P O L A N D
K R A K Ó W
O V E R V I E W
One of Europe’s best-preserved medieval cities, Kraków (Kra-koov, not Crack-ow) has long been the beating heart of Polish identity.
Its cobbled streets, Gothic spires, and atmospheric squares offer a glimpse into a storied past, and as Poland’s historical capital from 1038 to 1596, this a city where centuries of academic, cultural, and artistic life converge.
Once a major center of trade and diplomacy in Central Europe, Kraków remains a hub of creativity and learning.
Trace the footsteps of kings along the Royal Route or dive in with incredible contemporary Polish cooking and culture, here is the Poland of fairy tales and castles, and romance.
Here's what we think should form the core of your experience:
Medieval Majesty & Royal Legacy
At the heart of Kraków lies the UNESCO-listed Old Town, dominated by the majestic Rynek Główny (Main Market Square)—one of Europe’s largest medieval squares.
Here, you’ll find landmarks like the iconic St. Mary’s Basilica, where the sound of the Hejnał bugle call echoes hourly from its tallest tower, and the Cloth Hall, a Renaissance masterpiece still alive with bustling daily markets.
The Royal Route leads to Wawel Hill, home to Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral. Once the residence of Polish monarchs, Wawel Castle showcases opulent royal apartments, stunning tapestries, and some of Poland’s most sacred relics.
The cathedral, with its intricate chapels contains the tombs of many of Poland’s most beloved heroes.
Jan III Sobieski, the famous king who saved Vienna from the Ottomans in 1683, along with Tadeusz Kościuszko, and Józef Piłsudski are all buried here, testifying to Kraków’s spiritual and political significance.
Art, Culture & Culinary Delights
As a cradle of Polish art and scholarship, Kraków is home to treasures like the Czartoryski Museum, which features Leonardo da Vinci’s iconic Lady with an Ermine, while the city’s many galleries and theaters reflect its creative spirit.
Kraków’s culinary scene is equally captivating, offering everything from traditional dishes like pierogi (surely this needs little explanation) and żurek (spectacular sour rye soup, routinely ranked as one of the world’s best) to innovative takes on Polish classics, and truly outstanding contemporary cooking.
Don’t miss the chance to try local specialties like obwarzanek (arguably the original bagel, but separate in its own right) sold by street vendors, or end a meal with a sip of local homemade fruit spirits or Polish wódka (vodka).
A full, general warning to the newcomer to Poland's underrated culinary endeavours: the portions, they are huge.
There is no other way to say this, and an old saying holds:
"All attempts to have fewer pierogi will result in more pierogi."
Jewish Heritage & World War II History
Kraków’s Kazimierz district is a poignant reminder of its once-thriving Jewish community.
Synagogues like the Remuh and Tempel, along with the Jewish Cemetery, provide windows into this vibrant heritage. The district’s lively cafés, shops, and cultural festivals are also well-worth visiting in their own right.
A short walk from Kazimierz, the Schindler’s Factory Museum vividly chronicles Kraków during the Nazi occupation.
For a deeply moving experience, consider a visit to the Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz-Birkenau, to fully understand the horrors of the Holocaust, perpetrated by Germans during their Second World War totalitarian occupation of Poland.