Nestled snugly on the banks of the Vistula, lies the medieval capital of Poland and one of the most important historic centres in the world. In the past millenium the city has survived the worst of times starting with a Mongol raid in the 1240s to occupation by the Nazis in the second world war. Despite such atrocities which have been inflicted the city stands as a testament to the resilience of mankind. It’s major landmarks and alleys still in a pristine state as if time wasn’t given the opportunity to carry out its dictum.
How to get there
Krakow is well connected to all major cities in Poland like Katowice, Poznan and Warsaw. There are trains and buses connecting the city to all neighboring countries (Germany, Czechia and Slokavia), it also has an international airport linking it to popular European cities. I had taken the bus (Flixbus) from Berlin to Krakow, it was an overnight journey and was quite comfortable I must say.
Where to stay
The Old town and neighboring tourist areas can be easily covered on foot. The train station, bus terminus and Galleria Krakow (the biggest shopping mall in town) are just next to each other, so it makes sense to stay close to such a central location. I had stayed at Cracow Central Aparthotel which is situated between the train station and the Barbican. There are a lot of accommodations near the Wawel Castle, Kazimierz, Vistulian Boulevards as well.
How to Commute
As already mentioned it is advisable to cover most of sites on foot. However, trams and buses are ubiquitous and connect the city center to the outskirts like Weilickza. Its easy to travel from the Old Town center to Wawel Castle on a tram or bus if you don’t feel like walking. Take the travel pass or Krakow City card in case you intend to stay there for a couple of days. Not all buses/other modes of public transport in general have a ticket vending machine on board so be sure to get the tickets before you board, just in case.
Things to See
Rather than the old town, it’s a good idea to start the trip from Weilickza Salt mine, which is a 40 miunute bus ride from Krakow. The bus number 3 departs from a lane just in front of Krakow Galleria mall, so its super convenient and easy to spot. Once in Weilickza take your time to explore the labyrinths of its salt mines. Built in the 13th century this is the oldest operational salt mine in the world and one of the largest. It reaches a depth of more than 300 metres and spreads undergrounds across 280 kilometers. A guided tour takes you through the meandering tunnels and chambers of this underground behemoth, as you delve deeper you can actually peel through the layers in time and get a glimpse of how salt was mined back in the days. The lower levels have a church, a cathedral and a lot of statues carved out from salt. You will also get to learn a lot about the kings and princes who had been patrons of the mine and had visited it in the past. After this surreal experience, amble off to the town square in Weilickza, it has a cathedral and a lot of bakeries offering polish delights. The only way back to Krakow is through the same route (bus number 3).
Once back in Krakow it’s time to head off to the Old Town to dip your feet in centuries of history. Start your journey at the Grunewald monument in front of the Barbican, walk straight towards the Barbican and behind it you can see St. Florian’s gate which was a part of the medieval defence ramparts of the city. Walk through the gate and you end up in Florianska Ulica, this street was a part of the royal walk during the middle ages. Now it is a high end shopping street, you can gape at the multitude of shops at both sides of the street. At the end of the street you enter the Old Town Square – the largest in Europe.
The Old Town Square is the place where all the magic happens, it pulsates with the polish spirit of resilience. This (Rynek Glowny) is the place where you can find the St. Mary’s Basilica, the Town Hall Tower, the Cloth Market. Climb on top of the tower, in order to get a panoramic view of the Old Town and the entire city. Every hour you can hear the sound of a trumpet only half blown from the Basilica, there is an interesting story behind this, which dates back to the time of the Mongol raids. The Cloth market is the place where you can go for souvenir shopping there are dozens of shops on both sides of the hall, take your time to browse through the multitude of offerings there. From the town square, you may head off to the legendary Jagiellonian University, one of the oldest university in the world made famous by Copernicus. There is a statue of the man himself outside the university entrance. From the university its only a short walk to the Wawel Castle grounds.
The Wawel Castle and Cathedral are the most iconic places in Krakow, the castle grounds provide several vantage points to gaze at the Vistula and the settlement on the other bank. There is also a statue of a dragon breathing fire(yes dragons are real my friend) at one end, near the entrance to the museum. Looking down from the castle grounds you have a great view of the Vistulian boulevards, clamber down from the castle and near the river banks you can easily saunter here for hours taking in the fresh air and perhaps take a bike ride along the river. Additionally, there is another day trip which you can make from Krakow, the notorious Auschwitz concentration camp (which needs no introduction), it was closed while I was there hence missed it.
In case you have missed Auschwitz, don’t worry there is enough history in the Jewish Ghetto, the Old Jewish quarter of Kazimierz and the epnonymous Schindler’s Enamel Factory (which is now a museum) to keep you pre-occupied. Streets of Kazimierz especially those near the synagouge still have the old world charm to it, with a lot of murals and street art. There is a section of a block which is called Schindler’s passage, parts of the movie Schindler’s List where shot here, the apartment block and the houses are quite well preserved here – a grim reminder to the unfortunate fate of the Jews. From Kazimierz it’s a bit of a long walk to Schindler’s Enamel factory, so I would suggest taking public transport. The former enamel factory has been converted to a museum now, it speaks volumes of the Nazi occupation of Krakow in particular and Poland in general. The top floor of the museum has on display, Schindler’s desk, a collection of the utensils manufactured in the factory and another furnitures from the day.
If you have had enough of a grim history session for a day, it’s time to leave those sombre leanings behind and head over to Planty park for a breath of fresh air and some much needed quiet contemplation. You can however, do the same atop Krakus Mound, an artificial hill and burial site. It offers breathtaking views of the city and is a popular picnic and hangout spot among the locals. Other notable locations in the city include the National Library, the National Museum, and the Underground museum in the old town square. Krakow is an experience in itself the place has to be lived in order to comprehend the profundity of its heritage and culture.
Things to Eat
Polish Dumplings (Pierogies) to Polish Vodka, the polish cuisine is designed to cater to all your senses and taste buds. There are numerous street vendors selling the traditional Obwarzanek, its similar to a bagel, pretzel and a close cousin of the simit (in Istanbul), it makes for a nice light meal. I could go on drooling over the Kielbasa (sausages), the Blgos(hearty meat stew) and varieties of soup on offer. Chimera is nice little restaurant in a gothic setting it has a buffet of all traditional polish food along with a great selection of vegan options.
How much does it cost
At the time of this writing, one Polish Zloty(PLN) is equal to 0.22 Euros, this makes the city quite less expensive in comparison to other western european capital cities. A hearty meal will cost you less than 10 euros. Credit card is usually accepted in all restaurants, hotels and museums, however, it is advisable to take some cash in the local currency. There are a lot of money exchangers in the central station and the old town square, be sure to pick the one which gives a good exchange rate.
Quantum Explorer 
An excellent overview of karkow in simple and meaningful description covering all aspects how to travel by solo or groups of travelers. Hope you will keep informing and share your experiences about the countries you have most visited