Salah Soliman
Krakow is truly a remarkable city in every aspect. It offers spacious and serene streets that make you feel comfortable and free as you explore its wide squares. What distinguishes the beauty of Krakow and makes it a magnet for tourists from around the world?
Many tourists recognize Krakow for its global fame without necessarily associating it with being a city in Poland. In fact, some have shared that upon arriving at the city’s airport, they only then discovered that it was a Polish city.
Krakow exudes luxury in every aspect. The city boasts a wide variety of restaurants, numerous hotels, and a history that spans its entire landscape. Every square in the city tells a unique story, making it no surprise that Krakow is home to a population of between 800,000 to one million residents and attracts 14 million tourists annually, as reported by the city’s tourism statistics.
Safety is paramount in Krakow. The airport is bustling with tourists, and the city’s streets are filled with tourists day and night. Some visitors prefer horse-drawn carriages, which are highly famous in this city.
Krakow is an open and welcoming city to all types of tourists, and the people are friendly, skilled at interacting with tourists without exploitation or deceit.
The answer to why Krakow welcomes such a large number of tourists annually can be easily found by exploring its attractions. It’s not only the historical sites that tourists come for; the city’s climate plays a significant role as well. For instance, Krakow experiences all four seasons throughout the year, making it an ideal destination. I visited it twice within one year, touring it from east to west and from north to south. I never saw a police car, and nobody stops you to check your ID or passport, which reflects an extraordinary level of trust in its visitors. Nobody hinders your photography, and you’re free from harassment or begging. Krakow is exceedingly safe, its shopping centers are abundant, and it offers the latest fashion trends. The prices are notably cheaper compared to neighboring Western European countries.
Polish cuisine is an attractive element for tourists, and Krakow boasts an array of diverse restaurants to suit every budget. For example, aside from the upscale restaurants, you can enjoy traditional Polish food at “Milk Bars,” which are part of the country’s cultural heritage. These cafeterias serve affordable Polish meals like pierogi (dumplings), potato cake, soup, and borscht, and you can even receive a liter of buttermilk with your meal, helping the working class to meet their nutritional needs during the communist era.
Milk Bars used to number 40,000, but today there are only 150. Tourists can also savor the local variety of pizza called “zapiekanki,” which consists of a large, open-faced sandwich made from half of a baguette. It’s topped with a mixture of sautéed ingredients and cheese, offering a very budget-friendly option.
With just an hour’s flight from Munich to Krakow, as a travel destination within the Schengen Area, you’ll experience the city without passport officers or anyone scrutinizing your identity. The extraordinary level of trust in European Union citizens and visitors is palpable, making tourists feel that everything is safe and comfortable. You won’t encounter the worst aspects of policing, suspicion, or cumbersome procedures that sometimes hinder the tourist experience.
The Old Town Square, known as “Rynek Główny,” is the vibrant heart of the city, dating back to the 13th century. This enormous square is always bustling with people, surrounded by restaurants and cafes on all sides. It is an ideal place for people to meet and connect. In the past, it served as the city’s commercial hub, where goods like silk, spices, leather, and wax were traded during the 15th century. Nowadays, tourists purchase souvenirs and savor local food from its stalls.
Krakow’s famous horse-drawn carriages are available in the Old Town Square, offering tourists a unique way to tour the city. It adds a touch of uniqueness to your visit, reminiscent of horse-drawn carriage tours in tourist destinations, particularly like those in Luxor, Egypt.
Furthermore, the open-air electric tour “tuk-tuk” with an electronic guide plays another significant role in the city. You simply put on the headphones, and the driver provides explanations and information about the places you are visiting.
Undoubtedly, the Old Town Square is the most popular tourist destination. It is surrounded by a complete circular green belt where tired tourists can relax on benches under the shade of tall trees.
What makes Krakow exceptional is the intersection of politics, historical battles, religious significance, and its natural beauty, all beautifully woven into the city’s tourism map. Besides the famous Nazi concentration camp, Auschwitz, and the horrors that took place within it, Wieliczka Salt Mine is one of the most fantastic places to visit. The journey begins by descending 850 steps to a depth of 100 meters, leading you through various levels, with a total distance of 300 meters, within which you can explore numerous rooms, artifacts, and artworks, all carved from salt.
The mine includes a hotel and even a wedding hall. The air inside the mine is healthy, and many people with respiratory problems go there for recuperation.
Since 2007, when it ceased operation, the mine has welcomed 41 million visitors up to now. It was discovered in the 13th century, and salt was extracted from it for over 700 years. Visitors are allowed to explore a 3-kilometer area out of the total 300-kilometer expanse of the entire mine.
Returning to Krakow is indeed a must. Exploring the Kazimierz district or the Jewish Quarter, where Jews lived in Poland before the Nazi occupation and their subsequent expulsion, offers an opportunity to witness this part of Polish history. Poland was home to three million Jews before World War II, making it one of the largest Jewish communities in Europe. However, today, only a few remain. Krakow is a city that deserves multiple visits, and when I visited it last June, I had no idea I would return just four months later. It won’t be my last time visiting, as I plan to return whenever circumstances allow.
