MUST VISIT KRAKOW ATTRACTIONS

Krakow Old Town

Krakow Old Town looks like a vintage postcard, with its cobbled streets, beautiful architecture, horse carts around the church in the old quarter and Christmas festivities. No wonder it is one of the best places to visit in Krakow.

Main Square in Krakow

Locally known as Rynek Główny (Polish name), it dates back to the 13th Century. There was so much happening in the square due to the Christmas markets that I kept wondering how it would look without any shops and food stalls. There are a lot of cafes and restaurants selling the traditional Polish delicacies overlooking the square. 

The Main Market Square in Krakow is the largest medieval square in Europe and has been the perfect place for people to get together for many centuries. In the centre of the square is the beautiful Renaissance-style cloth hall, which now houses a museum.

Surrounding the hall are numerous cafes and restaurants, making it the perfect place to enjoy a cup of coffee, watch people go by or simply photograph the architecture all around. You can also catch a live street show in one of the corners with artists performing in various costumes.

The square is also home to the stunning St. Mary’s Basilica, dating back to the 14th century.

Cloth Hall Krakow

When we are talking about must-sees in Krakow, the Cloth Hall has to feature on the list. This magnificent building was once the centre of the city’s thriving trade in cloth and other textiles.

One of the biggest attractions in Krakow, the Cloth Hall now houses a variety of shops and restaurants, as well as a museum dedicated to the history of the cloth industry in Krakow. 

In the summer, the courtyard is filled with people enjoying the warm weather, and on weekends, it is filled with musicians busking for the crowds. In winter, it becomes the hosting space for Krakow Christmas market.

If you love collecting souvenirs, then this is a place to collect all sorts of knick-knacks and trinkets for Krakow.

Krakow Attractions – Cloth Hall in Krakow | CC: Adam Hill from Pixabay

St. Mary’s Basilica

The most iconic architecture of Krakow’s old town in the main square is St Mary’s church with two towers, with an interior that’s simply stunning, full of colour and intricate details and decorations. The church has a separate entrance from the south for tourists and a main entrance for devotees to pray. The tourist ticket costs 10 Polish złoty. I entered around the Sunday mass, and there was a huge crowd, so no one was at the counter to sell tickets.

Get blown away by beautiful and intricately painted glass windows and the wooden Veit Stoss Altar. The craftsmanship and the details of everything in the interior of the church are outstanding, and you can’t help but wonder how it was done with so much skill in those days.

Grunwald Monument and Plac Matejki

We walked through the Plac Matejki square and paid respects to the Grunwald monument to reach the Barbican south of the street. 

Dominated by the Grunwald Monument, Plac Matejki is one of the visually striking squares in the city, especially because of the lack of large crowds. The Grunwald Memorial, commemorating the Battle of Grunwald, fought between the joint armies of Poland and Lithuania against the Teutonic Knights, is considered to be one of the greatest battles in medieval Europe. A defining moment in Polish history, the battle was immortalised in Krakow with the unveiling of this weighty monument.

The Barbican 

Built in Gothic style, the Barbican was built at the end of the 15th century to protect Kraków’s main entrance and was connected to the Floriańska Gate. Kraków Barbican is topped by seven turrets and includes 130 defensive slots used by archers and riflemen. In the present day, the Barbican hosts special events and can be visited as an outdoor museum from April until the end of October.

Floriańska Gate – Entrace on Krakow Old Town

Across the Barbican stands the iconic Floriańska Gate. This is one of the old city gates that has survived to date. In the olden times, the gate was marked as the entry point for royal processions into the city. You cannot miss the open art gallery just past the gate, wherein local artists showcase and sell beautiful paintings.

The Underground Art Museum

It is an underground museum which showcases findings of the excavations that took place a decade ago. This hi-tech museum takes visitors under the surface of the market square to experience the city’s entire history. The museum has a capacity of 300 people at a time, so it is best to book a ticket in advance, especially if you are visiting on the weekend.. This can be done either online or from the information office, opposite side of the Cloth Hall from the museum entrance.

