Cracow (or Krakow in polish), is the second largest city in Poland. It also is one of the oldest cities in the country and is among the leading centers for artistic, cultural, academic and economic life. As a result, it receives a lot of foreign and international visitors who want to sample the many unique things the city has to offer.

Krakow is one of those cities overflown with the World Heritage Sites. Modern buildings where visitors can go and marvel at the various unique styles of architecture are spread far and wide across the city. The famous landmarks that you should visit are: the famous Old Town, Wawel Castle and Kazimierz.

Cracow Old Town

Old Town has about six thousand historical sites that you can visit. It also features over two million works of art outdoors for you to marvel. The Royal Road which was used by royals of Poland in the ancient times is also part of the Old Town with famous features like the Barbican of Cracow along it. The architectural designs found in Old Town have survived a lot of disasters caused by wars and conquests. In spite of that, they still retain their origin from medieval times. Historic architecture in the town includes Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance buildings.

Cracow also has beautiful gardens, forests and parks located at the city center and surrounding districts where one can visits, enjoy nature and simply relax. They include Planty Park, Jordan Park, Park Krakowski and Botanical Garden.

Cracow – Polish Cultural Capital

Being a cultural capital of Poland, Cracow features various interesting festivals which attract tourists from all over the world. Cracow people have a unique way of celebrating festivities like Christmas, Easter and Carnival and while there, you can attend and experience their the rich culture. One of the most unique festivals is the wild Lajkonik parade. You can also visit the various museums located at Market Square and other places and witness the history and culture of the city and country through the various expositions and documents preserved there.

Outside the city, you can visit the Ojcowski National Park, Tatra Mountains, Wieliczka salt mine. Another landmark that I believe everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime is the former Nazi concentration camp located at Auschwitz. It is one of the most horrifying places one can ever witness but also a great lesson in history. I am sure that once you see this, the experience will stay for you for the rest of your life.

Krakow Nightlife

It is said that Cracow nightlife never sleeps. The city boasts of a lively club scene with mostly young people never missing to be seen in the various nightclubs and bars in the city especially on Fridays and Saturdays. Famous clubs that you can visit in the city include Lubu-Dubu, Boom bar rush and Przychodnia Towarzyska located in Old Town, Prozak located in the Main Square among others. Famous bars in the city include Ministerstwo, Roentgen, Alchemia and Baroque Cocktail Bar also located in Old Town among others. If feeling lucky, one can visit casinos in the Novotel Bronowice, Novotel Hotel and Sofitel Orbis.

To sample Polish delicacies and well as delicacies from other cultures, Cracow is filled with a lot of restaurants, cafes and hotels. They include the Copernicus Restaurant, Wierzynek located on the Rynek, Sioux cafe, Galaxy Hotel and Ruczaj Hotel. They offer excellent service and accommodation.

Cracow is also filled with various shopping malls that are very convenient because they have a wide range of items. One can visit Galeria Kazimierz, Pasaż 13 and Galeria Krakowska among others for shopping in the various stores.

Photo credit: smif