Sightseeing in Krakow

The best landmarks & tourist attractions to find on holiday

The official Krakow City Tour takes you on a 3 hour tour of the city. On the tour you have chance to visit Wawel Hill and Castle, as well as the Royal Residencies. You also get chance to walk through the Jewish Quarter (where Schindlers List was filmed) and visit the Jagiellonski University, which is one of the oldest universities in Europe. The tour concludes by visiting the Market Square, which includes the unique St.Mary’s Basilica. It is also a good opportunity to wait outside the church and listen to the bugle which is sounded every hour! The guides are extremely experienced and professional and will help you learn a lot about Krakow’s troubled history and fascinating present.

Price per person: £35.00pp
Duration: 3 hrs – by coach and foot

Note: for tours to Auschwitz and the Wieliczka Salt Mines, please see the link above – day excursions.

In this section of the website, you will read about the most interesting landmarks, streets and squares which all have there own special history and magical culture. If you would like a private guide at your disposal, to gain a deeper insight into the city and to guarantee a fabulous sightseeing adventure then we suggest you add this to your enquiry form and contact Vamos Travel today. “Let’s Go!”

Art lovers will find many places of artistic interest, from galleries and museums to churches and palaces. One of the most established exhibition venues is the Palace of Arts, recognised to be one of the best places for art in Poland. Close to the Palace of Art, you’ll find more contemporary art in the Bunker of Arts gallery. This avant-garde exhibition hall holds one of the worlds largest festivals of print art, every three years. Many outstanding artists have been lured here throughout the centuries and their many masterpieces can be enjoyed on a Krakow breaks holiday, by simply walking around the many historical buildings in the city. All our City tours give guests an excellent insight into a wide selection of period art. By booking a holiday to Krakow you’ll have the opportunity to discover the gothic sculpture ‘Veit Stoss’ and Renaissance master ‘Leonardo da Vinci’.

The city was once encircled by a fortified wall and defensive moat back in the middle Ages and its main city gate ‘Brama Florianska’ was made almost impenetrable because of the mighty Barbican. Still today, the Barbican stands proudly and is a favourite part of the cities unique cityscape. The mighty Barbican is an attractive sight to behold in Cracow and must be seen as apart of your sightseeing explorations of the old town. The walls are three metres thick, its diameter twenty five metres and has an impressive seven turrets with 130 artillery holes. Even today, it remains the best example of its kind in Europe and is a definite hot spot tourist attraction for Cracow visitors. A weekend holiday wouldn’t be complete without a few pictures of the Barbican in your holiday scrap book.

Dominating the Rynek Glowny, is the 16th century Cloth Hall which runs down the centre of the cities largest square. Inside this building a branch of the National Museum can be located, which exhibits an unparalleled collection of 19th century Polish art. The Cloth Hall is without a doubt Krakow’s most distinctive building and throughout the centuries it has played hosts to many important merchants, dignitaries and special visitors, both Prince Charles and the Emperor of Japan have been welcomed here. Interestingly, Cloth Hall is the oldest shopping mall in the world, being in business for over 700 years. Holiday makers can find all sorts of Polish souvenirs, amber jewellery and other assorted items here. The Cloth Hall literally can’t be missed whilst on a city breaks holiday in Krakow. Whether intending on exploring Cloth Hall or not, finding it on purpose or by accident, at some point during your stay, you will find yourself walking the length of this massive hall, browsing at the various stalls. Whether you buy something to remember the occasion will depend on you.

Jagiellonian University was established in 1364, by Kazimierz the Great. The oldest college, part of the university, is the splendid Grand College, in Polish ‘Collegium Maius’. Famously, Copernicus the founder of modern astronomy was a student here, as was Pope John Paul II. There is a university museum which can be viewed on the second floor, from 12 – 2pm but if you miss this short opening, we advise our clients to visit the Collegium Maius anyway, to enjoy the beautiful college courtyard, which is open for free throughout the week. When stood in the courtyard look up and notice the amazing façade and twisting chimneys. Although, the Collegium Maius isn’t a major tourism attraction in Cracow, it is a lovely diversion to capture a glimpse of the cities university life and to admire some beautiful late-gothic architecture. We recommend this for people that like the ‘Off the beaten track’ type of sites.

Only one gate survived the destruction of the city fortification in the 19th century, the St Florianska Gate (in Polish, Brama Florianska). The Gate was built in the late 13th century and its gothic ‘Furriers’ tower stands 33.5 metres high with a colorful eagle painted on one side by the painter Jan Matejko. The Barbican lies just in front of it and it is closed in on both sides by remaining sections of the old walls. It is here, where artists hang hundreds of paintings on the wall for holiday makers to buy and enjoy. The Florianska Gate is still a powerful symbol of the city and is one of the most photographed holiday sights you’ll see. The gate is simply beautiful and must be acknowledged as a popular ‘what to see’ landmark in Krakow. The Florianska Gate makes for an impressive introduction to Krakow’s old town and as you pass through, whether entering or leaving, one can feel the history that has passed before. Contact the Poland travel specialists or browse through our amazing city break deals on-line for bargain Krakow weekend break deals and alot more.

