Krakow

Poland

Things to do in Krakow:

Krakow Restaurants

Cheap (35)

Polskie Smaki

A good-value lunch spot that's popular with locals. Queue up and take your pick from some hearty Polish soups and mains. read more
Affordable (33)

Trzy Papryczki Pizzeria

For those looking for something other than Polish cuisine, "The Three Peppers" rustles up excellent pizzas, with some eclectic takes on traditional toppings. read more
Good quality (42)

Marmolada

New for 2010, Marmolada has made its home just off the main square, and champions Polish dishes in a cheery, country farmhouse-type interior. read more

Krakow Nightlife

Chilled (43)

Caf� Zakatek

If you're trying to track down that elusive Kracovian atmosphere, The Nook is spot on. Botanical prints and other curiosities set the tone in this cosy, nostalgic haunt. read more
Live Music (33)

Szafe

By day, The Wardrobe is a sleepy caf� boasting some Narnian flourishes in the d�cor. By night, things go more sonic, with acoustic and electric gigs. The first Sunday of the month sees popular... read more
Clubbing (35)

Bomba

The Bomb has quickly found itself a loyal following since exploding onto the scene last winter. There's no dancefloor, but you'll find plenty of hipsters striking artful poses by the bar. read more

This Month in Krakow (March):

By Nick Hodge, www.cracow-life.com

Shopping: Krakow has long lacked a quality vintage shop, but Mulholland Drive has filled the gap. Finding the place is half the fun: head down to 4 Ulica Sw Katarzyny in Kazimierz, then climb up to the second floor, flat 9.

Sightseeing: The weather may still not be at its best so enjoy some of Krakow's indoor delights. Saunter over to the main branch of the National Museum for artistic inspiration. Not to be missed is the Gallery of 20th-Century Polish Art, this month complemented by a one-off retrospective of Marcin Maciejowski (Al 3 Maja 1).

Key areas: The kings may not have been in residence for a few centuries now, but there's still a mighty array of splendours to savour at Wawel Hill. Must-sees are the cathedral, the castle's renaissance courtyard, and if you're with kids, the marvellous dragon's lair.

Day trips: A perfect option if Mother Nature is not in the best of moods, the Wieliczka salt mines are listed by UNESCO. The Chapel of Saint Kinga - carved by miners - is one of the wonders of Europe. You'll find it just 30 minutes' south of the capital.

Krakow Trivia

March: Chopin, Poland's best-loved composer, wrote his first polonaise aged seven and on his end-of-year school report his teacher simply wrote "musical genius". The 200th anniversary of his birth falls on 1 March.
February: According to legend, the founder of the city, Prince Krak, is buried at the heart of the magnificent Kopiec Krakusa (The mound of Prince Krak).
January: Leonardo da Vinci's Lady with an Ermine is housed at the Princes Czartoryski Museum. Few know that the painting helped inspire the daemons in Philip Pullman's Dark Materials trilogy, as seen in Hollywood smash The Golden Compass.