Krakow. The best sights and attractions to visit in Krakow

Krakow, often referred to as Krak 's City, is the magical capital of Malopolska and the historical capital of Poland - the vibrant heart of our countryconsidered the most beautiful urban center. The magnificent monuments, which are the vestiges of centuries-old history, attract tourists from all over the world here. Krakow is located in the south of the country, at the intersection of important railroad and automobile routes. So it is impossible not to get here from any corner of the country, and even from abroad thanks to Balice International Airport.

Cracow is best known in the summer, in full sunshine, among excited visitors, but for locals the city acquires its true charm in autumn and even in winter, when it is quiet, peaceful, and the dirt of the street is hidden under a blanket of white fluff. It is also beautiful at night, when the magnificent illumination adds flavor to almost every building and street. See what's worth visiting in Krakow!

Cosmopolitan Krakow

The unique atmosphere of Krakow attracts like a magnet, especially felt in the cosmopolitan Krakow Market Square, but also the backstreets much less frequently visited, and perhaps especially they determine the uniqueness of this place.

That is why many tourists return here countless times, and each time they discover something new, something beautiful. Krakow is primarily a city of young people and it is they who create the unusual atmosphere here, moreover, it is a center of culture and entertainment. The Market Square is almost always bustling and often overcrowded, so I would also recommend you the Jewish Kazimierz, which has an amazing atmosphere, and its charming streets are not so crowded. A lot of tourists hide here in numerous pubs and clubs, offering not only fantastic taste, but also an unusual aura.

Attractions in Krakow or what to see in Krakow?

Visiting Krakow for the first time, it is impossible to know all its attractions. Here almost every building is beautiful, has its own rich history and interesting architecture. We have visited this city many times, and after all these visits we present you a guide to Krakow, which will make it easier for you to plan and visit the city of Krak. See the best attractions of Krakow where you can start exploring this wonderful city. Below you will find them marked on the map!

Wawel Castle in Krakow - an attraction for a weekend in Krakow

Wawel is a piece of Polish history, the seat of Polish rulers, as well as their necropolis, a symbol of Polish culture and tradition. Important events for Poles have been taking place here for centuries, the most important buildings on this hill are the Royal Castle and the Cathedral of St. Wenceslaus and St. Stanislaus (the first Romanesque church in this place stood as early as the 11th century, then the palace of Casimir the Restorer was built, and Wawel became the main capital of the country).

Wawel is open to tourists every day, the hill and castle courtyard free of charge, while the exhibitions in the interiors are paid for, including Wawel Lost and Representative Royal Chambers. The castle also hosts interesting temporary exhibitions.

Dragon 's Cave - a legendary attraction in Cracow

At Wawel Castle you can visit the karst Jurassic cave where, according to legend, the terrible Wawel Dragon lived . Hence it earned the name Dragon's Cave. The cave is accessible for a fee, during the tourist season.

Wawel Dragon - worth visiting in Cracow

The Dragonstatue stands on the Vistula River boulevards, below Wawel Hill. The dragon breathes fire and alludes to an old legend about a monster inhabiting the nearby Dragon's Cave. Nowadays, a sheep stands next to the dragon as well. This is a very popular place in Krakow, frequented by tourists.

According to legend, the dragon terrorized Krak's city for a very long time and all the residents were fed up with him. So the brave and clever shoemaker Skuba tossed a sheep stuffed with sulfur under the monster's den. The hungry dragon devoured the ram, and soon after he felt extremely thirsty. He threw himself into the Vistula River and began to drink the water until he burst. This is how an inconspicuous shoemaker defeated the beast, and a figure of the dragon was set up in Cracow to commemorate the event.

