🏰 Krakow in 24 hours: the perfect route
Krakow is rightly called the cultural and tourist capital of Poland. Ancient fortresses and castles, parks and places for recreation – the infrastructure, abundance of attractions and rich history of the city make it truly a must see.
And if during World War II Warsaw suffered greatly, its old city was rebuilt almost from scratch, then Krakow was able to preserve almost everything. Its historical center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
You can talk endlessly about the city, starting with what famous people lived and worked there once: writers, scientists, Nobel laureates, even Pope Karol Wojtyla. Finishing with the legend of how Krakow got its name: in honor of Prince Krak, who once defeated a dragon, since then the green fire-breathing creature has been the symbol of the city and the central figure of most souvenirs.
If you want to touch a history that has been able to perfectly integrate into the modern world, organize a tour to Krakow. Where to go first and what to do – read our review. And yes, keep in mind that you will have to get a Polish visa.
Old city
By tradition, we begin our acquaintance with the Old Town – all the best tours include these locations. I was in Krakow in December, so the first thing I did was purposefully go to the Main Market. Christmas market, festive spirit, hundreds of lights and liters of mulled wine – a fairy tale. Just don’t repeat my mistake: don’t come there on weekends, if possible – there are so many people and queues, the main spoilers of the mood.
The market square is considered one of the oldest medieval squares in Europe. 13th century The cloth rows alone – a symbol of international trade – are worth something. Throughout history, these rows have been visited by dozens of celebrities, for example, Charles III, the current king of Great Britain, and the former emperor of Japan Akihito.
Church of St. Wojciech and monument to Adam Mickiewicz
Returning to the market, on one side stands the almost thousand-year-old Romanesque Church of St. Wojciech and the monument to Adam Mickiewicz, on the other side is the town hall tower. Above the square are the Gothic towers of St. Mary's Church. There are excursions in the market dungeons – I haven’t been there, but I’ve heard a lot about them.
In addition to wooden fair houses with all kinds of street food, there are dozens of restaurants and cafes scattered around the square, so it’s impossible to stay hungry.
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Cafe “Ministry of Magic”
If you are a Harry Potter fan, then I have good news for you: the Ministry of Magic cafe. Brooms on the walls, robes and magic wands, chic library rows, knights, chess and cauldrons. The menu is also themed: steaming drinks, butterbeer and dozens of dishes with “magical” surroundings. I was happy as hell – so I recommend it to everyone. If you are a fan of Potter in a cube, then not far from the cafe there is also the Leaky Cauldron coffee shop and a shop with universe merchandise.
Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslas
Next we go to Wawel Castle and its iconic part – the Cathedral of Saints Stanislaus and Wenceslas – the shrine of all Poland. At the entrance to it hang mammoth bones; it is believed that they protect the city and bring it happiness. In the cathedral itself there is a tomb of the Polish kings.
Wawel dragon
You cannot pass by the Wawel Dragon – I remind you that this is the symbol of Krakow. It was installed and completed in 1972 according to the model of the Polish architect Bronislaw Lame. The dragon breathes fire every 20 minutes during the warm season. It doesn’t work in winter, but it’s still fascinating.
Krakow Eye
I’m sharing another travel life hack: before traveling, monitor local chats and public pages on social networks with announcements and event posters. Concerts, exhibitions, master classes can be held free of charge or at a big discount. In Krakow, we came across a sale of vinyl records at very tasty prices. And in pursuit of cheap vinyl, we came across the Kraków Eye – a Ferris wheel, open from 12 to 21:00. Why not an observation deck with a gorgeous view of the center of Krakow?
Bednarski Park and the Bridge of the Holy Father Bernatka
It’s nice to alternate a walk around the city with gardens and parks, even in winter. Therefore, the next point on the route was Bednarsky Park. There will be no crowds of tourists, just you and nature. The park is located on the opposite bank of the Vistula, the promenade itself by the water is relaxing at any time of the year, and in summer the park is an ideal place for a picnic. Entrance is free and 24 hours a day.
Kazimierz and Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory
Further across the Bridge of the Holy Father Biernatka, which is a landmark in itself, we went to Kazimierz – the Jewish quarter. This is where Schindler's List was filmed. Today it is a modern and trendy area of Krakow with an abundance of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities.
If time permits, be sure to check out the Oskar Schindler Enamel Factory museum. It is usually open until 19:00. We didn’t make it there on our first day in Krakow, so we didn’t add it to our itinerary. But it's definitely worth going. Schindler saved more than 1,000 people from death. Yes, the place is not the easiest to visit psychologically, but it leaves a powerful imprint on the memory. See an emotional and large-scale interactive exhibition dedicated to the occupation of Krakow from 1938 to 1944.
Christmas tree in Krakow
The Christmas market in Krakow is a short journey into a fairy tale. And the Main Market of the city, which is the largest central square, will help you immerse yourself in it. And the heart of the Christmas tale is the New Year tree. Enjoy beautiful views and architecture of the city. And don't forget to stroll around the Christmas market and find something interesting.
Florian Gate and Florianskaya Street
The Florian Gate is the only and main surviving gate in the defensive fortress wall that once surrounded Krakow. They are located in the very center of the ancient city. As for Florianska Street, it is considered part of the Royal Road – the route that leads to the majestic Wawel Castle. And the street begins at the Florian Gate. Imagine that you are members of the royal family. Take this route and enjoy the architecture of the city.
Market Square
Go in search of something interesting at the Market Square. Why is she interesting? The square is considered one of the recognizable, beautiful and popular streets in Krakow. It attracts tourists from all over the world with various retail outlets, cafes and bars. And several centuries ago, solemn ceremonial coronation and funeral processions of members of the royal family were even held across the square.
Trading/Cloth stalls
The shopping arcades are also called “Sukennitsa”. You can find them on the city's Market Square. They are also considered an ancient landmark of Krakow. There you can buy various souvenirs. And if you don’t like anything, then enjoy locally produced things. There is also a branch of the National Museum of Krakow – “Gallery of Polish Art of the 19th Century”. In addition to the exhibits, there is an opportunity to admire beautiful views of the square from above.
Small Market
The Small Market is also one of the interesting places in the city that is worth visiting. It has been the center of Krakow trade for hundreds of years. Krakow's Lesser Market is located behind St. Mary's Basilica. It is considered the “little brother” of the Main Market. At the same time, it is not inferior to him in its beauty. But more calm due to the lack of constant crowds of tourists. Therefore, do not miss the moment to have a peaceful time.
Jagiellonian University
It is one of the oldest educational institutions in Europe. It has been occupying first or second position in the ranking of the most prestigious universities for many years now. You can book a tour there, learn its history and visit interesting museums of the educational institution.
If you are in the city for a few days, I advise you to take a walk or go to the Kosciuszko Mound and look into the Museum of Modern Art, but even if you walk without any specific route, there will be something beautiful and interesting waiting around every turn – I promise.