What to see in Wroclaw?

Wroclaw is a Polish city, the third largest in Poland, located in the southwest of the country, on the Oder River. Surrounded by canals, it is often called the Venice of the North.

Market Square

We’ll start with the Market Square. Not much to add when you see these beautiful buildings. The town hall, built in the 14th century, is particularly noteworthy, and here we’ll find the oldest brewery, which we visited in the evening and stayed for dinner.

The goblins of Wroclaw (Breslaw)

Some elves are waiting for us to tell us that in this city we will always walk looking down to find them.

You can explore the city by following the Gnome Trail. There are more than 300 small figures located at key points in the old town, representing different professions or even referencing the nearby building. If you pass by the old prison, you’ll find a gnome in shackles, or near the bank, you’ll find one withdrawing money from an ATM.

There’s even a map to help you find them all and have fun doing it with the kids; you can get it at the tourist office.

The goblins first appeared in Wrocław in 2005 and are a symbol of the peaceful anti-communist struggle initiated by the Orange Alternative movement in the 1980s. Back then, they painted figures on walls; today, they’ve become a symbol of the city.

As we’re used to, we had our first contact with the city through a free tour. It started to rain during the tour, but nothing stopped this tour, which was becoming more and more promising.

Book the free tour of Wroclaw

Solny Square

Just a few steps from the Market Square we find Plac Solny or Salt Square, a place, as its name suggests, where salt was traded.

The beauty of the colorful houses continues to impress us on this tour of what to see in Wroclaw.

Basilica of Saint Elizabeth

The number of churches you find during the walk makes you tempted to go into at least some of them to see their interiors, always magnificent, but I encourage you to visit two places that we recommend as essential, we continue the walk and now we go towards the first one

University of Wroclaw

We headed to the University of Wroclaw, and with the help of a wonderful guide, we took this tour in Spanish and were amazed by this baroque building, something that I was hoping to see because I had already planned the trip, but it still left me speechless upon entering. Official website of the University of Wroclaw

The Leopoldina Hall, the largest and most representative part of the main building of the University, is a late Baroque monument and was erected in the years 1728-1732.

Highlights of this visit to the university include, as we mentioned, the Leopoldina Hall, which captured our attention, as well as the entrance to the Baroque Marian Oratory and the climb to the terrace, from which you can enjoy beautiful views of the city. As I mentioned, we had already booked the guided tour in Spanish, and it was well worth it.

Book a guided tour of the University of Wroclaw

The price of the common entrance is 12pln (3 euros), but they have a guided tour that lasts approximately an hour and a quarter, it is in Spanish and the entrance fee is 19 euros.

Cathedral Island

The Cathedral of St. John the Baptist and its island are the next stop, along with the Bridge of Love, a picturesque bridge covered in padlocks. The entire tour is a joy in itself. You can take a boat ride on the river. We didn’t because the weather was very changeable both days, with periods of significant rain, but nothing dampened our tour of Wroclaw.

The city revolves around the Öder River: the historic center is made up of twelve islands connected by 130 bridges, forming a landscape that, as we said, some have dubbed the Venice of the North. We may or may not agree with the nickname, but what we can say is that it’s one of the most beautiful cities in Poland, and given the number of beautiful cities in this country, that’s saying something.

Wrocław Market (Hala Targowa)

Before heading off to the other recommended visit, we’ll stop at the market. I personally really enjoy visiting markets, especially when you’re surrounded by locals shopping. The walk takes a slow pace, allowing you to enjoy the experience with all your senses.

What to see in Krakow

Inside we found a milk bar, one of those we mentioned in other posts about Poland, which are restaurants with very cheap prices that appeared during the communist era in Poland, and which today remain more of a typical restaurant, although they are still used by locals. The prices are very reasonable and the food is very good.

That’s if you don’t expect luxury when you sit down to eat; you’ll buy at the counter, pay, and then find a table.

Panorama Raclawice

After regaining our energy, we headed to another place that, although we had planned to go, we didn’t imagine it would have such an impact on us: the Raclawice Panorama.

In our case, we had never seen a panoramic painting, so the impact was even greater, but I promise you it’s worth the visit.
But as soon as you arrive, you feel like you’re literally stepping into the painting, like you’ve become part of it. It’s impossible to describe the sensation with words.

Upon arrival, you’ll be given an audio guide in Spanish so you don’t miss any details of the work’s explanation. This 15-meter-high, 114-meter-long, eight-panel work depicts the Battle of Racławicka in 1794, in which the Poles defeated the Russians.

The painting has a long history. It was censored for a long period and not exhibited until 1985, when this space was built exclusively for its display.
The ticket price is 50 PLN (11 euros), and you can get it on the spot. When we went, they didn’t have a time slot available, so we got ours for the last minute that afternoon. However, you can also get it online at the Official website of Wroclaw Museums

Other places to see in Wroclaw

But… What else to see in Wroclaw?

