Krakow Guide
Warsaw's cultured sister, Krakow pulls in the crowds with medieval streets, baroque churches and Gothic art treasures. Add to the mix cosy candlelit restaurants and bohemian bars to appreciate the full glory of Poland's former capital.
Renaissance Cloth Hall and the mismatching towers of St Mary's Church dominate Krakow's medieval Market Square, while imposing Wawel Castle looms over the city from its hilltop perch. The bohemian Kazimierz district preserves memories of Krakow's Jewish heritage at the Old Synagogue and Galicia Jewish Museum, or take the Podgórze Heritage Trail around the former ghetto district.
Take home enormous lumps of amber jewellery from shops along Floriańska or inside the Cloth Hall market. Hunt for antiques and crafts such as sheepskin rugs, linen and lace along Sławkowska or Józefa. Choose from chilli, grass or cherry-flavoured vodka at Szambelan on Bracka – the shop resembles an old apothecary with its shelves of brightly coloured potions. Browse second-hand bargains at the Sunday market on Plac Nowy.
Relax under the trees in Blonia Meadows or the Planty, the narrow strip of park that encircles the Old Town. On a sunny day, take a cooling dip at Park Wodny waterpark. Locals head to Las Wolski forest at weekends for country walks and visits to see the chimps and lions at Krakow Zoo.
There's something happening every evening in Poland's cultural capital. Spend a night at the opera at the majestic Słowacki Theatre, enjoy classical concerts at the Krakow Philharmonic Hall or tap your feet to Jewish klezmer in Kazimierz. Groteska Theatre spooks out the audience with its creepy puppet shows, while the Market Square is packed with jazz clubs.
Krakowians love their fresh local ingredients. Try smoked trout, mushrooms picked in the local forests, beetroot soup and mountains of potatoes – the Polish staple food. Dine on Polish, French and Russian fare in the Old Town's cosy, candlelit cellars, and Jewish delicacies in Kazimierz. After a hard day's sightseeing, pierogi (filled dumplings), and obwarzanki - pretzels - provide a satisfying pick-me-up.
Drink Japanese tea on the terrace of Café Manggha to admire the spires of Wawel Hill, or head to the suburb of Nowa Huta to see Soviet-bloc style architecture.
