Table of Contents
Top 10 attractions of Cracow by ITS DMC Poland
- Wawel Royal Castle
- The Main Market Square
- Wieliczka Salt Mine
- Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum
- The Cloth Hall
- Kazimierz District
- Schindler’s Factory
- Princess Czartoryski’s Museum
The Old Town
Any tourist arriving in Cracow has to see at least two places: Wawel Castle and the Main Market Square. Cracow’s Old Town is very tourist and pedestrian friendly. Most of all the main monuments are located in small pedestrian areas situated within Planty Park ring. Planty Park was planted in the exact location of the Medieval city walls, so it encircles the centre area. Within it, the distances are small enough to get everywhere just by walking. In the Main Market Square tourist find multitude of restaurants, cafes, souvenir shops as well as a lot of postcard monuments such as the Cloth Hall, St. Mary’s Church, the Town Hall Tower or Adam Mickiewicz Monument. In the Cloth Hall, apart from souvenirs shops, visitors can visit the Main Market Square Underground Museum with modern and interactive exhibition and also famous Polish Art Gallery with 4 various exhibitions. Just by the Planty Park tourists will find Wawel Hill. Here you can see a few various exhibitions in the Wawel Castle, enter beautiful Wawel Cathedral, visit legendary Wawel Dragon’s Den and the Wawel Dragon itself. ITS DMC Poland jokes to beware the dragon as it breaths real fire! On the other hand, the dragon figurine is a must-have souvenir from the royal Cracow. In the Old Town the art fans should also visit Princess Czartoryski’s Museum to see the most famous painting in Poland and “a sister” of famous Mona Lisa which is “The Lady with an Ermine” by Leonardo da Vinci.
Jewish Heritage
The Old Town in Cracow joined with the Old Jewish District Kazimierz and Wawel Castle are enlisted at prestigious UNESCO World Heritage List. Kazimierz District is a unique area of Cracow with Jewish architecture and memorials. Here tourists can see among others the Old Synagogue (the oldest in Europe), Tempel Synagogue, Remuh Synagogue, Kupa Synagogue and also going slightly further from the heart of Kazimierz, visitors can also explore the dark WWII history and territory of Cracow’s Ghetto and learn more about this heritage in the Schindler’s Factory Museum. ITS. Poland also notes it is worth to visit a Modern Art Museum MOCAK just by the Schindler’s Factory if you happen to be in this part of the city.
Outside Cracow
Just on Cracow doorstep there are 3 very interesting tourist sites. First of all, there are two UNESCO World Heritage Sites Wieliczka Salt Mine and Auschwitz-Birkenau Former Nazi German Concentration Camp Museums. Tourist should reserve at least half a day to properly see both these places. Wieliczka delights with fanciful salt structures, sculptures and underground salt lakes. ITS DMC Poland also suggests visiting original Brine Graduation Tower when you happen to be in Wieliczka. It is not only original but healing as well! Auschwitz-Birkenau on the other hands tells the story of the darkest page in the human history. This is why the place is worth to be remembered and the victims should be commemorated. Finally, one of the newer but very popular attractions of Cracow’s area is Energylandia in Zator. It is the first full-fledged and the biggest amusement park in Poland, suitable for tourists in all age groups.
Summing up, Cracow is a city that delights everybody and everyone can find here something to their liking. It was numerously appreciated and celebrated by UNESCO, as there are 5 sights from the area enlisted at the famous World Heritage List, that can be easily seen while visiting Cracow. Tourists should plan at least 5 to 7 days visits in this former royal city to be able to fully enjoy its allure. If any of the above-mentioned sights caught your interest, feel free to contact ITS DMC Poland, a local travel agent that helps to organize tourist stays in Poland and start your Polish adventure still today!