Krakow holidays

Stare Miasto (Old Town) is Krakow’s holidaymaker hub. Here, fairytale streets are lined with pastel-coloured buildings and a huge medieval market square, fringed with terrace cafés, invites visitors to stay a while.

When you’ve downed your coffee and are ready to explore, sightseeing opportunities abound in this pretty city. Enter the old town through its 14th-century St Florian’s Gate and shop along the bustling adjoining street, then climb the 239 steps of the Bugle Tower of St Mary’s Basilica for views over the Main Square. Wawel Castle, one of the most visited attractions in Krakow, is also just a hop away from the centre.

Away from the main attractions, holidays to Krakow rarely remain within its old city walls; the UNESCO-recognised Wieliczka Salt Mine is worth the day trip for its eerie underground cathedral alone. And, despite the city’s obvious medieval charm, its Krakow modern history that’s hardest to miss. At Schindler's Enamel Factory, you’ll find a sobering overview of the city and the man himself, and the Auschwitz concentration camp is just over an hour away.

In Krakow, it's often the smaller things that make the city so utterly mesmerising. Find a cosy bar and enjoy an afternoon snifter; watch dusk settle as you tour the streets; and tuck in to a hearty dish of Polish cuisine at a backstreet restaurant. Popular picks include gołąbki (stuffed cabbage rolls), Polish kiełbasa sausages and filled dumplings known as pierogi.

Chilly and festive in winter, warm and welcoming in summer: there's never a bad time for a holiday to Krakow.

Springtime in Krakow sees average high temperatures of around 7C in March – skyrocketing to around 20C in May – with plenty of cool evenings. This is a nice time to visit as the crowds associated with summer are much thinner and it can be easier to bag a cheap holiday deal, especially if you’re able to go midweek.

July and August are the hottest months and temperatures can reach above 25C on cloudless days, though there's always a risk of rain in Krakow. Autumn is much like spring and is another great time to see the sights minus the masses.

Winter is very cold, but Krakow’s infallible festive cheer more than makes up for the weather. Expect daytime temperatures in the low single figures, with a night-time chill that plunges below freezing.

With host of historical sights, pretty cobblestone streets and a cracker cuisine to dig in to, Krakow’s offerings belie its tiny size. Be sure to include time exploring the castle, winding your way up the Kościuszko Mound, and, of course, getting to grips with its historical horrors.

Wawel Castle

Perched atop a gentle hill and casting shadows on the river, the charms of this castle are immediately obvious. It’s a harmonious hodgepodge of architectural styles from Romanesque to Renaissance, and inside is a stunning collection of art, armoury, staterooms and curiosities, such as the 'Dragon's Den' cave.

The complex is complete with the eye-catching Wawel Cathedral. Tucked among the chapels is the gold-domed Sigismund's Chapel – a standout of the bunch.

If you decide to visit, keep in mind that each exhibition is ticketed separately.

Wieliczka Salt Mine

Just a half-hour journey from Krakow, this quirky subterranean attraction – filled with salt sculptures, glowing lakes and eerie corridors – is unlike any other. The highlight is an ornate salt-carved chapel complete with chandelier, however its 12-metre-high (40ft) ceiling pales in comparison to the soaring 36m (118ft) Stanisław Staszic Chamber.

Choose the “Tourist Route” for the highlights reel of the mine, or get to work on the “Miners’ Route”, where you’ll don overalls and experience first-hand life underground.

Auschwitz concentration camp

Perhaps the most well-known and well-preserved extermination camp, Auschwitz remains a devastating reminder of the terrors of World War II. Over 40 sub-camps make up the complex; for the full history, it’s recommended to take a tour of the Auschwitz I-Main Camp as well as the more recognisable Auschwitz II-Birkenau.

Buses depart frequently from Krakow and take around an hour and a half to arrive in Oświęcim.

Kościuszko Mound

A symbol of Polish independence, this artificial hill was built in tribute to Polish military hero Tadeusz Kościuszko. Inside, two exhibitions relay the history of the mound and introduce visitors to key figures in the fight for Polish freedom.

Head over on a sunny day to enjoy sweeping city views, winding up the gently sloping path to spot other big attractions, such as Wawel Castle, St. Mary’s Basilica and the Main Square.

The Jewish Quarter

Following its starring role in Steven Spielberg’s Schindler’s List, Krakow’s Kazimierz district has gone from gritty ghetto to bohemian wonder.

Between the centuries-old synagogues and important museums, you’ll find a thriving café culture and edgy nightlife. If you’re heading here, the Galicia Jewish Museum, with its acclaimed permanent photography exhibition ‘Traces of Memory’, and Szeroka street are worth stopping by.