The essentials to know: a city steeped in history
Krakow , the former capital of Poland, captivates visitors with its heritage, historic squares, and distinct neighborhoods. Its historic center, encompassing the Market Square, Wawel Royal Castle, and the Kazimierz district, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978. The city is easily explored on foot, starting around the Old Town before venturing to the banks of the Vistula River or the Podgórze and Nowa Huta districts. Krakow is also a vibrant cultural hub, boasting numerous museums, concerts, performances, and festivals throughout the year.
Things to see and do: the must-sees of Krakow
• Main Market Square(Rynek Główny), the historic heart of the city
• Wawel Royal Castle and its cathedral, perched on the Vistula River
• St. Mary's Basilica, recognizable by its twin towers
• Cloth Hall, in the center of the Main Market Square
• Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter with its synagogues, cafes, and cultural venues
• Oskar Schindler's Factory, now dedicated to Krakow's history during World War II
• Podgórze, a district located south of the Vistula River
• Planty, a vast tree-lined promenade encircling the Old Town
• Kościuszko Mound, offering panoramic views of Krakow
• Wieliczka Salt Mine, near Krakow and a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1978
Traditions that keep the city alive
Krakow hosts numerous cultural and festive events throughout the seasons. In June, Wianki celebrates the arrival of summer with open-air concerts, entertainment, and the tradition of flower crowns on the banks of the Vistula.
The city is also known for its traditional Christmas nativity scenes, the szopki krakowskie. Their competition, held since the 19th century, showcases creations inspired by Krakow's architecture. At the end of the year, the Market Square also hosts a Christmas market featuring crafts, decorations, and local specialties.
Among other cultural events, Misteria Paschalia celebrates early music during Holy Week, while several festivals of dance, music and traditional culture punctuate the city's programming.
A generous and popular cuisine
Polish cuisine is best discovered through simple and comforting recipes. In Krakow, be sure to try pierogi, dumplings filled with potatoes, cheese, meat, or vegetables, as well as żurek, a traditional soup made with fermented rye. Obwarzanekkrakowski, a small ring-shaped bread sold on the city streets, is another iconic Krakow specialty. For a quick snack, zapiekanka, a hot open-faced sandwich topped with various fillings and then baked until golden brown, is particularly associated with the Kazimierz district.
A city where culture and history meet
Krakow boasts one of the most remarkable historical heritages in Poland. Its historic center encompasses the medieval Old Town, Wawel Hill, and Kazimierz, an old quarter marked by Catholic and Jewish cultures.
The city also boasts numerous museums and cultural sites. Oskar Schindler's former factory, in particular, offers valuable insights into Krakow's history during the German occupation and the fate of the city's Jewish population. Art and architecture enthusiasts can also explore the collections of the National Museum, the Czartoryski Museum, and the MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art.
