Lonely Planet Pocket Krakow: Top Sights, Local Experiences (Pocket Guide)

Product Information

It’s topped with the 14th-century St Florian’s Gate and the hulking 15th-century Barbican, and is filled with neat gardens along with a statue commemorating one of Krakow’s most famous sons, Pope John Paul II. The Museum of Contemporary Art is one of Krakow’s most recent additions and has a vast and varied collection of contemporary art. Check out these awesome locations, mostly reachable by bus or train, some easier to get to by car, they will show you another side of Poland, much different from Krakow.

Prior to becoming an author, he worked as a journalist for The Economist, Bloomberg News and Radio Free Europe. Built in a Romanesque style, it isn’t just one of the oldest churches in Kraków, but one of the oldest and best preserved buildings within the entire city. Not only will the Main Market Square be filled with a bustling Christmas Market, complete with Polish Market Food, homemade goodies, and crafts, but the city will also have events for you to enjoy as well! Florian’s Gate, or Brama Floriańska in Kraków is one of the best known Polish Gothic towers and is on of the major focal points of Kraków’s Old Town. Not many people seem to know this, but Krakow is one of six cities that has an original Leonardo da Vinci hanging (and one of my favorites actually).The legend of the Krakow Dragon The dragon of Krakow has been famous for hundreds of year- with its legend delighting both locals and visitors alike.

A pro tip would be to ask if Viktor (anno 2022) is working, and if so, get him to make you a Sazerac. Florian’s Gate was built around the 14th century and was connected by a long bridge to the circular barbican (Barbakan) that was erected of brick on the other side of the moat. When the Austrians tore down the fortifications that had encircled Krakow until the 19th century, locals turned this ring into Planty, an inviting public park.Public transportation – Public buses and trams cost around 6 PLN for a one-way ride with a ticket that lasts one hour. You can’t be in a rush, and you won’t have much choice as they literally only have a handful of options here. With the establishment of new universities and cultural venues at the emergence of the Second Polish Republic in 1918 and throughout the 20th century, Kraków reaffirmed its role as a major international academic and artistic centre. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

In consequence, the sorry fact is that we arrive here improvised and leave without the chance to practice.This array of medieval architecture belies the city's cosmopolitan vibrancy; Kraków abounds with atmospheric pubs, trendy wine bars and an excellent assortment of eateries serving delectable Polish delicacies. During any other year, this popular Polish city is usually very busy and filled with tourists, but when I visited, it felt like a ghost town.

It was carved between 1477 and 1484 by the German sculptor Veit Stoss and in 1941, during Nazi Germany occupation, the dismantled altarpiece was shipped to the Third Reich. As with all things in popular culture these days- the tradition of Marzanna is marking a new role in many Kindergarten classrooms. Rynek Glowny, Krakow’s medieval market square, is the classic starting point — and you’ll be back repeatedly to take in all its sights. Alongside concerts, movie screenings, food and fashion shows, locals come to relax on deckchairs and enjoy the sunset, with Wawel Castle across the river. At the Bezogródek food truck in Błonia Park, you can try anything from Hungarian langosz (fried dough cakes) to Thai ice-cream.The greater part of the mass extermination was built in Birkenau and the majority of the victims were murdered here. In the years following World War II, Nowa Huta was established by the Soviets as a separate town filled with industry workers and propaganda. During any given month, the Main Square is bustling with market stalls and events, with stages often set up for large concerts. Without a doubt, the Wawel Hill complex consisting of the Wawel Castle and Cathedral are on the top of many tourists must see list when they arrive into Kraków.