Krakow - Do & See
There is a lot to see in Krakow such as centuries-old impressive landmarks, lovely vistas, world-class works of art, and stunning curios. Krakow boasts the best collections in Poland, and some of its treasures are the envy of every museum in the world.
Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny)
At the heart of the city lies what was once the largest square in Medieval Europe. It has been the hub of the city ever since its Old Town historical district got the present grid of streets in the 13th century. The Market Square is still very much the soul of the city.
Wawel Hill, The Royal Castle and Cathedral
A tour of the Gothic castle and cathedral on Wawel Hill is essential for any visitor to the city. See the bones of Smok Wawelski, the mythical dragon of Wawel Hill. The Castle itself, where Polish Kings ruled, offers enough to see to keep visitors interested for the remainder of their trip up Wawel.
St Adalbert’s Church
The St Adalbert’s Church is located to the side of the Main Market Square in Old Town, and is one of the oldest stone churches in Poland. Its almost one thousand year old history goes back to the beginning of the Polish Romanesque architecture of the early Middle Ages.
St Mary’s Church
The spiralling twin towers of this ancient church witnessed many of the tumultuous events that have shaken the city of Krakow over the centuries. In summer you can get great photos of the city by climbing over 240 steps to the top of the church tower.
Town Hall Tower
The last surviving part of the former 14th-century town hall. It has become, accidentally, the city’s own leaning tower, as it bends slightly off-centre by 55cm, apparently caused by the wind.
Old Synagogue
This 15th-century Synagogue houses a permanent exhibition entitled "the Tradition and Culture of Polish Jews." The area surrounding the synagogue has been highlighted in Steven Spielberg’s, "Schindler’s List."
Czartoryski Museum
A vast collection of ancient works of art from Greece and Egypt, but the key works to see have to be Leonardo da Vinci’s, "Lady with an Ermine” and Rembrandt’s, “Landscape with the Good Samaritan.”
Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camps
A more sobering sight for visiting tourists, but almost essential for any visit to Krakow. You can catch a bus for a 90-minute journey to the former Nazi concentration camp, where millions of Jews were exterminated during the Second World War. Most travel agents organise day excursions to the camp.
The Florian Gate
This is one of the few surviving parts of the ancient defence system that once surrounded the Old Town. Built approximately 1285 it was the main defence of the north.
Further towers were added in the fifteenth century, but the Florian Gate is the only remaining gate from the original eight. In 1660, the Florian Gate was extended to include a Baroque roof, raising its height by one metre and today it messures around 33.5 meters.
Kazimierz
This is the old Jewish district where the city’s Jewish population have lived for over 500 years. This is an ideal place to experience some of Krakow’s Jewish culture and history. A range of cafés and restaurants, along with many museums, synagogues and cemeteries.
