Poland City Guides: Krakow
Krakow (Cracow)
- Poland's most beautiful city
- A UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Copernicus studied at Krakow's Jagiellonian University, founded in 1364
- Restored & revived Jewish Quarter
- Wawel Castle the home to many centuries of Polish kings
- Auschwitz-Birkenau is a day trip
- Population of 750,000
- Superb architecture
Krakow is located in the south of Poland, not far from the Slovak border. It dates to the 7th century C.E. and is one of Poland's major artistic, cultural, and academic centers.
Welcome to Kraków, a city steeped in legend, culture, and architectural splendor. Nestled in the southern region of Poland, Kraków is a pleasing blend of medieval charm and modern vibrancy. Stroll through the cobblestone streets of its beautifully preserved Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and marvel at the majestic Wawel Castle towering over the picturesque Vistula River. Discover the poignant history of Kazimierz, the city's historic Jewish quarter, or lose yourself in the lively atmosphere of Rynek Główny, Europe's largest medieval square. With its wealth of museums, galleries, and vibrant nightlife, Kraków beckons visitors to immerse themselves in its rich heritage and contemporary creativity.
History
Krakow was the capital of the country from 1038 to 1596, then the capital of the Grand Duchy of Krakow from 1848 to 1918.
Krakow's origins can be found on Wawel Hill, today the site of the impressive and stately Wawel Castle.
The city's "Golden Age" took place in the 15th and 16th centuries. During this period, many of the city's synagogues were built, works of Polish Renaissance art and buildings were created, and the first printing press was established in the city. In 1520, the most famous church bell in the entire country - the Zygmunt - was cast in Krakow.
However, in 1592, the period came to a close following a plague and the Swedish invasion. In that year, Sigismind III, a Swedish king, moved the capital to Warsaw.
During World War II, the city was occupied by Nazi Germany. During this dark period in the history of Poland, the city's thriving Jewish population was decimated. Nearly every man, woman, and child was ultimately sent to an extermination camp, in particular nearby Auschwitz.
In more recent history, the former Archbishop of Krakow, Karol Wojtyla, was elevated as the first Polish pope. He served in the Vatican until his death, in 2005.
For tourists - and Poles - Krakow is a special place: in spite of repeated invasion from east and west (Russia and Germany, respectively), it never suffered the destruction that other Polish cities endured. Thus, much of the city remains as it was hundreds of years ago.
Things to Do In Krakow
The city's Old Town (Stare Miasto) was designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978; Stare Miasto was the center of Polish political life from 1038-1592 and remains one of the largest in Europe.
The focal point is Rynek Glowny with its many pavement cafes, street musicians and horse drawn carriages creating a lively atmosphere both day and night. Some of the main historical buildings in the square include the medieval Sukiennice - a vast cloth hall originally dating to the 14th century and remodeled in the 1550s by Italian stonemasons.
The Noworolski cafe on the eastern side of the Sukiennice was frequented by Lenin before World War I, and though now primarily focused on tourists, rather than locals, remains its Belle Époque elegance and charm.
The onion-domed Town Hall Tower is located just south of the Sukiennice. You can climb the 70-meter tower in summer for views of the city and the impressive gargoyles on the Sukiennice. Also in the square itself is a statue of the writer Adam Mickiewicz and the tiny St Adalbert's Church.
West of the Rynek Glowny is the Krakow History Museum and further on the city's University Quarter, where Nicolaus Copernicus is believed to have once been a student. The main buildings of this historic university include the Gothic Collegium Maius (Grand College), which hosts the University Museum (with tours of the lecture halls and library available in English), the university St Anne's Church by Tylman van Gameren, the Collegium Minus and the Collegium Novum, with a statue of Copernicus outside.
Just south of the Old Town, tourists will find Wawel Castle, the Jewish Quarter of Kazimierz, Florian Gate and Planty Park as well as many other smaller museums and attractions. Planty replaced the old city walls that were demolished in the 19th century and makes for a wonderful stroll along its green belt full of wonderful sycamore and horse chestnut trees up to Wawel.
Wawel Castle is a Gothic castle built by Casimir III in the 14th century. Wawel was used in coronation ceremonies and served as the seat of Polish kings for 500 years. Wawel consists of both a castle palace and a cathedral, which dates from the early 14th century and contains the tombs of various Polish kings including Sigismund the Old, Wladyslaw the Short, Kazimierz the Great and numerous bishops.
