Krakow’s Old Town: Stare Miasto

The central location of Stare Miasto relative to other tourist attractions meant that we graced this beautiful UNESCO World Heritage Site with our presence almost every day over the 5 days we spent in Krakow. Walking through the ancient fortifications of the Old Town, this was the sight that lay before us…

At the centre of the Old Town Square stands the Sukiennice, or the Cloth Hall, once the centre of trade between Krakow and the rest of the world. Today it has been converted into a little tourist trap of sorts, with stalls set up to sell Polish gimmicks and souvenirs. Still worth a casual stroll, though.

Having come in winter, we were treated to the Polish Christmas Markets and carolling by the townsfolk on a makeshift stage in the Square just outside the Sukiennice. I think that balanced our touristy experience in the Cloth Hall with a more authentic insight into Polish culture. Few cities straddle medieval charm and national character with such sophistication.