Best things to do in Krakow
Find out more about those top places in Krakow
Situated on the Vistula River and in the shadow of the Tatra Mountains, Krakow is one of Europe’s most beguiling cities. The city was Poland’s royal capital between 1038 and 1596 and still retains much of its medieval grandeur today. The Old Town is packed with gilded churches, spectacular royal palaces and gothic university buildings and was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1978. Krakow is not all about fairy tale architecture though. The city’s 20th century history looms large with the former Jewish district of Kazimierz home to ruined synagogues and Oscar Schindler’s Factory, which reflect the city’s traumatic experience under Nazi occupation. Krakow has more than just history. Since the end of communism, the city has undergone something of a renaissance with lively bars, cosmopolitan cafes and trendy art galleries opening up with regularity.
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Wieliczka Salt Mine
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is of great importance to the people of Poland attracting more than a million tourists from all over the world annually. A 350-step descent ushers one into the skillfully carved mine. The bas-reliefs that are present in the mine also contribute to what made UNESCO name the mine as a World Cultural and Heritage site.
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Wawel Royal Castle
This castle is as popular today as it was in the book of histories. The Wawel Royal Castle played pivotal roles in the history of the country as many royalties once inhabited it. Today, it still has some jewels and possessions of its past inhabitants. On a tour of this castle, you would get to see the status apartments, great halls, and many gardens. All these interesting features are a few of the reasons that it made the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
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Old Town
A tour of Krakow Old Town is a tour through the corridors of history. The town is as old as its name suggests, and it has many structures and monuments to show for it. These structures and monuments include castles that were once inhabited by the Polish monarchs themselves, St. Mary's Basilica, the Cloth Hall, and many more. It is also on the list of UNESCO World cultural and heritage sites.
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Extreme Shooting
This is bound to be a thrilling experience for everyone, especially for those who have never handled a gun before. The biggest shooting range in all of Krakow welcomes visitors from all over the world and teaches them to shoot more than 30 different kinds of guns, including the AK47. There are safety measures put in place to ensure that there is no case of accidental injury.