Market Square in Krakow - a must visit in Krakow

The Market Square in Cracow is one of the largest and most beautiful Market Squares in Europe, with the Cloth Hall in the central place, St. Mary's Church with the renovated altar of Veit Stoss and historic tenement houses.The Market Square was laid out in the 13th century and has remained the central point of the city ever since, the beating heart of Cracow. Its dimensions are 200x200 meters, and under the slab you can visit the accessible underground. Between the Cloth Hall and St. Mary's Church rises a tall statue of Adam Mickiewicz, popularly known here as "Adas". It is a customary meeting place for young people.

Underground of the Market Square - worth seeing in Cracow

Beneath the Main Market Square in Cracow stretches an interesting underground tourist route, which allows you to get to know extremely interesting medieval Cracow, with the help of the latest technology. The entrance to the underground is located in Krakow's Cloth Hall.

St.Mary 's Church - the hit of Krakow

The famous St. Mary's Church, which is the biggest highlight of Krakow's main square , is the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first Romanesque church in this place was built at the beginning of the 13th century, the present temple takes its origins in the 14th century, decorated with 2 high towers, the higher one was a watchtower centuries ago, since then the bugle call is struck on it every hour. The church is famous for its historic altarpiece by Wit Stwosz.

Krakow's head - a new symbol of the city of Krak

The famous Head - one of Krakow's younger attractions - has already grown into the landscape of Krakow's market square. This sculpture in the form of a huge human head is "Eros Bendato." It was donated to the city in 2005 by its author - world-class Polish sculptor Igor Mitoraj- and he wished it to just stand in the market square.

This is what happened, although the statue was initially controversial. Today it has been accepted for good and the number of interested tourists confirms that it was a good idea after all. The author of the sculpture died in Paris in 2014. His sculptures adorn the most important cities of Europe, and can also be seen in Japan or Usa.

Adam Mickiewicz monument - a meeting place in Krakow

The monument to Adam Mickiewicz, popularly known as Adas, stands in the Main Square. It was unveiled on the 100th anniversary of the bard's birth - June 16, 1898. Admittedly, Adam Mickiewicz never visited Krakow, but his monument lifted morale and boosted the national spirit. Destroyed during the war, it was later reconstructed and unveiled again in 1955. The 10-meter-tall monument is a traditional meeting place for Cracovians.

St. Mary's Square in Cracow

A charming square located between the Main Market Square and the Small Market Square. In the middle of the square stands St. Mary's Church, while in its shadow hides the much smaller, but also wonderful St. Barbara's Church. The square was created after 1802, on the site of the decommissioned cemetery at St. Mary's Church. The area of the former necropolis is demarcated by white Turkish paving.

In addition to the churches and interesting tenements, the "well of pigeons" with a bronze statue catches the eye here. Interestingly, this figure is an enlarged replica of one of the sculptures of the prophets from the frame of the central cabinet of the famous altar of Veit Stoss, from St. Mary's Church. It was made by Franciszek Kalfas as a 1958 gift from the craftsmen of Cracow to the city.

Small Market

The Small Market used to be also called the Old Market, Starzyzna and even Tandeta. This originated from the fact that used goods were traded here at one time. In the past, butcher's butcher shops also stood here and meat was traded. The commercial function of this square in Krakow has survived to this day. Nowadays you can buy handicrafts and souvenirs from the city here.

The Small Market, though not so small at all, as it is about 110x30 meters, is locatedat the back of St. Mary's and St. Barbara's Church. Events are often held here, and some of them have their genesis in the city's medieval tradition, such as the Feast of Dumplings, which refers to the tradition of St. Jack.

Kanonicza Street in Krakow - atmospheric Krakow

My favorite street in all of Krakow, very charming, although it is also already trodden down, as many tourists like it. Still, you can hit a quiet moment and feast your eyes on the beautiful architecture accompanied by flowers and interesting potted plants. It is also one of the oldest if not the oldest street in the city.

It once housed the homes of cathedral canons, or priests in charge of the cathedral. There are still some wonderful Renaissance and Baroque houses here, with stunning portals. I am always eager to pay attention to them. Kanonicza Street runs parallel to Grodzka Street, all the way up to Wawel Castle. You will also find a few restaurants here, but rather not budget ones. At number 19 is the Archdiocesan Museum.

