Krakow
Currency
PLN
Language
Polish
Timezone
Warsaw
Continent
Europe
Discover Krakow
Krakow escaped the destruction of 1945 and its old town is intact — the largest medieval square in Europe, the Cloth Hall at its centre, and St Mary's Basilica, from which a trumpeter sounds every hour and breaks off mid-note in memory of a 13th-century watchman. Wawel Castle commands the Vistula.
When to go
May to June, and September. Summer is hot and the square saturated. Winter is cold and dry, with a well-known Christmas market — and prices that stay among the lowest in Europe.
Getting around
The old town is pedestrian and crosses in twenty minutes. Trams cover the rest, notably Kazimierz, the old Jewish quarter, and Podgórze, where Oskar Schindler's factory now stands as a museum.
Where to eat
Pierogi, Polish dumplings, come savoury and sweet and cost a few euros. The bar mleczny — milk bars inherited from the communist era — serve full meals for very little. Only two halal addresses are listed.
Good to know
The złoty is the currency. Admission runs from 2 to 45 €, the lowest starting point of our European destinations alongside Porto. Auschwitz-Birkenau is an hour and a half away and must be booked ahead: entry is free but the slots are limited.
Top Activities in Krakow
landmarkRoyal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus
from €18
landmarkSt. Mary's Basilica
from €16
landmarkWawel Castle
from €15
viewpointWawel
Free
museumMuzeum Książąt Czartoryskich w Krakowie
from €19
landmarkSt. Adalbert's church
from €12
museumBarbican
from €17
museumOskar Schindler's Enamel Factory
from €18
landmarkCloth Hall
from €14
landmarkMain Square
from €15
museumNational Museum in Kraków
from €19
landmarkSaint Florian's Gate
from €12
landmarkZamek Wawel
from €15
landmarkCorpus Christi Church
from €12
landmarkKrakus Mound
from €13
landmarkFranciscan Church
from €12
landmarkChurch of Saint Andrew
from €13
museumArcheological Museum
from €15
landmarkBazylika Świętego Floriana
from €12
landmarkBazylika Przenajświętszej Trójcy
from €11
landmarkCollegium Maius
from €12
landmarkBazylika Świętego Michała Archanioła i Świętego Stanisława Biskupa
from €12
parkBotanical Garden
Free
museumTown Hall Tower
from €16
Restaurants in Krakow
Kawiarnia Jama Michalika