South of the Royal Castle is an area called Kazimierz, which was formerly an independent town to Krakow, founded by King Kazimierz the Great. This unique area was once the heart of the Jewish community, until the Nazi’s came and deported the residents to Auschwitz. After WWII the area had fallen into decline, but since the film Schindler’s List, the area is once again blossoming, with concerts, art galleries and restaurants opening. It’s an enchanting place to experience and we definitely urge all our clients to make time to visit Kazimierz district and reflect on its history. All tourist maps include a detailed street plan of Kazimierz and you’ll see that it is only a short 10 minutes walk from the old town, so don’t limit your sight seeing excursions to the historical sites within the Planty area, venture out and discover some of Krakow’s most beautiful streets, quaint churches and religious monuments. Vamos Travel organises ‘Jewish Heritage’ guided tours, which covers all the most important attractions of the area. From the most historical Jewish synagogues to even Schindler's factory, the Jewish Heritage excursion is one of the most insightful tours one can wish for on a city break holiday. Along the trail, you’ll discover an abundance of antique shops, Jewish museums and many markets of interest. Witness the history of Polish Jews and discover with us all the most important corners of the Kazimierz district.

A little gem to find, is one of Leonardo da Vinci's masterpieces, hanging in the Czartoryskich Museum. There are only six places in the world one can view an original work by Leonardo da Vinci and Krakow is proud to be one of them. Recognised as one of the world’s first modern age portraits ever painted, the ‘Lady with an Ermine’ is an incredible sight.

National Museum in Krakow has many branches throughout the city, but the biggest and best is found on Maja Street. Here, one can find an exceptional collection of Polish art, an abundant collection of decorative art and many other historical items of interest. Founded in 1879, the National Museum is the oldest of its kind in Poland and will delight tourists, with its sensational displays and huge variety of ancient artifacts. Although the building itself is rather ugly, the real treasure lies within side. We suggest you take a look and see for yourselves.
The historical Old Town district is the prime honey pot for Krakow weekend holiday breaks. Without a doubt Cracow’s old Town is the single biggest tourist attraction for holidays in Poland. A place that hasn’t really changed all too much, since it was established, back in 1257 by Prince Boleslav V. Recognised for its ancient heritage and of world cultural importance, Cracow’s old town is UNESCO listed. Today, the Old Town area remains a vibrant hub with numerous landmarks, museums, art galleries, music venues, theatres and multiple universities. On top of this myriad of cultural activity, the city brims with modern boutiques, cafes, nightclubs and chic restaurants, that all blend within the ancient cityscape. So, although the district is very old, Krakow is in fact an extremely cosmopolitan city, with a very young and modern attitude. Also, orientating around Krakow’s Old Town couldn’t be easier, as the district has preserved its medieval grid layout, where all the major streets lead back to the main square, which means it’s very hard to get lost.

In the early years of the 19th century the majority of the cities medieval city walls, towers and gates were largely demolished. The local authorities then replaced the city walls with a strip of green land around the city called the Planty. Now it forms an oval city park, a rarity in the world, which compasses the entire Cracow old town, approximately fifty-two acres in size. For both locals and Poland city break guests, the Planty is a great place to come and view the many fine buildings, take relaxing park walks and get a leisurely orientation. From past experience, we would say that the entire length of the gardens can be walked at a relaxed pace in about 60 minutes. The stunning Planty is a green oasis that brings a colourful depth to the city centre. All too often guide books fail to recognise the Planty as a popular tourist attraction. Make sure you take the opportunity on holiday in Krakow to enjoy parts of this ring shaped park.

Krakow’s Grand Square is Rynek Glowny and has been the hub of the city since the 13th century. This massive 200 metre squared area still performs its role as a trading centre, a lively market, a meeting place and the epicentre of the best cafes, bars and entertainment in Krakow. Throughout the year, holidays makers can find horse drawn carriages, street performers, open air concerts and various annual festivals. This beautiful plaza is without a doubt, the focus of Krakow’s day & night life. Everything stems from this majestic square, making it a very good place to begin your trips, tours & explorations. The Rynek Glowny is an absolute hotspot for places and things to see. Here you’ll find, the Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Church, town hall tower and much much more. Rynek Glowny is one of the most impressive sights that can be seen on any Poland holiday, we highly recommend this tourist landmark to you.

All around the Rynek Glowny there are impressive period houses and many architectural wonders. One of the finest buildings to admire is the 14th Century St Mary’s Basilica, the most important church in Cracow. What is most striking about the St Mary’s Basilica is its unusual shape as one tower is clearly larger than the other. The taller of the two is called the Bugle Tower, because on the hour every hour a bugle call rings out across the city from the tower. The bugle sound is close to the hearts of the Cracovian locals and at noon it is broadcasted by Polish radio. Often crowds gather at the base of the church to watch the bugler play from the window of the tower. This magnificent 81m high tower was also completed with a golden crown that has eight turrets, giving the St Mary’s Basilica an even more distinctive and regal look. The exterior of the St Mary’s Basilica is an incredible city break sight but there are some real holiday gems to be found within side and can’t be possibly forgotten whilst on a weekend vacation in Krakow. Inside St Mary’s church, city break explorers can find the world’s largest altarpiece, designed by Veit Stoss. The German master sculptor, Veit Stoss, spent twelve years in making this 3 story high altarpeice, which stretches 36ft wide and rises 42ft high. Along with the amazing stained glass windows, Chapel of Our Lady of Czestochowa and the stunning altarpiece, the St Mary’s Basilica is one of the biggest holiday attractions to find in Krakow. It is buildings such as this church and its invaluable treasures that make Krakow the most popular luxury holiday destination, for culture, art and history.

