Krakow

Must See

• 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.
• 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 it 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 amber jewellery, leather and mountains of sweets.
• Explore Kazimierz The Jewish district of Krakow from the 14th century up to the Second World War. 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

• 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.
• 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 film ‘Schindler’s List’ was filmed here. Now a real emerging district it is spotted with hip, bohemian cafés, bars and restaurants.

Food and Drink
There is a huge amount of choice around the Main Market Square, from pavement cafés, 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 bar mleczny (milk bar) a relic from communist times, to modern gourmet treats and fine dining. Traditional dishes such as pierogi, delicious stuffed dumplings, and borscht, a beetroot soup, are offered alongside more international menus so all tastes are catered for. The cafés are renowned for their delicious cakes and desserts.
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
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.
Where to Stay
Planty is the city park that runs in a ring around the Old Town where the city walls used to be. A hotel that overlooks this park or is within it is a very central choice. The city is small and most attractions can be reached on foot so staying close to the river or castle is no problem and you may be rewarded with fantastic views.
Things to do

• 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.
• AUSCHWITZ-BIRKENAU - 6 million Poles, including 3 million Jews, 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 thought provoking and important monument to the Holocaust.
• 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 are figures, monuments and altarpieces, as well as the magnificent St Kinga Chapel magically lit with chandeliers. This tour may not be suitable for customers with mobility difficulties.
• NOWA HUTA TOUR - DISCOVER THE SECRETS OF THE COMMUNIST PARADISE - 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.