The Head

Among Krakow’s most well-known landmarks, this sculpture titled ‘ Eros Bendato’ affectionately known as the Head, is a popular meeting place, and it also serves as a photographic backdrop for every tourist who visits Krakow for the first time.

MUST TRY FOOD IN KRAKOW

Obwarzanek

Known as a Polish pretzel, they are circular in shape and eaten daily,  and that is why they feature as Krakow’s staple street foods. You’ll find stands all over the city that offer a quick bite to fill your stomach while strolling around the city. The most common ones are available with sesame, plain, poppy seed or cheese.

Zapiekanka 

It is a Polish open sandwich made of half of a baguette topped with mushrooms, cheese. It is available in various toppings.

Mulled wine

Locally known as Grzaniec Galicyjski is a spiced warm wine. A comforting drink in the cold weather it can definitely go well with Obwarzanek.

WHERE TO STAY IN KRAKOW

Kraków’s old town is the most popular area to stay in. However, hotels are generally more affordable outside the old city walls.

I did not stay in Krakow as I only spent an afternoon, but based on my research and recommendations from friends, these are the following options. The Old Town or Jewish Quarter are the best place to stay in Krakow as most places would be within walking distance. Good hostels in Krakow are Bubble Hostel and Green Hostel.

Krakow is perfect for a weekend visit; however, if you wish to travel slowly, then 4-5 days is a good time to explore all parts of the city without rushing.

SUSTAINABLE TIPS FOR KRAKOW ATTRACTIONS

• Krakow has efficient public transport – tram and bus, so use it instead of calling an Uber. Most places are within walking distance. Time to burn the Christmas calories, I say!
• Many companies offer walking tours which start from the old square. It is best to register beforehand, or you can also join them at the last moment. They last a little over 4 hours, so come with a lot of time in hand. They tell you the history and walk you through the popular places of the town. All this for a small tip at the end of the tour.
• Do tip the walking tour guides, they are generally part-time students and that is the only way they earn. Ideally, 5 euros per person is the least you should give.
• Respect the memorials, museums, walls and old architectural buildings by not sitting on them for a photo opportunity.
• Enjoy the local food. Everywhere in Poland, I did not face a problem finding vegetarian food. There are a lot of vegetarian as well as vegan food cafes in Krakow.

Bus travel in Paris

Other method of transportation is shuttle bus. Roissybus leaves from Terminals 1, 2 or 3 to central Paris. The price is about €12 and take over an hour to reach. Another option is Le Bus Direct and costs about costs €17 and also leaves at Terminals 1, 2 or 3. Takes about an hour to reach Gare du Nord.

Tip: Get yourself a Paris map and also metro map and familiarize yourself

Once you reach Gare du Nord take a bus, metro or taxi to your hotel. If you take an onward RER train to your next stop, you can use the same ticket. However if you get out of the station, you will have to buy another ticket.

You will probably reach Paris in late morning so time to check into a hotel, freshen up and have lunch.

Accommodation in Paris

Choosing an Accommodation in Paris can be daunting, in order to take a decision on which Paris highlight should be the nearest. No matter which one you choose, do remember to be near a metro station so you can take the train in and out for your sightseeing trips. Here are the top places to consider for accommodation near the Paris highlights. There is an amazing guide to understand the city and choose a hotel which may come in handy.

Hotels/Hostels near Notre Dam

Luxury – Novotel Paris Les Halles, Melia Paris Notre-Dam

Mid-range- Appartement Paris-Villette

Budget/Hostel-  Jacobs Inn Hostel, Peace and Love Hostel

Hotels/Hostels near Eiffel Tower

Luxury – Le Narcisse Blanc, Derby Alma

Mid-range- Hôtel Léonard de Vinci II, Aloha – Eiffel Tower by Hiphophostels

Budget/Hostel- No budget places in the area

Hotels/Hostels near Louvre

Luxury – Jardin Saint Honoré Apartments, Hôtel Regina Louvre

Mid-range- Hotel Belfort

Budget/Hostel- Bastille Hostel

Getting around Paris city: Metro

The Metro is one of the Paris highlights for public transport because it is cheap, efficient and saves time. If you decide to travel around by Metro, invest in a good Metro map and familiarize yourself with the metro line/color, your starting station and destination and the direction you want to go.