Wawel Royal Castle
31-001 Kraków, Wawel 5
Tel: (+48 12) 422-51-55, 422-61-21
Florian Gate is the entrance to the Old Town. It was built in the 14th century as a fortification against Turkish attacks.
There is also tourism related to the history of the city's Jewish population. The Jewish Quarter located near to the Wisla River to the south past Wawel has one operating synagogue plus the remains of several others, many restaurants, and places where it is possible to hear Klezmer music.
A bit farther out is Schindler's Factory at ul. Lipowa 4, which was run by Oskar Schindler and made by famous by the Steven Spielberg film Schindler's List.
For something a little different head east out of town on tram #4, #14 or #15 to Plac Centralny and the Stalinist-era suburb of Nowa Huta with its museums, churches, concrete apartment blocks and less-touristy feel.
Around Krakow
Besides a visit to see the horror of Auschwitz-Birkenau, Krakov is a good base to visit the mountain resort of Zakopane and the Wieliczka Salt Mine.
Nightlife & Entertainment In Krakow
There are many pubs, bars, restaurants, and clubs within the Old Town including everything from English and Irish pubs, Italian, Indian and vegetarian restaurants and even places to smoke a hookah. A good source with frequent updates on Krakow's nightlife is: Cracow-life.com.
For a real Polish experience of good beer and roast pork try CK Browar at ul. Podwale 6/7 for a subterranean booze up from plastic tubes filled with 3 liters of beer. There's a night club on the premises and wall-to-wall TVs for the football.
Krakow Shopping
Poland is famous for its amber, crystal, and vodka. These can all be found in abundance in Krakow's Old Town in the plethora of souvenir shops. Kazimierz is known for its many antique stores.
Tourist Offices
Rynek Glowny Kraków; Tel 12 433 73 10
Getting To Krakow
Air
The John Paul II International Airport is 15 km (ten miles) from the center of the city. There are taxis, an airport train to the main railway station, or municipal bus lines #292, #208, and nightly #902.
Flights arrive from around Europe and North America often via Frankfurt. There are direct flights to London, Vienna, Paris and Rome. There are short-hop budget connections to Malaga and Dublin. There are also connections to both Chicago and less frequently New York.
Rail
From Warsaw, a high-speed train takes under three hours with onward connections to Gdansk. From Krakow to Wroclaw is a slow, five hour journey. Similarly Poznan is a long 7 hours+ journey.
Bus/Car
Take the Autostrada A4 from the German border - where it meets the Autobahn A4 - to Kraków. There are highway buses to Warsaw but no bus connections to Wroclaw.
Getting Around Krakow
Krakov can be explored adequately on foot or on the city's tram system if you are heading out to Kazimierz, The Jewish Quarter or Nowa Huta. Bicycle hire is another option. The 2- or 3-day Krakow Card entitles the user to free travel on the city's buses and trams as well as free entry to a number of the city's museums. The card is valid on buses #208 and #292 to Balice Airport as well as #304 to Wieliczka. Electric golf carts can also be hired with a driver/guide who will whisk you around the city.
Accommodation in Krakow
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Recommended Hotels in Krakow
Grand Hotel, Slawkowska 5 Kraków, Poland; Tel: 012 424 08 00
Hotel Polonia, ul. Basztowa 25, Kraków, 31-156; Tel: 012 422 12 33
The England team for Euro 2012 will base themselves in the Old Town at the 5-star Stary Hotel and train at the Hutnik Municipality Stadium, home of Polish non-league side Hutnik Krakow.
Eating
Krakow has some of Poland's best eateries including traditional Polish and international restaurants. List your restaurant here. Contact Us
Drinking
There is an expanding list of places to drink in Krakow including Irish and English style pubs, lounge bars and even a branch of the Hard Rock Cafe. List your bar, cafe or club here for FREE. Contact Us
Bars, Cafes & Internet Cafes
List your bar, cafe, pub or internet cafe here for FREE! Contact Us
Krakow Weather
Krakow is on Poland's warmer western side so the weather in winter is usually slightly warmer than Warsaw to the north. Summers are warm with the possibilty of thunderstorms with temperatures sometimes over 30 degrees Centigrade whereas in winter it can get as cold as 20 degrees Centigrade below freezing.
Krakow Trams
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