Collegium Maius
The oldest surviving university building in Poland, dating to the 15th century. The arcaded Gothic courtyard is free to enter and is one of the most atmospheric spaces in Krakow.
Mine in Krakow
The Wieliczka Salt Mine is a UNESCO-listed underground complex 14 kilometers from Krakow, with carved chapels, salt sculptures, and an underground lake 135 meters below the surface. Entry is paid and guided tours are required. The Chapel of St Kinga, carved entirely from rock salt, is the highlight. Budget travelers take the cheap minibus from Krakow’s main bus station instead of a tour company and save on transport. The ticket price is worth it for a once-in-a-lifetime underground experience.
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Other places worth the walk, and what each one costs.
The oldest surviving university building in Poland, dating to the 15th century. The arcaded Gothic courtyard is free to enter and is one of the most atmospheric spaces in Krakow.
A Gothic church famous for Stanislaw Wyspianski's spectacular Art Nouveau stained glass windows and polychrome wall paintings. Free to enter, the interior is one of the most colorful sacred spaces in Poland and sits directly on the Royal Way between the Main Market Square and Wawel Castle.
The Galicia Jewish Museum in Kazimierz documents the Jewish heritage of southern Poland through photography, personal stories, and rotating exhibitions. Entry is a modest fee.
Kazimierz is Krakow's former Jewish quarter, now the city's most vibrant neighborhood for nightlife, street art, cafes, and cultural venues. Free to wander.
The Krakow Barbican is a circular Gothic fortification at the northern entrance to the Old Town, one of the few surviving barbicans in Europe. The exterior is free to see.
The Main Market Square in Krakow is the largest medieval town square in Europe, surrounded by townhouses, churches, and the Cloth Hall at its center. Free to enjoy at any hour.
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The whole of Krakow