Many visitors to Krakow will spend most of their time in and around the main square, arrange a visit to Auschwitz and the Salt Mines, and then leave.
So listen up! There is much more to Krakow than this, and this guide has everything you need to know about the best sights to see in the city.
1. The Old Town
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| Rynek Główny |
The
Old Town of Krakow is known as the Stare Miasto. It is a treasure trove of stunning architectural monuments and buildings, and having survived World War 2 intact, means we can fully appreciate the pleasures of a medieval city in the 21st century. In fact, the area is so culturally significant, it achieved World Heritage status in 1978.
The Old Town is centred on the beautiful central square known as the Rynek Główny and is literally an open air living museum. From here it is easy to explore the sights on foot, so bring your comfy shoes!
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| Rynek Główny - al fresco dining in Krakow |
2. Kazimierz Jewish Quarter
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| Al fresco life in Kazimierz |
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| The return of Jewish life in Kazimierz |
Just a 10 minute walk from the Old Town is
Kazimierz Jewish Quarter. This area flourished for 500 years as the centre of Jewish life in Kraków. However, those readers who are familiar with the Spielberg film "Schindler's List", will know that Jewish life here was deliberately snuffed out when the city was occupied by German Nazis in World War 2.
These days though, the district is blossoming and is THE place to go for bars, restaurants, vintage shops, street food and a truly unique Bohemian atmosphere. DO NOT go to Kraków and not explorer Kazimierz!
Don't be put off by the crumbling plasterwork and graffitied buildings: this place is finely grained and there is nowhere like it in Europe. In fact, many visitors prefer to stay in the area rather than the commercialisation and expense of the Old Town.
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| Bohemian style nightlife in Kazimierz |
3. Podgórze, the Ghetto and much, much more!
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| St Joseph's church Podgórze |
The
Podgórze district sits across the Vistula river from the Kazimierz Jewish Quarter, and is easily accessed by a funky pedestrian bridge sporting some gravity defying sculptures. The electric golf cart tours that buzz around the city touting for punters will badge this area as the "Ghetto", since this was the area the Jewish population of Kazimierz were decanted to during World War 2. One of the more famous survivors of this was the controversial Roman Polanski.
The area is centred on the lovely Rynek Podgórski with the dramatic, Disney style St. Joseph's church. However, beyond here there is so much to explore in this area including the Schindler Factory, the Ghetto Heroes Square, the Pharmacy Under the Eagle, the Krakus Mound, the Mocak Museum of Modern art and some really great bars, coffee shops, restaurants, street food and more. An additional draw is the fact that it has an authentic air not ruined by mass tourism.
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| Bernatek Bridge with gravity defying sculptures |
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| Bernatek Bridge with gravity defying sculptures |
4. Płaszów Concentration Camp and the Liban Quarry
Not far from Podgórze lie the remains of
Płaszów Concentration Camp. This camp will be familiar to those who have watched "Schindler's List" as it featured prominently in the film with Ralph Fiennes brilliantly playing the camp commandant Amon Goeth.
Unlike Auschwitz, there isn't much left to see, as it was largely dismantled. However, some fascinating remnants are still visible today as part of an open-air exhibition, with a more formal museum currently under construction. Information boards and monuments are strewn across the site
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| Płaszów Concentration Camp |
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| Płaszów Concentration Camp |
Whilst you are at Płaszów you may wish to explore the neighbouring
Liban Quarry. This present day haven for wildlife was a forced labour camp during the war. It then subsequently became a living film set when Spielberg decided that it would double as Płaszów Concentration Camp in the making of "Schindler's List". Some remnants from the film set are still visible today.
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| Liban Quarry |
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| Spielberg's road of Jewish gravestones from Schindler's List |
5. Communist Krakow Experience - Nowa Huta
Nowa Huta is an unmissable gem of Kraków for anyone curious about life under the communist regime. It's one of only two pre-planned socialist realist cities in the world—because, clearly, communism had to leave its mark on urban design too! This fascinating district is packed to the brim with imposing architecture, Cold War-era nuclear bunkers and command rooms that make you glad it's all history, plus a treasure trove of exhibitions and art. It’s a time capsule of a bygone era that is easy to access by tram or go as part of a tour.
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| Tank on the street in Nowa Huta |
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| Command bunker - Nowa Huta |
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Nuclear bunker in Nowa Huta
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