Are you looking for a popular city that has castles, churches, and town squares that give you a flavour of the culture and a glimpse into the life of its people? Then, Krakow is the destination you should place on your travel agenda. You’ll find a myriad of historical venues to visit ad will most definitely enjoy the hospitality of the Polish people. Let’s make a quick list of the places that you should go and the things that you should do on your holiday to Krakow.
Cloth Hall
One of the first places that you’ll want to visit is the building that sits in Krakow’s Market Square that is known as the Cloth Hall. You’ll find plenty of traditional crafts, jewellry, and other items that you can take home to friends. Be sure to take a look at the amber pieces of jewellry for which Krakow is widely known.
St. Mary’s Church
Take your camera to snap a picture of the lovely bell tower at St. Mary’s which is located in Main Market Square. You can also hear a catchy tune played by a bugler that re-enacts another time and another bugler that was wounded in the throat by an invader to Krakow.
Krakow Town Hall
For a spectacular view of the city and the square that lies below you should climb to the top of the tower so that you can get an overall view of how the city and square are laid out. There are plenty of restaurants nearby so that you can grab a snack or enjoy a beverage while you check your list for the next adventurous sight to see.
Wawel Castle
A visit to Krakow wouldn’t be complete without visiting a castle where the kings were crowned, married their true loves, and were buried at the end of their reigns. Located on the property you’ll want to see the cathedral, some archaeological findings of other palaces, and a place to overlook the Vistula River. It’s also fun to help your children locate the Wawel Castle dragon that stands guard over the property and protects the castle from attacks.
Grodzka Street
The churches and the styles of architecture that you’ll see here are simply remarkable. You’ll want to take in St. Peter and Paul where you’ll find figures of the twelve apostles. You should also put on your list of churches to visit St. Andrew’s, the Franciscan Church, and the Dominican church which sits across the street. You will marvel at the thought and craftsmanship that went into the construction of these structures. There are also a plethora of shops and restaurants where you can dine at the end of your sightseeing adventures.
The Kazimierz District
To experience the historic value of Krakow, you must take a walk through this area. It’s trendy and offers you a place to meet with friends in the evening for a meal or drink after your day around town. Filled with plants and flowers this area has become a favourite of visitors to Krakow.
If you book one of the local Krakow Tours you can also visit the Florianska Gate and the Barbican which were very important bastions in the history of the city. The Gate is the only part of the city walls that remains and is worth the visit on your side trip around Krakow.
To fully capture the essence of Krakow, go prepared to visit museums, town centres, and churches that will provide you with a glimpse into the past of this beautiful city.
Image courtesy of: Wikimedia Commons Daniel Presberger
