Things to do in  Krakow

A visit to Krakow must include a visit to the Old Town and Rynek Glowny Central Square—one of Europe’s largest medieval market squares. Browse handmade wooden goods in the cloth hall (Sukiennice), and stroll down the Royal Route towards Wawel Castle and Cathedral. Also, don’t miss Kazimierz, the city’s Jewish Quarter.

Krakow is a perfect weekend destination. Stay in the Jewish District of Kazimierz, a treasure trove of coffee shops, cool bars, ancient synagogues, and art galleries; then spend a day exploring the historical wonders of the Old Town such as the Cloth Hall, and Saint Mary's Basilica.

Yes, it’s safe to walk around Krakow at night, but it’s best to stick to busier well-lit areas such as the Old Town and Kazimierz. As it’s a popular bachelor party destination, sometimes drunk tourists may be gathered in groups in the main square, but they’re unlikely to bother you.

Yes, Auschwitz is roughly 42 miles (69 km) from Krakow, so it’s an ideal day-trip destination. The quickest way to get there is by taxi which takes around an hour. Alternatively, you could get the train which takes just under 2 hours, or go on organized tour with round-trip transportation included.

Yes, Krakow is often listed as one of Europe’s cheapest cities, and you can easily find generous main courses for under US$10. For super cheap eats, go to milk bars (Bar Mleczny), which sell hearty traditional food. Also, look out for zapiekanki stands, Poland’s tasty pizza-style open baguettes.

Yes, Krakow has excellent nightlife options. In fact, it has one of the highest concentrations of bars and clubs per square mile in Europe. There’s something for every taste including swanky cocktail bars, techno clubs, jazz venues, atmospheric cellar bars, beer gardens, '70s music clubs, and the ever-popular vodka shot bars.