Grodzka Street - the royal route of Krakow

Grodzka is one of the oldest and most important streets in Krakow. Its name appears in city documents from the second half of the 13th century. It leads from the Market Square to Wawel Castle and is part of the Royal Road, which was used by Polish kings to travel to Wawel. It used to be a trade route leading from south to north. Before the location of Krakow, it was a route from Hungary and Bohemia towards Mazovia and Greater Poland.

On Grodzka Street you will often see Krakow carriages. There are magnificent buildings lining it, including two sacred gems - St. Andrew's Church with soaring towers and the sizable Church of St. Apostles Peter and Paul . Walking 1/3 of its length from the square, there is a square named Dominican Square with the Dominican Church on the eastern side, and All Saints' Square on the western side (in memory of the now defunct All Saints' Church).

Church of St. Peter and Paul on Grodzka Street

This is the first Baroque church in Krakow, built on the site of a Gothic temple. Construction began in 1596, for the Jesuit order. Unfortunately, mistakes were made and it was not until King Sigismund III Vasa's builder, Jan Trevano of Lombardy, completed the temple in 1605-19. It is modeled on early Baroque Jesuit churches in Rome. It was built on a Latin cross plan, and in place of the side aisles are two rows of interconnected chapels. The nave is covered with a large dome. The interior of the church is decorated with stucco decoration from 1619-33 by Italian artist John Baptist Falconi. In the middle of the chancel, in the floor there is a tombstone of Piotr Skarga Pawęski, a Jesuit and royal court preacher.

St. Andrew's Church on Grodzka Street

Adjacent to the Jesuit church is the Romanesque Church of St. Andrew, probably founded around 1086 by Duke Wladyslaw Herman and his wife Judith as a votive offering for the birth of their son Boleslaw. It is a three-nave basilica with a transept. The walls are formed by fine stone pavers and the corners by sandstone blocks. The temple is distinguished by two slender towers. At the bottom they are quadrilateral, while in the upper parts they turn into octagons.

Narrow gun slits are evidence of the defensive nature of the building in the past. It is interesting to note that in 1241 the residents of Okhotsk took refuge in this church. Thanks to this, they survived the Tartar siege. The interior is decorated with Baroque stucco and polychrome. Hidden in the church vault are Gothic nativity figures, some of the oldest in Europe.

Collegium Maius - worth visiting in Cracow

TheCollegium Maius of the Jagiellonian University is the oldest building of the Krakow Academy. It is distinguished by a wonderful courtyard, which I recommend taking a look at. Especially since it is available free of charge. The building stands on Jagiellońska Street, on the corner with St. Anne's Street.

Theorigins of the Collegium Maius date back to 1400 and the renewal of the Krakow Academy. It was then that the Polish king Władysław Jagiełło bought the corner tenement from the Pęcherz family, and sometimes the neighboring buildings. After a fire in 1492, the buildings were combined and superstructed. It was then that the inner courtyard gained arcaded cloisters with late-Gothic crystal vaults. Even then the name Collegium Maius was used.

There has already been a museum in the Collegium Maius since the 19th century, except that at first it could not be so named due to the prohibition of the partitioning Austrian authorities. Since 1947, it has housed the Jagiellonian University Museum. Among the exhibits you will find noble curiosities:

• A collection of astronomical instruments, among which are those used by Nicolaus Copernicus himself,
• An Arabic astrolabe from 1054
• The Jagiellonian Globe, which is one of the oldest globes that bears the name and location of the American continent

Krakow Planty - tourist attractions in the center of Krakow

The Planty is a peculiar city park, surrounding the Old Town. It was created in the 19th century, more precisely in 1822-30, on the site of fortifications: demolished defensive walls, moat and earthen ramparts. Today the Planty is divided into 8 gardens:

• Wawel, from Powiśle Street to Franciszkańska Street
• University, from Franciszkańska Street to St. Anne's Street
• Palace of Art, from St. Anna Street to St. Thomas Street
• Florianka, from St. Thomas street to Slawkowska street
• Barbican, from Slawkowska street to Szpitalna street
• Dworzec, from Szpitalna St. to Mikolajska St
• Gródek, from Mikołajska Street to Dominikańska Street
• Stradom, from Dominikańska Street to Grodzka Street and Stradomska Street

Planty is one of the first places to welcome spring every year in Krakow, because here you will find colorful crocuses.

