Poland's old royal capital came through the war physically intact, leaving the largest medieval square in Europe surrounded by an entirely walkable old town. Two and a half hours from the UK, and still one of the cheapest breaks in Europe.
Auschwitz-Birkenau and the Wieliczka salt mine are both nearby, and both need a full half-day.
Auschwitz is 90 minutes away and is not a sightseeing trip — it's a difficult, necessary three hours, and most people find the rest of that day is gone. We'd never put it on the same day as anything else, and we'd never put it on your last day. Wieliczka, a 700-year-old salt mine with chapels carved underground, is 30 minutes out and much lighter. Three nights lets you do the old town, one heavy morning and one light one without cramming.
The old town is compact and free to walk. The two big trips need booking ahead.
Europe's largest medieval square, with the Cloth Hall in the middle and a trumpeter breaking off mid-tune from St Mary's every hour.
The royal castle and cathedral on a limestone rise above the Vistula. Separate tickets for each part; the grounds are free.
Ninety minutes away. Free entry but you must book a timed slot months ahead in season; guided tours are compulsory in peak hours.
UNESCO-listed, 135 metres down, with entire chapels carved from rock salt. Around three hours including the walk.
The old Jewish quarter, now the best food and bar district in the city. Also where Schindler's Factory museum sits.
Pierogi, żurek soup and zapiekanka from the round hall in Kazimierz. A proper dinner with beer for under £15.
Everything worth seeing sits in or beside the old town, which is ringed by a park where the walls used to be.
Inside the Planty ring. Walk to the square in minutes. Lively, and noisy on weekend nights.
Fifteen minutes' walk south. Atmospheric, excellent restaurants, and better value than the square.
Across the river. The ghetto memorial and Schindler's Factory, with far fewer visitors.
Just outside the ring. Cheaper hotels, still a ten-minute walk in.
May, June and September are the most comfortable. December has the markets; January and February are freezing and very cheap.
Summer is warm and busy, with Auschwitz slots hardest to get. Winter drops well below freezing but the square under snow is magnificent and hotel rates collapse. The Christmas market runs from late November into early January. Spring and early autumn give you mild weather and easier bookings for both day trips.
2h 30m to John Paul II (KRK), well served from UK regional airports.
A train to Kraków Główny takes about 20 minutes and costs a couple of pounds.
Polish złoty, not euro. Cards are widely accepted; carry a little cash for markets.
Walk. The old town is small and trams cover anything further, including Kazimierz and Podgórze.
We'll come back with hotels near the square, both day trips booked, and the payment plan written out in full.
That's a personal decision and there's no wrong answer. If you do, book well ahead, go in the morning, and leave the rest of the day free.
Kraków very much so. Auschwitz has a minimum recommended age of fourteen, which the museum takes seriously.
Three. Two if you skip one of the day trips, four if you want both plus Zakopane in the mountains.
Yes. Poland remains one of the cheapest destinations in Europe for food and drink, though hotel rates have risen.
Flights, a central hotel and transfers as one package. We book the museum and gallery slots that sell out, and tell you which ones to book yourself.
Guide prices, per person, based on two sharing, including return flights, central accommodation and airport transfers. They indicate what a break of this type has typically cost and are not an offer or a quotation. Your price depends on dates, party, departure airport and availability, and is confirmed in writing before any payment is taken.
Ready-built itineraries with flights, transfers and internal hops booked as one package, ATOL protected. Every one can be reshaped around your dates.
10 nights · May–Jun, Sep–Oct · from £1,449pp
11 nights · May–Jun, Sep · from £1,149pp
10 nights · Mar–May, Sep–Nov · from £849pp
12 nights · Apr–May, Sep–Oct · from £2,399pp
11 nights · Nov–Apr · from £2,199pp
15 nights · Dec–Apr · from £2,399pp