During the tour, we’ll come across places like the old meat market, a place that was once used for meat sales, and which today is occupied by craft shops—a lovely spot to discover in Wroclaw.
Also the Hansel and Gretel houses, these two buildings connected by an arch are named after the characters in the tale published by the Brothers Grimm.

We will also stop by the curious Spanish bookstore.

Electric car ride around the city

We will continue the walk towards the Jewish quarter, where we find the White Stork Synagogue.

The White Stork Synagogue was built in 1829 and was the only synagogue in Wrocław to survive being burned down on Kristallnacht.

A little further away we find the sculpture Anonymous Passerby, where a group of people sink beneath the street to appear on the other side.

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Neon Side Gallery

At night, it’s a great place to go, and I highly recommend the Neon Side gallery. A place full of vintage neon signs, where you’ll find some bars.

Thanks to a city resident who bought, repaired, and displayed these old signs, we can enjoy them.

If you read the Warsaw post you’ll remember that we went to a neon museum, where a series of signs were on display.

Map and video

NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience and is entirely objective. This article contains affiliate links.

La entrada Things to see in Wroclaw, Poland se publicó primero en Europa acompañada.

High Gate

We will cross the Puerta Alta and travel back in time, immersing ourselves in the route of the Camino Real.

The Royal Road in Gdańsk, also called the Royal Route, was the longest urban axis in the European Middle Ages. It was the place of parades and entry of Polish kings into the city.

We leave you here a tour of the city but a very good idea is to take a guided tour, the free tour of Gdansk is the one we have chosen to do and it has been very good.

Prison Tower

The Prison Tower ( Wieża Więzienna) was built in the 14th century as one of the city’s defensive systems that in turn served as a prison and torture chamber.

Are you going to visit Warsaw?►What to see in Warsaw in 3 days

Golden Gate

We will immediately pass through another gate, the Golden Gate.

The Golden Gate (Złota Brama ),is a  Renaissance gate with Dutch and Italian influence, built in the 17th century over an earlier Gothic one.

From the Golden Gate and up to the Green Gate we will walk along Dluga Street. A pedestrian street that concludes at Długi Targ (Long Market), we will then walk along this Royal Road.

The beauty of the buildings that open up before our eyes is something impressive to see in Gdansk. We immediately noticed the Flemish influence in the buildings, Gdansk was a trading city and that brought a lot of influence from other places to its buildings.

A sunset boat tour in Gdansk is a great option to end a day in this fairytale city.

Neptune’s Fountain and Long Market Square

To say that we stop here to enjoy this fountain and place is superfluous, they will do it without thinking about it.

The fountain of Neptune was inaugurated in October 1633, in 1634 the grille that surrounds it was placed.

Here next to the fountain we find the Court of Artus.

Are you going to visit Krakow?►What to see in Krakow in 4 days

Artus’ Court

The Artus Court has been the commercial epicentre of the city. For 600 years, guilds and corporations had the custom of meeting here. Today, the building is one of the most impressive in the centre, having been founded in 1350. Inside we find a unique monument – an 11-metre-high tiled stove. ►Artus Court website

It can be visited. We get the Visit Gdansk pass and it is included in it. The ticket price is 23 PLN (€5)

Here is a brewery that I recommend visiting. Piwnica Rájcow. It’s a basement just behind the fountain, the two of us have dinner there. Some very good typical Polish dishes, and spectacular beers, apart from the place that is really very beautiful.

Town hall

 This beautiful town hall is notable for its imposing tower, which houses the city clock. The tower is crowned by a statue of Sigismund II, who seems to watch over the city.  Another must-see in Gdansk

Inside it houses the Museum of the History of Gdansk. During the summer you can also visit the lookout tower The entrance fee is 16 PLN,3.50 is included in the Visit Gdansk.

As always, we did the first tour of the city with a free tour, a local Polish guide who helped us a lot to get to know the city.

Basilica of Santa Maria

We go to the church that we can see in the whole city, the Basilica of Santa Maria.

St. Mary’s Basilica in Gdansk is the largest Catholic church in Poland and the largest brick church in Europe.

The truth is that it is a nice visit to make, inside you will find an astronomical clock like those we have seen in Prague, Strasbourg or Olomouc.

Entrance to the church is free, but if you want to climb the tower, the cost is 14PLN. 3 We did it and we recommend it, but be aware that there are a lot of steps to the top, but the views are magnificent.

Mariacka Street

We will now walk along what is perhaps the most beautiful street in Gdansk, Mariacka Street.

It runs from the Basilica of St. Mary to the Mariacka Gate, which leads to the river. The houses of the old merchants have steps leading to the street and gargoyles to drain rainwater, all of which makes it a very charming street.

The current traders open their shops to the street where we find amber, because Gdansk is the capital of Baltic amber and we will find it in jewelry and articles. Later we will see a museum dedicated to it and also a church altar.

