Things to see in Cracow

Schindler's Factory opened in 2010 and has been hugely popular with visitors ever since. The state-of-the-art museum tells the story of Oskar Schindler (whose offices once stood on the site) and his employees during the Nazi occupation of WWII. It tells the story of life under the Nazis, of the fate of the Jews and the underground resistance to the occupation. Already one of the top attractions in Cracow, it's certainly worth a visit.

Mon 1000-1600, Tue-Sun 1000-2000 (Apr-Oct); Mon 1000-1400, Tue-Sun 1000-1800 (Nov-Mar); closed on every first Monday of the month.

Yes

Kościół Mariacki is arguably Cracow's most important church. The most striking detail within this eye-catching, Gothic structure is Wit Stwosz's stunning wooden altarpiece, the largest in Europe. Dating from 1489, the Gothic altarpieces is opened at midday each day to reveal the intricate, beautifully carved scenes within, centred around the Dormition of the Virgin. Above the organ loft, the church also boasts excellent 14th-century stained glass as well as art nouveau glass by Stanislaw Wyspianski and Jozef Mehoffer. Outside, the taller of the two towers was once the city's watchtower and, every hour, a trumpeter plays the traditional Hejnał Mariacki (St. Mary's Trumpet Call) from one of the top windows, always cutting short the last note. This tradition is said to be to commemorate a trumpeter killed by a Turkish arrow while Krakow was under siege.

Mon-Sat 1130-1800, Sun 1400-1800.

Yes

Laid out in 1257, this is one of the largest and most beautiful market squares in medieval Europe. Occupying the centre of the square is the 15th-century Sukiennice (Cloth Hall), its vaulted, ground floor passages now filled with souvenir stalls. Along the sides of the building, pavement cafés draw locals and tourists alike. A gallery of 19th Century Polish art is upstairs, full of lavish, melodramatic paintings that are actually quite fun. The square is lined by grand old houses, and filled with the church of St Wojciech (Cracow's oldest) and the lone 15th century town hall tower. It's the towering twin spires of the Gothic Mariacki church, looming in one corner, that really dominate the square and catch the eye.

Daily 24 hours.

No

Part of the Wawel castle complex, this cathedral was the coronation site and burial place of almost all of Poland's monarchs and rulers. It was built in the early 11th century by King Boleslaw the Brave after Cracow was made a bishopric, and substantially added to since. The relics of St Stanislaw, the patron saint of Poland, are kept here, as are the bodies of many kings, queens and national poets in many elaborate chapels built into the walls. Controversially, Poland's late president, Lech Kaczynski, who died in a plane crash in 2010, was laid to rest here in what had traditionally been a royal burial site. After admiring the architecture, visitors can climb the tower to see the 9,979kg (11-tonne) Sigismund Bell and enjoy fine views.

Mon-Sat 0900-1700, Sun 1230-1700.

No

Old synagogues are extremely rare in Europe, and Krakow's oldest is one of the continent's most beautiful. Built in the late 15th century, the Old Synagogue was reconstructed in a Renaissance style by the Florentine architect, Matteo Gucci, after a fire in 1557. It was erected in Kazimierz, the town which housed a thriving Jewish community for centuries after Cracow refused them residence. The two merged in the 18th century. Beyond the impressive architecture, the Old Synagogue also has a photo exhibit on Jewish life in the city and its demise following the holocaust. There are now only two functioning synagogues in Cracow and both are located nearby: the Remuh Synagoga at ulica Szeroka 40 (with a haunting cemetery attached to it) and the Isaak Synagoga, ulica Kupa 18. Both located nearby.

Mon 1000-1400, Tue-Sun 0900-1700 (Apr-Oct); Mon 1000-1400, Wed-Thurs and Sat-Sun 0900-1600, Fri 1000-1700 (Nov-Mar).

Yes (free on Mondays)