Kraków prides itself on its varied history and the majority of tourist attractions appeal to those with an interest in this. The most obvious place to visit is The Main Square which is situated right in the centre of the old town and provides a stage for events and festivals. Surrounded by houses and palaces, it is hard to find somewhere in the square that does not provide any historical interest and it is here that you will find the Historical Museum of the City of Kraków, the International Culture Centre and many restaurants, shops and pubs.

Leading off from The Main Square is St Mary’s Church and The Royal Castle on Wawel Hill. St Mary’s Church is also known as St Mary’s Tower, The Watch Tower and the Bugle Tower. Every hour a bugle is played from 54m above ground level, a tradition which has lasted for over 600 years. To get to the top, tourists will climb 239 steps and will be greeted by bugle players, who are interestingly members of the fire service, and have a fantastic view across Poland.

The Royal Castle on Wawel Hill is reached by a short and narrow street, Kanonicza, which has hardly changed over the centuries. It is a place which demonstrates the recent restoration of the city’s heritage and one that will leave you in love with the city. Inside the castle you will notice that the layout is similar to that of the city’s Main Square and it is here that you will find exhibitions and collections to keep you busy for the day, and a walk in the ring of castle walls late in the afternoon will provide a relaxing end to the day.

Perhaps one of the most poignant reasons to visit Kraków though, is its proximity and ease of access to the Auschwitz Birkenau Memorial and Museum in O?wi?cim. This is treated as a must see site both by previous visitors to the area and by tour operators who operate close to day-long visits to the site. If one of your goals is to visit the Memorial, it is well advised to organise a tour in advance of your holiday so that you get the best price available.