Green Door

We will go back and pass through the Green Gate to finish this royal path. The Green Gate (Zielona Brama) is the largest gate in Gdansk. It was built in the mid-16th century as the formal residence of the Polish kings.

Our steps cross it and we will reach the river.

Medieval Crane

It is considered the oldest and largest medieval port crane in Europe, it was built in the fifteenth century.

The walk here will be transformed and we will start next to the river, charming restaurants, magical corners unfold before us.

The port of Gdansk is another of the most beautiful areas to take a leisurely walk.

Gdansk Ferris Wheel

We will enjoy seeing the drawbridges and crossing to climb the Ferris wheel of Gdansk, Amber Sky.

The price of the ticket is 37 PLN (€8), they have a discount with the Visit Gdansk, although it is not a must, we enjoy doing it.

On this side they also find the typical letters of the city to take pictures. As you can see in Gdansk we do everything on foot as the distances are short.

Walking from here we will arrive at one of the most interesting museums we have visited.

World War II Museum

The museum is very complete, the truth is that I was amazed by it, it is focused on the whole conflict not only in Poland. We stayed inside the museum for about three hours

The museum was opened in 2017, Gdansk was the place where World War II began on September 1, 1939.

The entrance fee is 25 PLN (€5.5), it is included in the Visit Gdansk and has free admission day. ►World War II Museum website

The only bad thing about this museum is that the audio guides do not speak Spanish. This seems very strange, it has not happened to us anywhere else, and I hope that by the time you go it will have changed. They have an audio guide in English and the signs are in English too. In any case, I recommend it as a must-see in Gdansk.

Retracing our steps towards the old town we will admire the Grand Armoury.

Grand Armory

Another of the buildings to stop and admire its beauty is the Great Armoury. It was built at the beginning of the seventeenth century as a storage place for the city’s armaments.

We continue walking to visit a market

Gdansk Market (Hala Targowa)

It dates back to 1896 and is built on the remains of a 12th century Romanesque church that can be seen inside. As we are great market lovers, we couldn’t miss it. The building is beautiful and apart from that, there are the remains of the Romanesque church that can be seen.

Amber Museum

We said that amber is something characteristic of this city, and that is how we found the Amber Museum, a visit that is worth it if you want to know more about this resin with which jewelry and other implements are made.

The museum is interesting, the entrance fee is 32PLN (7 euros) and it is included in the Visit Gdansk

It is located in an old mill from the fourteenth century that is located in front of the Santa Catalina Church.

St. Catherine’s Church is the oldest church in Gdansk. This area is very beautiful too, we will find the Church of San Nicolás and the Old Town Hall of the city

Basilica of St. Brigid

If we talk about churches and amber, we will visit what I believe is also a must-see in the city, a not-so-visited gem, the Church of Santa Brigida.

There we will find the altar made of amber, we were lucky enough to meet the artist who still makes it and who told us something about his work and showed us all the details, it is really magnificent.

Gdansk Central Station

Another place to see and very close to where we started is the Gdansk Central Station. Built in 1900, it is a very beautiful building.

We left for last, before showing you the accommodation, a highly recommended place and the places where we had dinner, we left as we said the visit in which we were transported by car in our case.

Museum of Solidarity

The European Center of Solidarność is a museum dedicated to preserving and exposing the trade union struggle and message of the Solidarity organization, as well as the democratic anti-communist opposition of Eastern Europe.

It is an interesting museum to visit that shows us that part of the history of Poland. It is located in the shipyards where the union was born and tells the story of the union and of Lech Walesa.

The museum is very interesting as I was saying, we were also inside for more than two hours. In this case, it does have audio guides in Spanish.

The entrance fee is 30PLN ( €7 approx), included in the Visit Gdansk.►Web European Centre Solidarnosc

Next to the museum are other buildings and monuments related to the history of the union as well as of the activities carried out by the shipyard workers, such as the Monument to the shipyard workers fallen in 1970.

Where do we stay?

Apart Neptun was the place chosen, very spacious room, good service and breakfast and very good location. Parking next door which is always good more when you’re in a historic center.

If you are in the car and want to add places the

Westerplatte Peninsula

The Westerplatte Peninsula can be one of the places to visit if you like history, it was the place of the beginning of World War II.

Malbork Castle

And the other visit to see near Gdansk is Malbork Castle, about 60 kilometers away. This Teutonic castle is the largest in Europe built in brick. This can be a nice visit to make if you have the time.

Map and video

NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience, being totally objective. This article contains affiliate links

La entrada What to see in Gdansk, one of the most beautiful cities in Poland se publicó primero en Europa acompañada.

Situated on the banks of the Vistula River, it is one of the largest, most important and oldest cities in Poland and for much of Polish history it was the capital of the country.

