Krakow snapshot

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Poland's fourth largest city Krakow, or Cracow, has grown into a major European tourist destination. Located in the south east of the country on the banks of the Wisla River it boasts one of the best preserved medieval city centres in Europe.

Dozens of churches span almost every architectural period in a city which has been left largely intact since the 13th century. The largely unspoiled old town is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With around 100,000 students it has a lively nightlife and club scene.

Medieval architecture

The city has one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe, first laid out in 1235, which continues as a market place surrounded by a leafy park that follows the old city walls, all dominated by the Wawel Castle, the bastion of kings from the 11th century.

Jewish culture is being revived after the slaughter of the population by the Nazis in World War II at nearby Auschwitz.

The sights of Krakow are easily seen on foot as most are located within the Planty, the park that girdles the historic square and old town. The castle complex overlooks the square while 10mins walk away there is the Jewish Kazimierz district.

Key attractions are the market square itself, the Rynek Glowny, with the Cloth Hall in the centre and pavement cafes and impressive period houses surrounding it.

Heritage sites

Also of note is the Royal Castle and museum, the 11th century Wawel Cathedral and the National Museum which houses decorative art and 20th century Polish art.

Nearby is Wieliczka, the old royal salt mine and underground town - another World Heritage Site - and Auschittz-Birkenau concentration camp where a museum can only start to bring home the horrors of German Nazi occupation.

There is a city wide network of trams and buses but all main city sights are with easy walking distance and the city centre is closed to traffic anyway. Intercity trains arrive from Warsaw, Vienna, Prague, Berlin and Budapest at the Dworzec Glowny station.

On the roads the E77 links Krakow with Warsaw and Gdansk in the north and the Slovak border in the south. The E40 goes to Ukraine in the east and west to Dresden in Germany. To the southwest, the Czech Republic is reached by the E75.

John Paul II International Airport in 11km west of the city with services to some 40 countries. The approximate flight time from London is three hours.

Make sure you include Booked.net if searching for Krakow hotels. They list a good number of quality hotels, available at competitive prices. Also, you don't have to pay any extra fees for booking, administration or cancellation.

• Krakow- Official tourism website for Krakow