You can buy tickets at metro stations at automated machines, or from the information kiosks. One-time use tickets currently cost 1.90€. There are many options for daily and weekly passes for tourists. As a general rule, the zone 1-3 card will be adequate to cover most of the touristy areas of Paris. But if you plan to add Disneyland and Chateau de Versailles then you should buy a card for zone 1-5. Zone 1-5 card also includes travel to and from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle and/or Orly airport. Check this detailed guide on Paris Metro.

PARIS HIGHLIGHTS FOR FIRST TIME VISITORS

While this guide cover Paris Highlights for first time visitors, if you have already covered them, then head over to check out these Paris Hidden Gems.

DAY 1

Late Afternoon at Eiffel tower

It only makes sense to start here as it is one of the biggest attractions in the world. And hence it comes with a huge waiting line! Consider atleast 1.5 hours wait in the line to grab a ticket. However you can chuck the line and purchase a ticket online . There are 3 levels so it is ideal to buy the ticket for top level (Summit) and you can go to all 3 of them. The entry fees is 25.5€ per person.

Do wait for Eiffel tower to lit up coz that’s when it looks most beautiful. And every hour for 5 min it twinkles. Hang around the garden for the same as this is the moment you will cherish forever about Paris.

Tip: If you’re taking the Metro, get out at the Trocadéro stop. It’s quite a walk from there meandering through souvenir shops but nevertheless worth it.

Late evening at Siene river

You can opt for the Siene river cruise in evening or night. The one hour boat ride takes you across all the popular Paris monuments which are lit up at night. Pass under the romantic bridges and get mesmerized by shining glory of Eiffel Tower, Les Invalides, and Musée d’Orsay. These river cruises start from Port de la Bourdonnais (at the foot of the Eiffel Tower) and you can choose from various packages with varying amounts; whichever suits your budget. If have more days in your hand, you can opt for a day tour too, which includes breakfast/lunch.

DAY 2

Morning at Louvre museum

The Louvre is one of the most famous museums and the largest art museum in the world so it is impossible to see it all in one day in the world. It is home to priceless works of art, including the famous Mona Lisa. Entry costs 17€ and is crowded all across the year. The best entrance is the Porte des Lions, in the southwestern wing. This is not as busy as the entrance through the pyramid, but in case you want to skip the queues it is recommended to buy tickets online pass.

It is highly recommend to see the Louvre website before you go there so you can go to the right section and not wander aimlessly. Louvre is so big that you can spend 6 months and still not complete seeing it fully. Pick up a map. Must see in Louvre:

• The Mona Lisa (and selfie taking people)
• The painting on wall opposite of Mona Lisa
• Venus de Milo
• Winged Victory
• The giant glass pyramid outside
• The largest display of Egyptian antiques outside of Cairo
• The Islamic art section

Tips:

• Louvre will need 3 hours for a visit (without waiting)
• Audio guide is available at an extra cost
• Most museums on Sundays are free and there are days with discounts available. Keep checking the website for info.
• There are restaurants, cafes and shopping mall in the Louvre in case you get bored with exhibits and arts.

Afternoon at Love lock bridge and Arc de Triomphe

Pont des arts also popularly known as the Love Lock bridge is about 500 m from Louvre pyramid. Whether you lock your love in a metal lock or not, this place is a must watch. The sheer shapes, messages and dates on the locks will keep you busy.

Then walk to Arc de Triomphe.

