Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Poland / Southern Poland / Krakow
 |  | Destination Guide : Krakow |
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| | | Soak up the heritage |  | Why go on holiday to Krakow?
No other city in Poland is crammed with so many historical buildings and monuments, making it a real treat for culture buffs. Emerging unscathed from the Second World War, the city's skyline is dominated by church spires. Its heritage and vast art collection earned it World Heritage status in 1978, and was celebrated again when Krakow was crowned European City of Culture in 2000.
Many say that Krakow has everything Prague has to offer but at lower prices and with fewer tourists. It has emerged as a short break destination and is popular for stag and hen weekends. But consider sticking around for longer. You won't be disappointed.
How much does it cost?
Flights to Krakow start at around £200 return, with LOT Polish Airlines providing direct services from London. New low-cost services with easyJet are available. A three-night city break in bed and breakfast accommodation, plus flights, is around £300 per person.
When should I go?
The tourist season runs roughly from May to September. July and August have the biggest crowds, with average daytime temperatures reaching 24C (71F) in July. The best time to go is mid-May to June or September to mid-October.
During winter the weather is often freezing, January highs only average 0C, but it's still good for city visits.
What should I do when I'm there?
Your first stop should be the elegant and fascinating Old Town, which is compact enough to explore on foot. At its centre lies the Main Market Square, said to be the country's largest medieval town square. Soak up the old world atmosphere and pop into the Historical Museum of Krakow, the 14th-century Cloth Hall, and the breath-taking St Mary's Basilica. When you feel tired, head for the park of the Planty, which rings the square.
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| | | Cathedral and castle | | Where should I go next?
To the south of the Old Town lies one of the city's prettiest streets, u Kanonicza, which leads to the Wawel castle and cathedral, both of symbolic and national importance. The Gothic cathedral is where most of the royal coronations and funerals have taken place and features a maze of tombstones, altarpieces and a beautiful Renaissance chapel.
Formerly the political and cultural centre of Poland until the early 17th century, the castle is now a museum containing five different sections, including the Royal Chambers, treasury and armoury.
Allow at least three hours for your visit to the Wawel but avoid the weekends when the crowds descend.
Anything else I should know?
Thanks to the Hollywood film Schindler's List, which depicts events during the Holocaust, the Kazimierz area, which has a strong Jewish heritage, now draws scores of visitors. You can tour the former Jewish ghetto, Schindler's factory and Plaszow death camp.
Many visitors, however, book an organised day trip or travel by train or bus to Auschwitz, the former Nazi concentration camp. Entrance is free although there is a nominal fee for a 15-minute documentary. Adults are advised not to take children under the age of 13. There is also a special bus to the nearby Birkenau camp.
Any other good day trips?
On the city outskirts lies the Wieliczka salt mine, a Unesco World Heritage Site that is still operating 700 years after it was established. The upper three levels of the mine have been turned into a museum. Visitors walk through underground pits and chambers that have been made into chapels, monuments and statues. There are even underground lakes. The mine is open daily, with English-speaking tours available between June and September.
Outdoors-lovers should make time for Ojcow National Park, which is dotted with caves, impressive rock formations, plant life and two castles. Eight daily buses from Krakow serve the park.
Where's good for nightlife?
Krakow has a wealth of cafes, many in attractive old buildings and medieval cellars. In the Old Town, you will also find discos and student clubs. Vodka dives are probably best avoided.
There is a lively cultural life including the Piwnica pod Baranami, Loch Camelot and Jana Michalika cabarets. Theatre-lovers should head to the Cricot or Stary Teatr, while the Filharmonia is home to one of the country's best orchestras.
Other musical highlights include the Music In Old Krakow Festival every August. Jazz festivals also take place in July, August and November.
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| | | Hearty cuisine | | What's the food like?
Polish food is hearty; thick soups and sauces, potatoes and dumplings, lots of meat but not many vegetables. Characteristic flavours are dill, marjoram, caraway seed and wild mushroom.
Favourite dishes include bigos (sauerkraut and meat), barszcz (beetroot soup) and pierogi (ravioli-like dumplings stuffed with cheese, meat or wild mushrooms).
Stuffed cabbage leaves, potato pancakes, knedle or sweet dumplings and dried meat sausages rather like salami are also common and delicious.
Visiting a Polish milk bar is quite an experience. It's a no-frills, self-service cafeteria which serves mainly veggie food at ultra-low prices.
Tea and vodka are the favoured Polish beverages. Vodka comes flavoured with bizarre-sounding ingredients - bison grass vodka is surprisingly good. Traditional long meals are interspersed with flavoured vodka shots.
What should I buy?
Polish towns have Cepelia shops that are good value for craftwork - Poles excel at paper cutouts, woodcarving, tapestries, embroidery, paintings on glass, pottery and handpainted wooden boxes. In Krakow head for the Cloth Hall for every imaginable Polish craft - amber and silver are especially good value.
It's also worth hunting for antiques in the monthly bric-a-brac fair held in the main square.
What is there for children to do?
Head for Blonia, a park area where you can often find a circus or fair.
Bielany on the city's outskirts is good if you fancy a picnic and is a popular spot for weekend day-trippers. The nearby Wolski Forest is beautiful.
Tourist office
Polish National Tourist Office, Remo House, 310-312 Regent Street, London W1B 3AX. Tel. 020 7580 6688.
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| | Available rental properties in Krakow |
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| |  | | Cracowstay Luxury Apartment, Krakow City Centre
Our Krakow apartment is located in one of the most charming parts of Krakow, 5 mins away from the main tourist attractions in historic center of Krakow. It has all it takes to enjoy your holiday
|  | | St Mary's View
Quality Vacation Rental Apartment in Center of Krakow with Great View.
Central Holiday Flat in Krakow, Poland.
|  | | The Retreat Osieczany
English owners Beaut 5x2 bathroom home with panoramic mountain views, close to Krakow, The Salt mine, Aushwitz, Zakopane Tatra mountains and Slovakia.
|  | | Starowislna Luxury Apartment
The Majestic And Spacious (140M Sq.) Old World Starowislna Apartment, Its Impressive Wooden Staircase And Large Solid Oak Dining Room Table Awaits You.
|  | | Szlak Luxury Apartment
Soothe Your Cares Away As You Relax In The Large Quadrant Marble Bathtub In The Spacious Szlak Apartment (105m2.) In One Of The Most Prestigious Residential Areas Around Krakow.
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