Cracow Travel Guide

Capital of culture of Poland. Some say you can’t please all of the people all of the time, but Cracow is terribly bent on proving otherwise.  The only major city to escape the destruction of World War II, Cracow has one of the best-preserved medieval city centers in all of Europe.

Situated on the banks of the Vistula River, Cracow is the third largest city in Poland and has one of the best preserved medieval city centers in Europe. Its rankings of prominent churches, monasteries and abbeys make it a jewelry box of Gothic and Renaissance architecture, and a walk through the Old Town, a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1978, is like a step back in time.

The Old Town is a significant UNESCO World Heritage Site and retains a wealth of architectural gems from different periods, with magnificent churches and aristocratic castles lining the old streets, reminiscent of its glorious days when it was the home of kings and royalty.

Poland’s greatest drawing card excites visitors for a range of reasons, but whether you are stimulated by history or hedonism, architecture or art, you just cannot fail to be impressed by the city.

The charming Old Town is a compact area surrounded by natural parkland that forms a green belt around the historic center. The main entrance to the old city was through the Florian Gate, set within the original city walls; it is now the haunt of artists and full of galleries containing their works. With a booming cultural life, it has been home to many of the nation’s greatest writers, artists and intellectuals, and is one of the main cultural centers in the country, an energetic city with character and charm.

In summer, Cracow crowded with tourists and street cafes seem to occupy every cobble of the spectacular Market Square, while street performers stuff their trade to tourists. The horse-drawn carriages clattering around the streets merely add to the romance in the city center.

Aside from amazing architecture, Cracow is well known for its crazy nightlife. Regardless of your musical persuasions, the city is a paradise for hedonists, and authorities claim Cracow has the best concentration of pubs, clubs and bars in Europe. Cracow is known as the cultural capital of Poland through its love of music, poetry and theater.

After years of occupation and struggle, Cracow has appeared a proud city with a strong sense of identity, yet has still maintained its artistic and fun-loving soul.