Poland’s best-kept historical treasure

Krakow is one of the few cities in Poland that escaped most of the destruction from WWII. This means that the city boasts architecture that is in parts over 750 years old. Krakow is a picturesque and traditional city in the Silesia area of Poland. With the introduction of cheap flights from budget airline carriers, Krakow is fast becoming as popular as Warsaw for a city break in Poland.

Krakow is home to the largest Rynek Główny (market square) in Poland and it bursts into life in summer, with performance artists and buskers playing to the surrounding outdoor cafes. Outside of the traditional Old Town area, lies the former Jewish Kazimierz quarter; home to a number of poignant, silent synagogues. Krakow also has a growing handful of trendy bars and cellar clubs, typically beneath the cobbled streets.

Why Go?
Krakow appeals to all ages as a city break hotspot, as it combines historical depth and architecture, with nightlife to rival any other city in Europe. Several budget carriers now fly direct to the city, making it a cheap city break destination. The polish złoty also stretches the pound further than the euro.

When to Go?
Krakow’s temperature can drop rapidly in the winter, but the weather in spring and summer is typical of a warm European climate. These are also the best times to experience Rynek Główny in full swing, although most of the cafes in surrounding the square offer outdoor heating all-year round.

Hotel prices tend to average higher than most other Polish cities during summer, but most budget carriers now provide cheap flights to Krakow, making it inexpensive to fly at any time of year.

How to Get There:
Krakow is served by local Krakow John Paul II International Airport. Budget carriers such as easyJet, Ryanair and Wizz Air all operate routes out of most London airports, as well as most regional airports around the UK. Flight time to Krakow is approximately 2 hours. MKS provides a cheap bus service from the airport to the city centre.

Must See:
Krakow is renowned for its array of architectural highlights, the most famous being Wawel Castle. Wawel Castle is the centerpiece of Krakow and is steeped in the colourful history that the city has seen. Krakow also has a train station, serving routes to other cities across Poland, such as Wroclaw and Warsaw. Polish trains are notably cheap, but painstakingly slow. Krakow is also one of the closer cities for visiting the site of Auschwitz.