Plan a Trip to Krakow by Train: Museums, Monuments and Practical Tips

Lovers of art, history, culinary experiences and entertainment will find their place in this legendary city. If you are planning to visit Krakow, it is worth knowing what is worth seeing and how to prepare for the trip. Check the timetable and plan your trip.

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Main market in Krakow

You cannot miss visiting the Main Square, where there are many iconic buildings, such as St. Mary's Basilica, the town hall tower and the Cloth Hall. It's a place full of life, with lots of restaurants, cafes and shops.

Sukiennice: The Commercial Heart of Krakow

The Cloth Hall is not only the historic buildings on the Main Market Square, but also the commercial heart of Krakow for centuries. Here you can find traditional crafts, souvenirs and regional products. Walking through the colorful stalls, you can feel the authentic atmosphere of trade that has been going on here since the Middle Ages.

Wawel Castle

Going south from the Main Square, you can reach Wawel Castle - a royal castle with a rich history, where there are the Royal Tombs and a museum of European art. Right next to it there is also the Dragon's Den, a legendary place associated with the Wawel dragon.

Wawel Castle Museum

The museum collections at Wawel include the most beautiful works of art, portraits of Polish kings, paintings, sculptures, tapestries, and elegant furniture that served heads of state centuries ago.

MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art

After a historical insight into art, it is worth visiting the Museum of Contemporary Art, known as MOCAK. Located in the former Schindler's Factory at ul. Lipowa 4, this museum presents works of contemporary artists. Permanent exhibitions, such as "History and Oskar Schindler", and temporary exhibitions, such as the exhibition of Agnieszka Osiecka's photographs and Lithuanian art, constitute an extraordinary journey through contemporary art trends.

St. Mary's Basilica: Symbol of Krakow Architecture

St. Mary's Basilica is one of the most important monuments in Krakow, serving as a symbol of the city's architecture. Its characteristic towers are visible from afar and are an inseparable element of Krakow's panorama. Inside the basilica you can admire extraordinary works of art, including the famous Veit Stoss altar, which delights with its precision and beauty.

National Museum in Krakow

One of the main points on the map of Krakow museums is the National Museum, whose branches are located in various places throughout the city. The rich collections of the National Museum in Krakow include real pearls of the art world, including the famous Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo Da Vinci. Main Building, located at ul. 3 Maja 1 is one of the main seats of the museum, where there are both permanent and temporary exhibitions. The National Museum also has other branches, such as the NMK Cloth Hall, the NMK Czartoryski Museum, the NMK Czartoryski Library and the NMK Mehoffer. It is worth visiting the Gallery of Artistic Crafts, the Gallery of Polish Art "XX + XXI", which houses the greatest works of Polish artists of the last 120 years.

Juliusz Slowacki Theatre

The Juliusz Słowacki Theatre is a historic theatre located in Kraków. It is one of the most important cultural institutions in the city and is known for its impressive Neo-Renaissance architecture.

The theatre was built in the late 19th century and was designed by the renowned Polish architect Tadeusz Stryjeński. The exterior features an ornate façade with columns, statues, and decorative elements that reflect the grandeur of the building. The interior is equally impressive, with a large auditorium that can seat over 800 people.

Kazimierz Jewish Quarter: Cultural Heritage Site

Kazimierz, the former Jewish district, is a place rich in cultural heritage and history. Here you can discover synagogues, streets full of characteristic architecture and numerous places serving authentic Jewish cuisine. Kazimierz is also the center of Krakow's artistic and cultural life, attracting both tourists and city residents.

Museum of Japanese Art and Technology "Manggha"

For lovers of oriental art, "Manggha" at ul. Marii Konopnicka 26 is an extraordinary place where you can discover Japanese works, from traditional to modern. The museum also offers a café serving Asian breakfasts and desserts, which is the perfect complement to your visit.

Krakow Mounds: Testimony to the City's History and Culture

The Krakow Mounds are an extraordinary testimony to the city's history and culture. As many as five of these mysterious hills make Krakow the record holder among other cities. The oldest of them, the Krak Mound and the Wanda Mound, were built in the 7th century. According to legend, the first one is the grave of Prince Krak - the founder of Krakow. Presumably, these mounds were a place of worship or served as a watchtower.

Today, these historical hills, erected in various places in Krakow, serve as monuments commemorating outstanding figures and important events from the city's past.

Wieliczka Salt Mine: Underground Wonders of the World

The Wieliczka Salt Mine, located near Krakow, is one of the most fascinating places in Poland. Its underground hides extraordinary chambers, chapels and corridors carved in the salt rock by centuries of mining work. It is an extraordinary experience of traveling deep into the earth, which allows you to discover the secrets and wonders of the underground world.

Krakow cuisine – what is worth trying in the capital of Lesser Poland

In Krakow you will find restaurants representing cuisines from all over the world. Therefore, everyone will certainly find something for themselves. While there, it is worth visiting the restaurants in Kazimierz and tasting original Jewish dishes and feeling the atmosphere of this culture. For those who love tasting local delicacies, you must try the original Krakow obwarzanki or the famous Krakow sausage.