{"id":11848,"date":"2019-09-27T16:24:38","date_gmt":"2019-09-27T16:24:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/seeker.io\/?p=11848"},"modified":"2019-09-27T16:24:38","modified_gmt":"2019-09-27T16:24:38","slug":"things-to-do-krakow","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/seeker.io\/article\/things-to-do-krakow\/","title":{"rendered":"41 of the Best Things to Do in Krakow"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

So, you’re heading off to Krakow? Get ready for a whirlwind of Gothic castles, cobbled squares topped by majestic palaces, leafy parks, and, of course, more potent vodka shots than you’ll care to remember (or be able to remember!). <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yep, this cultural hub of Poland is unquestionably one of the most enthralling towns on the continent. It packs in mystical tales of dragons, bohemian neighborhoods, and its fair share of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What’s more, just beyond its borders are some of Central Europe’s most jaw-dropping natural landscapes, spiking skywards with the Tatra ranges and blooming during the spring in the form of alpine meadows. So, without further ado, here’s that ultimate bucket list of the 41 best things to do in Krakow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get lost in the maze of the Krakow Old Town<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Cobbled alleys wiggle this way and that through the UNESCO World Heritage district<\/a> that is the Krakow Old Town. This is the beating heart of the city and a haven for architecture lovers and history buffs. As you explore, you’ll spy stone-topped squares and Gothic churches, streets fringed by medieval chapels, and grand Neo-Classical rowhouses. It’s also a hub for eating, entertainment, and nightlife, so you might want to check that your hostel comes without a curfew!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Soak in the sights at Market Square<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Market
Market Square, Krakow Old Town, Krakow, Poland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The kernel of the Krakow Old Town is the vast Main Market Square<\/a>. It’s been the hub of the city ever since King Boleslaw the Chaste (honest!) wandered the cobblestones (that’s way back in 1257). History oozes from every redbrick church tower and every filigreed wall of the centuries-old Cloth Hall here, but the real joy is simply strolling around, dodging the horse-pulled carriages, and dropping into the corner bars for a cold Polish beer!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

People watch in Planty Park<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Bunkier Cafe in Plenty Park, Krakow, Poland. facebook.com\/bunkiercafe\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Calling all people watchers \u2013 Planty Park is the <\/em>place be. Come summer, it shimmers in emerald with oak and sycamore trees. Come winter, it’s caked in ice and dusted with snow. Whatever the time of year, you can take a seat in a cozy caf\u00e9, like Bunkier Sztuki<\/a>, and simply watch the world go by. It attracts one of the most eclectic bunches of people of all the parks in Krakow<\/a>, from twirling rollerbladers to dog walkers to groups of robed priests and nuns (or is that a lost stag do?).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat like a local and try <em>obwarzanek<\/em><\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Obwarzanek in Market Square, Krakow, Poland. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

A long-standing legacy of the Austrian influence in Krakow can be found stacked up in blue metal carts all around the center of town. Known as Obwarzanek<\/a>, these are essentially a pretzel of the sort you might catch in Vienna, only the dough is soft and chewy and a range of toppings add a little Slavic twist to proceedings. The best part? A whole Obwarzanki (that’s the singular) should set you back around just $0.50 or so!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Feel like Polish royalty at Wawel Castle<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Wawel
Wawel Castle, Krakow, Poland. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The majestic towers and turrets of the Wawel Castle<\/a> stand proud above the Krakow cityscape like something out of Harry Potter<\/em>. They are a constant reminder of just how old everything is here \u2013 it’s thought that the first residents on the hill arrived in the Paleolithic Age! Fast forward around 12,000 years and you’ve got a grand mass of Renaissance arcades, Gothic keeps, thick bulwarks, and elegant courtyards. Delve inside and you’ll find yourself following in the footsteps of iconic Polish monarchs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hop bars and basement clubs with the Krawl Through Krakow<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Krawl Through Krakow, Krakow, Poland. instagram.com\/krawlthroughkrakow\/<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It’s been said that Krakow has more bars and clubs per square meter than any other city in Europe. Helping you squeeze every last drop of gratis vodka and frothy Polish beer out of that factoid is the legendary Krawl Through Krakow<\/a>. They’ve been guiding folks through the hazy basement dives, the pumping electronica outlets, and the DJ-spinning party holes of the Old Town for over a decade. A night out costs 60 PLN ($15) and includes a power hour of drink-till-you-can’t-drink-no-more booze!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transport yourself back to the 1970s at Restauracja Stylowa<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Restauracja
Restauracja Stylowa, Krakow, Poland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

You could be forgiven for thinking that you’d just hit 88 miles per hour in Doc’s DeLorean the moment you step foot in the draped interiors of Restauracja Stylowa<\/a>. This classic Polish milk bar (a cheap and cheerful diner come drinkery) has been left virtually unchanged since the days Gorbachev ruled the roost over in Moscow. It’s got gaudy color schemes, dated tiled walls, and low-hanging light fixtures, which, of course, is all part of the nostalgic experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Go behind the Iron Curtain on a Nowa Huta Communism Tour<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Nowa
Nowa Huta, Krakow, Poland. fotohuta \/ Shutterstock.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Trabant fired up and stacks of factoids about communist Poland at the ready, the folks at Crazy Guides<\/a> can take you on a whirlwind tour of the Nowa Huta district. Along the way, you’ll explore a whole sector of the city that was purpose-built by the Soviets back in the 1950s, intended as the perfect socialist utopia. These days, it’s all Neo-Renaissance blocks and imposing tenements, with street names like Ronald Reagan Central Square.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pull on the hiking boots for a day trip to the Tatra Mountains<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Tatra
Tatra Mountains, Poland. <\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The Tatra Mountains rise like daggers to the south of Krakow. The drive down is a journey in itself, as you wiggle through wooded valleys and then see the serrated peakHit the ski slopes of Zakopane (winter only)s swing into view on the Slovak border. The town of Zakopane is the prime base for hiking in the spring, summer, and autumn (Zakopane ski<\/a> trips take over during winter). It’s nestled in a deep bowl of summits, which herald the stunning Tatra National Park. There are several famous treks within, from the Valley of Five Lakes to the challenging walk to the top of Kasprowy Wierch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hit the ski slopes of Zakopane (winter only)<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"Zakopane,
Zakopane, Poland.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Move over Alps, there’s awesome skiing in Poland<\/a> too, you know? And the best news is that the cream of the crop is only a short drive away from Krakow. In fact, the so-called Winter Capital of Poland is a mere two hours to the south in the car. Surrounding it are the pistes of Kasprowy, Szymoszkowa, and Harenda, while cozy taverns warmed by flickering fires sit at the base of the runs. Even closer to Krakow is Bia\u0142ka Tatrza\u0144ska, which is the largest ski field in the country with modern lifts and nearly 20 kilometers of marked slopes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eat a zapiekanka at the source: Plac Nowy<\/a><\/h2>\n\n\n\n