Discover medieval marvels and sobering sights
With beautiful Renaissance and Baroque architecture, and the largest medieval square in Europe among its stunning sights, there’s plenty to keep you entertained on a city break to Krakow. Poland’s former royal capital and second city escaped the ravages of World War II and does a fine job of reflecting on that dark chapter of its history. Elsewhere, museums devoted to cats and pinball help showcase the city’s quirky credentials, alongside a buzzing nightlife scene. It’s also one of the top cities to explore with toddlers in tow, thanks to its fun, interactive theme parks.
Pop into St Mary’s Basilica to gawp at the spectacular blue vaulted nave and the world’s largest Gothic sculpture – a 3-storey altarpiece carved by Veit Stoss – and listen for the hourly bugle call sounding from one of its two towers. Peek into Krakow’s regal past with a tour of the 14th Century Wawel Castle’s impressive state rooms and royal apartments, then delve into the crypts of nearby Wawel Cathedral. Browse the amber shops on Ulica Grodzka and stroll through the Planty gardens which encircle the Old Town. Take a riveting tour of Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory before calling into the 15th Century Old Synagogue in Kazimierz. Compelling side trips await beyond the city. The Wieliczka Salt Mine offers fascinating underground caverns, galleries and even a chapel, while Auschwitz-Birkenau provides a harrowing but important reminder of the full horrors of the Holocaust. Book your flights to Krakow today and start exploring.