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Krakow City Breaks

Once a royal capital with an extraordinary history, and now a lively university town with fashionable bars and restaurants, Krakow is a fascinating city with beautiful monuments and an exuberant atmosphere.

Insider Tip

Submerge yourself in a little piece of Krakow history at the Singer pub in Kazimierz. Dark, candlelit and atmospheric, the bar is named after the singer sewing machines and trestle tables dotted about the rooms.

Gibraltar city map

Your Accommodation

 



Map Ref. Hotel Rating Price
1 Wyspianski *** Book from £33 per night
2 Campanile Krakow *** Book from £44 per night
3 RT Monopol *** Book from £38 per night
4 Senacki ***PLUS Book from £52 per night
5 Novotel Krakow Centrum **** Book from £48 per night
6 Hotel Kossak **** Book from £61 per night

 



 

Must See

 

must see in krakow

Rynek Glowny Known as the Main Market Square it is Europe's largest medieval square, the size of four football pitches and the centre of the city. 

Wawel Hill Poland's storehouse of national identity, home to the Wawel Castle, an impressive blend of Gothic original architecture and a Renaissance Palace.

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Kamienica townhouses The historic architecture to be found throughout the Old Town and one of the most distinctive elements of Krakow.

Cloth Hall One of the city's most recognisable icons was once an important focal point for international trade. Now restored and glorious in the centre of the Main Market Square, it contains stalls laden with local crafts, artefacts , jewellery and couvenirs.

Explore Kazimierz The Jewish district of Krakow from the 14th century up to the Second World Way. Although buildings have been restored and the area has seen a growth in Jewish-themed restaurants, bars, bookstores and souvenir shops, many buildings were not repaired after the devastation of the war so a wander through this part of town is thought provoking and atmospheric.



 

Must Do

must do in krakow

Descend the 360 steps in to the Wieliczka Salt Mines and be amazed at the devotion of the miners who carved the incredible Chapel of Salt. A well-deserved place on the UNESCO World Heritage list.

See for yourself the site of Auschwitz-Birkenau; this former concentration camp is now a poignant museum.

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Make the trip across the River Vistula to Podgorze, site of the Jewish Ghetto in Krakow and home to the Schindler factory - much of the fild 'Schindler's List" was filmed here. Now a real emerging district it is spotted with hip, bohemian cafes, bars and restaurants.

 

 

 

Food & Drink

food and drink in krakow

There is a huge amount of choice around the Main Market Square, from pavement cafes, pizzerias and restaurants to numerous cellar bars and pubs. Venture down any alleyway or street however, and you will be rewarded by a cosy eatery or welcoming underground bar. Establishments range from the cheap and retro bars mleczny (milk bars), relics from communist times to modern gourmet treats and fine dining. Traditional dishes such as pierogi, delicious stuffed dumplings, and borchst, a beetroot soup are offered alongside more international menus so all tastes are catered for. The cafes are renowned for their delicious cakes and desserts.


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Poles are famous for their beers so it is essential to try the local brew, from the pilsner to the dark and full-bodied porter. Vodka is also part of life here so your trip would not be complete without sampling from the huge array of flavours and strengths. Try Kazimierz for a lovely selection of chic and bohemian bars and cafes.


 

Shopping

shopping in krakow

At Rynek Glowny, the largest medieval market square in Europe, you'll find a variety of shops selling jewellery and souvenirs. Dolls, lace, amber and silver jewellery make excellent gifts, and the regular flower and flea markets of Cloth Hall are great places to pick up some bargains.

Excursions

excursions in krakow

Krakow City Tour

Explore Krakow by bus and foot, taking in Kazimierz - the Jewish District, Wawel Hill, the Royal Castle and cathedral, the Market Square, Gothic Cloth Hall and St Mary's Church.

Departs: daily. Duration: 4 hours.
Adults from £29.

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Auschwitz-Birkenau
6 million Jews, including 3 million Poles, perished in Nazi concentration camps between 1940-45, over 1.5 million at Auschwitz alone. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Auschwitz Memorial Museum is a moving, thought provoking yet important monument to the Holocaust.

Departs: daily. Duration: 6 hours.
Adults from £31.

Wieliczka Salt Mines
Earning a place on the UNESCO World Heritage list, this 800-year-old salt mine is a vast underground city of tunnels, caverns and lakes. Carved out of the walls up to 135m underground figures, monuments St Kinga Chapel magically lit with salt crystal chandeliers. This tour may not be suitable for customers with mobility difficulties.

Departs: daily. Duration: 4 hours
Adults from £31.

Communism Deluxe Tour - Discover the secrets of the Communist Parade
Can you imagine sharing your bathroom with a fish for a week? Or standing ten hours in a queue to buy toilet paper? Poland after the Second World War was a communist country where terror and sorrow mixed with the comic and the absurd. Visit Nowa Huta, the city which was a communist paradise, and at the same time a fortress, prepared to defend its citizens in case of an attack on the Soviet Bloc from the West. You will have a unique chance to see modern houses and squares created according to Leonardo da Vinci's plans, experience the taste of vodka and herring, admire the size of the Steelworks Complex or visit the church which is the symbol of freedom. You will be told of the realities of everyday life in communist Poland, while seeing the most significant places connected with its recent past.

Departs: Tuesday & Friday. Duration: 4 hours
Adults from £50.

 

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