Kraków is a city in the south of Poland near the border with the Czech Republic, is known for its well-preserved medieval core and Jewish quarter. Ring around mine market made by Planty Park and remnants of the city’s medieval walls, expansive Rynek Glówny (market square).
1. Market Square
is the most important place for all actions from the Middle Ages. Come here for people watching, history, beautiful architecture and more. It's the most popular place for outside concerts, singing lessons made by magistrate and Radio Krakow. Few times a year around my square you have old fashioned german markets where you can buy a lot of jewellery and other similar tourist souvenirs. Also is a place you can try mulled wine called GRZANIEC GALICYJSKI.
2. Wawel Castle
This castle is Gothic, Renaissance, Rococo and Romanesque architecture Great Wawel Castle can be seen towering over the whole city. It was once the home of the Polish kings and queens and still has great museums and courtrooms as a testimony to its former glory. There are also top views from the bulwarks! When you come and decide to visit Wawel you can expect a lot of attraction and places to see. Most popular are rooms where monarchy lived, as well rooms where monarchy have been meeting visitors, courtrooms, private chapels. On a Wawel as well you can visit a Cathedral, graves and many more.
3. Barbican
The Barbican is the only remaining gatehouse of the medieval fortifications that once encircled the whole city. Its redbrick bulwarks and formidable turrets helped to fend off the Mongol hordes during the 13th century. Today there are occasional theatre productions and other art shows hosted inside.
4. Kościuszko Mound
Built-in the image of the primaeval Pagan mounds that surround the city at various points, the soaring hill of Kościuszko was raised in 1823 to honour its namesake national hero Tadeusz Kościuszko. From the top, travellers enjoy sweeping panoramas of the city, while clear days even reveal the Tatra peaks to the south.
5. The Sukiennice
Hailed as the world’s oldest shopping centre, the Sukiennice has stood in the middle of the Krakow Market Square for centuries. Delve in to flit between the bustling souvenir stalls and their mounds of interesting folk trinkets.
6. St Mary’s Basilica
The redbrick façade and great twin spires of St Mary’s Basilica have become veritable symbols of the city of Krakow. Looming high over the Market Square, they were first raised in the 14th century, have weathered Mongol invasions, and still host the hourly trumpet call – the Hejnał Mariacki.
7. The Dragon’s Den
After hearing all the enthralling, swashbuckling tales of beasts and princes that surround the founding of Poland’s southern city, be sure to head to the base of Wawel Hill, where a deep cave is said to have once been the lair of the formidable Smok Wawelski dragon himself! And just to prove it, a statue outside even breathes fire!
8. Vistula Boulevards
As the winding courses of the Vistula River snake through the heart of Krakow, its banks host wide spaces of greenery, ad hoc summertime markets, beer bars and bobbing boat cafes aplenty. Perfect for a stroll, people watching, jogging and cycling, these are known as the Vistula Boulevards.
9. Wieliczka Salt Mines
For hundreds of years, the miners of the Wieliczka tunnels fuelled Krakow’s growth, pulling tonnes of valuable rock salt from the earth below the city. Today, their gift to the town continues, albeit in the form of carved artistry in the subterranean passages, and even the breathtaking wonder of St Kinga’s Chapel – an underground cathedral made totally of salt!
10. Wawel Cathedral
Hidden behind the old walls of the Wawel Castle, arguably the most important church in all of Poland can be found looming high with its Baroque and Gothic frontispieces. Attractions are both high and low, going from the soaring lookouts of the Belfry to the national crypts under the main basilica.
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