Kraków is the perfect city for a city break—one place where history, architectural treasures, and a vibrant cultural scene intertwine. The city buzzes with life, offering both cultural events and a thriving nightlife. There's something for everyone here.
Discover the extraordinary Kraków and see what you can explore!
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The name of the hill that houses the Royal Castle and the Archcathedral Basilica of St. Stanislaus and St. Wenceslaus. From the 11th century, during the reign of Casimir the Restorer, until the early 17th century under Sigismund III Vasa, it served as Poland’s capital and the residence of Polish kings. At the castle, you can admire the beauty and grandeur of the representative and private royal chambers, the treasury, and the armory. The cathedral is a site of coronations and the resting place of 17 Polish rulers, national poets Adam Mickiewicz and Juliusz Słowacki, as well as Marshal Józef Piłsudski. At the foot of the castle, you’ll find the Dragon’s Den, linked to the legendary Wawel Dragon. Wawel is a symbol of Polish statehood and one of the most historically and culturally significant sites in Poland.
A historic trading hall located in the heart of the Main Market Square. Its name derives from the cloth that was once sold here. Over time, it has been modified and expanded since the 13th century. Today, the hall features two rows of stalls offering souvenirs, jewelry, and handicrafts. You’ll also find dining establishments, including the famous Noworolski Café, cherished by Kraków’s elites, artists, and professors. The upper floor houses a branch of the National Museum—the Gallery of 19th-Century Polish Painting and Sculpture, the largest collection of its kind in Poland, featuring works such as The Prussian Homage by Jan Matejko and Frenzy by Władysław Podkowiński. In 2010, the Underground Museum of the Main Market Square opened beneath Sukiennice, showcasing Kraków’s medieval history. Make sure to set aside enough time—there’s plenty to see.
Located on the Main Market Square, the Church of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary was built in Gothic style between the 12th and 14th centuries on the foundations of an earlier church. Over the centuries, it underwent numerous renovations. In the 15th century, Veit Stoss, a renowned German sculptor and painter, created its magnificent altar. In the 18th century, the interior was transformed in the Baroque style. The church’s distinctive brick structure is topped with two uneven towers, a feature linked to a famous Kraków legend. It is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and, after Wawel Cathedral, the second most important church in Kraków.
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a masterpiece carved from salt. Established in the 13th century, it was added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1978. The mine consists of nine levels, with the first reaching 64 meters deep and the last extending down to 327 meters. This extraordinary site is filled with stunning chambers and meticulously hand-carved salt sculptures. The mine also houses the Museum of Kraków Saltworks, featuring a unique microclimate rich in iodine, magnesium, and calcium, beneficial to health. One of the world’s oldest salt mines, Wieliczka is located just 14 km from Kraków.
One of Kraków’s five mounds, built by the citizens of Kraków in the early 19th century to honor Tadeusz Kościuszko, a hero of Polish and American independence. Near the mound, you’ll find remnants of an Austrian fort, part of Kraków’s historic fortification system, as well as the Kościuszko Museum. The effort of climbing to the top is rewarded with a stunning panoramic view of the city.
One of Kraków’s most famous attractions, the limestone cave beneath Wawel Hill features an 82-meter-long tourist route. The entrance is within the castle grounds, marked by the statue of the Wawel Dragon, while the exit is outside the castle walls, near the Vistula River. According to legend, the Wawel Dragon once lived in these caves, terrorizing the city until a clever young man defeated it with a trick.
The Museum of Pharmacy at the Jagiellonian University’s Collegium Medicum was established in 1946. It houses a vast permanent exhibition spread across all five floors of the building, including the basement. The collection contains 22,000 historical items, including laboratory equipment, rare pharmaceutical instruments, books, documents, barrels, vials, and bottles. If you enjoy exploring old artifacts, head to Floriańska Street 25.
Auschwitz-Birkenau is not a tourist attraction—it is a site of remembrance whose significance cannot be overstated. This former World War II concentration camp left an indelible mark on human history. We believe everyone should learn about this chapter of the past, and we are available to assist with planning a visit to this solemn place.
Beneath Sukiennice lies a vast archaeological excavation site, uncovered between 2005 and 2010. The museum spans 4,000 square meters, combining historical artifacts with modern multimedia displays that recreate the medieval Main Market Square. With over 11,000 exhibits related to ancient craftsmanship, trade, and daily life, a visit here feels like stepping back in time to the 14th century.
The oldest surviving synagogue in Poland, built in the 15th century. Before World War II, it was the center of religious and administrative life for Kraków’s Jewish community. Today, it houses a museum featuring exhibits on the synagogue’s history, Jewish holidays, and the private and family life of Kraków’s Jewish residents.
One of Kraków’s newest cultural attractions, opened in 2011 on the site of the former Schindler’s Factory. MOCAK features both a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions showcasing contemporary art from the past two decades. The museum aims to engage a diverse audience and shed new light on modern art.
The oldest university in Poland and one of the oldest in the world, founded by King Casimir the Great on May 12, 1364. Initially called the Kraków Academy, it was renamed Jagiellonian University in 1817 to highlight its connection to the Jagiellonian dynasty. Many distinguished Poles studied here, including Nicolaus Copernicus, Hugo Kołłątaj, Jan Kochanowski, Stanisław Wyspiański, and Stanisław Lem.
A small church on the Main Market Square. Despite its modest size, it is noteworthy as one of the oldest churches in Kraków. Built in the 11th or early 12th century in the Romanesque style, it was later altered with Baroque elements. Its underground section houses an exhibition on the history of the Market Square. According to historian Jan Długosz, St. Adalbert himself once preached at this site.
Originally established in Puławy in 1801 by Princess Izabela Czartoryska, it was Poland’s first museum. Today, the collection is housed near the Main Market Square on Pijarska Street. Among its treasures is Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci.
Located near Rondo Mogilskie, the Botanical Garden was established in 1783 and covers an area of 9.6 hectares. It is the oldest botanical garden in Poland. It was created on the site of the Czartoryski family's garden as a resource for the departments of chemistry and natural history. Today, the Jagiellonian University Botanical Garden is home to approximately 5,000 species and varieties of plants from around the world, including nearly 1,000 species of trees and shrubs and over 2,000 species and varieties of greenhouse plants. The garden features a combination of a landscape park and themed plant groups, offering a stunning diversity of vegetation. Additionally, it provides benches and gazebos for visitors, making it a pleasant spot for a relaxing morning.
The museum is located on a section of the former Kraków-Czyżyny military airfield. Its collection includes historic airplanes, helicopters, gliders, motor gliders, aircraft engines, as well as uniforms, decorations, and aircraft equipment. The oldest exhibits date back to the interwar period.
The museum is dedicated to the history of the Polish underground resistance during World War II. Its collection features documents, photographs, weapons, uniforms, decorations, and personal belongings of Home Army soldiers. Exhibitions highlight key operations, intelligence activities, and the legacy of the resistance movement.