Day 1, what to see in Krakow

Already staying in the historic center. What better than taking a tour of Krakow? Krakow Old Town Tour

As I always say, starting with a free tour is a good idea as soon as you arrive in a city you don’t know. With the help of someone who speaks our language, we can understand a little more about the place and its people and begin the tour with what there is to see in Krakow.

A must in Krakow is to take an excursion to theAwschwitz Birkenau area, which we will talk about later in the post.

Market Square

What better place to start touring what there is to see in Krakow than in this immense square, it is the largest medieval square in Europe, surrounded by churches, and beautiful buildings, there are many things we can see here.

Basilica of Santa Maria

The Basilica of Santa Maria will perhaps take our attention. Built in the 14th century, it is one of the most important, well-known and must-see monuments in Krakow.

The two towers of different heights will perhaps catch our attention. The highest tower is used to sound a trumpet every hour with a melody recognizable to all Poles, in honour of a watchman killed while blowing his trumpet to warn the citizens of an arrow during a siege of the city (which is why the song suddenly stops), and then the trumpeter greets all of us below. In the past, it was used to inform about the opening and closing of the city gates, as well as fires and enemy attacks.

The entrance to the basilica costs 15PLN (3.50 €), it is included in the Krakow pass. I will tell you about the tourist pass later. During the summer months you can also visit the tower to see the touch, the cost is 20PLN (4.50 €).

Cloth Market

We cross and go to the Cloth Market.

Located in the centre of the Market Square, the Cloth Hall was opened in the 13th century with a group of stalls that were later transformed into the building we see today.

It is undoubtedly an attractive building, inside we find many souvenir shops, a good time to buy something to take back with us, but perhaps the construction is what draws our attention the most.

►What to see in Warsaw

Old Town Hall Tower

We continue to be dazzled by this square and turn our gaze towards the town hall tower.

Built in the 14th century, it is the only part of the old Town Hall that has been preserved since it was demolished in 1820. It is possible to climb it to get a view of the city. The cost of the climb is 18 PLN (€4), it is included in the Krakow Pass.

Free tour of Krakow.

The Eros Bendato is a sculpture in the shape of a head, it is located in the western corner of the Market Square. The head belongs to Eros, the Greek god of love and desire. Made in 1999 for an exhibition organized in 2003/2004, it was later donated by the author and remained in Krakow.

The church of Santa Bárbara also occupies a place in this square.

The Church of St. Adalbert is another of the highlights of this square, a small church that often goes unnoticed.

Rynek underground museum.

This visit is different, I personally really enjoyed doing it, it is like going down to the basement of the city. The square has more to offer us, not only what we see on the surface but we can go down and learn about Krakow’s past.

Walking between the Cloth Hall and St. Mary’s Church, we may not realise that some 4 metres below ground lies a magnificent place to discover, as we said, Krakow’s past.

The museum was founded in 2005 after a series of archaeological investigations, which uncovered previously unknown historical facts and various objects from ancient times.

Rinek underground museum is a museum located in an archaeological excavation that has interactive exhibits that tell you about the past. As I was saying, I really liked it, but I have found mixed opinions about the visit. I think that, like everything, it depends on your tastes.

The entrance fee is 28 PLN (6.20€) and is included in the Krakow Pass

St. Peter and St. Paul Church

We will arrive at the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul. It is the largest church in the centre of Krakow considering the number of worshippers it can accommodate. It was built between 1597 and 1619.

St. Florian’s Gate and Barbican

Crossing this old town completely, we arrive at the Gate of St. Florian and crossing it to the Barbican.

The Barbican was built in 1499, but today the route is just a climb up the stairs and a walk around it, but it is still attractive. The entrance fee is 16 PLN (3.60 €), which is included in the Kraków card.

For this first day, dedicating it to the old town, its streets, taking the free tour and enjoying the square will be a good plan. Enjoy it little by little, don’t tire yourself out, we’ll continue tomorrow.

Day 2 what to see in Krakow

Wawel Hill

Our morning will be dedicated to Wawel Hill and Castle. Another of the must-sees in Krakow.

We will also arrive on foot because it is close to the historic centre. Wawel Hill, inhabited for thousands of years, was the site of the construction of the castle that we still see today and which was the first residence of the Polish kings.

After this long life and changes, today there are several parts open to the public and it is one of the most visited places in Krakow.

Wawel Cathedral

Let’s start with the Wawel Cathedral. Built between 1320 and 1364, it is a gothic church with three naves. It was the traditional coronation place of Polish monarchs.

Inside we can see the Sigismund Chapel, the Mausoleum of St. Etanislaus, the crypt and the Sigismund Bell. The latter is one of the visits we enjoyed doing, after climbing a wooden staircase you can see the famous Sigismund Bell built in 1520.

To access these places the entrance fee is 22 PLN (5€ approx).

