Krakow Old Town
The medieval royal heart of Poland - one of Europe's largest medieval market squares, the great Cloth Hall and St Mary's Basilica, a UNESCO site of original buildings.
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Illustrative image - a scene in the spirit of the place, not a photograph of it. Real photos are below.
UNESCO World Heritage
Krakow's old town is the medieval and royal heart of Poland, one of the few great Polish cities to survive the Second World War largely intact, and a UNESCO site. At its centre lies the Main Market Square, among the largest medieval squares in Europe, dominated by the long Renaissance Cloth Hall and the twin-towered St Mary's Basilica, from which a trumpet call sounds every hour.
What you actually see
- The Main Market Square - the vast medieval square with the Cloth Hall at its centre.
- St Mary's Basilica - the Gothic church with its carved altar and hourly trumpet call.
- The Cloth Hall - the long Renaissance trading hall of market stalls.
- The Planty and old walls - the green ring park and the Barbican and gate.
When to go
Spring to autumn for terraces and mild weather; December for a beloved Christmas market on the square. Early morning gives you the great square before the crowds.
Honest expectations
It is very popular, so the square and main sights are busy, and prices there are high. It is compact and walkable. Because the buildings are original rather than rebuilt, it is one of the finest old towns in the region.
Nearby
Wawel Castle rises above the river; the Kazimierz Jewish quarter is a short walk south.
What to pack for Krakow Old Town
Chosen from what this place is for. Tap a kit for the full checklist.
Opening times, ticket prices and seasonal closures change - check the official source before you go: official site.
