 Situated on the banks of the Vistula River, in the southeast of the country, Krakow is considered to be the cultural capital of Poland. The city possesses one of the best preserved medieval city centres in Europe and is rapidly becoming one of the most up-and-coming city destinations for travellers interested in history, culture and value for money.
 The city’s ancient winding streets offer an architectural gem around every corner, with the whole city seemingly watched over by the imposing sight of Wawel Hill in the centre. Lovers of art will be hard pushed to find enough time to visit all the city’s fine art galleries, while museums covering every imaginable subject are well-maintained and inexpensive.
 Shopping and dining opportunities in the city are also surprisingly good, with the old town area being the heart of the action. Shoppers will find plenty of bargains to be had in the many markets and small independent shops scattered throughout the area, while the Cloth Hall in the main square is the place to head to for local craftworks and souvenirs. Dining out in Krakow is an equally pleasant experience, with new establishments opening on a regular basis, meaning the city’s old image of being host to stodgy, bland food is well and truly consigned to the past.
In recent years Krakow’s hotel scene has gradually been catching up with other major European cities in the region, with the choice on offer set to increase rapidly in the coming years. Although the city has always had a wide choice of budget ‘no frills’ accommodation, it is in the mid to upper hotel range where things are noticeably improving, with old hotels being renovated and new establishments opening all the time.
History
 Archaeological evidence suggests there has been a settlement around the Krakow area for thousands of years; however, the earliest known history dates back to the construction of the city’s first cathedral in the 11th century, which was shortly followed by its appointment as the country’s capital. During the 13th century Poland was invaded several times, with the first invasion by the Tartars leading to the destruction of almost the entire city.
 Over the next 200 years the city was completely rebuilt with a protective wall to keep out invaders. This reconstruction proved to be the beginning of Krakow’s return to former glories. The city prospered as a trade centre for the next few centuries and remained the capital until 1791, when constitutional reforms resulted in Warsaw being declared as the new seat of power. Throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, Krakow was regularly passed from one country to another as invasions and political turmoil constantly changed the region’s borders. This continued until the end of WWI, which saw the re-emergence of the Polish nation after 146 years of foreign occupation.
The end of WWII saw Poland once again returned to foreign occupation in the form of Soviet Russia, a situation that continued until the ‘Solidarity’ inspired revolution and the country regained independence in 1989. In the years since the collapse of communism, Krakow has gradually regained its cultural identity and is now one of the fastest growing city destinations in Europe.
Weather
 Krakow lies in a temperate climate zone, which is influenced by humid winds from the Atlantic Ocean to the west and dry continental weather from the east. Generally speaking, Krakow winters are fairly severe, with snow and freezing temperatures a common occurrence, while the summers are usually comfortably warm with the occasional heat wave thrown in.
Due to the fairly severe winters, most people visit Krakow between the months of May and October, when the average daily temperature ranges from 15°C to 25°C; however, due to warm winds blowing in from the Atlantic Ocean, the city receives more rainfall in the summer months than any other time of year, so you might consider packing an umbrella.
The spring months are considered by many to be the best time to visit Krakow, when clear mild days accompany the smell of blossom throughout the city. The autumn months are also popular, as the days are generally dry and warm, and the city’s trees come alive with colour. A popular old Krakow saying sums up the city’s summer months: ‘the days are longest in June, hottest in July and the most beautiful in August’.
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