Although in our country there are still few who consider Krakow as an option to spend a vacation or a getaway, the truth is that the Polish capital is becoming one of the European destinations preferred by tourists. In fact, it has been chosen as one of the best cities in the world in the list that TripAdivsor produces each year.
Beyond being a city full of history, art and architecture, Krakow is also a modern city that offers everything a tourist can look for. To convince you that it can be a perfect destination, today at Vuela Viajes we are going to tell you what you can do in the capital of Poland. In addition, the information that we are going to offer can be very useful if you plan to travel to the city soon. Are you going to miss it?
Marketplace
One of the first places you should visit as soon as you land in Krakow will be the Market Square, which is especially surprising due to its size. And is that each of its sides measures approximately 200 meters. Logically, it is considered the largest medieval square on the entire continent. Built in 1257, the square has witnessed many events and is surrounded by palaces and bourgeois houses of medieval origin. Of the square, the Cloth Hall, the Basilica of Santa María, the Tower of the Old Town Hall and the Church of San Adalberto stand out.
The rest of the old town
The Market Square is located in the center of the historic center of the city, which was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. Other places that you should not miss in this area of the city is the Barbican, which is the only thing that it is preserved from the old wall; the Florianska Gate, the only one of the eight gates that protected the city that still stands; Florianska Street, lined with hotels, restaurants and shops; and Wawel Castle . It is also advisable to walk through Kanonoczna Street and Grozka Street, where you will find a lot of buildings from the 16th and 17th centuries.
Dragon cave
Another interesting place that you should visit is the Dragon Cave, a grotto where, according to legend, the evil dragon Wawel lived, which did not stop eating the citizens until a shoemaker had the idea of stuffing the skin of a lamb. with sulfur . It is only possible to visit this cave during the summer. At the exit awaits a great stature of the dragon that, surprisingly, every 5 minutes burns fire from its mouth.
Planty Park
Of course, we also have to tell you about the Planty Park, a huge green space that is shaped like a ring, as it surrounds the old part of the city. It is a quiet place that has 21 hectares and 8 kilometers in length.
On the outskirts
Although it is a bit far from Krakow, specifically 43 kilometers, if you are in the capital you should not miss the opportunity to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp , considered the largest extermination center of the Nazis. Although you can travel here on your own, you should know that excursions are organized with guides. What we recommend is that you hire the full tour. Of course, the excursion to the Wieliczka Salt Mines is also recommended, which were declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1978. They are only 10 kilometers from the capital and getting there is super easy with public transport.