Why Krakow Should Be Your Next Weekend Escape
Where to stay, where to eat and what not to miss in Krakow
The UNESCO-listed Old Town is a heady mix of Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque architecture and at its centre is Europe’s largest medieval square, a 40,000-square-foot medley of museums, cafés, pubs and historic landmarks such as St Mary’s Basilica, the Town Hall Tower and the Sukiennice Cloth Hall, a reminder of Kraków’s historical place as a hub of trade and commerce in Eastern Europe. In the southern corner, the small, quaint Church of St Adalbert is one of the oldest stone structures in Poland, and one of the few well preserved remaining examples of early Christian, Romanesque architecture in the country.
Krakow’s historic centre is pretty compact so easy to explore on foot. Don’t miss the 11th century Wawel Castle once home to Polish Royalty, Kazimiertz, Krakow’s vibrant Jewish quarter with its many hip bars, the Czartoryski Museum with its valuable art collection, and Planty Park, the city’s green space where medieval walls once stood. If you have the time, the concentration camp of Auschwitz is an hour away by car. Perhaps not the most romantic of destinations but a historical must-visit, and you can combine it with a visit to the nearby Wieliczka Salt Mine, an underground museum where salt has been made into astonishing sculptures.
Where to Eat
A great way to get to grips with Krakow’s cuisine is on one of the many food tours and traditional Polish fare includes goulash and vodka served almost everywhere, but also the zapienkanki, an open sandwich topped with melted cheese. Plenty of street stalls sell them and they are definitely worth trying, as are traditional peirogi, little Polish dumplings filled with everything from meat and cheese to fruit, served with sour cream. If you are in Kazimiertz head to Restauracja Starka for traditional favourites like pierogies and pork knuckle, and a fantastic range of desserts including Starka’s famous walnut cake. Dating back to the 14th century, Wierzynek is one of Poland’s oldest restaurants and eating here is a real event. The food is imaginative and the venue itself is stunning, whilst Europejska on the Main Square is the perfect choice for a late breakfast.
Where to Stay
With rooftop views of Wawel Castle, the elegant Hotel Copernicus is a five-star hotel on Kanonicza, the city’s oldest street. Named after the famous Polish astronomer Nicolas Copernicus, who was one of the guests of the house, he too, must have admired the precious polychrome paintings and inscriptions here, all dating from the 1500s. H15 Luxury Palace is an absurdly sumptuous hotel in the Old Town close to the Czartoryski Princes Museum. From the historic façade and breathtaking lobby to the dizzying marbled bathrooms, a stay in the H15 is definitely a memorable experience. Between the Old Town and Kazimierz, Stradom House dates back to the 14th century but its current incarnation was designed by some of the key figures behind Soho House, meaning this five-star hotel has a more contemporary feel than some.