KrakowMuseum - monuments of Krakow

TheKrakow Museum was established in 1899 and is one of the oldest in Poland, operating in 19 historical buildings, including the City Hall Tower, Barbican, Schindler's Factory, Pharmacy Under the Eagle and the Old Synagogue. One of the newer branches is the Underground Market, open to tourists since 2010. The newest branch, on the other hand, is the Museum and Center of the Scout Movement on Forteczna Street.

The Museum's main headquarters is located on the Market Square in the Krzysztofory Palace at Rynek 35. This is Krakow in a nutshell, although of course I recommend all the branches of this powerful museum.

Jewish Kazimierz - a must see in Krakow

While in Krakow, you can't miss Kazimierz - the historic Jewish quarter, which is famous all over the world. Formerly a separate city, additionally located on an island, today it is the most atmospheric part of the city of Cracow.

Well-preserved synagogues - including the Remuh Synagogue, Kupa Synagogue and Tempel Synagogue, as well as the Museum in the Old Synagogue - transport tourists into the world of Judaism. In addition, it invites a lot of interesting clubs and restaurants with amazing decorations. Kazimierz in Krakow is the setting of many movies, including "Schindler's List."

TheRemu Synagogue is still open, with regular services, and next door invites one of the oldest Jewish cemeteries in Europe. The complex dates back to the 16th century and is accessible for a fee, every day except Saturdays. Opposite is the former Popper Synagogue, where the Jewish bookstore Austeria has been set up. On Miodowa Street, meanwhile, await the Kupa Syn agogue, with its beautiful interior, and the youngest Tempel Synagogue, with its striking facade, still open but with services held occasionally. Both host events during the annual Jewish Culture Festival, and are open to the public for a fee every day, except on Saturdays.

Old Synagogue in Kazimierz

This oldest synagogue in Poland was built back in the 15th century, following the model of German and Czech synagogues. In the following century it was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. Unfortunately, it suffered badly during the war, but was later carefully rebuilt, preserving the layout of the prayer rooms - for men and a separate one for women.

The interiors now house a branch of the Museum of Cracow telling the history of the Jews, mostly from Cracow. The synagogue stands in the heart of Kazimierz, on Szeroka Street, surrounded by interesting restaurants and other synagogues.

Below you will see on the map our suggestion for a walk in this atmospheric district

Zakrzówek - recreation in Krakow

Zakrzówek lagoon spills over in a now-defunct limestone quarry, in the Debniki district. It's a lovely setting. You can drive up here from both the north and south sides. You can find free parking on both sides. Currently the area is a bit dug up (spring 2023), but it's still worth a walk or a bike ride here, as there is a path around the entire quarry. The site is unique, on the south side beautiful walking piers have been built hanging on the water. Thus, the wild beach has turned into a system of pools of different depths. We liked it very much here.

Przylasek Rusiecki swimming pool - a walk in Krakow

About 20 km from the center of Krakow, in the Nowa Huta district, spills over several ponds with the common name of Przylasek Rusiecki. A very pleasant recreational area has recently been created here. An interesting infrastructure has been erected over reservoir No. 1, encouraging Cracovians and local residents to relax here.

A beautiful footbridge among tall grasses, a sizable sandy beach and a playground make this a very cool recreational spot for families. There are also beach soccer fields and paths stretching among the ponds. A picnic here was a great pleasure. A sizable free parking lot (spring 2023) will accommodate many cars, even on a warm Sunday.

