Krakow Travel Guide - Find hotel reviews and book rooms online

Krakow is culturally and historically a very rich Polish city, once being the Krakow Capital of Poland and the royal site of many kings for many centuries. The city hasn't received much damage during the Second World War and that's why now, the old historical edifices make an impressive architectonic heritage, attracting millions of tourists every year. The old city (Stare Miasto) includes historical buildings, museums, churches and cathedrals as well as many green parks.

Krakow is renowned for giving a Pope for the Catholic Church - Karol Wojtyla (Papa Giovanni II), today Krakow being a very active and dynamic place with plenty of events taking place here throughout the year - music concerts, art exhibitions and theatre plays.

Krakow Short History

A human settlement since the stone age, Krakow started to develop first time from Wawel Hill, where many stone age artefacts and historical vestiges have been discovered. A legend says Krakow was later established by the mythical leader Krakus which built the first settlement near the entrance of a Dragon's cave (Smocza Jama).

Hospitality and accommodation in Krakow

Krakow represents the most important tourist destination of Poland and here you will definitely find accommodation at hotels, apartments or hostels at very high standards. You will find as well luxurious 5 star hotels, as well as cheap accommodation for youth and students (hostels), apartments and camping places. Booking a room in a hotel situated in the city centre will be usually more expensive. Cheap hotels and hostels at very good accommodation standards can be found near the Planty Parc.

Eating out in Krakow

There are more then 126 award winning restaurants in Krakow. The municipality has awarded the "Bronze Pretzel" to all restaurants providing high quality gastronomic services. Krakow represents a gastronomic paradise for the tourists coming from all over the World. Central European Cuisine is recognised in Europe as well as the polish dishes. Polish traditional kitchen has influences from the Austro-Hungarian Empire so you should't be surprised finding in the menu "hungarian goulash" or "Vienna Schnitzel" (wienerschnitzel). The old city centre abounds in restaurants serving traditional Polish food like Borscht or barszcz (a beet soup), bigos (a meat stew with Sauerkraut) or pierogi (mushroom, beef or cheese wrapped in dough). Once arrived in Krakow, you may consider having lunch or dinner at jadłodajnia, typical Polish inns serving inexpensive traditional local food.

Krakow Attractions and Tourist Objectives

For more then a half of Millennia, Krakow has been the capital of the Polish Kingdom, therefore you will find here plenty of historical attractions, like the Royal Castel on the Wawel Hill, the Wawel Cathedral or the Dragon's Den, linked to the mythical past of the region.

Krakow Events and Festivals

Krakow is the capital of public and cultural events of Poland. There is a large number of events and festivals organised and host by Krakow: Rozstaje is a Traditional Music Festival, taking place in July; Pierogi is a Culinary art and Gastronomy Festival taking place in August. The Pierogi Festival is organised since the 12th Century. Krakow promotes and hosts many artistic and cultural exhibitions, concerts and many other important events, attracting millions of tourists from all corners of the World.