Travel to Krakow

The best city breaks in Krakow spend a fair amount of time at the Main Market Square, one of Europe’s largest mediaeval squares. Start by climbing up the Town Hall Tower for panoramic views. Then check out the 14th-century St Mary’s Basilica, and listen for the hourly bugle call. In the square’s centre, the Renaissance Cloth Hall has stalls selling crafts, such as lacework and amber jewellery — perfect for souvenirs.

If you’re on a budget, cheap holidays to Krakow are a little easier with free entry to many museums once a week. Just be sure to check individual venues for details. Take advantage of the deals on Tuesdays at the Rynek Underground Museum to see the chambers beneath Main Market Square that once hosted mediaeval merchant stalls. For a free look at avant-garde creations, visit the Museum of Contemporary Art in Krakow (MOCAK) on Thursdays.

Pretzel-like dough rings called ‘obwarzanek’ are one of the most popular street food snacks you’ll see at vendor stalls throughout the city. In the Jewish district, look for ‘zapiekanka’, a popular open-faced sandwich made with cheese, meat and vegetable toppings. At farmers markets, such as Hala Targowa, you’ll find sausages and potato pancakes for sale among the fresh produce stalls.

The Old Town is the best neighbourhood to stay in Krakow to be within walking distance of historical landmarks such as St Mary’s Basilica and the City Defence Walls. Enjoy year-round party vibes with tourist crowds at lively restaurants and bars in Main Market Square. But make sure you also explore the side streets to mingle with locals in more casual venues that are just as fun.

Good for: Historical landmarks, nightlife, restaurants

Home to one of Europe’s biggest Jewish communities, Kazimierz hosts many of the city’s synagogues, as well as Remah Cemetery, a 16th-century Jewish necropolis. These days, the neighbourhood is also where to stay in Krakow for vintage boutiques and art galleries, such as Galerie d’Art Naif. At night, check out the local bars for craft beer and cocktails.

Good for: Jewish history, vintage shops, bars

With its grassy lawns and riverfront walkways, Podgorze is a breath of fresh air within the city. Take a brisk morning walk before hitting the sights in this former Jewish ghetto. The sculptures in Ghetto Heroes Square commemorate the Jewish people who were imprisoned here during World War II. Visit the small Pharmacy Under the Eagle museum to learn about the only pharmacy that remained open in Podgorze under Nazi rule. Good for: Riverfront walk, museums, history

You won’t run out of fun things to do with family in Krakow. The Wawel Royal Castle introduces you to a fire-breathing dragon sculpture and the cave where, legend has it, the creature once lived. Kids can burn off energy on the climbing walls of Krakow Rope Park. And if the weather turns wet, a visit to the Chocozeum at the Chocolate Manufactury is good for mood-boosting treats.

Time goes quickly when shopping in Krakow at lively markets such as Plac Nowy and Nowy Kleparz. You can’t turn a corner without running into souvenir shops selling amber jewellery and wooden crafts in the Old Town, especially on Florianska, Kanonicza and Grodzka Streets. Stop at Ciuciu Cukier Artist for traditional sweets, and browse trendy fashion and gifts in Galeria Kazimierz and Galeria Krakowska.

It’s worth buying a KrakowCard for discounts and access to many museums in Krakow. One of Poland’s oldest, the Czartoryski Museum is home to the painting ‘Lady with an Ermine’ by Leonardo da Vinci. See the mummified cats of ancient Egypt exhibited at the Archaeological Museum of Krakow. Kids and adults alike love the vintage tramcars at the Museum of Municipal Engineering, which has free entry on Tuesdays.

Hop between basement clubs and cocktail lounges in the Old Town, where fun nightlife in Krakow centres around Stolarska street. Kazimierz is dotted with casual vodka bars and live music pubs, such as New Day Blues Club. Plac Nowy’s bars are popular late-night stops. Book tickets in advance for shows at Krakow Opera and the grand Juliusz Slowacki Theatre.

If you’re travelling in the summer, it’s a must to reserve tables at the most popular restaurants in Krakow. Try gourmet tasting menus in the Gothic dining room at Szara Ges w Kuchni Restaurant or sample classic Polish cuisine with a twist at Michelin-recommended Pod Nosem. Remember that cheap eats at casual ‘bar mleczny’ (milk bars) often taste just as good as dishes at fine dining places.

One of the best free things to do in Krakow is to follow the Royal Route, the historical coronation path for Polish royalty. Start from St. Florian’s Gate to Wawel Castle with the Old Town’s main attractions in between. To get back to nature, take a detour to Planty Park to wander through the gardens and see the Barbican fortress.