Garden ofLights - attractions for children in Krakow

In the Garden of Experiences in Cracow, on the Avenue of Peace, a wonderful light exhibition flashes in autumn and winter. The Garden of Lights is Poland's largest Lighting Show, based on Alice in Wonderland, a must see 🙂 The Garden lit up for the first time in 2020.

The Gardenof Experiences - family attractions in Krakow

The Garden ofExperiences, located in the Polish Aviators' Park, at 68 Pokoju Avenue, is an interesting amusement park with devices showing the laws of physics. It is a great attraction not only for children, but also for adults, beautifully lit in winter.

Barbicanin Krakow - a monument of Krakow

The Barbicanin Krakow is the northernmost remnant of the city's medieval fortifications, which formed a 3-kilometer-long belt of double walls, with 47 towers and 7 gates, a moat and a barbican. It is a Gothic building with seven turrets, forming a slice of a circle with an inside diameter of almost 25 meters and a wall thickness of more than 3 meters. The barbican was built at the end of the 15th century

Mounds in Cracow - symbols of Krak's city

The city boasts as many as 5. mounds raised to national heroes. This makes Cracow the record holder in Poland in this regard. These are: the most popular Kosciuszko Mound, the oldest Wanda Mound and Krakus Mound, the highest Pilsudski M ound and the youngest and smallest John Paul II Mound. The latter was created in 1997 and measures 7 meters high . Especially 3 of them are ideal vantage points for viewing Krakow, plus the Krakus Mound is dreamed of for sunset. Here they are:

Mound Kosciuszko

It is located on St. Bronislawa Hill, in the Zwierzyniec district. It is accessible daily, butfor a fee, as part of the ticket to the Kosciuszko Museum, which has been established here. At its feet are the remains of fortifications from the period of Austrian rule, when Cracow served as a fortress. The summit, on the other hand, provides an excellent vantage point overlooking the city and the Beskid peaks on the opposite side.

Kosciuszko Mound was built in honor of Tadeusz Kosciuszko. The mound's raising began 3 years after the hero's death, in 1820, and was completed in 1823. The mound is 34 meters high, and free parking awaits under the museum.

Pilsudski Mound - the largest mound in Cracow

Pilsudski M ound, otherwise known as Independence Mound and Freedom Mound, is the largest of the 5 mounds in Cracow that still exist today. It was mounded in 1934-37, on top of Sowiniec - the highest elevation of the Sowiniec Range in the Wolski Forest. It is 35 meters high and is also the highest point in Cracow, measuring 383 meters above sea level.

You won't get here by car; it's best to park at the paid parking lot on Cuckoo Street (a shared parking lot with the Zoo) and walk up the green trail through the Wolski Forest. It's a walk of about 2 km, inaccessible to strollers. If you want a stroller, I recommend a slightly longer paved route from the same parking lot.

Mound of Krak

KrakMound, also called Krakus Mound, is located on the right bank of the Vistula River, in the Podgórze district. It was mounded on the highest elevation of the limestone bed of Krzemionki - Lasota Hill, about 270 meters above sea level. Nearby is the extensive Liban Quarry.

The height of Krakus Mound from the base to the top is 16 meters. It's a great place to enjoy the sunset and panorama of Krakow. You'll find parking on site or a free parking space on the street.

Cruises on the Vistula River - Cracow in one day

On the Vistula - the queen of Polish rivers, there are several ships in Cracow offering cruises to various interesting places in the city, such as Tyniec. This is an interesting alternative to walking around the city to see it from a different perspective.

Father Bernatek Footbridge in Krakow - art in Krakow

The footbridge was built in 2010. It's a pedestrian and bicycle footbridge in Cracow that is thrown over the Vistula River. It connects Kazimierz with Podgórze. It was named after Father Laetus Bernatek - a monk who led to the construction of buildings of the Bonifraters' hospital in the city at the turn of the 20th century. The Bernatek Footbridge is a 145-meter-long steel arch to which 2 bridges are suspended - for pedestrians and cyclists. The piers are about 130 meters long. The whole weighs more than 700 tons.

