Krakow, Poland’s second-largest city, is one of the oldest and most enchanting places in the country. Its history stretches back many centuries, and it pairs beautiful architecture with a lively contemporary cultural scene. Here are the best things to do in Krakow, where to stay, where to shop and the city’s Jewish heritage.
Krakow is about 110 km from Zakopane, the popular mountain resort. The drive takes roughly an hour and a half to two hours and the scenery along the way is lovely.
Things to do in Krakow
- The Main Square (Rynek Główny): the very heart of the Old Town.
- The Town Hall Tower: an old tower on the square with a fine view over the city.
- Wawel Castle: one of the most impressive castles in Poland.
- Collegium Maius: one of the oldest academic institutions in Europe.
- Planty Park: a beautiful, well-kept park that rings the Old Town.
- Kazimierz: the city’s historic Jewish quarter.
- Schindler’s Factory: the museum that documents the story of Oskar Schindler.
Travelling with children? See Krakow with kids.
Five recommended hotels
- Hotel Copernicus: a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the Old Town.
- Radisson Blu Hotel: a modern hotel with fine city views.
- Betmanowska Main Square Residence: a charming hotel overlooking the Main Square.
- PURO Kraków Kazimierz: a contemporary, fashionable hotel in the Kazimierz district.
- Hotel Wawel: a historic hotel close to the royal castle.
Shopping
- Galeria Krakowska: a modern mall next to the railway station.
- Rynek Główny: the old market square, full of local shops and boutiques.
- Kazimierz: a district of boutiques and art, ideal for something out of the ordinary.
- Plac Nowy: an open-air market with all kinds of stalls and local products.
- Galeria Bronowice: a large shopping centre with international brands.
Jewish history and heritage in Krakow
Jewish history is an inseparable part of the city and of Polish culture. Krakow was one of the important Jewish centres of Europe for hundreds of years.
Historical background
The Jewish community began to develop in the 13th century and reached its peak in the 16th and 17th centuries. Jews contributed greatly to the city’s economy, culture and intellectual life. During the 19th and early 20th centuries the community continued to grow, though it suffered from antisemitism and restrictions.
The Holocaust
During the Second World War the community was devastated by the Nazis. Most of the city’s Jews were forced into the ghetto and then deported to concentration and extermination camps. The Holocaust left a deep shadow over Jewish life in the city.
Kazimierz and its synagogues
Kazimierz was the centre of Jewish life until the Holocaust. Today it is a cultural and historical attraction, with old synagogues, museums and restaurants that keep Jewish tradition alive.
- The Remuh Synagogue: a 16th-century synagogue named after Rabbi Moses Isserles.
- The Isaac Synagogue: grand and richly decorated, a window onto the community’s past.
- Schindler’s Factory: tells the story of Oskar Schindler, who saved more than a thousand Jews.
- The former ghetto: today a place of commemoration and study.
For a wider view, see Holocaust memorials around the world, and to build Krakow into a longer route read our Poland itinerary guide. Enjoy!
