Florian Gate, artists hang their paintings on the old walls.

Wawel and Kazimierz

4. Wawel Royal Castle and Cathedral

The hilltop castle and cathedral were the seat of Polish kings. See the state rooms, the treasury and the cathedral's bell tower, and look for the Wawel Dragon statue by the river.

The castle courtyard is surrounded by Renaissance arcades, and in the cathedral, kings and heroes lie in the crypts. Visit the dragon's cave at the foot of the hill – it breathes fire.

5. Kazimierz

The former Jewish district has historic synagogues, the Remah cemetery and lively squares full of cafés and bars. Try a zapiekanka (open baguette) from Plac Nowy.

Old synagogues, cobbled streets, vintage cafés and bars full of candles – the Jewish quarter is atmospheric by day and lively at night. Try a zapiekanka from the round hall on Plac Nowy.

6. Schindler's Factory

Across the river in Podgórze, Oskar Schindler's former enamel factory is now a museum of Kraków under Nazi occupation – moving and well presented.

The exhibition recreates the streets and rooms of occupied Kraków, and walking through it is moving and sobering.

Food and drink

7. What to eat

Try pierogi dumplings, żurek sour rye soup, obwarzanek bagel rings from street carts and hearty stews in a traditional milk bar (bar mleczny). Polish vodka and craft beer bars are everywhere.

Pierogi steaming on the plate, żurek soup served in a bread bowl and obwarzanek bagels from street carts – Polish food is warming and hearty.

Day trips

8. Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial

The former Nazi German concentration and extermination camp is a deeply moving place of remembrance. Entry is free but must be booked online; guided tours explain the history.

The silence at Birkenau, the railway tracks running to the end of the camp and the rows of barracks leave visitors speechless. Book in advance and allow time afterwards to reflect.

9. Wieliczka Salt Mine

An underground world of chapels and statues carved from salt, including the vast Chapel of St Kinga, about 30 minutes from Kraków.

Deep underground, you walk through chambers carved entirely from salt, until you reach a vast chapel with chandeliers made of salt crystals. It's cool down there – bring a layer.

10. Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains

Poland's mountain resort, two hours south, is known for its wooden architecture, hiking and skiing. Take the funicular up Gubałówka for views of the Tatras.

Wooden chalets, mountain air and the smell of smoked oscypek cheese at the market stalls – take the funicular up Gubałówka for views over the peaks.

Practical tips

• Currency: Polish złoty; cards are widely accepted.
• Getting around: walk the centre; trams reach Kazimierz and Podgórze.
• Christmas: the Christmas market on the Main Square is one of Europe's best – see our Christmas markets guide.
• Arriving by train: night trains link Kraków with Prague and Budapest – see our night trains guide.