Krakow is a beautiful, old city on the banks of the Vistula River in the southern part of Poland. It is the historical capital of the Polish kingdom and one of the largest cultural centers of the country. The jewel of Krakow is the historical center, which has preserved the original medieval structure and many architectural monuments. Many years ago it was surrounded by majestic fortress walls, from which remains only a small area at the Florian Gate. Krakow is included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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You can see around 6 thousand buildings in the Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic styles in the Old Town of Krakow, as well as more than 2 million works of art. Krakow is the only major city in Poland that was not destroyed during the Second World War, thanks to the heroism of the Soviet Army. Nowadays, Krakow is a well-preserved city with picturesque cobblestone streets, many churches, museums, cafes, restaurants, and bars.
The main symbol of the city is the Wawel Hill with the royal castle, which has been preserved since the heyday of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. It has an important meaning for the entire Polish nation. There are also several other iconic sights in Krakow: the medieval Main Market Square (one of the largest market squares in Europe); the Gothic Church of the Holy Virgin Mary, which is considered one of the most important religious buildings in Poland; Jagiellonian University (the oldest educational institution in the country), Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, and many old churches. Scroll down below to see the main places that you should visit in Krakow.
Market Square
The market square of Krakow is the largest in all of Europe. It has preserved elements of the Baroque and Renaissance eras with beautiful courtyards, portals, and attics. Conveniently, many other iconic Polish sights are on the Market Square — St. Mary’s Church, the Zbaraski palace complex, the statue of Adam Mickiewicz, and the Town Hall Tower. It is worth paying attention to the Cloth rows — a shopping gallery, equipped during the reign of Boleslav the Fifth.
St. Mary’s Church
The building of St. Mary’s church is one of the most beautiful not only in Krakow, but in the whole country. Various architectural styles can be seen here such as: Iconic Gothic, exquisite Renaissance, and luxurious Baroque. The interior decoration of the church does not fail to amaze visitors with its rich and luxurious appearance: a carved wooden altar with scenes from Holy Scripture, shining gilding, and magnificent vaults.
Market Square dungeons
It’s true that the most beautiful places in Krakow are even underground. Under the Market Square lie the catacombs, which serve as a platform for a historical museum. A real wealth of knowledge about the past of Krakow is at a depth of several meters and descending into the dungeons allows for a realistic insight into Krakow several hundred years ago. There are even interactive activities such “The Legend of Old Krakow” for children. The total area of the dungeons is about 6 thousand square meters.
Florian Street
Take a stop in the historical part of the city and slowly walk along Florian Street, enjoying the fresh air and the magnificent buildings in the style of Classicism, Baroque, and Renaissance. You can also admire the Florian Gate — the ancient defensive structure of the city.
Town Hall Tower
If you had to choose only one place to stop in Krakow, it should be the Krakow Town Hall. It is a Gothic building of the 14th century, covered by a dome with arched-windows. You can climb the spiral staircase to the observation deck, which offers panoramic views of the entire city. In addition, there are several museum expositions in the interior. In the basement, there is a cafe that serves incredibly delicious and aromatic coffee.
Wawel Castle
Wawel Castle is located on the top of the mountain, at an altitude of about 230 m. For a long time, it was the center of the country and therefore the government included it in the list of “the main sights of Poland”. Members of the royal family previously buried their relatives here. The architectural complex of Wawel also includes the Cathedral Church of Saints Stanislav and Vaclav.
The Cathedral Church of Saints Stanislav and Vaclav.
Since you are near the Wawel Castle, take a look at the Cathedral Church of Saints Stanislav and Vaclav. It is a small basilica in the Gothic style. As part of this Catholic cathedral complex, there are several Renaissance chapels and a tomb. National heroes of the country, poets, and representatives of the Polish royal family found peace in this tomb.
