Photo: Ingo Mehling, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Krakow, Poland
Poland's former royal capital, and one of the few Central European old towns to escape WWII largely intact.
Krakow's medieval market square and Wawel Castle survived the Second World War largely undamaged, giving it an unusually well-preserved historic core compared to Warsaw. It's also the standard base for visiting the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial site.
Best time to visit
May–September brings the warmest weather for exploring the old town and market square on foot; late spring and early autumn avoid the heaviest crowds.
Top attractions
- •The Main Market Square (Rynek Główny), one of the largest medieval squares in Europe
- •Wawel Castle and Cathedral, overlooking the Vistula River
- •The Kazimierz district, the historic Jewish quarter
- •A day trip to the Wieliczka Salt Mine
- •A visit to the Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum, about 90 minutes away
Practical tips
- •A direct train connects Kraków Airport (KRK) to Kraków Główny station in the city center in about 18 minutes.
- •Book Auschwitz-Birkenau tickets online in advance — free entry slots and guided tours both fill up, especially in summer.
- •Polish currency is the złoty, not the euro — card acceptance is widespread, but it's worth having some cash for smaller vendors.
Frequently asked questions
What airport serves Krakow?
Krakow's main airport is John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice Airport (KRK).
When is the best time to visit Krakow?
May–September brings the warmest weather for exploring the old town and market square on foot; late spring and early autumn avoid the heaviest crowds.
Is Krakow a good place to meet someone flying from a different city?
Poland's former royal capital, and one of the few Central European old towns to escape WWII largely intact.
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