Kraków
Poland's ancient capital, where a medieval royal castle and the memory of Auschwitz form a profound and complex city.
Overview
Kraków is Poland's historic cultural capital, its old town a World Heritage Site, and nearby Auschwitz is an essential memorial.
History
Kraków is one of Poland's oldest cities, serving as the capital of the duchy and then the kingdom for 500 years from the 10th century. After the capital moved to Warsaw in the 16th century it remained an important religious and cultural centre. Occupied by Nazi Germany during the Second World War, the city saw the notorious Kraków-Płaszów camp, and about 60 kilometres away Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest extermination camp of the war, where nearly 1.1 million people, mostly Jews, were murdered. The old town was among the first sites inscribed on the World Heritage list in 1978.
Highlights
- •Wawel Royal Castle, coronation site of Polish kings
- •One of the best-preserved medieval market squares in Europe
- •The sobering memorial at Auschwitz-Birkenau
- •The atmospheric Jewish quarter of Kazimierz
- •The winding underground chambers of the Wieliczka Salt Mine, a World Heritage Site
Practical tips
- •Book an Auschwitz tour in advance
- •Prices in the old town are relatively low
Practical information
- Best time
- May to September
- Tickets
- Wawel Castle about PLN 30; Auschwitz about PLN 70 including a guide
- Opening hours
- City open all day; Auschwitz 8:00 to 16:00 with advance booking
- Local food
- Polish dumplings, sour rye soup and grilled sausage
- Getting around
- The old town is walkable; the Wieliczka Salt Mine is reached by train or bus
- Visa
- Poland is in the Schengen area and requires a short-stay Schengen visa. Book an appointment early with complete travel documents.
Traveller reviews
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