48 hours in Krakow – Weekend Edition
Krakow In Less Than 48 Words
Krakow has served as the royal capital of Poland for over 500 years. Often called the “Cultural Capital of Poland,” it had survived the horrors of World War II almost intact. I It proudly boasts of being one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval centers, with a rich art collection.
Main Market Square (Photo by Iwona Erskine-Kellie)
First 24 Hours
You can fly to the historic city of Krakow via the John Paul II International Airport Kraków-Balice, which is located 11 kilometers west of the city center. From there, you can catch Bus 192 that will take you to the heart of Krakow. The journey takes around 30 minutes, and will cost you Zl3. Alternatively, you can opt to hire a taxi, although this will cost you upwards of Zl55.
Krakow is the second-largest city in Poland, but tourists usually spend most of their time in its Old Town district, known as Stare Miasto. Visitors to the city, especially the first-timers, are advised to head to its main tourist office (Main Market Square 1, (48 12) 433 73 10, email), where they can learn valuable tourist information. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm.
CHECK IN: Get your bearings back at Krakow’s hotels
Cracowdays Apartments (Photo by Jennruto)
You can arrange your accommodation for your 48 hour visit to Krakow at one of its excellent hotels. One of the best in the city is the Cracowdays Apartments (Ambrożego Grabowskiego 7, 31-126 Kraków, Poland, 604 460 860, website). It is just a 10-minute walk from the Old Town, with large rooms, top-notch service, and a reasonably-priced breakfast.
A nice alternative is the Red Brick Apartments (Kurniki 3, 31-156 Kraków, Poland, 12 628 66 00, website), which has very modern rooms complete with flat-screen TVs, plus a helpful staff at value prices. You can also try out the Sheraton Krakow Hotel (Powiśle 7, 31-101 Krakow, Poland, 12 662 10 00, website). It has a nice location near major tourist attractions, with large rooms, a swimming pool, and excellent leisure areas.
WAWEL HILL: Let’s take a hike
Perhaps the most popular attraction in Krakow is the Wawel Hill, a limestone outcrop towering 228 meters over the city skyline. It is found by the left bank of the Vistula River, and is famous for its various historical sites.
Of these, the Wawel Castle (31-001 Kraków, Wawel 5, (+48 12) 422-5155, website) is the most known. It is a Gothic-style castle from where the Polish monarchs had ruled for centuries. Legend says that the structure was built upon a magical stone foundation that had protected it from evil throughout its history. Inside, you can find its exquisite state rooms enriched with precious collections of woodcraft, Italian furniture, paintings, Polish royal portraits, and so on.
Wawel Hill (Photo by Ana Paula Hirama)
You can also visit its Crown treasury, where the Polish crown jewels and coronation insignia have been stored since the 15th century. It also houses the Lost Wawel exhibition containing archaeological discoveries from the hill, and an Oriental art gallery. You can take a leisurely stroll through the Royal Gardens, a Renaissance garden complex with flower beds, brick paths, and decorative fencing. You can visit the castle daily from 6 am to 5 pm.
Another popular attraction at the Wawel Hill is the Wawel Cathedral (Wawel 15, Wawel Castle, Krakow 31-001, Poland, 012/422-26-43, website). Built in 1320, it is known as the traditional coronation site for the Polish monarchs. The structure is known for its golden dome, a Gothic façade, and a dark interior with 18 chapels filled with religious art. You can also find there the royal tombs of over 40 Polish monarchs, as well as the mausoleums of national heroes. It is open daily from 9 am to 5 pm, and admission to its museums costs Zl10.
SUKIENNICE: Visit a city landmark
Sukiennice (Photo by Craig Wyzik)
One of the most recognizable landmarks in Krakow is Sukiennice (Rynek Glówny 1-3, Stare Miasto, Kraków, 012/422-11-66). Also known as the Cloth Hall, it was a major center for international trade. In fact, during the 15th century, it was an important source for exotic Eastern imports such as silk, wax, leather, and spices. It is also considered as one of the best-preserved of its kind in Europe. At its top floor, you can find the Sukiennice Museum, which is also called the Gallery of the 19th Century Polish Art in Sukiennice. It contains the largest permanent exhibit of 19th century Polish art in the country.
NATIONAL MUSEUM: Have a cultural experience
Another noteworthy attraction in Krakow is the National Museum of Krakow (3 May Street, Kraków, Poland, +48 (12) 2955600, website). It is the main branch of the Poland National Museum, and was established back in 1879. Inside, you can find the Gallery of the Twentieth Century Polish Art, which is one of the largest art galleries in the country. It houses more than 500 works of leading Polish modern artists. The museum also features military exhibits dating from the 12th century, as well as a Decorative Arts and Crafts Gallery where you can find precious stone artifacts and antique costumes.