Evening at Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe

As popular as Champs-Elysees street is for its high fashion stores, the historic Arc de Triomphe dominates the view. There is a tomb of the Unknown Soldier buried at the base of the arch where there will be a candle burning always. Get amazed with the sculptures on the walls. If you are interested, there is a viewpoint from the top of Arc De triomphe which gives a good view of the city. Tickets are available to go to the tops either by stairs or elevator.

Walk on the famous Champs Elysees street. Buy a designer wear if you fancy them! It’s apparently the most expensive street.

DAY 3

Start the Morning with Montmartre

A little neighborhood perched high on the highest northern hill in Paris is one of the romantic parts of the city. It is the Bohemian neighborhood in Paris. The neighborhood has cobbled streets, pretty cafes and artists all over the place. This was the home of many famous artists over the years.

Check out the popular, Sacré-Cœur Basilica located on the hill which is the highest point of the city. Do try the Nutella crepes here!. There’s a toy train which runs son the hills in case you want some adventure. Once you have finished visiting the Sacré-Cœur walk around the corner to the Place du Tertre. This is a great spot to sit in any of the many cafes and watch the world pass by. It is also a fabulous way to take in the artists at work in the square.

Walk down the hill via Rue Lepic, which is one of the most picturesque streets in Montmartre. At the bottom of Rue Lepic you will find the Moulin Rouge which is more than a 100 years old and is said to have invented French Cancan.

Afternoon at Palais-Royal

After exploring the small hill neighbourhood, head over to Palais-Royal followed by Musee D Orsay. 

Evening at Notre Dame

If there is one church you must visit in Paris, it has to be Notre-Dame. It is the most famous cathedrals in the world as it showcases beautiful French-Gothic architecture. The glass paintings on the walls are stunning. You will not miss the piercing glances of Gargoyles so click a photo or two!

View Similar post: Top free things to do in Berlin 

Paris Highlights for First Time Visitors: Souvenirs to take back home

Souvenirs are as important as traveling to a destination. And coming back empty handed from Paris is strict no-no. Other the cliched Eiffel tower key-chains there are some souvenirs you must definitely consider to bring home for family and friends. For a more detailed list, click here.

• Chocolates: Move over Swiss chocolates and taste the chocolaty heaven in Paris! Though there are many manufacturers in town, the oldest chocolatier is one of the Paris highlights. A la Mère de Famille was established in 1761 and stocks all the classic French favorites in wonderful period packaging. A visit to this place is must for souvenir shopping.
• Macarons: This is the best gift of Paris to the bakers in the world. Before the Indian cafes started offering Macarons, it was one of the best Paris Highlights. Available in man flavours, a box of crusty delights is must. They last for couple of days but if you think difficult to carry, buy a box from the airport. My favorite go to brand is La Durée.
• Honey: Over the last few years, good samaritans have taken up the job of saving the declining population of honeybees. They have installed beehives on the roofs of many city buildings like Ecole Militaire and Musée d’Orsay. The honey is called Le Miel de Paris and can be bought from museum shops and popular departmental stores.
• Cheese: There are approximately  400 different types of cheese produced in France. Cheese is the seasonal product and there is an optimal time to buy it as well as eat it. The kind of cheese to be eaten varies with the kind of dish/beverage you are having. There are many shops where you can buy cheese from (even taste before buying). You can buy breads like baguette while you are shopping cheese to go with it.
• Wine/Champagne: Champagne, the alcoholic beverage synonymous to celebrations, can only be named Champagne if it comes from the Champagne Region in France.

Sustainable tips:

• Paris has extremely efficient public transport – metro and bus, which is cheap too. It is best to stick to it.
• Walking tours like in all other major European cities are present in Paris and are equally amazing – they tell you the history and walk you through popular places. All this for a small tip! Check online for the one that suits you the best.
• Paris is popular for its French cuisine so it makes sense to indulge in local food.
• The roads and metro stations are littered at times, mostly by the tourists. Find a trash bin to dispose your stuff.
• Respect the churches, monuments and sculptures by not sitting on them for photo opportunity or having a picnic.