Museum of Urban Engineering in Kazimierz

The museum offers a historic Depot on Św. Wawrzyńca Street and a Hangar on Os. 2 Pułku Lotniczego Street. At the Museumyou will see vintage streetcars, as well as an exhibition of old Polish cars, the history of printing or a great multimedia exhibition on the wide use of the wheel.

Cracow sightseeing balloon - panorama of Cracow

Balloon flights in Cracow start at Volyn Boulevard, allow you to look at Cracow and the wide surroundings from a different perspective. The balloon rises to a height of about 150 meters and takes 10 people at a time.

Papal Tram

The PapalTram is line No. 8, John Paul II was closely associated with Krakow and tourists are very fond of visiting places dear to him, the Papal Tram connects the points visited by the Pope in the city center with the Divine Mercy Sanctuary in Lagiewniki.

The Pope's Window in Krakow

Located on Franciszkańska Street, the Papal Window is a nationally famous window in the Bishop's Palace in Krakow, where the Polish Pope, now Saint John Paul II, always appeared during his pilgrimages to Poland for informal talks with young people. Currently, the window features an image of our Pope.

Water Park - family attractions in Krakow

Krakow'sfamous Water Park is available all year round and hides quite a few interesting features. Of course, the most pleasant is the jacuzzi with its warm water, about 35 degrees Celsius. There are as many as 8 jacuzzi tubs, so even on the weekend you can find a place for yourself. We really enjoyed the rushing river, in which the current itself carries you away. Amelia was delighted with the children's wading pool with pirate island, with slides and water cannons. There is also a swimming pool, of course, plus a water climbing wall and obstacle course. For the brave there are high slides, winding outside the facility as well. It's a super place to relax, family and otherwise. A saunarium is also available at the pools.

Festive Krakow

TheChristmas season is a special time when many places in Poland dress up for Christmas. Lights, decorations, light installations appear. This is also the case in Krakow, it is worth walking around the city in search of Christmas accents, especially along Grodzka Street and in the Market Square. Beautiful large angels, a huge bauble, a huge Christmas tree, street lights or beautifully decorated trees appear there then.

Krakow Spa Pump Room

Krakow's Mateczny Spa Park is one of the greener places in the city. It was here that the Zdrojowa Pump Room opened in 2021, where you can taste two waters - the more mineralized Mateczny Zdrój and Anton's water with reduced mineralization. They are named after Anton Mateczny, the discoverer of the springs.

Tyniec Abbey - a gem of Krakow

The Abbey in Tyniec is one of the oldest monasteries in Poland, and perhaps the oldest. The first Romanesque buildings were built here as early as the 11th century. The abbey is located in the southwestern part of the city, beautifully situated on the Vistula River. Because of this, magical photos come out here, mostly at sunset. The monastery is open to the public, and a specialty store and restaurant are also open on site.

Church on Skalka

The Church on Skalka, also known simply as Skałka, is a magnificent Pauline monastery complex with a basilica of St. Michael the Archangel and St. Stanislaus the Bishop and Martyr. According to tradition, it is considered a shrine to the martyrdom of St. Stanislaus. Although he probably died at the nearby Wawel Castle, some believe that it was here that the famous bishop of Krakow lost his life.

The church is also a National Pantheon, as its vaults house the Crypt of Merit, where famous Polish poets and artists, including Czeslaw Milosz and Stanislaw Wyspianski, rest.

Polonia Wax Museum - Cracow's Museum of Wax Figures

Wax Museum Krakow is one of the more popular wax figure museums in Poland. It was originally established at the Market Square, but is now headquartered on Florianska Street, closer to the Gate. You'll see quite a few figures from the world of politics, film or sports here. It is quite controversial, as the figures here are reproduced not quite realistically. Some only resemble the stars or celebrities on display.

