Before the car ban, before the selfie sticks, before the pigeons unionized and claimed squatter’s rights on every statue, Rynek Główny was a quieter kind of majestic. I remember sitting on the old fountain ledge, legs dangling, watching Fiats roll past like they had somewhere important to be, which, in Kraków, usually meant a café or a cousin’s name day. There were no tourists then, just locals and the occasional accordion player who looked like he’d been playing since the Austro-Hungarian Empire. Now, the square is a theatrical masterpiece. It’s the largest medieval town square in Europe, and it flaunts that fact with the confidence of a peacock in a velvet smoking jacket. The Cloth Hall stands like a Renaissance handbag, full of amber and embroidered napkins, while St. Mary’s Basilica plays its hourly hejnał like Kraków’s heartbeat, a truncated trumpet tune that still manages to stir something ancient in you. One summer, I watched a tourist on a Segway wearing a nun outfit glide past a mime while a brass band played “Dancing Queen.” I was sipping espresso, trying to decide whether this was divine intervention or just Kraków being Kraków. The underground museum is a marvel, but the real treasure is above ground, where every cobblestone feels like it remembers your grandmother’s pierogi recipe. Prices have crept up, sure, but you’re paying for ambiance, architectural flirtation, and the existential thrill of being in a place that’s survived Mongol invasions, partitions, and stag parties. The pigeons are still here, still judging, still ready to steal your obwarzanek if you blink. Rynek Główny isn’t just a square, it’s a stage, a memory, a slightly chaotic love letter to Polish resilience and theatricality. Come for the history, stay for the surrealism, leave with a heart full of amber and a camera full of pigeons.

This guided tour was only a little about Schindler as it walks you through the story of Poland in WW2 from different perspectives. Very informative and the hour and a half tour was the perfect length. Our guide spoke clearly and concisely (in English) and was very engaging as she told this fascinating story. We booked tickets and tour online which was a great choice: we skipped the long queue out front and were ushered inside first when our time came. I highly recommend this tour and the guide is so worth it. We definitely would not have got the depth of understanding if we’d gone in on our own. I was deeply moved at various points; this is an experience I will not forget.

The Wawel Royal Castle, on the Wawel Hill, is one the most, historically and culturally, important sites in Poland. Used to be the residence of kings in the past, the castle is now one very important art museum. You need 4-5 hours to visit all chambers and see all the art exhibits. A collection of paintings, prints, sculpture, textiles, tapestry, arms and armor, ceramics.. There is an entrance fee for the most rooms, but there are some parts you can visit for free. Do not miss a walk around the hill, it's truly fantastic if the weather is good!

This is a wonderful district to stay in, I would recommend staying here instead of the city centre. I enjoyed old streets, Jewish shops, cafes. Very authentic and colorful.

St. Mary’s Church in Kraków is one of the most breathtaking places in the city and easily one of my favorite churches in Poland. Its majestic Gothic architecture, richly decorated interior, and intricate details inspire awe and convey a profound sense of solemnity. Built in the 14th century, the church’s construction continued over several centuries. In the late 15th century, it gained one of its most remarkable features – the altarpiece by Veit Stoss, the largest wooden Gothic altarpiece in Europe, created between 1477 and 1489. Commissioned by the citizens of Kraków, it was made from three types of wood: oak for the structure, larch for the background, and limewood for the figures. The interior is equally stunning, adorned with polychrome decoration completed between 1890 and 1892 by Jan Matejko and his collaborators. The star-shaped vaulted ceiling, rich in symbolism and intricate details, gives the impression of heaven descending to earth, while the walls feature biblical scenes and images of saints, inviting quiet reflection. For a small fee, visitors can explore the interior, and a truly special moment occurs at 11:50, when the wings of the main altarpiece open to the accompaniment of music, revealing the exquisite carved scenes in all their detail. The church is also famous for one of Kraków’s most enduring legends – the Mariacki Bugle Call. According to tradition, it originated from a medieval trumpeter who sounded the alarm during an enemy attack and was struck by an arrow while playing. Ever since, the melody has been played every hour in honor of his bravery. St. Mary’s Church masterfully combines history, art, and spirituality. Its beauty and grandeur leave a lasting impression on anyone who visits. It is a place not to be missed, where one can experience the true spirit of Kraków while admiring the stunning altarpiece and polychrome decorations.