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In 2024, Kraków was visited by over 12 million tourists, including numerous visitors from abroad, among whom the capital of Małopolska enjoys immense popularity. Kraków is one of the most frequently chosen European cities for a "city break" and has also made it onto the list of the most visited cities in winter. What lies behind such exceptional popularity of Kraków?
It is here that many extremely important events in Polish history took place – the Prussian tribute, the oath of Tadeusz Kościuszko, as well as the initiation of the legions of Józef Piłsudski. For centuries, Kraków has also been a center of culture and art, associated with many Polish artists and writers such as Jan Matejko and Wisława Szymborska.
This is undoubtedly a place full of unique monuments and history, captivating tourists from all over the world with its atmosphere. The vast Market Square, Sukiennice, St. Mary's Church, and excellently preserved tenement houses are the hallmarks of Kraków's historic center.
In 2024, the Royal Castle at Wawel recorded a record number of visitors, estimated at 3.8 million people. The residence of Polish rulers attracts with its wealth of exhibitions – both permanent and temporary – and delights not only tourists from Poland but also from abroad.
A unique gem on the map of Kraków is the Kazimierz district, which is not only an incredibly charming place full of atmospheric streets and cafes but also a symbol of memory of the Jewish community's heritage. It is here that the Jewish culture festival takes place every year, with the next edition already awaiting us in June 2025.
To best experience Kraków, it is worth taking a walk through the streets of the old town, where you can listen to the hejnał from the St. Mary's Tower or the Kraków Kazimierz. These places are breathtaking with their unique architecture and history, but Kraków does not end there. Fans of modernism will surely be delighted with the building of the National Museum and other buildings along the Alei Trzech Wieszczów, while those seeking PRL urbanism and socialist realism will find it in Nowa Huta.
The Kraków Wianki music festival, Book Fair, Kraków film festival – these are just some of the events that are now permanently written into the city's calendar. Some of them have become traditions nurtured for many years, such as the Lajkonik parade that takes place every year at the beginning of summer.
As a city with an incredible history, Kraków can offer visitors numerous wonderful museums and art exhibitions. The National Museum in Kraków, the Czartoryski Museum, the MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Art Bunker, as well as many others, impress with their richness and diversity of exhibits.
After a long walk, you can settle in one of the charming cafes or pubs in the old town, often located in various nooks or even cellars with a unique atmosphere. For fans of the Young Poland era, a must-visit should be the Jama Michalika – a café and restaurant serving flagship dishes of Polish cuisine while maintaining the atmosphere from the early 20th century. If you are looking for something more intimate, a good choice would be Nowa Prowincja on Bracka Street or Charlotte at Szczepański Square. For a cozy dinner with a view of Wawel, we invite you to our Restaurant Cafe Oranżeria located on the roof of the Kossak hotel.
Kraków is well-connected thanks to the John Paul II International Airport in Balice, from which you can reach the city center by urban railway. The city itself offers numerous guides and signage in various languages and a very well-developed accommodation base, making it an ideal place for a vacation or a weekend getaway. In the vicinity of Kraków, you can also see other places ideal for one or several-day trips, such as the Salt Mine in Wieliczka, the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, or Zakopane.
Kraków is a city that enchants every time it is visited. It attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique atmosphere, history, and monuments. It is a place exceptionally friendly to tourists – with great gastronomy and a multitude of entertainment options. Don't wait – plan your trip to Kraków and see for yourself its uniqueness!