Krakow: Highlights of the Old Town, Krakow, Poland

The city of Krakow, former capital of Poland and seat of the Polish monarchs for centuries, is without a doubt one of the most charming cities in Europe. Its beautifully preserved medieval Old Town, where you can find most of the places of interest of this Unesco World Heritage city, is one of the few places in Poland that escaped from complete destruction during World War II.

During my first day in Krakow, I explored all the highlights of the Old Town, starting in Market Square and following the Royal Road from St. Florian’s Gate all the way to Wawel Castle, the former residence of the kings. Check out this itinerary to discover one of the liveliest cities of Poland!

During the last few years, Krakow has become one of the preferred European destinations for a short getaway. Thanks to this, the city is very well connected with most European cities by dozens of airlines that land at the John Paul II Kraków-Balice International Airport.

If you’re coming by air, buses 208 and 252 will bring you to the city centre in less than 45 minutes. Bus 208 leaves every hour and stops at the Dworzec Główny Wschód central station, while bus 252 departs every 30 minutes and stops at the ICE Congress Centre on the south side of the city. One-way tickets only costs 4 złoty (approx. €1) ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).

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Guide Name: Krakow: Highlights of the Old Town
Guide Location: Poland » Krakow
Guide Type: Self-guided Walking Tour (Insider Tips)
Author: Alberto C.
Read it on Author's Website: https://www.arwtravels.com/blog/2-day-itinerary-krakow-highlights-the-old-town
Sight(s) Featured in This Guide:

Kraków Główny
ICE Congress Centre
Main Square
St. Mary's Basilica
Cloth Hall
Town Hall Tower
the 'Eros Bendato'
St. Florian’s Gate
the Barbican
Church of the Transfiguration
Church Of St. John the Baptist and John the Evangelist
Jagiellonian University
Wawel Castle
statue of Tadeusz Kościuszko
Royal Cathedral
John Paul II Cathedral Museum
Wawel Dragon statue
Pod Wawelem
High Life Hostel

Insider Tips for Krakow, Poland

Krakow Street Food

After I travel a while, I get tired of eating every meal at a restaurant, particularly in Europe where the service is slow. I recognize it is slow to allow diners to enjoy their meal, but when I am on my own, sitting around is not my first choice.

Krakow's Old Town

I arrived in Krakow from Prague via a seven-hour train ride. I followed the signage from the train station to Krakow’s Old Town which took me through the mall, up to an exit through a Christmas market, down into a tunnel beneath a street and then into a lovely park dusted in a light snow.

Touring Krakow with a Local

Touring a foreign city with a local allows you to not only see the sites but delve further into its history, its culture and begin to understand its personality. We were able to do just that recently as we toured Kraków, Poland’s famous historical city.

Exploring Kazimierz in Krakow

Most of the points of interest can be found in Kazimierz, the former Jewish quarter of Krakow. Since the area is pretty small, all of them are located within a few minutes walk from each other.

My Favourite Moments Visiting Krakow, Poland

Arguably Poland’s most popular tourist destination, visiting Krakow is a dreamland for those who love historic old towns and exploring local culture. Given how much praise I had heard for it beforehand, I arrived to the city in Poland’s south cautiously optimistic.