If Warsaw is the political and economic metropolis, all Poles will tell you that Krakow is the capital of the heart, the very soul of its spirituality. The queen of Polish cities is the pride of an entire people. Unlike many cities ravaged by history, she can boast a thousand-year-old heritage that is uninterrupted and still blazing before the admiring eyes of foreign visitors. Cracow is also the only city in Poland to have truly entered the international tourism canon, and is at the forefront of national tourism magazines. Along with Prague, it has become the must see of a reunified Europe. This reputation is not usurped. With its magnificent city centre, its legendary Wawel Castle overlooking the Vistula and the unique remains of an ancient Polish Jewish town, Kazimierz, Krakow is the most romantic city in Poland. For the beautiful city is a miracle: the former capital of the medieval kings, so rich in treasures, emerged unscathed from the Second World War, which ravaged the country. An island of pomp and circumstance in the middle of grey Poland, Cracow was included in the first UNESCO World Heritage List in 1978.A museum-city then? Warsaw's avant-gardists will tell you that it is a city of traditions, very Catholic and conservative, dominated by the intellectual bourgeoisie of another era. But that would be to forget about the 130,000 students who come to Warsaw every year and who animate its streets until very late at night, transforming the centre into a huge place to go out. Forget the multitude of bars. And that the district of Kazimierz, fifteen years ago a forgotten and dilapidated Jewish vestige, is a unique example in Poland of urban gentrification. Krakow is constantly on the move. All this contributes to making Krakow one of the most fashionable European destinations.

What to visit Krakow?

When to go to Krakow?

If you want to discover Krakow in winter, you will have to cover yourself well. It's cold, the sidewalks are sometimes covered with snow or even ice and the sun is often hidden. But Krakow under the snow does not lack charm! And the religious fervor is at its peak with services every day and packed churches for all generations. Christmas in Krakow has the magic of the Eastern cities. The same crowds are present, although a little less during Easter week. Nothing touristy, the Poles are practicing Catholics. However, it is in summer that you will enjoy your walks in the different districts of the city, the parks and the animations.

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Weather at the moment

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Weather all year round

Krakow has a continental climate, whose coolness is accentuated by the proximity of the mountains. Winters are cold with occasional heavy snowfalls. The average temperature is 0°C in December and -2°C in January and February. You have to wait until May to have mild temperatures (14°C on average). Summers are hot but not scorching with a little less than 20°C in July-August. It is a humid country with 147 days of rain per year.

Jan.
-5° /
Feb.
-5° /
Mar.
-1° /
Apr.
/ 13°
May
/ 20°
June
12° / 22°
Jul.
15° / 24°
Aug.
14° / 23°
Sept.
10° / 19°
Oct.
/ 14°
Nov.
/
Dec.
-2° /
Budget

Although Poland is part of the European Union, its currency is not the euro but the zloty (symbols: PLN, zl). 1 zloty = 100 groszy. Change your euros at the post office or in banks. Divide the price in zloty by 4 to get the approximate price in euros. On the whole, life is cheaper in Poland, including Krakow, than in France. The biggest expense will be accommodation.

Procedures

Since Poland joined the European Union, only an identity card is required for your stay in Krakow. No visa or passport is required. It is possible to bring your pet with you as long as you have a health certificate for it; dogs must have an anti-rabies vaccination certificate and a muzzle is mandatory in public places, public transport, etc... Your French driving license is sufficient to drive a vehicle in Krakow.

Health

No vaccinations are required, but it is advisable to be up to date with diphtheria, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A vaccinations. There are no particular health risks in Krakow. The health care system is modern and efficient as in any large European city. If you don't speak Polish, English will help you to understand.

How to go to Krakow? Our advice & tips

Krakow is a destination widely offered as an organized stay (flight + accommodation) for a weekend. Also many proposals for a week with planned visits to major attractions, including salt mines and Auschwitz, outside the city. You should also know that Krakow is programmed in all organised tours throughout Poland.

Discover our selection of travel agencies for this destination

Krakow is easily accessible, especially by low-cost flights, and is a very touristy city. You will have no trouble finding a hotel or a room in a guesthouse. Book your accommodation on the Internet in advance in summer and during the Easter holidays when the number of tourists is at its highest. Otherwise, you will find accommodation on site, including in the city center, which is full of small, charming addresses. In Krakow, you can easily get around on foot, by streetcar or by bus. You can quickly find your way around thanks to the monuments and the river.

The bus and streetcar network allows you to quickly and inexpensively connect all districts and points of interest. The lines allow you to discover the suburbs and even go as far as the salt mines of Wieczka. You can also use cabs. Take the so-called Pope's streetcar (line 24) and follow in the footsteps of John Paul II.

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Pictures and images Krakow

L'église Notre-Dame et la Halle aux Draps. Author's Image
Le théâtre Juliusz Słowacki vu du haut du clocher de l'église de Notre-Dame. Patrice ALCARAS
La cathédrale de Wawel est l'église principale de l'archidiocèse de Cracovie. TanyaSv
Rues de Cracovie. Zbigniew PANOW - PZ Studio

Discover Krakow

When to travel?

If you want to discover Krakow in winter, you will have to cover yourself well. It's cold, the sidewalks are sometime...
Read more about it

Weather forecast

Krakow has a continental climate, whose coolness is accentuated by the proximity of the mountains. Winters are cold w...
Read more about it

Budget

Although Poland is part of the European Union, its currency is not the euro but the zloty (symbols: PLN, zl). 1 zloty...
Read more about it

Formalities

Since Poland joined the European Union, only an identity card is required for your stay in Krakow. No visa or passpor...
Read more about it

Health

No vaccinations are required, but it is advisable to be up to date with diphtheria, tetanus, polio and hepatitis A va...
Read more about it

How to travel by yourself?

Krakow is easily accessible, especially by low-cost flights, and is a very touristy city. You will have no tro...
Read more about it

How to get organized?

Krakow is a destination widely offered as an organized stay (flight + accommodation) for a weekend. Also many proposa...
Read more about it

Getting around

The bus and streetcar network allows you to quickly and inexpensively connect all districts and points of interest. T...
Read more about it

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