WHY VISIT KRAKÓW?
There are many reasons to visit Kraków. Below are the ones that most often make visitors stay longer – sometimes for a single weekend, and sometimes… for a lifetime.
1. History almost “breathes” beneath your feet
You don’t need to be a history enthusiast to feel that a walk through Kraków is more than just a stroll. Wawel, the Main Square, Kazimierz – these are not just landmarks, but living stories. The city remembers royal coronations, the tragic events of World War II, great changes, and everyday life. And it’s all within reach – sometimes all it takes is turning down a less obvious street to find yourself in a completely different world.
2. Every museum is a new adventure
The National Museum with Wyspiański and Matejko paintings, the Underground Museum at the Main Square reconstructing medieval Kraków, Schindler’s Factory, which shocks and educates. Or more intimate ones – the Stained Glass Museum or the Obwarzanek Museum. Each tells a different story, showing different faces of the city. Many also prepare exhibitions and themed trails for children, so if you want to see Kraków through a child’s eyes, check out our article on family attractions in Kraków.
3. Kraków adapts to your pace
Do you like spending time actively or surrounded by culture? Cycle along the Vistula, walk to Krakus Mound, or take a river cruise with a view of the castle. Or perhaps something more classic – an evening at the theater or an atmospheric concert in one of Kraków’s cellars? Kraków can match your pace. By day, immerse yourself in the bustling city, and in the evening, relax in the Planty park or at a café table.
4. A perfect base for exploring the region
Kraków is not only a fascinating city in itself – it’s also an excellent starting point for discovering some of Poland’s most interesting sites. In less than half an hour, you can reach Wieliczka, home to one of the world’s oldest operating salt mines. Underground chapels carved in salt, sculptures, tunnels, and subterranean lakes make it feel more like a fairy-tale cathedral than an industrial site. No wonder it’s on the UNESCO World Heritage list – a must-see for all visitors.
For a more reflective journey, Kraków also provides easy access to Oświęcim, home to the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum. It’s a space that’s hard to describe in words – it must be seen and felt. It is one of Europe’s most important historical sites, visited by millions every year. It deserves your time and attention – not out of obligation, but out of the need to understand.
If you’re looking for something completely different – folklore, colors, and fairy-tale aesthetics – visit Zalipie. This small yet famous village is known for its painted houses, barns, and wells that resemble living paintings. A place so enchanting it even made it onto fan maps of The Witcher. In reality, it’s even more beautiful. Walking among the colorful cottages, you can feel that the Polish countryside can be magical too.
5. For food lovers and street-food hunters
A zapiekanka from Okrąglak in Kazimierz – crispy, baked on site, with mushrooms, cheese, and a must-have spicy garlic sauce – is almost a Kraków ritual. An obwarzanek from a street cart, still warm, slightly salty, and smelling of fresh bakery, is not just a snack but a culinary icon of the city. At the Main Square, you can also grab grilled oscypek cheese with cranberry – a nod to the mountain traditions that have permeated Kraków’s streets.
But Kraków isn’t just street food. Elegant restaurants in historic townhouses overlooking Wawel offer Argentine steaks or fine dining tasting menus. Ramen here could compete with Tokyo bars, and Hungarian goulash steams on the table while pierogi come in countless variations – meat-filled, “Russian” style, duck, mushrooms, or even sweet cherry.
Among culinary legends are “Nowa Prowincja,” where drinking chocolate is so thick a spoon stands upright, and “U Stasi,” a traditional milk bar full of soul and history. Atmospheric cafés, jazz cellars, and restaurants that recall the era of Piwnica pod Baranami – Kraków lives through its gastronomy and offers thousands of flavors to explore.
6. Kids will love Kraków too
Although this text is mainly for adult travelers, it’s impossible not to mention family-friendly attractions. Kraków is a real paradise for children. The Dragon’s Den under Wawel? A must-see, especially when the fire-breathing dragon “comes alive” to the delight of little ones. The Stanisław Lem Experiment Garden mixes learning with play – perfect for showing kids that physics can really be fascinating. Add the Kraków Zoo in Las Wolski, a huge Aqua Park with a rushing river and slides, colorful playgrounds, and museums adapted for children – like the Museum of Engineering and Technology or interactive exhibitions at the Nature Education Center.
A WIDE RANGE OF ACCOMMODATION
Good sightseeing requires a good base, and Kraków offers a wide range of accommodations – from boutique hotels in the city center to apartments with a view of the Vistula, and family-friendly options in quieter neighborhoods.
Our Hotel Swing is a perfect example of combining comfort, convenience, and location. For families, proximity to the Kraków Aqua Park is a major advantage. Just a few steps away, you can relax after an active day or work out in the FitPark training club on the first floor of the Aqua Park if you still have energy.
We also provide family-friendly amenities, including baby cots in rooms or a Studio setup – two rooms with a private bathroom connected by an interior door. Guests can also book an Apartment with a bedroom, bathroom with bathtub, and living room. Our flexible approach and modern interiors offer the ideal balance between urban style and relaxation.
SUMMARY
Kraków is definitely not a city you can fully discover in one visit. It’s a space you return to – sometimes physically, sometimes in your thoughts. Its rich history, unique atmosphere, local flavors, scents, and stories combine into an experience that stays with you for a long time. If you’re still wondering whether it’s worth it – the answer is yes. Visiting Kraków is not a tourist obligation. It’s a privilege for the explorer.
