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.