KrakowInformer.com

Krakow Parks

If you were to be teleported from the chair you're sitting in right into the center of Krakow (the Rynek, for example), you could think that, at least when it comes to parks, this is a typical medieval town, with a lot of stone and little green places – and that the only representatives of the flora and fauna would be the Krakow Pigeons. In fact, you couldn't be more wrong: just a few steps away from the Krakow Town Hall Tower is one of the most peaceful places in Cracow – the Planty Park, filled with green trees and benches to sit on and enjoy the calamity.

That's not all – Krakow is a very green city, and there are quite a few parks worth visiting within walking distance from the center. Below you will find a short guide to parks in Krakow.

Planty Park

The Planty park was created in the 19^th century, when the Krakow City Walls were torn down in order to make room for the city to develop. Originally, a deep moat and quite a few towers stood there protecting Cracow, and what is now left is just the Barbican and the Florian Gate. Now, the Planty Park are the perfect place for a stroll in the green or simply a rest on one of the benches or cafes – like the one in the Bunker of Arts.

Park Jordana

Though situated virtually between the Wisla Krakow and Cracovia Krakow football clubs' stadiums, the Park Jordana is not a place for the average soccer fan – unless he's looking for a vast, green park with quite a few playgrounds and busts of famous Poles standing here and there. Along with the nearby Blonia Commons, the Park Jordana is one of the most popular places in Krakow for a family picnic – and although Yogi Bear won't steal your basket, there's a big chance of meeting a squirrel.

Krakow Botanical Garden

The Krakow Botanical Garden can certainly be treated as more than just another one of the Krakow Parks by those interested in the sexual life of plants, but everybody can enjoy its typical 'parkish' qualities. For anyone willing to see something special, there's the 300-year-old Jagiellonian Oak, a collection of carnivorous plants and a historic astronomical observatory. The Krakow Botanical Garden is situated near Rondo Mogilskie, just two tram stops away from the Krakow Train Station. Unlike other Krakow Parks, the Botanical Garden doesn't allow pets or bicycles inside, but you can leave the latter at the gate.

Wolski Forest (Lasek Wolski)

The vast Lasek Wolski is by far the largest of the Krakow Parks, spanning over 419 hectares. The park's hills and ravines, along with numerous tourist routes marked out in the Lasek Wolski can make visiting it feel like a trip to the mountains (although the real ones start a 100 kilometers from Krakow in Zakopane). Additionally, the largest of the Parks in Krakow contains the Krakow Zoo, which can be reached either on foot or by Krakow municipal bus no. 134.