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Krakow Old Town

The Krakow Old Town (Stare Miasto) historical district, barely touched by time, is among the most fascinating views in Poland. The Old Town is certainly what draws most tourists to Cracow, offering a density of landmarks, museums, churches and squares unique in the scale of Central Europe. In the historical surroundings of the Krakow Old Town a modern tourist infrastructure has been developing, making it the perfect place to start a tour of Krakow.

Inside and Outside the Krakow Old Town

The Krakow Old Town has preserved its original grid of streets that makes it a true masterpiece of medieval urban planning. In the middle there's the Main Square, laid out in 1257 – Europe's largest at the time – and the streets leave it at right angles, making finding the right route fairly easy even for a first-time Cracow tourist. With the two grand towers of the St. Mary's Church (Kosciol Mariacki) and the lonely Town Hall Tower separated by the grand Renaissance edifice of the Cloth Hall (Sukiennice), the Rynek Glowny is quite a sight in itself, and the numerous clubs and restaurants in the surrounding buildings are certainly worth exploring.

What is now the Old Town (and was simply the city of Krakow some centuries ago) was surrounded by a deep moat and a tight ring of City Walls that, along with the thick-walled Barbican, made Krakow a true fortress. Only three of the nearly forty towers and the Barbican survived the 19^th century, when the Krakow authorities decided to 'tidy up' a bit and open the city. But maybe it changed the city for the better, as now, instead of the City Walls defending Cracow from unwanted visitors, the Old Town is surrounded by the green Planty Park.

Krakow Old Town Attractions

In between the Main Square and the Planty park are countless Krakow attractions. For those who want to encounter some of the world's greatest art there's the Czartoryski Museum with Leonardo's Lady with an Ermine. Those who fancy architecture can choose between a great deal of Romanesque, Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque churches. And if you simply want to have fun, there are virtually hundreds of clubs, cafes and restaurants just a few steps away. To see all the most important Krakow Old Town attractions, just visit our Krakow Tours section and go on a Krakow Old Town Tour.

Krakow Old Town Accommodation

You should be aware that it is very likely that you will enjoy the Krakow Old Town so much that you won't want to leave it at all. Perhaps you won't have to – simply see our guide to Krakow Accommodation and choose between a great deal of hostels and hotels.

Leaving the Krakow Old Town

If you do decide to leave the Krakow Old Town however, some of the routes are more recommended than the others. If you take the Grodzka Street from the Main Square, it will lead you to the Wawel Hill with the magnificent Wawel Castle and Wawel Cathedral, and if you're persistent enough, you might even get to the charming and lively district of Kazimierz, the centre of Krakow nightlife.