Bench of Banach and Nikodyma - famous in Krakow

In the Planty Park, not far from Wawel Castle, you will see a bench with figures of two prominent Polish mathematicians - Stefan Banach and Otto Nikodym. It stood here in 2016, on the 100th anniversary of the mathematical discussion of the Lebesgue integral that the scientists held here. The figures of mathematicians Banach and Nikodym were made by prominent Cracow sculptor Stefan Dousa.

Map of Krakow attractions - what to see in Krakow

Below we have marked for you the attractions mentioned in this article above. There are also selected restaurants and hotels. I hope you will find the map useful when planning your trip.

Where to eat in Cracow? Recommended restaurants of Cracow

There are plenty of restaurants and eateries in and around the Main Square. Not all of them at a high level. I highly recommend you Gościnna Chata on Slawkowska Street, close to the Market Square. It's a restaurant with very good regional and Polish food and beautiful, homey decor. At lunchtime you may have trouble with a free table. From the menu you should definitely choose the mutton, it is tender and delicious. Also hugely impressive are the ribs, tender and huge! Among the desserts, the potato pancakes are certainly intriguing, very tasty, be sure to try! We were also tempted by the crab cheesecake. The place is worth your attention.

I also highly recommend you a culinary visit to Krakow's Kazimierz. Here restaurants and clubs are huge, they are great, have atmosphere, style and mega taste. We tried several of them. An extremely charming restaurant called Hevre, on Beer Meisels Street, was set up in a former Jewish house of prayer. It has a great vibe, and we ate some very tasty Italian and non-Italian dishes here. A nice place also to sit with a beer or wine, in the heart of Kazimierz. If you wanted to explore all the bars in Kazimierz, it could end badly for your wallet and stomach. There are really a huge number of them here, and every one is more interesting. The First Degree Restaurant on Krakowska Street is definitely worth a visit. It's a trendy pub with gorgeous decor and lots of greenery. The interior enchanted me, as did the way the food was served. The taste is also at a high level. Mainly Polish dishes, I recommend. And then there are the iconic zapiekanki from Okrąglak on Plac Nowy. Every window is a different adventure, and they operate until 2:00-3:00 hours in the morning!

But but, it's not all culinary discoveries in Krakow. I was even delighted with a visit to the Maybe Tu Resto restaurant near Park Wodny, at 120 Dobrego Pasterza St. The place has a cool, loft-like decor and offers a kids' corner, but what captivates most here is, of course, the food. A real wow! You'll find delicacies on the menu, topped off with wonderfully served dishes. We really enjoyed the Japanese dish, I was captivated by the light Polish cuisine, and there is Italian cuisine, burgers, exceptionally successful soups and vege dishes. And then there are the unique desserts. We tasted the one with pear. Here nothing is ordinary, a real culinary masterpiece!

Accommodation in Krakow - proven Hotels

Krakow isone of the largest cities in Poland, and very popular among tourists from all over the world, so the accommodation offer here is very rich. Below you will learn about the many lodging offers in Krakow. I, on the other hand, will recommend the Sky Hotel in Krakow, especially if you are traveling by train, as the hotel is located right next to the railway station. If you're traveling by car, the hotel has its own parking lot, for an additional fee. In addition, it offers an instant check-in and check-out service. The room we had was very elegant and comfortable, with a desk, kettle, refrigerator, safe, flat-screen TV and a private bathroom with shower. Free WiFi is available in all rooms. The hotel also offers a fitness center and a bar.

The Qubus Hotel Krakow is also worth recommending, as we had a chance to test it a few years ago. The Qubus Hotel Krakow is of a very high standard, as it boasts 4 stars. The rooms may not have impressed us with anything, but the delicious and very varied breakfasts and the glass swimming pool with a wonderful view of the city remain in our memory for a long time. Something else that appealed to me was the free boat ride on the Vistula, from the hotel to the Wawel Castle.

