Kraków Holidays

The UNESCO World Heritage Kraków is a city on two levels. Above ground, you’ve got the largest town square in Europe, a spectacular Renaissance architecture and trendy restaurants, while underneath the cobbled streets you’ll find jazz clubs, bars and even a 6,000-square-metre museum. These used to be at ground level, but they disappeared from view as the city grew and developed. As well as this hidden hive of activity, Kraków is also steeped in legend, which goes that a mighty dragon once lived in the cave beneath Wawel Castle.

Much of Kraków’s past lies within the Second World War, and is revealed through the exhibitions and monuments that dot the city. Despite making it through the war largely physically unharmed, Kraków’s status as an important political centre saw it witness its fair share of atrocity. Today, you can visit the Ghetto Heroes Square memorial and the Jewish ghetto in Podgorze – the former is made up of 70 bronze chairs that represent the absence of people and belongings sent to concentration camps. And, the haunting site of Auschwitz is also only an hour’s drive away.

Krakow comes with a thick history book that's well-worth tucking into on a city break. Plus, there's a charming melting pot of influences to explore – from a Renaissance Royal Palace to a Gothic Cathedral. There's a huge section of sights for your city break schedule, as well as a myriad of museums and theatre shows. And between all that, there's plenty of places to take a breather – one of the best spots is Kazimierz, it's fitted with tucked away coffee shops and bistros, decked out with vintage trimmings.