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. Auschwitz-Birkenau is an hour and a half away and must be booked ahead: entry is free but the slots are limited.
Where to Stay in Krakow
Top Activities in Krakow
landmarkRoyal Archcathedral Basilica of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslaus
landmarkSt. Mary's Basilica
landmarkWawel Castle
viewpointWawel
Free
museumMuzeum Książąt Czartoryskich w Krakowie
landmarkSt. Adalbert's church
museumBarbican
museumOskar Schindler's Enamel Factory
landmarkCloth Hall
landmarkMain Square
museumNational Museum in Kraków
landmarkSaint Florian's Gate
landmarkZamek Wawel
landmarkCorpus Christi Church
landmarkKrakus Mound
landmarkFranciscan Church
landmarkChurch of Saint Andrew
museumArcheological Museum
landmarkBazylika Świętego Floriana
landmarkArchidiecezja krakowska
landmarkBazylika Przenajświętszej Trójcy
landmarkCollegium Maius
parkBotanical Garden
Free
landmarkBazylika Świętego Michała Archanioła i Świętego Stanisława Biskupa
Restaurants in Krakow
Kawiarnia Jama Michalika