In Kazimierz, on the other hand, we slept at the Great Polonia Hotel, in the heart of this Jewish district, 200 meters from the Old Synagogue. It's a very comfortable and not too expensive base when visiting Kazimierz, although at night you can hear the bustling life at Okrąglak 🙂 You have to buy breakfast separately, but you can enjoy coffee and water all day in the hotel's dining room.

Our videos with Krakow in the lead role

We also give you our videos about the royal city. In the first one we've collected attractions you can visit away from the center like the Mounds, Zakrzówek and Przylasek Rusiecki. In the second one, we'll stroll along the atmospheric streets of Kazimierz, visit the famous synagogues and eat in delicious restaurants. You are invited!

The centuries-old history of Cracow

But although a young spirit rises above Krakow, history and centuries-old past permeates to the depths in almost every place in this city that is one of the oldest centers in Poland. It was here that kings walked, here that culture flourished and artists grew.

To see this for yourself, just take the most famous and at the same time the most beautiful route in Cracow - the Royal Route, running from the Barbican through the Market Square to the Wawel Castle, which is not a gem but a diamond among Polish historical monuments. Returning, it is worth walking along Kanonicza Street - it is a wonderful, charming nook and cranny of Krakow, of which there is no shortage. In 1978, the Old Town of Krakow , along with Wawel Castle, Kazimierz and Stradom, was included in theUnesco World Heritage List .

And did you know that from Krakow you can easily get to beautiful Olomouc in the Czech Republic by train? Check out our guide to the attractions of Olomouc!

Krakow legends

Krakow legends are numerous, and among them are the famous ones, known to almost every Pole, as well as the less popular ones. One of the more famous is the legend of the Wawel Dragon. According to it, the dragon terrorized Krak's city for a very long time and the residents did not know how to deal with it. The cobbler Skuba tossed a ram stuffed with sulfur under the monster's den. When the dragon devoured him, he felt such a strong thirst that he threw himself into the Vistula River. He drank the water until he burst.

Legend of the pigeons

Over the centuries, Krakow was repeatedly besieged by enemy armies, for it aroused the envy of neighbors near and far. One of the sieges lasted for a very long time and the residents were fearful of their fate. Hunger looked in their eyes. They even began to eat pigeons, but since the city is famous for them, bird hunting was quickly banned. However, the situation continued to deteriorate. The townspeople came up with the brilliant idea to let the pigeons outside the walls, with letters begging for help. After all, birds do not know the constraints faced by humans and can frolic into the distance above the besieged city and the enemy.

So several pigeons were released, each in a different color. After a few days, the first one returned with the message "Relief on the way. Six days of march." Great joy took over the city, more returning birds brought similar news, the more encouragement and faith appeared in the hearts of the Cracovians. The evening before the day when help was to come, a white pigeon sat on the church tower. No one caught it again, as the entire city was preparing to attack. As soon as dawn broke, they struck at the enemy with as much force as the awareness of rescue and help. Surprised, the enemy began to retreat, leaving carts with food and valuable loot. Krakow was free again.

In the evening, someone caught a white pigeon and read the message "The relief was stopped by spilling rivers. Surrender the city."

Legend of the Krzysztofforski Treasures

In the Market Square, at the corner of Szczepańska Street, stands Krzysztofory Palace - the main seat of the Museum of Krakow. And did you know that a labyrinth of cellars stretches beneath it? They reach all the way to St. Mary's Church. Legend has it that the sorcerer Krzysztof hid gold in these dungeons, and they were guarded by the devil himself. One day a cook in the palace wanted to kill a rooster for dinner, but the rooster escaped into the underground. When she found him, he admitted that he was that devil and would shower her with gold for giving him life. All she had to do was return to the palace without looking back, so that the secrets of the dungeons would remain safe.
However, a woman's curiosity won out and the donated gold turned to garbage, and all the treasure remained in the palace's basement.

See our ranking of the most beautiful cities in Poland with Krakow