Krakow

The historic centre of Krakow is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and there’s a good reason for that. The Stare Miasto (Old Town) is absolutely stunning! Have a look around and admire the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque-style buildings. The cathedral, castle, cloth hall, Barbican, university and other magnificent historic buildings have graced this Polish city for centuries.

Krakow’s fascinating Wawel Hill towers over the banks of the Vistula. Climb the hill to see some incredible historical landmarks, including Wawel Cathedral and the Royal Castle. In the castle, you can see the former royal living quarters and the crown jewels. In summer, don’t forget to visit the Dragon’s Den on the hill. The dragon (from a Polish folk tale) breathes fire at the entrance to his cave.

The beautiful Saint Mary’s Basilica (Church of Our Lady) was built in the 14th and 15th centuries. The red-brick building has two different-sized towers, but what makes it so unique is its interior. The inside walls are all painted, making it a breathtaking sight to behold. You should also look at the striking altarpiece and stained-glass windows.

The Sukiennice Cloth Hall can be found in Rynek Główny, the central marketplace. This Cloth Hall is home to a number of little shops and stalls. Perfect if you’re after a few souvenirs or a quick bite to eat. Pop up to the first floor to see the gallery of Polish art, which is a division of the National Museum of Krakow.

Krakow’s Jewish quarter is sadly well-known for the suffering of its inhabitants during Nazi occupation. Today, however, Kazimierz is thriving more than ever before. Happiness and freedom have long been re-established. Bars, restaurants and trendy art galleries flourish in the area and attractive frescos cover walls throughout the district.

No, you’re not in Rome, you definitely bought a plane ticket to Krakow. Pierogi is the Polish equivalent of ravioli. Pasta-lovers will adore these little parcels! They come filled with meat, cheese, potato and more, and you can find them on the menus at all traditional Polish restaurants. 

Did you think that cheesecake was just an American thing? Well, just wait until you try sernik krakowski, a traditional cheesecake from Krakow! It is made using twaróg (like cottage cheese) and flavoured with vanilla, raisins or nuts. There are lots of different types of sernik, so you’ll have to try a few to find your favourite!