Royal Palace

The other visit is the Royal Palace. Inside there are several rooms to see, the lost Wawel (in the basement), the State Rooms, the Royal Apartments, the Crown and Armoury Museum and the Museum of Oriental Art. Each one has separate entrances so you can visit the ones you choose. It has free entrance on Mondays, at certain times and dates.

They also have the John Paul II Cathedral Museum on the hill.

►All the information on the Wawel Castle website

Wawel Dragon Cave

And finally, the Dragon’s Cave. Legend has it that the Wawel Dragon lived here. The cave has tunnels that lead to the banks of the Vistula, where you can see a sculpture of the dragon. The entrance fee to the cave is 9 PLN (2€), but you can see the dragon for free as it circles around the outside of the hill.

Church of San Francisco de Asís

A walk back to the old town will take us to the Church of St. Francis of Assisi with the Monastery of the Franciscan Order on the west side of All Saints Square and in front of the Episcopal Palace , residence of Pope John Paul II during his stay in the city.  The church dates back to the 13th century. 

We walk back slowly towards the old town and we will take the opportunity to end the day in a museum.

Czartoryski Museum

The museum has works and furniture but perhaps most of us will come here for the famous painting The Lady with an Ermine by Leonardo Da Vinci

Admission is 60 PLN (€13.50) and is included with the Karokow Pass. On Tuesdays it has free admission.►More info on the museum’s website

Day 3, what to see in Krakow

Today we will go to the Jewish quarter, and the old ghetto of Krakow and we will do it with the free tour of the Jewish quarter and the ghetto, which if you remember I told you that accompanied us on the first day on the introductory tour to the city.

Kazimierz

We will start in the Old Town, in Planty Park and head to the Jewish cemetery and the Remu Synagogue.

The New Jewish Cemetery is a historical necropolis located on Miodowa Street in the former Jewish quarter of Kazimierz, covering an area of ​​about 4.5 hectares. Since 1999, the cemetery has been a registered heritage monument.

We enter Kazimierz, bars, shops appear before our eyes, undoubtedly a charming neighborhood, and there the Remu Synagogue.

Remuh Synagogue

Built in the mid-16th century, the Remuh Synagogue is the smallest in Kazimierz and the only one still active today. On a visit to the synagogue you can see its old cemetery in which, despite the destruction suffered at the hands of the Nazis, numerous tombstones are still preserved. The entrance fee is 10 pln (approximately 2 euro) and is included in the Krakow Pass.

And then to eat a zapiekanka at Plac Nowy. Surrounded by antique sales, it is something we could not resist. I recommend them!

Several of the scenes in Schindler’s List have been filmed in this neighborhood.

►Tour of the sets of the film ‘Schindler’s List’, another possible tour to see in Krakow.

We will also pass through several synagogues, but also through a church, the Minor Basilica of Corpus Christi.

We will now leave the Jewish quarter to enter what was the Jewish ghetto of Krakow and for this we will cross a very beautiful bridge

Father Bernatek Bridge

Opened on 30 September 2010, the Father Bernatek Pedestrian Bridge spans both sides of the Vistula River, linking the districts of Kazimierz and Podgórze. Since 2016, the bridge has been adorned with nine gravity-defying acrobatic sculptures.

The bridge is also called by lovers because of the number of padlocks left on it.

Podgórze

We now cross over to what was once the Jewish ghetto. In 1941, the Podgórze district was transformed into the Krakow ghetto, a place of operation that separated the Jewish population from the rest. Before that event, the district had 3,000 inhabitants. The number rose to 15,000, who lived crowded together in houses and buildings.

Plaza to the heroes of the ghetto.

The Krakow Chairs Monument is located in the Ghetto Heroes Square and is a site that we cannot miss. This was the main square of the Ghetto, so it was precisely in this place where the Nazis selected the people who would be fit to work or those who were to be transferred to concentration camps such as Auschwitz.

Each of the chairs in the ghetto in Heroes’ Square symbolically represents 1000 Jews who lost their lives, after being deported and executed by the Nazis. 

The monument was donated by Roman Polanski, the famous film director. He himself is a Holocaust survivor, who spent his childhood in Krakow.

On the corner of the square we find the Bajo El Águila pharmacy, the only non-Jewish Pole who was allowed to live in the ghetto and who helped many of its inhabitants to survive.

The pharmacy can be visited, we found it closed. The entrance fee is 18 pln (4 €).

Javier accompanied us here on the tour. Thank you for your help! (photo)

If you want Javier’s contact information to organize several guided tours around Krakow, ask me via message on Instagram. Anyway, I’ll leave the link in the description for those who want to do the free tour, both the introduction to the city and the Jewish quarter.

Óskar Schindler Factory Museum

A short distance from here we found the Schindler’s Factory Museum, and so we went.

The entrance fee is 32 PLN (€7.20), it is included in the Krakow Pass.

