Krakow is Poland’s ancient capital, and there is plenty there to enjoy if you are only visiting for a day. When The Circular arrived at the beginning of April, the sun was out and our plans of exploring the city’s medieval Old Town by foot couldn’t have worked out much better.
If mingling with boisterous stag and hen parties isn’t your thing, then Krakow has plenty of appealing alternative options in and around the Old Town. A casual stroll through Planty Park, leading to the Main Square and Cloth Hall is a very pleasant way to spend a morning. Despite crowds of tourists and horse and carriages, the atmosphere is laid back and it’s quite easy to operate at half-pace.
Just outside the walls of the Old Town lies Wawel Royal Castle, which includes a scenic internal garden that is ideal for a pit-stop and some refreshments in the middle of the day. The castle grounds also boasts a lookout point directly above the Vistula River, where options include enjoying the walkway market stalls, taking a boat tour, or dining on one of the boat restaurants docked along the riverside.
From here it is a short walking distance to Kazimierz, the historical Jewish Quarter, where the rustic streets are scattered with some of the best restaurants and beer gardens you will find in the entire city. This is the bohemian and creative hub of Krakow. Rounding off our evening we took a walk up to Lovers Bridge, which offers a stunning view of the link between the north and south sides of the city. Enjoy the slideshow below and see for yourself.
