Prague to Krakow

Krakow - the city of majestic historical buildings and palaces and large bustling squares with majestic churches, and one of the most visited cities in Poland. 

Krakow which lies on the Visla River and is the second most populated city in Poland is definitely worth a visit as its cultural richness is likened to that of Vienna or Florence. Not only lovers of history and culture will find great things here but also those who love to shop for traditional goods as one of the main attractions is the Main Market Square (Rynek Glowny) in the old part of the city which is one of the largest medieval squares in Europe and surrounded by magnificent palaces and churches. The center of the square is dominated by the Sukiennice (the Cloth Hall) in a gorgeous Renaissance style. Another sight that's a must is the monumental Wawel Royal Castle on the Visla left bank which was built in the 10th century and served as the seat of Polish kings - as Krakow had been the capital of Poland until 1609. And even though Warsaw took its place as the capital city, the coronations of kings still took place in Krakow. Warsaw might be the capital of Poland but Krakow is definitely the capital at least in terms of cultural heritage thanks to many theaters, galleries and universities. The historical center offers many beautiful sights. From the gorgeous St. Florian's Gate you can walk all the way through the gorgeous center to Wawel Hill with Wawel Castle. Here you will also find the local curiosity which is the Dragon's Den with a metal statue of a dragon who is breathing fire. It is interesting to note that Krakow was one of the few cities that miraculously managed to save most of its monuments during WWII, which is why the historic center was put on the UNESCO protected list in 1978. It's also a must to sample some local treats; we highly recommend visiting one of the few chocolate factories in town and tasting some delicious, locally made chocolate. If you prefer salty snacks, then make sure to try the local pretzels called "obwarzanky" which you can buy on almost every corner. You can get to Krakow from Prague by plane, train (there are a few direct trains) or bus. The nearest airport is John Paul II International Airport (KRK) and the Krakow Glowny Train Station.