Cracow - The Old Town
The Old Town is where most visitors will begin their tour of the city, and where many of the key landmarks are to be found. Since 1989, it has undergone a major transformation, and the place is now really getting into its stride. Cafes, restaurants and shops are flourishing, whilst the black soot that cloaked much of the city has been painstakingly removed. The dramatic arrival of democracy and a Free Market culture has, of course, been no bed of roses, but one cannot help feeling a sense of admiration at how the Cracovians have responded to the changes. The city's age-old character has not been lost. Rather, it has been given a new lease on life.
Orientation in the Old Town is straight forward enough. It was once ringed by a great wall, and a fragment of this still survives. Where its turrets once rose up, one now finds the Planty Gardens, which form an enchanting threshold to the city. The district has preserved its medieval layout, which, unusually, followed a grid pattern. This, combined with its relative compactness, means that it is difficult to get lost here. And besides, the principal streets all lead to the expansive Rynek, or Market Square. So once you have crossed the Planty, it is not a bad idea to forget about maps for an hour or two, and discover the city as it unfolds before you.
|  My wife and I have been to Krakow for the last 3 new years.This is a lovely city with very friendly and polite people. Not to be missed!!!!!!!! 
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reviewed by Ricky Hancock from United Kingdom on Dec.20.2011 |
| First time a few years ago I managed to take my 1st Overseas trip and was lucky to spend 3 days in this amazing parting of the world. I cannot wait to come back there and bring my family. |
reviewed by Jamie Borg from Australia on Dec.09.2010 |
| Krakow is the land of art |
reviewed by from Lebanon on Oct.31.2010 |
| Nice site. My Grandmother was born in Krakow. Her parents sent her to American at the age of 10 alone. I have family here. I would like to know if there is a site where I can speak to a person who is in Krackow to chat who is respectible.
Any help would be appreciated.
I hope to come to Krakow in the near future and it would be nice to find family. Thank You so much |
reviewed by Kathryn from United States on Apr.13.2010 |
| Krakow is truly beautiful and has a lovely atmosphere.Will definitely come back |
reviewed by Hæst Kuk from Norway on Mar.26.2010 |
| Have been in many historical citys, but Krakow is definately the best one.
Very friendly people and lovely places with a lot of charm. Will be back soon. |
reviewed by Leif Bredegaard from Denmark on Mar.25.2010 |
| Cracow has to be one the most wonderful cities in the world (and I've been around) Great bars and restaurants and friendly people. I just hope it doesn't go the way of Prague and end up with dozens of pissed English kids on stag nights |
reviewed by Martin from United Kingdom on Feb.05.2010 |
| going to krakow again for the 3rd time this new year,cant think of going anywhere else,counting the days..PARTY ON!!!!! |
reviewed by ang from United Kingdom on Dec.02.2009 |
| Such a magical Old Town. We loved Cracow on our tour of Europe. |
reviewed by Sally from United States on Jun.30.2009 |
| Thank God this city was not destroyed in the Second World War - the Old Town especially is an absolute gem. |
reviewed by Keith from United Kingdom on Mar.31.2009 |
| Nice site! I might study in Krakow and having visited a few times I appreciate learning a few new things. |
reviewed by Rob Dziuba from United States on Apr.04.2008 |
| excellent web site,very informative & extremely useful;very good for tourist information. |
reviewed by tony mcalister from United Kingdom on Feb.01.2008 |
| Why can't we get a hotel quote without giving ex-directory phone numbers etc? |
reviewed by from United Kingdom on May.30.2007 |
| While we don't have the possibility of having our own currency conversion yet, we recommend XE's currency converter, which has Polish Zloty:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/ |
reviewed by Cracow Life from Poland on May.16.2007 |
| It would be useful to have a currency exchange facility on thew site. |
reviewed by G. Croft from United Kingdom on May.08.2007 |