Looking for a tried-and-true destination for a long weekend or shorter vacation? Many people choose to stay in Krakow. The opportunity to experience the vibrant culture of the city and the charm of tourist life, as well as the proximity of many interesting natural attractions will make your stay in Krakow a wonderful experience. What attractions can you see in Krakow and why should you visit the former capital of Poland?
Krakow, or historical attractions
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First of all, it must be said that a few days of travel are definitely not enough to take advantage of all the undeniable assets of the region. Krakow itself has many attractions for those who enjoy sightseeing. Many are already fascinated by the Wawel Castle itself, and you should plan at least 3-4 hours for sightseeing. Visiting the capital of Poland’s Kings, you must form your own opinion of this historic place. When visiting Wawel Cathedral, you can feel the spirit of a bygone era. This is where Polish kings were crowned and where they were buried. Many visitors say that the cathedral is best visited with a guide in order not to miss the most interesting sites and artifacts.
While on a tour of Krakow, don’t miss the 15th-century Barbican (known as the Rondel) on Basztowa Street. It is said to be one of the most architecturally outstanding military buildings in Europe. The building was commissioned by King Jan Olbricht in fear of a Wallachian-Turkish invasion. It is an important part of Krakow’s city fortifications. It is worth planning at least two hours to see this building. Mentioning the most important monuments of Krakow, one cannot omit the Jagiellonian University. The center was founded by Casimir III in the 14th century. The Great (May 12, 1364 to be exact). Interestingly, Jagiellonian University was the first university in Europe to have departments of mathematics and astronomy. When visiting this charming place, remember that prominent Poles such as Jan Kochanowski, Mikołaj Rej, Jan III Sobieski and Nicolaus Copernicus resided here. If you want to see the university’s most valuable exhibits, you should visit the 10 museums run by the university. First and foremost among them is the Jagiellonian University Museum in the historic Collegium Maius. Several books have already been written about Krakow’s monuments, and it is impossible to mention them all in one article. However, with the above in mind, the following places are also worth considering during your stay in Krakow: Cloth Hall, Isaac Synagogue, Saints Peter and Paul Church, Church on the Rock, Landau House, Florianska Street and the Main Square.
Natural attractions
Deciding to stay in or around Krakow, we have the opportunity to visit some very interesting places related to nature. Of course, if we are talking about Cracow itself, the first place is the Cracow Zoo and the Cracow Botanical Garden. It is worth mentioning that the Krakow Botanical Garden is more than 200 years old, having been founded in 1783, so you can see very old specimens of various plants not only from the region, but also from all over the world. Not far from Krakow is the famous Ojcow National Park, rich in interesting flora and fauna, numerous unusual rock formations and numerous caves that can be explored. Picturesque valleys, canyons and ravines can also delight. Among the most interesting places are also the Prądnik and Sąspowska Valleys, characterized by flat bottoms and majestic vertical rocky slopes. One day is certainly not enough to discover the numerous qualities of Ojcow National Park. Don’t forget the unique Jura Krakowsko-Częstochowska, a picturesque plateau shaped like a belt about 80 km long.
