A Weekend in Krakow

Once Poland's royal capital, the splendor and pomp of Krakow's history is still visible everywhere in its architecture. Now an eclectic modern city, first-time visitors can be overwhelmed by the variety of its attractions. Here are seven must-see things to begin with.

The castle is also home to one of Poland's most illustrious art collections. Along with great works from artists like Rubens and Botticelli, the museum contains the largest collection of Ottoman tents in Europe and many artefacts from Polish history. 

The largest medieval town square in Europe, Krakow's Rynek Główny dates back to the 13th century. The scene of great victory parades, ceremonies and congresses through Polish history, it has served mostly as a traditional market square.

The square is also home to several historic buildings that should be on any visitor's itinerary. The most impressive of these are St Mary's Basilica, a 14th-century Polish Gothic church, and the central feature, the grand Cloth Hall, once a hub of commerce. 

Today, the Main Square is a UNESCO World Heritage Site along with the rest of Krakow's picturesque Old Town. Just as it has been for centuries, the square is a lively place, where you'll find seasonal festivities, concerts, beer gardens and horse-drawn carriages.

Up until 2007, the Wieliczka Salt Mine continuously produced table salt. It was one of the oldest salt mines in operation – with a history dating back, incredibly, to Neolithic times.

Until the events of the 20th century, Krakow's large Jewish community lived and worked in the picturesque Kazimierz quarter. Today, you'll still find Jewish-themed restaurants, bars, bookstores and souvenir shops dotted along the winding streets.

In summer, Kazimierz hosts Europe's largest Jewish cultural festival, attracting visitors from around the world, with music from the Middle East, the United States, Africa, and elsewhere. An enchanting place at any time of the year, Kazimierz is popular on the tourist trail.

Anyone who stays more than sixty minutes in Krakow will hear St Mary's Trumpet Call, a five-note bugle call which sounds on the hour, every hour. The bugler blows in the four principal directions – east, west, north and south – from St Mary's Basilica in the Market Square.

Just a short distance from the center of Krakow is the spectacular Zakrzówek reservoir. A former limestone quarry, it was flooded in 1990, creating a dramatic natural environment that is now popular with hikers, cyclists and anglers.

With crystal blue waters and thick green forest, Zakrzówek is a haven for locals and tourists alike. On the ledges surrounding the quarry, there are butterflies and birds of many species, while the clear deep waters of the reservoir hold pike, trout, perch and Wels catfish.

As with many famous landmarks around Krakow, there is a legend attached to the place. In this case, it involves a figure from Polish folklore, Master Twardowski. A sorcerer who made a deal with the Devil, he was said to practise his spell-casting near Zakrzówek.