DINNER TIME: Discover Krakow’s restaurants
Restauracja Pod Baranem (Photo from Google images)
You are guaranteed a delicious dinner at the restaurants available all over the city. One of the best in the city is the Restauracja Pod Baranem (świętej Gertrudy 21, 31-049 Kraków, Poland, 12 429 40 22, website). It serves high-quality dishes at reasonable prices, with a unique Old World atmosphere. A nice alternative is the Restauracja Aperitif (Sienna 9, 31-041 Kraków, Poland, 12 432 33 33, website), which offers contemporary and international menus.
Have a taste of Italy in Krakow at Pizza & Pasta Mamma Mia (ul. Karmelicka 14, Krakow, Poland, +48 (12) 4300492), which serves excellent pizzas and pastas. You can also try out Ancora (Dominikanska 3, Krakow, Poland, +48 12 357 33 55, website). It is a Michelin-star restaurant offering a diverse European cuisine, plus a modern interior and excellent service.
Next 24 Hours
Czartoryski Museum and Library (Photo from Google images)
Your next 24 hours in Krakow can be used to discover the city’s other tourist attractions. One of the must-sees in the city is the Czartoryski Museum and Library (ul. Św. Jana 19, 31-017 Kraków, 012/422 5566, website). It is a museum founded by Princess Izabela Czartoryska in 1796 to help in the preservation of Polish heritage. Inside, you can find various artifacts recovered from the Wawel Castle and Cathedral, as well as other collections donated by the Polish royal families. It also has a library containing around 224,576 European history documents. The site is open daily from 8 am to 3 pm.
ST. MARY’S BASILICA: Let’s go to church
St. Mary's Basilica (Photo by Antony)
Don’t forget to pay a visit to the St. Mary’s Basilica (Plac Mariacki 5, 31-042 Krakow, (012) 422 55 18, website). Also known as the Kościół Mariacki, it is a 13th century Brick Gothic church that is a popular Krakow landmark. It towers 262 feet in height, and is perhaps best known for the Altare of Veit Stoss.
The structure has also served as a basis for the architectural design of various international churches, particularly with its unique Polish Cathedral style. Once an hour, you’ll hear a trumpet signal from the church, which will then abruptly end. It commemorates its 13th century trumpeter who had sounded an alarm for a Mongol attack, but was hit in the throat in the process.
MAIN MARKET SQUARE: Go back to medieval times
One of Krakow’s most popular tourist attractions is the Main Market Square located in the Old Town, right in the center of the city. Covering an area of roughly 40,000 square meters, it is regarded as the largest medieval town square in the continent. It is known for its flurry of historical monuments and structures, notably the Town Hall Tower, the Adam Mickiewicz Monument, the Church of St. Adalbert, Kramy Bogate, and the Theater Maszkaron. The square is also a place for numerous public events and festivals, and you’ll find rock pigeons, horse-drawn carriages, and florist stalls there as well.
OLD SYNAGOGUE: Remember the Jews
Another noteworthy attraction in Krakow is the Old Synagogue (24 Szeroka street, Kazimierz, Krakow, (+48) 124220962.). It is considered as the oldest synagogue building still standing in the country, and is an epitome of the Jewish architecture in Europe. Today, it operates as a museum, and features a rich collection of Jewish artifacts. You can also pay homage at its wall where 30 Polish hostages were massacred by the Nazi forces. The site is open on Mondays from 10 am to 2 pm; on Fridays from 10 am to 5 pm; and on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays from 9 am to 4 pm. Admission usually costs around Zl8.
Old Synagogue (Photo by Lars K. Jensen)
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Warsaw’s vibrant nightlife scene
At night you may proceed to Warsaw’s bars and clubs to have a taste of the exciting nightlife of the city. One of the most popular is the Alchemia Klub (Estery 5, 31-056 Kraków, Poland, 12 421 22 00, website). It is known as a hotspot for the Bohemian nightlife, and serves cheap cocktails. A nice alternative is the Paparazzi (Mikołajska 9, 31-027 Kraków, Poland, 12 429 45 97, website), a European bar with low-key décor and an atmosphere filled with revelry.
You can also try out Pauza (Floriańska 18/3, 31-021 Kraków, Poland, 12 422 48 66, website). It is a stylish club fitted with avant-garde art and modern designs, and features well-crafted cocktails and live music.
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