Tour of Krakow, Poland

Krakow is situated in the south of Poland on the Vistula river. It is one of the largest and oldest cities in Poland, being the capital of Poland from 1038 to 1596.

A series of European wars saw the Austrian Empire expand north until it took control of Krakow in 1809, a situation that lasted until Krakow returned to Polish control in 1918, due to the demise of the Austrian Empire.

Krakow was again taken over when Germany took control from 1939 - 1945 during WWII. After German forces were removed from Poland, Krakow and Poland were ruled under the influence of Communist Russia until the reforms of Mikhail Gorbachev, of the Soviet Union, in 1989.

The currency in Poland is the Zloty, 1 pound = about 5 Zloty. Beer Prices. Currency Converter.

Flight times from UK Airports to Krakow take about 3 hours.

Ryanair provide regular flights between Krakow John Paul II International Airport and Birmingham . Dublin . East Midlands . Edinburgh . Leeds . Liverpool . London/Stanstead . Shannon .

For information on other airlines such as British Airways . easyjet and Jet2.com that fly to Krakow, as well as International Airlines, visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Paul_II_International_Airport_Krakow-Balice.

Krakow John Paul II International Airport, is located about 10 miles west of the town centre.

A Shuttle train service links Krakow’s John Paul II International Airport with the Krakow Glowny main rail station in the city center. On average, trains run every thirty minutes between 4 a.m. and midnight. One can purchase tickets on the train. It departs from a stop some 300 meters from the International Terminal T1. Train Information.

Two regular municipal bus services are available at a stop situated about fifty meters from the International Terminal T1. Bus Information.

Taxis also run when requested. Taxi Information.

CarHire at Krakow Airport can be booked through CarTrawler who will scan the best available deals from CarHire companies based at Krakow Airport.

Krakow's Market Square (Rynek Glowny) was first outlined in the 13th century, and has since always been the heart of Krakow.

Historically, it played host to a fully functional medieval Market Square, that gathered merchants from all over Poland and the far corners of Europe.

Poland Map . Krakow Map . Bus Tours.

St. Mary's Basilica is a Brick Gothic church built in the 14th century, adjacent to the Main Market Square in Krakow.

On every hour, a trumpet signal, called the heyna, is played from the top of the taller of St. Mary's two towers.

The plaintive tune breaks off in mid-stream, to commemorate the famous 13th century trumpeter, who was shot in the throat while sounding the alarm before the Mongol attack on the city.

More Information.

The Czartoryski Museum (Muzeum Czartoryskich) is one of the places no Krakow visitor should miss.

The most famous exhibit is of course the Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo da Vinci, but the Czartoryski family have obtained numerous other valuable works of art, dating from the antiquity to the 19th century.

Situated a short walk north of the main square.

More Information.

Nowa Huta came about in 1946, after Krakow residents began showing their resentment of Communism. The Communists tried to keep control of Krakow by building a new Communist town (a district of Krakow since 1951).

Ironically, less than 15 years later, Nowa Huta became one of the largest centers of anti-communist resistance.

Tourists are encouraged to take a tour of Nowa Huta to learn how Communism affected Poland.

Wawel Castle is among Europe's most beautiful royal residences, and one of Krakow's largest tourist attractions. The castle grounds also contain a Cathedral and The Royal Tombs.

Situated a short distance south of the town centre. Can be visited each day. Website: www.wawel.krakow.pl

Krakow Mounds, there used to be five mounds in Krakow, but one of them, the Esterka Mound, was demolished in the 1970s to be replaced by a football stadium.

The earliest of these mounds were thought to have been constructed for the burial of kings, although no remains have ever been found in them.

The first was thought to have been built in the 600s and the last in the early 1900s.

More Information.

Tyniec Abbey (Opactwo w Tyncu) is a thousand-year-old monastery located on a beautiful cliff on the right bank of the Vistula river, surrounded by peaceful, green forests.

Situated on the western outskirts, so the trip doesn't take too long. Tour Website

Wieliczka Salt Mine's Chambers and Chapels. The highlight is certainly the Chapel of Saint Kinga (Kaplica Swietej Kingi), world's largest underground church.

The Chapel is located 101 meters below ground level, in a cave 54 meters long, 18 meters wide and 12 meters high. As in the rest of the Wieliczka Mine, virtually everything inside it is carved out of salt, including the monument of pope John Paul II. Even the breathtaking chandeliers are in fact made out of salt crystals.

Situated under 10 miles east of Krakow.

Website . Tours.

Auschwitz was the largest of Nazi Germany's concentration camps. Its remains are located in Poland approximately 35 miles west of Krakow and 120 miles southeast of Wroclaw.

The camp took its name from the nearby town of Oswiecim. Following the German invasion of Poland in September 1939, Oswiecim was annexed by Nazi Germany and renamed Auschwitz, the town's German name. Website . Tours

For more information on Krakow, visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krakow.

Krakow Website.

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