Europe
Poland travel guide
Poland offers rich history at good prices. Kraków, the former royal capital, has a medieval old town and Wawel Castle, and it’s the base for visits to Wieliczka and the Auschwitz-Birkenau memorial.
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Poland at a glance
- Currency
- Polish złoty (PLN, zł), not the euro. Cards are widely accepted.
- Language
- Polish. English is widely spoken at sights, hotels and restaurants in the centre.
- Plugs
- Type C and E, 230 V.
- Emergency number
- 112
- Entry
- Part of the Schengen area. Check official entry rules for your passport before you travel.
- Getting around
- PKP Intercity trains connect Kraków with Warsaw and other Polish cities.
City guides for Poland
Kraków
Kraków’s historic centre was one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites, listed in 1978. The compact Old Town is ringed by the green Planty park. From the vast Main Square, the Royal Road leads down Grodzka Street to Wawel Castle and Cathedral, where Polish kings were crowned. South of Wawel lies Kazimierz, for centuries home to the city’s Jewish community. Across the river, Podgórze holds the Schindler’s Factory museum. Two or three days covers the city; add a day each for the Wieliczka Salt Mine and the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial.
If you only have one day in Kraków
- Main Square (Rynek Główny): Laid out in the 13th century, this is one of the largest medieval town squares in Europe, at about 3.8 hectares. It was rebuilt in 1257 after the Mongol attack of 1241. Around it stand the Cloth Hall, St Mary’s Basilica, the Town Hall Tower, the Mickiewicz Monument and the small church of St Adalbert.
- St Mary’s Basilica: A 14th-century Brick Gothic church with the great wooden altarpiece by Veit Stoss and wall paintings designed by Jan Matejko. Every hour a trumpeter plays the hejnał from the taller tower. The tune breaks off mid-melody, and at noon it is broadcast on Polish Radio.
- Wawel Castle & Cathedral: The seat of Polish kings for centuries. The castle has a Renaissance arcaded courtyard whose top arcade is taller than the lower ones. The cathedral next door was the coronation church; it holds the Royal Tombs, the golden-domed Sigismund Chapel and the Sigismund Bell, installed in 1521.
- Best time to go
- May–September for long days and outdoor cafés. The Wawel Dragon’s Den is open only from 24 April to 31 October. Winter is cold, but the Old Town is atmospheric and quieter.
- From the airport
- The SKA1 train runs to Kraków Główny in about 17 minutes for PLN 20 (2026, check). Buy tickets on the platform, on the train or in the KOLEO or Jakdojade apps; city-transport (MPK) tickets are not valid on the train.
Poland travel FAQ
How many days do I need in Kraków?
Two days covers the Old Town, Wawel and Kazimierz. Three days adds Schindler’s Factory or a day trip to Wieliczka; four lets you also visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial.
Does Poland use the euro?
No. Poland uses the złoty (zł). Cards are widely accepted.
Travelling to Poland?
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