►Guided tour of Schindler’s Factory

Although you might think that the exhibition will be about the factory and the story of how Oskar Schindler employed Jewish workers, thus saving them from an announced end, the exhibition is actually broader and shows the  history of the city from the end of 1939 to the communist  era into which it was plunged after the end of the war.

The tour through the factory features exhibits, reconstructions, images and sounds that take you back to the hard times that Jews in Poland experienced during the Nazi occupation. But as I said, if you are looking for the history of the factory, this is not the focus. It is also a good idea to take this tour with a guide to get the most out of it.

We return to the Jewish quarter to continue enjoying this sunny afternoon and end the day in the old town.

As always, the maps accompany us so we don’t get lost, and thanks to the fact that we have unlimited internet with Holafly’s eSims. Throughout our last trip we have changed countries several times and thanks to the eSim Europe of unlimited internet we are always connected. Discount code: EUROPAACOMPAÑADA5

Nova Huta

To end the day we went by car, but you can do it by public transport, to Nowa Huta, a communist-era neighborhood. You can see here the typical constructions of the time. Perhaps with more time we would have discovered more but it is not something that we highlight to do if you do not have time to spare. There is a free tour, we didn’t do it, maybe it’s a good way to discover the neighborhood.

►Free tour of Nowa Huta

Day 4 What to see in Krakow

For this last day of things to see in Krakow, moving away from the city a little, you can choose to visit the Auschwitz concentration camp, the Wieliczka salt mine, or the town where John Paul II was born, Wadowice.

Three totally different visits from each other, but all very interesting.

Auschwitz-Birkenau

The first, a visit to Auschwitz/Birkenau, is a visit for which you have to be emotionally prepared, because it is a tough visit to make.

If you go on your own you can do it by car about 70 kilometers away or by public transport, they have buses that make the journey, and the tickets if you get them in time on the official website, because you can’t imagine the number of people there are. The cost is 90 PLN (20€)

The other way, if you want to complicate it less, is a guided tour from Krakow, around €40/50. ►Book Auschwitz tour from Krakow

Wieliczka Salt Mine

The second visit I recommend as a must from Krakow and is the Wieliczka Salt Mine.

You can also go on your own by car (about 14 kilometers), or by public transport there is a train that covers the route, and buy tickets in advance for the tour in Spanish on the official website. The entrance fee is 82 PLN (just over 18€).

They also have tours in English from Krakow, the price is around €50, if you don’t want to complicate things, it is more practical. ►Book Salt Mine Tour from Krakow

It is a wonderful tour, you are impressed by the beauty sculpted inside, a visit that I recommend doing.

They have a tour that does both of the above mentioned visits on the same day, starting in Awschwitz and continuing with a visit to the salt mines, the price of which is around €100. ►Auschwitz and Wieliczka Salt Mines Tour

Wadowice, John Paul II’s route

And finally, there may be those who want to visit the town of Juan Pablo Segundo and try his favorite dessert.

The city is Wadowice, about 50 kilometers from Krakow. We went by car, but you can also go by bus.

There are also guided excursions, around €100. ►John Paul II Tour from Krakow

Where do we stay?

Krakow for you was the place chosen. Small apartments in the heart of the historic center, the location is excellent. They have reception, the only con are the stairs to carry the suitcases.

Where do we have dinner?

To eat during the day they have what they call milk bars, they are bars from the communist era and the food is very cheap, you will find them all over Poland, we visited them in Gdansk and Wroclaw, not here.

For dinner we chose several, Wesele, Stodola 47 and Chlopskie Jadlo.

What has been said in Warsaw, try the foods on the Polish menu will not disappoint you and the prices are usually not as expensive as in other cities in Europe.

Always remember to travel with health insurance, we use Iati, I leave you our link with a discount.►5% discount on Iati travel insurance

Map & Video

NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience, being totally objective. This article contains affiliate links

La entrada What to see in Krakow in 4 days se publicó primero en Europa acompañada.

Before starting we will take into account that the currency of Poland is not the euro but the zloty, as of today the conversion is 1€ = 4.50 PLN approximately

Day 1 what to see in Warsaw

Old Town

Warsaw’s Old Town is a must-see, a town that has been completely rebuilt after the war and has been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List due to its meticulous reconstruction.

Here, as we always do, we started with a free tour. It was a pleasure to do so with the help of a local Polish guide who spoke perfect Spanish and was able to give us meaningful details about the history of this city.

►Free tour of Warsaw

Market Square

We will start at Rynek Stare Miasto Square, the accommodation that we will see later was here, this square with the little mermaid in the middle. The mermaid protects the city of Warsaw.

The charm of the buildings that surround it, the bars distributed throughout it, the color and the people make this a place with a very special charm, but I promise you this is only the beginning of a tour that will not lack charm and history.

