Located in the south of the country, within a short distance of the Tatra mountains, Krakow has a lot to offer the inquisitive visitor. Start off with a stroll through the town’s historic centre and you will inevitably gravitate towards the Market Square with its Cloth Hall placed in the middle. Step inside to find yourself surrounded by a cornucopia of market stalls brimming with amber jewellery, leather goods and other folksy products.

Follow Grodzka Street out of the Old Town, past the Royal Castle Wawel and you will get to Kazimierz, the old Jewish Quarter. And if you are in need of some greenery after a long day on your feet, why not chill on the banks of the River Vistula or contemplate life on a bench in Planty, the park encircling the Old Town.

Lukasz Bohdan adds...

A cultural and spiritual capital of Poland, Krakow seduces visitors at first sight. Is it its magnitude of churches – with Veit Stoss’ wooden altar masterpiece at St. Mary’s and Wyspianski’s Art Noveau stained glass windows at Franciscan Church - which earned it the nickname of ‘second Rome’? Or the cafe culture that rivals that of Vienna, with atmospheric Jama Michalika, Hawelka or Noworol a must on every local’s and tourist’s itinerary? Or perhaps the charming streets of the old town surrounded by the Planty garden, where you feel like wondering for hours, for in Krakow life has a more relaxed pace.

The old favourite with poets, artists and intellectuals – Copernicus, Czeslaw Milosz, John Paul II were all residents – Krakow boasts the biggest market square (Rynek) and one of the oldest universities in Europe. On the outskirts, there’s a stunning Wieliczka Salt Mine with underground lakes, sculptures and chambers carved out of salt. You can’t afford to miss either Wawel, the Royal Castle, or Kazimierz, former Jewish district currently enjoying its revival.

In Krakow, all roads lead to Rynek, so after a day of sightseeing relax in one of its pavement cafes, listening to the hejnal (bugle call) from St. Mary’s church tower, or pop into a jazz bar and over a glass (or two!) of tatanka (bison vodka with apple juice) plan your next trip to Krakow. For I bet you, you’re hooked and you will be back before long…