Wawel Royal Castle, Krakow

National GeographicJul 20

Love books? This Polish city should be your next break

Poland’s cultural capital is a joy for book-loving visitors, with links to big literary names from the 20th century and a thriving independent bookshop scene.

Renaissance structure dates from the 16th century

20 things in this story

Joseph ConradSightgrew up on Poselska, in Kraków’s medieval Old Town
Grand HotelHotelJoseph Conrad stayed here; setting for a 1936 novel
Jama MichalikaCafébohemian circles gathered; Poland’s first literary cabaret
Old TownNeighborhoodmedieval area where Joseph Conrad grew up
Rynek GłównyMarketmain market square; one of Europe’s first bookshops opened here
EmpikPlacebookshop with ornate wooden shelves, archway of authors
Rara AvisPlaceantiquarian bookshop with a basement full of maps
KazimierzNeighborhoodJewish quarter just south of the Old Town
Księgarnia AusteriaPlacebookshop in former synagogue, courtyard with cherry trees
Oskar Schindler’s Enamel FactoryMuseumchronicles Nazi occupation; features names of Jewish people
De Revolutionibus BooksRestaurantcafe with speciality lattes, seating in bookshelf alcoves
Massolit Books & CaféRestaurantoffers red velvet cake and Polish literature translations
Planty ParkParkloops around historic centre, benches honour authors
Wisława SzymborskaSight1996 Nobel Prize-winner, voice heard online via QR code
Wawel DragonPublic artworkstatue breathes fire every few minutes
Wawel Royal CastleSightRenaissance structure dates from the 16th century
Cloth HallMarketcovered walkway selling shawls and amber jewellery
Jagiellonian University Museum Collegium MaiusMuseumlibrary hall with late-Gothic vaulted ceiling
Tawerna Wilczy DółRestaurantfantasy fiction tavern with mulled wine and skewered meat
The Prancing PonyRestaurantfantasy fiction tavern mentioned for comparison

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Wawel Royal Castle

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Love books? This Polish city should be your next break