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Kraków

Poland Travel Guide

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Main Square (Rynek Glowny) with the marketplace (Sukiennice), Adam Mickiewicz Monument (pomnik Adama Mickiewicza), church of Saint Mary (Kosciol Mariacki) and church of Saint Adalbert (Kosciol sw. Wojciecha).
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City, Sunny, Buiding, Tourism, Market Square, Saint Adalbert, History, St Mary, Old Town, Cathedral, No People, Market - Retail Space, Cityscape, Architecture, Adam Mickiewicz Monument, Outdoors, Travel, Basilica, Marys, Church, Clear Sky, Photography, Poland, Cloth Hall, Capital - Architectural Feature, Rynek Glowny Square, Horizontal, Polish, Krakow, POLSKA, Town Square

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Overview

Poland's former royal capital effortlessly fuses medieval pomp and pageantry with modern-day, student-fuelled fun into a harmonious whole.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Wawel Cathedral, Wawel Hill.

    Wawel Cathedral

    Kraków

    Wawel Cathedral has witnessed many coronations, funerals and burials of Poland’s monarchs and nobles. The present cathedral is basically a Gothic, but…

  • Wieliczka Salt Mine

    Wieliczka Salt Mine

    Kraków

    Some 14km southeast of Kraków, the Wieliczka (vyeh-leech-kah) salt mine has been welcoming tourists since 1722 and today is one of Poland's most popular…

  • St. Mary's Church on Market Square in Krakow.

    St Mary's Basilica

    Kraków

    This striking brick church, best known simply as St Mary’s, is dominated by two towers of different heights. The first church here was built in the 1220s…

  • The Wawel Royal Cathedral (Polish: Katedra Wawelska, na Wawelu) by night in Krakow, Poland, city landmark dating back to the 11th century.

    Wawel Royal Castle

    Kraków

    As the political and cultural heart of Poland through the 16th century, Wawel Royal Castle is a potent symbol of national identity. It's now a museum…

  • Collegium Maius

    Collegium Maius

    Kraków

    The Collegium Maius, part of Jagiellonian University, is the oldest surviving university building in Poland, and one of the finest examples of 15th…

  • Pharmacy under the Eagle, Plac Bohaterow Getta 18, Podgorz.

    Museum of Pharmacy

    Kraków

    The name of this museum doesn’t sound that exciting, but the Jagiellonian University Medical School’s Museum of Pharmacy is one of the largest museums of…

  • Church of SS Peter & Paul

    Church of SS Peter & Paul

    Kraków

    The Jesuits erected this church, the first baroque building in Kraków, after they had been brought to the city in 1583 to do battle with supporters of the…

  • Kosciuszko Mound Hill and fortification, Krakow, Poland

    Kościuszko Mound

    Kraków

    This mound, dedicated to Polish (and American) military hero Tadeusz Kościuszko (1746–1817), was erected between 1820 and 1823. It stands 34m high and…

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Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip

Best Things to Do

Filled with monuments testifying to its rich history, cultural attractions and fabulous food, Kraków is a city to savor. Here are 14 ways you can.

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Best Time to Visit

Whether you visit this culturally rich Polish city in the snowy winter or balmy summer months, here’s your month-by-month guide to when to visit Kraków.

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Things to Know

Kraków is Poland’s most charming urban destination. We’re here to help you navigate your way past any potential pitfalls.

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Transportation

It’s a breeze to get around this enchanting Polish city by tram and by bus – and easy to arrive from other cities in Central Europe, too.

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Free Things to Do

From communist fallout shelters and city beaches to world-class architecture and museums, here is how to see Krakow for free.

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Best Neighborhoods

Whether you're smitten with the Old Town or would like to venture further afield amongst the locals, here's your guide to the best neighborhoods in Krakow.

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Day Trips

Kraków is parked with things to see and do, and it’s also an awesome jumping-off spot for a variety of day trips. Here are five of the best.

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Money and Costs

With its medieval center, terrific museums, and many of Poland's best restaurants, Kraków isn't always a cheap break. Here's how to visit on a budget.

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