A stunning city with intricate Renaissance, Baroque and Gothic architecture, Poland’s culture capital of Krakow survived World War II unscathed, and its rich centuries-old Old Town is one of the most beautiful in Europe. Plus, with important Jewish history and a close proximity to Auschwitz, where an estimated 1.1 million people died during World War II, Krakow is one of the most impactful destinations in the world where you can experience astonishing human history.
Work with Indagare to design the perfect itinerary for an immersive journey. Our travel experts know the destination inside and out, and they can make recommendations based on your travel needs and preferences.
Krakow’s cultural gems are many, and best experienced with a guide who can walk you through the city’s complex centuries of history. Here is just one example of what our destination experts can create for you.
Explore Krakow’s beautiful Old Town with a guide, beginning with Wawel Castle, which was built in the 13th century by King Casimir III the Great and features medieval, renaissance and baroque architecture. Continue through the Old Town to the Main Square, where you can observe the bustling marketplace and see St. Mary’s Basilica, an exquisite Gothic church. Continue to Kazimierz, the historic Jewish quarter that has since gentrified and is now a hip urban area. After lunch, cross the Vistula river to the old Jewish ghetto to see some important historical sights and visit Oskar Schindler’s Enamel Factory, which should be booked in advance.
Drive one hour to Auschwitz and Auschwitz II-Birkenau for a half-day tour with a private guide who can carefully explain the complexities of the concentration and extermination camps where over one million people were killed between 1940 and 1945. After touring, it is recommended to take the rest of the day to relax and digest what you’ve just seen and learned. If you want an activity, explore Kazimierz further or Indagare can arrange something light like a pierogi cooking class.
On your last day in Krakow, drive 20 minutes outside the city to Wieliczka, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s oldest salt mines. Located over 400 feet underground, it boasts four chapels and dozens of statues that were carved by the miners.
We only feature hotels that we can vouch for first-hand. At many of them, Indagare members receive special amenities, including upgrades, early check-in, breakfast, spa credits and more. Look for the Indagare Plus logo in the reviews.
The most modern hotel in Krakow, Hotel Unicus Palace is ideal for travelers who are looking for fresh, up-to-date rooms and a boutique feel.
A Relais & Chateaux hotel, Hotel Copernicus has the best location of any hotel in Krakow in a beautiful Gothic building, 29 charming rooms and one of the city’s best restaurants.
Located a 20-minute drive from Krakow’s city center, Wieliczka Salt Mine dates back to the 13th century, making it one of the world’s oldest salt mines, and only ceased production in 2007. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, the mines, which...
Located one hour by car from Krakow, Auschwitz and Auschwitz II-Birkenau are perhaps the most important sites in all of Poland. The site where more than one million people were killed, Auschwitz has been visited by more than 45 million...
The star attraction of Krakow is Wawel Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and castle complex that was built in the 13th century by King Casimir III the Great. For centuries, Wawel Castle was the residence of Polish Kings, with...
Located near the former Jewish ghetto on the site of Oskar Schindler's Enamel Factory, which employed and saved the lives of approximately 1,200 Jews during WWII (this story is immortalized in the film Schindler’s List), this museum details life in...
The most atmospheric neighborhood in Krakow, Kazimierz, the Jewish quarter was peacefully shared between ethnic Poles and Jews until 1941, when Jews were forcibly relocated to the Krakow ghetto. Today, it is one of the most important cultural destinations in...
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