In the square we find the City Museum, a very interesting museum where you will find a lot of information about Warsaw, from its beginnings through all the hard times, and its reconstruction. The entrance fee is 25 PLN for the permanent exhibition, 20 PLN for the temporary exhibition and 35 PLN for the combined ticket (7.70 euros).

The excursion to Awschwitz Birkenau can also be done from Warsaw if you are not going to visit Krakow.

Warsaw Cathedral

We are now heading to the Warsaw Cathedral.

St. John’s Cathedral also suffered damage that left it completely destroyed and has been rebuilt. Its construction dates back to the fourteenth century and is the oldest church in Warsaw. The cathedral is considered a World Heritage Site for its architectural beauty.

The cathedral can be visited for free, but if you want to access the pantheon and chapels at the entrance it costs 5 PLN

Kanonia Square

We set off on our walk towards the castle but we stop to see a large bell. This bell  was forged for the Jesuit church, but it was never hung. It is said that perhaps the materials used were of poor quality, there are cracks in it and that is why the bell never fulfilled its function.

But they say you have to go around the bell three times to get back to Warsaw. Of course we did!

►Free Tour of the FifthArsovia Ghetto

Warsaw Castle

Our steps will take us slowly, this time, to the Royal Castle of Warsaw.

Located in the Castle Square is a palacio baroque-neoclassical palace. It was the official residence of the Polish kings until 1795 and is currently the seat of the Polish Foundation of History and Culture, which has fitted out part of the castle as a museum, the Castle Museum. The entrance fee is PLN 30 (about 6.70 euros).

This castle is the starting point of the touristic “Royal Route” in Warsaw. The Royal Route starts from the Royal Castle towards the Wilanów Palace in the south.

In this Castle Square we will highlight the column of Sigismund III, responsible for moving the country’s capital from Krakow to Warsaw.

►What to see in Krakow

Santa Ana Church

Another thing to highlight is the Church of St. Anne. Apart from being one of the oldest and most beautiful churches in Poland, you can climb up there and get some beautiful views. I recommend it. Entrance to the church is free and the price to go up to the viewing platform is 5PLN (just over 1 euro).

We continue walking along Krakowskie Street, and we arrive at the presidential palace.

This building during its first 175 years was the private residence of several aristocratic families. From  1818 the palace began to be used as a government building.

Also to the University of Warsaw.

If you travel at Christmas, taking a Christmas tour of Warsaw is a very good plan!

Throughout the tour we use the map to be able to guide us in the itinerary, for this and many more things we need internet. We travel with Holafly eSims, which have unlimited internet throughout Europe. Discount code: EUROPAACOMPAÑADA5

We see many churches on the walk and also statues such as the one of the physicist and chemist twice Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie.

As we said at the beginning, Warsaw had to be rebuilt. In 1953 the first phase of reconstruction began, using the rubble itself as far as possible, following old paintings, such as those of Bernardo Bellotto, as models to see what the city was like. Today we see Belotto’s paintings in front of some buildings.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

We walk just a few steps and head to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier located in the remains of the Saski Palace, a palace destroyed during the Second World War, and which is now undergoing excavations that will lead to a reconstruction. It is a symbolic tomb commemorating the unknown soldiers who fell in battle fighting for the freedom of Poland.

Frédéric Chopin

Let’s end the day with some history of Frederic Chopin. The famous composer and pianist was born in Warsaw, more precisely in a village 60 km from the city. Although his body remains in Paris, in the Pére Lachaise cemetery as we have seen in one of our Paris videos, the musician’s last will was obeyed, removing his heart and depositing it in the Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw.

Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw

We visit the Church of the Holy Cross in Warsaw where one of its pillars preserves the heart of Chopin.

You can enter for free.

Almost opposite we find the monument to Nicolaus Copernicus, also Polish. From here we took the free tour we did through the city.

Frédéric Chopin Museum

And finally we will visit the Frédéric Chopin museum. The ticket price is 25 pln (5.50 euros approximately), this ticket is included in the Warsaw Pass.

We got the Warsow pass, and several of the tickets were made with that pass, in our case we did not take advantage of it enough and we did not achieve savings, but as all the itineraries are different perhaps the option can be useful to you.

Day 2 what to see in Warsaw

Today we will visit another area of Warsaw and head to a building identified with the communist era in Warsaw and from where we will get fabulous views of the city.

Palace of Culture and Science

Construction began in 1952 and was completed in 1955. A gift from the  USSR  to Poland. The architecture of the building is closely linked to other skyscrapers built in the USSR during the same period.

The building was controversial from the start. Some Poles disliked the building because it was a symbol of the Soviets, and even suggested its demolition to build a park with a pond. But the building is undoubtedly already a symbol that we identify with the city.  

In the Palace of Culture there are theaters, museums, cinema, restaurants, swimming pool, shopping arcade, and more.

