What to do in Krakow in 1 day

Planty and City Walls

Before entering the Stare Miasto, the city's historic center, you will have the opportunity to cross Planty, a park that surrounds the historic center of Krakow. It is ideal for relaxing walks and panoramic views of the old city.

If you arrive from Kraków Główny, Krakow's central train station, I recommend you go through St. Florian's Gate (Brama Floriańska in Polish). It is an imposing tower that was once part of the city fortifications of Krakow. Built in Gothic style, it is one of the few remaining structures of the city's complex medieval defense system.

On the opposite side of St. Florian's Gate, you'll find the Kraków Barbican (Barbakan Krakowski in Polish), a massive circular structure built of brick and stone, designed to protect one of the city's main entrance gates and to serve as an advanced defensive outpost. The interior of the Barbican hosts temporary exhibitions and displays illustrating the history of the medieval fortifications and defense of Krakow. It also hosts historical events, re-enactments and medieval combat demonstrations.

You can now enter the Old Town through St. Florian's Gate and proceed to Rynek Główny, the main square.

Paczki

Rynek Główny, the Market Square

Rynek Główny, the Market Square of Krakow, is one of the largest medieval squares, considered the beating heart of the old city. Dating back to the 13th century, it covers an area of ​​approximately 40,000 square metres. It is surrounded by historic buildings, churches, palaces and cafés and is a lively center of commercial and cultural activities.

St. Mary's Basilica

Even before you get to the center of the square, you will surely have noticed the towers of St. Mary's Basilica (Kościół Mariacki). It is a Gothic church with two asymmetrical towers that dominate the Krakow skyline. The first church on the site dates back to the 13th century, but the current Gothic structure was built in the 14th century, with subsequent extensions and renovations in the 15th century. The tallest tower, called Hejnalica, is 80 meters high while the smaller tower is 69 meters high and contains the church bells. This church is the representation of how beauty can be found in asymmetry and imperfection.

One of the major attractions inside the church is certainly the High Altar. Created by the German sculptor Veit Stoss between 1477 and 1489, it is one of the largest wooden Gothic altars in Europe at 13 meters high and 11 meters wide.

Kościół Mariacki

Monument to Adam Mickiewicz and Markets

In front of St. Mary's Church, you will find the Adam Mickiewicz Monument commemorating the nationalist writer and poet, Adam Mickiewicz, inaugurated in 1898.

In addition to being a meeting point in the square, it is also the point where Street Food markets are typically set up. Remember to buy an Obwarzanek, the Krakow bagel. They are nothing more than intertwined rings of pasta, very good in their simplicity. There are different varieties (sesame, cheese, etc.) and they can be purchased in the kiosks scattered around the square starting from just 2 zl.

Cloth Hall

The Sukiennice, or Cloth Hall, is one of the main symbols of the city and one of the most visited historical attractions. Built in the 13th century, the original Sukiennice was a simple Gothic structure used by cloth merchants to sell their wares. Following a fire in 1555, it was rebuilt in Renaissance style by Giovanni Maria Padovano, an Italian architect. This reconstruction gave the building its current shape and style. The upper part of the building is decorated with a loggia with arches and pinnacles, typical of the Renaissance. On the ground floor, the interior is a long gallery with rows of stalls on either side, selling local crafts, amber jewellery, textiles and souvenirs.

Sukiennice

Town Hall Tower

On the opposite side of the Basilica of Santa Maria, you will find the Town Hall Tower, a Gothic brick structure, approximately 70 meters high. With its inclination of approximately 55 cm towards the east, it is often considered the "Leaning Tower" of Krakow. Built in the 14th century, the tower was part of the Krakow Town Hall, which was the administrative and judicial center of the medieval city. The City Hall itself was demolished in 1820 to make room for urban renewal projects, but the tower was spared as a historic monument. The interior houses a section of the History Museum of Krakow, with displays illustrating the history of the city and the tower itself. It is also possible to climb to the top of the tower to enjoy an excellent view of the historic center of Krakow. Bear in mind that it is necessary to climb on foot via a steep and narrow staircase so I do not recommend the experience for those who have walking problems or suffer from claustrophobia.

Wawel Castle

Leaving Rynek Główny and continuing to walk in the Stare Miasto (in the street in front of the Church of St. Adalbert), you will find a street with various churches, historic buildings and excellent souvenir shops where you can buy some souvenirs. Worth visiting is the Church of Saints Peter and Paul which is located about halfway along the street.

As you continue walking you will finally arrive at Wavel Castle. It is one of the most important historical monuments of Krakow, located on Wawel Hill, on the left bank of the Vistula River. Built more than a thousand years ago, the castle is a symbol of Polish grandeur and culture. The first fortifications on the site date back to the 10th century, but the castle as a whole has undergone many phases of construction and renovation over the centuries. For centuries it was Poland's main center of political and cultural power, the residence of Polish kings and the seat of government. After the 17th century fire and plunder by Swedish troops, the castle fell into ruin, but was restored and enriched during the 19th century.

There are various attractions inside the castle:

• Wawel Royal Palace: It was the residence of Polish kings from the 14th to the 17th century. The interiors of the palace house a rich collection of furnishings, works of art, tapestries and tapestries, which reflect the splendor of the royal courts. The rooms are furnished and decorated according to the styles of various historical periods, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in Polish history.
• Wawel Cathedral: The Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Stanislaus and Saint Wenceslas, is one of the most important places of worship in Poland and a of coronation of Polish sovereigns. Inside the cathedral are the tombs of numerous Polish kings and queens, including that of King Sigismund III Vasa and that of the legendary King Casimir III the Great.
• Sigismund Tower: 70 meters high, it is one of the tallest towers in the castle and offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the city of Krakow and the Vistula.
• Wawel Dragon: Outside the castle, on the banks of the Vistula, stands a fire-breathing bronze dragon statue, which has become one of Krakow's most beloved attractions. Unfortunately when I was in Krakow, I never found it active but you can still try to visit it.

Wavel

Map

Conclusions e Alternatives

Visiting Krakow takes around 2 days so you will miss out on many of the fantastic attractions the city has to offer. Some alternatives to the itinerary include a visit to the Jewish Quarter where you will have the opportunity to taste the Zapiekanka, a sort of open baguette, filled in many ways. I recommend you try it in Okrąglak, in the Jewish Quarter, an old factory now full of street food markets. In the Jewish quarter you will find various synagogues one of which is the Old Synagogue, restored dating back to the 15th century and home to a museum of Krakow's Jewish history and culture.

If you like art, you can visit the Czartoryski Museum with numerous works of art and craftsmanship which houses the famous painting "The Lady with an Ermine" by Leonardo da Vinci.

Thank you for reading,

Explorer's Tale.