Within the church of St Francis is one of the world’s most famous stained glass windows and is a must-see for any type of guest staying Cracow, whether visiting Krakow on a weekend luxury holiday, Poland tailor made tour or romantic city break. Seeing ‘Our Father’ designed by Stanislaw Wyspianski, is inspiring, whether religious or not, you’ll appreciate the fine-art precision and its dramatic affect. Put St Francis on your city tour hit list, this is a historical monument you’ll want to see and remember.

The Town hall tower is found on the Rynek Glowny and is a fabulous gothic structure, made in the 13th century. Cracovian’s claim it to be their Polish ‘leaning tower of Pisa’ as the 70m tall tower slightly leans by 0.55m. Underneath the Town Hall Tower are many cellars that were historically used as torture chambers and dungeons, today they have been converted into a café and theatre. For some excellent Poland holidays snapshots, climb the many steps of the tower and enjoy the panoramic views.

One of the greatest joys of Krakow is the ability to walk and find the major city break attractions without the need for trams, buses or taxis etc. One of the most enjoyable walks is along The Royal Way, which historically used to be the route for all the Royal processions and funerals. The route starts at the mighty Barbican and then through the St Florian’s Gate to Florianska Street, which leads onto the city’s central square. Florianska Street is closest thing to the principal street of Krakow, ending at the base of the cities biggest church, the St Mary’s, where city break guests can witness the ancient bugle signal from the crowned tower. From the heart of Krakow, the Royal Route continues along Grodzka Street onwards to Wawel. Along Grodzka Street, many religious buildings with priceless art inside them can be located, like the Holy Trinity, Dominican monastery, St. Francis and the Franciscan monastery. Kanonicza Street finishes at the bottom of Wawel Hill, where the Royal Castle and Cathedral can be found. It was on Kanonicza Street, where the late Pope John Paul II lived for ten years. Following the route of the Royal way, is an excellent way to discover Krakow on a weekend break adventure. It’s also the best way to see and find what’s not written in those guide books. Discover for yourselves a part of history that might have been overlooked by people for centuries. Have the ultimate Krakow holiday experience with the best city breaks company on the internet. Nobody loves Poland, as much as we do!

Wawel Castle, has been described as the ‘Camelot of Poland’ a magical Royal Castle, one of the most elegant Royal houses in Eastern Europe and unsurprisingly, a fabulous city break holiday hot spot, filled with exquisite halls, period furniture and priceless art collections. There is so much to observe and enjoy in Cracow’s Royal Castle, full of interesting exhibitions and museums, ranging from; Flemish tapestries to Oriental Art and even a Dragon’s Lair, found deep in the cave networks beneath the castle. The Wawel castle functioned as the residence of the Polish rulers from the mid-11th to the early 17th century and has undergone considerable restoration in the recent years and is in great shape. Don’t miss the opportunity on your Krakow Weekend breaks to view the many exhibitions. We recommend the state rooms, Crown Treasury collections, Royal apartments and Dragons Den as a tourist must-see in Wawel Castle.

One of the Holiest places is Wawel Cathedral and was the coronation site of Polish monarchs, national heroes, poets, Krakow bishops and many saints. All our tours include a visit to Wawel Cathedral, as it’s arguably one of the most interesting places in the whole country, with so much to see and experience. Some of the highlights of the Wawel Cathedral are the Chapel of the Holy Cross, the gold domed renaissance Chapel of King Sigismund, tomb of St Stanislaus and the 11 ton Zygmunt Bell. The Bell is an awesome sight and has a phenomenal deep toll that can be heard up to 50 miles away. It is actually possible to touch the Zygmunt Bell, for good luck. Experience some of the best panoramic views across Poland’s most loved city. Without a doubt, Wawel Cathedral and the adjacent Wawel Castle are two of the finest holiday attractions to be found in not only Krakow but in Poland. It wouldn’t be a complete holiday without visiting them.

Wawel Hill is the mecca of Polish history & culture and it was here that the earliest city settlements developed. Since the 11th - 17th century, Polish monarchs have taken residency in the Royal castle and were both crowned and buried in Wawel Cathedral. Today, Wawel is still the spiritual home for many Poles and is without a doubt a major short break tourist attraction in Krakow, full of priceless & historical treasures. On Wawel Hill, you’ll find the Cathedral and Royal Castle. As far as landmarks go in Poland, Wawel Hill is of great importance to all holiday makers coming to Krakow. Although most areas can be accessed by the public, certain areas can only be seen in an organised group. Contact Vamos Travel to organise a guided tour of Wawel Hill.