The observation deck is located on the 30th floor, opening hours are daily from 10am to 8pm and the entrance fee is 25 PLN (€5.50) and is free with the Warsaw Pass.

It is a must to see in Warsaw, I really enjoyed making this visit.

Hala Mirowska

A stop at a market is always a nice option. Hala Mirowska Market. Built between 1899 and 1902, it was Warsaw’s first major restoration complex and also the largest market in the city. The buildings were partially destroyed during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 and restored to their original function as a market in the 1950s and 1960s.

European Square

Let’s go to the typical letters of the city. It is in the modern part of Warsaw between tall buildings, very different from anything we saw yesterday.

Warsaw Uprising Museum

Our next step will be a visit to the Warsaw Uprising Museum. The Warsaw Uprising was the largest civilian rebellion against Nazi Germany in the Second World War.  Polish troops resisted the German attack for 63 days, but lacking Allied support, they were overcome by the much better equipped German troops. 

The museum reflects this history and is well worth a visit to learn about the strong history of Warsawians. The entrance fee is 30 zlt, (6.50 € approx).

Prague Quarter

To end the day we move away a little, and on the other side of the river we go to the Praga neighborhood and a very special museum.

Neon Museum

The tour of this very alternative neighborhood will also take us to the Neon Museum.

The museum houses more than 200 illuminated signs. Examples of illuminated advertising from the communist years that have long since fallen into oblivion are on display here. The entrance fee is 16 zł.

St. Florian’s Cathedral

In the Praga district is the beautiful St. Florian’s Cathedral, we do not enter inside, admission is free.

Day 3 what to see in Warsaw

On this last day we will start in the old town and then head to what was once the Warsaw ghetto and get into that part of history.

Barbican

We will start with a tour to the Barbican and the walls. The Warsaw Barbican is the gate that connects the Old City with the new part of the capital, those parts that we have been seeing in the previous two days.

The tour around the wall and the old town looking for places with views of the Vistula is pleasant and is a nice walk. Walking we arrive at a monument where we see a child in military attire.

Little Insurrectionist Statue

It is a statue in commemoration of the child soldiers who fought and died during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944 that we have already talked about.

And our steps now take us to the Warsaw monument that we have perhaps seen the most in images. The Warsaw Uprising Monument.

Monument to the Warsaw Uprising

 It is a monument dedicated to the fighters who lost their lives during the Warsaw Uprising of 1944.

The complex has been described as “the most important post-war monument in Warsaw”, as well as being one of the essential places to see in Warsaw.

To introduce ourselves to the part of what was the Warsaw ghetto we did it through a free tour, coincidentally we got the same local guide that we had already had in the introduction to the city and it was a very good tour.

►Free Tour of the FifthArsovia Ghetto

Today what were the limits of the ghetto are marked on the floor, the tour is accompanied by explanations and photos that he shows us to illustrate what it was like.

Umschlagplatz Monument

The Umschlagplatz memorial is located at the site where transports of Jews to the Treblinka extermination camp departed in 1942. Its shape combines that of the ghetto wall and a railway carriage, and the names of more than four hundred victims are engraved on the inside of its walls.

Monument to the Heroes of the Ghetto

We end the free tour at the monument to the Heroes of the Ghetto.

The Warsaw ghetto uprising was an uprising of the Jews of the ghetto against German troops when Germany decided to begin the mass deportation of Jews to the extermination camps ofMajdanek and Treblinka. 

This monument was created a few years after the end of World War II in memory of all those who had fought and died in the Warsaw ghetto. It was at its feet, in 1970, that German Chancellor Willy Brandt knelt to ask forgiveness for the crimes committed by the Third Reich.

Polin Museum

And we are next to a museum that is worth visiting and it is the Polin Museum.

The Polin Museum, history of Polish Jews. The POLIN Museum is a complete exhibition, a journey through more than a thousand years of history and tradition of  the Jewish community in Poland. A good place to visit after the free tour is over, because at least the one we did ended here.

The entrance fee is zlt 30. It is included in the tourist pass.

What else to see in Warsaw

As we always had more places to see in Warsaw, we could add here the Lazienki Park and its palace.

The University Gardens.

Or the Wilanow Palace on the outskirts of the city, a visit that we could not do and that we were very eager to do. You can go on your own or on a guided tour in Spanish.

Where do we stay?

Ego apartment was the chosen place, apartments for rent in the old buildings that are in the vicinity of the Market Square, where we started the tour on the first day. They sent us the access details by email since it does not have reception, you have to take this into account when it is not a conventional hotel. The access is through another building that overlooks the square, it may seem intertwined but it was not.

We are asked many times about the travel insurance we use, we travel with Iati insurance, if you are about to choose it I tell you that from our link they have a 5% discount. ►5% discount on Iati travel insurance

Video and map

NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience, being totally objective. This article contains affiliate links

La entrada What to see in Warsaw in 3 days se publicó primero en Europa acompañada.