As Krakow is known as the cultural capital of Poland, you will find a seemingly endless list of sights and attractions to keep you busy, whatever the duration of your stay. The city has dozens of historically and culturally important buildings waiting to be explored, while the surrounding area has equally as many places of interest within easy reach of the city.

Main Market Square (Rynek Glóny)
At one time the main square of Krakow was the largest medieval square in Europe, dating back to 1257, while today it still remains the social heart of the city. The square is an excellent place to start your visit to Krakow, as it is surrounded by many of the city’s most interesting sights, while the throng of flower sellers, musicians and artists makes for a fantastic introduction to the city’s unique and vibrant atmosphere.

The Cloth Hall (Sukiennice)
Located in the centre of the main market square, the Cloth Hall has been the centre of trade in the city since the 13th century. The hall has remained unchanged for centuries and today it is home to countless market vendors selling mainly tourist souvenirs such as local handicrafts, leather goods, jewellery and Polish works of art. The upper floor of the building houses a small collection of 19th century Polish art and sculpture.

St Mary’s Church (Kosciol Mariacki)
Also located in the main square and visible from many parts of the city is the 14th century St Mary’s Church, the most striking feature of which is the varying height of its two spires. The interior of the church is nothing short of awe inspiring, with its spectacular blue ceiling and beautiful stained glass windows making this a must-see sight for every visitor. One of the city’s most famous traditions is the hourly bugle call from the top of the church’s tallest spire; although the origins of this tradition are much disputed, the official reason is to commemorate the lone watchman who warned the city of invasion before being cut off in mid note by an arrow in the throat.

Wawel Hill
The entire city of Krakow has been dominated by the imposing sight of Wawel Hill since the city was founded over 1,000 years ago. The hill is home to Wawel Castle, which was the seat of the Polish kings between the 11th and 17th centuries, although most of the building you will see today was constructed in the early 16th century. Today, the castle is home to various collections of antique furniture, artworks, tapestries and weaponry, while some of the beautifully decorated staterooms are worth the visit alone. The hill is also home to Wawel Cathedral, which was the traditional place of coronation and burial of Polish monarchs for many centuries. The interior of the cathedral is well worth exploring, while the climb to the top of the tower is a must, as it offers magnificent views of the city. The hill itself is open daily from 06:00 to 20:00 (April to September) and from 06:00 to 18:00 (October to March). The castle is open to visitors from 09:30 to 12:00 on Mondays and from 09:30 to 15:00 from Tuesday to Sunday, while the cathedral can be visited from 09:00 to 17:00, Monday to Saturday.

Kazimierz District
Up until WWII, the Kazimierz district had been the home of Krakow’s Jewish population for over 500 years. During the war, the area was badly damaged and virtually all of its residents were either killed or deported to one of the Nazi’s notorious death camps; however, the filming of Spielberg’s epic ‘Schindler’s List’ in the district has been partly responsible for the regeneration that is in progress today. Although the area is gradually regaining its Jewish feel, there is much more than just synagogues to discover here, with newly restored architecture and dozens of small restaurants and cafés to explore. The Kazimierz district is an experience not to be missed. Visit this site for further information Krakow.

Old Synagogue
The Old Synagogue in the Kazimierz district is the oldest surviving example of Jewish religious architecture in Poland and it dates back to around 1500. The Synagogue now houses an exhibition detailing the history of Polish Judaism up to WWII, with the ground floor containing religious artefacts and documents, and the upper floor dedicated to items reflecting the tragic Nazi persecution of the city’s Jewish population. The Synagogue is open from 09:00 to 17:00, Tuesday to Sunday, and from 10:00 to 14:00 on Mondays.

Although the city of Krakow has more than enough attractions to keep even the most dedicated sightseer busy, there are several out of town excursions not to be missed.

Go on a day trip to the infamous and heart-wrenching memorial site of Auschwitz and Birkenau. The original Auschwitz camp was opened in 1940 to house Polish political prisoners and Russian prisoners of war and although most of these prisoners soon died from disease and brutality, their labour was enough to expand the camp extensively in preparation for the countless numbers of Jewish people who were soon to follow.

Auschwitz was actually three separate camps spread over a massive area, with Auschwitz I being the most visited today. A visit to the camp includes a moving 15-minute film documenting the liberation of the camp, while the remaining outbuildings house various displays of photographs, documents and personal belongings of the millions of people who past through the camps infamous gates.

Auschwitz II-Birkenau was built nearby in 1941 and was soon completely dedicated to the mass execution of the estimated four million Jews who were systematically put to death in the camp’s gas chambers. Although the sheer size of the tragedy is far more evident at Birkenau, its lesser number of exhibits means it receives significantly fewer visitors than Auschwitz I. Visitors should be aware that it is requested that children under 14 should not visit the camps due to their distressing nature. The Auschwitz Memorial Museum is open daily from 08:00, while closing times vary between 15:00 and 19:00, depending on the season.

Visit the Royal Salt Mine at Wieliczka, situated six miles to the southeast of the city. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is actually a massive subterranean town, which dates back as far as the 13th century. The guided tour of the site takes in a series of chambers crammed full of statues and carvings produced by talented salt miners over the centuries. One of the many highlights of this fascinating tour is the 17th century chapel, decorated with bas-relief wall carvings depicting scenes from the New Testament as well as salt crystal chandeliers hanging from the ceiling to complete the strange yet captivating effect. The tour culminates with a visit to the restaurant and souvenir shop before you are returned to the surface by the mine’s rattling old miners lift. The tour takes well over two hours and is highly recommended for visitors of all ages. Tours are available daily between 07:30 and 19:30 from April to October and from 08:00 to 16:00 from November to March. Visitors are advised to bring warm clothing, as the mine stays at a steady 14˚C throughout the year.