If you, just like me, are that kind of person who, before a trip, likes to do research and to daydream about the destination, then I have a confession: Krakow has gone beyond my expectations.

Seriously: no tourist guide has been able to impart to me what Krakow can actually offer.

It’s a young, dynamic and colorful city, full of cultural activities, night life, it offers delicious typical dishes and the cost of living is very low. To make a long story short, if you’re planning to spend a few days in Krakow, don’t think twice and book the plane ticket (you can easily find low cost options) and just go!

 

Read also: 5 things to know before visiting Auschwitz

 

Krakow Clara on the road

 

Some practical information

 

The currency

Polish currency is the zloty, and one zloty is about 0.24 € . When you travel in Countries where the local currency has a lower value than yours, I always recommend to change your money in the Country of destination. Despite this, I don’t recommend airports changes: usually it’s more favorable in the city center. If you manage to get in the centre of Krakow without the need of cash, there will be full of change offices (personally, I recommend the one in 40 Ulica Florianska). Otherwise, if you need cash to get to the center, change the minimum necessary in the airport change, and the rest in the city.

 

From the airport to the centre of Krakow

Krakow-Balice airport is 11 kilometres away from the city. The fastest way to reach the city is by train: the station is inside the airport, and a train to Krakow main station leaves every 30 minutes. The ticket costs 9 zloty (2 euros) and you can buy it directly on board, at ticket machines on the platform or in the airport itself.

 

What to see in Krakow

According to my research, 3 days in Krakow would have been enough to explore the city. But it was not so. Krakow is so “rich” and it offers so many options, that I had to leave the city with the promise to return. In addition, if you want to do some trips outside the city (such as a visit to Auschwitz-Birkenau or to Wieliczka salt Mines) you need at least 5 days.

 

Stare Miasto, the Historic Center

The entire area surrounded by the Planty park (a public garden that starts from the Barbican and continues up to the Wawel hill) is the Stare Miasto, the old city of Krakow, Just inside the Stare Miasto there are several things to not miss.

 

Rynek Główny, the main market square, is the largest medieval town square in Europe (200 square meters) and it hoststhe main monuments of the city. At the centre of the square there is the Sukiennice, the Krakow cloth hall, a large building where on the ground floor you will find a market of local crafts and souvenirs, and on the first floor the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Art.

 

Rynek Główny Clara on the road

 

In a corner of Rynek Główny, there is Kościół Mariacki, St. Mary’s Church, an imposing building with two tall towers; you should visit it.

In the extreme north of the historic centre of Krakow you will meet the Barbakan (a medieval bastion used by the battles’winners to enter in the city with the prisoners of war) flanked by Brama Florianska, St. Florian’s Gate, the only original door of the ancient fortification of the city survived until today.

 

Barbakan Clara on the road

 

On the opposite side of the historic centre (in the south) stands the Wzgórze Wawelskie, the Wawel Hill; I recommend to spend some time here, possibly not in the hottest hours of the day. This hill is a very symbolic place for Polish history, and it hosts the Zamek Krolewski, the Wawel Castle, and the Katedra Wawelska, the Cathedral. In the Castle you can visit the royal chambers and the collection of art that includes the famous Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci. The Wawel Cathedral is the national sanctuary of Poland, where three were traditionally celebrated the coronations of the Polish kings.

 

Wawel Clara on the road

 

Kamizierz, the former jewish ghetto

Out of the Planty park, really close to the historic centre of Krakow, there is the Kamizierz district. The former jewish ghetto, today it’s a lively area full of artistic and cultural activities. Plac Nowy is the heart of the district, with many restaurants, kiosks, street food, night clubs and typical shops. On Sunday morning it hosts a very nice flea market and it’s perfect for the nightlife. Kamizierz is also the hub of jewish Krakow: do not miss a visit to the Stara Synagoga, the jewish worship place, the most ancient of the country which now houses a museum dedicated to the jewish art and traditions. The Remuh Synagogue is the smallest in the district and the only one regularly used for religious functions; in its back there’s the Remuh Cemeter, used for burials until the end of the Eighteenth century.

 

Plac Nowy Clara on the road

 

Podgórze

Podgórze district it’s on the right bank of the Vistula river. This ares played a crucial role during the second world war: here nazis gathered around 15,000 jews into a ghetto, and then empty it with the deportations. The central element of the ghetto was Plac Zgody, which now houses the monument of the 70 empty chairs, that represents furniture and other objects left there by the deported. On the south side of the square, you’ll find The Eagle Pharmacy, which now houses a museum but during the occupation was a pharmacy managed by Tadeusz Pankiewicz, a not jewish pharmacist, who lived in the ghetto over the most brutal years, and who witnessed the worst atrocities. His testimony is told in a wonderful book that you should read.

 

Read the book review of The Cracow Ghetto Pharmacy

 

Sedie Vuote Cracovia Clara on the road

 

I could keep writing about this wonderful city, but except the things that you absolutely must not miss, the best recommendation that I can give you is to get lost in the narrow streets of Krakow, to explore the hidden corners, to taste the typical dishes, and to let this charming city surprise you!

 

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Chi è l'autore

A writer by profession, a traveler for passion (and vice versa), I love to explore new places and immerse myself in different cultures, bringing my southern spirit around the world.