Krakow or Warsaw: which is better?

It is no secret that these are the two most important cities in Poland; therefore, when planning a new adventure, many travellers wonder whether it is better to visit Krakow or whether they should focus their trip solely on Warsaw.

If you ask me, the answer would be to visit both cities, although taking into account how easy it is to get from Krakow to Warsaw. However, I understand that often neither time nor budget will allow us to take the trip of our dreams. Therefore, in order to make your decision easier, here is a comparison of the most important aspects: attractions, architecture, cuisine and budget. Let's get started!

Both Warsaw and Krakow offer many interesting things to see and do. To help you choose the most suitable travel destination based on your tastes and interests, here is a summary of the most striking aspects of each of these cities:

• If you want to take good photos: Krakow.
• If you prefer to explore an old historic centre: Krakow.
• If you prefer to explore a unique renovated historic centre: Warsaw.
• If you want to enjoy a traditional nightlife: Krakow.
• If you are interested in university life and a youthful atmosphere: Krakow.
• If you want to enjoy a cosmopolitan nightlife: Warsaw.
• If you want to learn about the hardships of the Jewish people during World War II: Krakow.
• If you are more interested in the perspective of the Polish people during the Second World War: Warsaw.
• If you have limited time: Krakow. I recommend reading the guide to seeing Krakow in two days or seeing Krakow in three days.
• If you are on a tight budget: Krakow is slightly cheaper, especially if you visit the city during the low season, such as February, November or December.

Both Warsaw and Krakow offer a wide range of attractions and tourist visits, but with very different approaches, for example...

Krakow is a much smaller city, so its atmosphere is generally more welcoming, and almost all roads lead to the beautiful Krakow Market Square with its interesting attractions. Warsaw, on the other hand, is a larger city with a historic centre but also many modern buildings.

Since the city of Krakow was not affected by the bombings of World War II, the buildings are authentic historical structures, while in Warsaw you will find renovated architecture made with an impressive level of fidelity to the original design.

When it comes to museums and art galleries, nothing beats Warsaw and its abundance of options. However, in terms of attractions and getaways outside the city, Krakow has a more varied offering that includes historical museums, nature reserves and medieval palaces.

Monuments and excursions you can't miss on your visit to Krakow

There is a lot to see and do in Krakow and the surrounding area. Take note of the most important places so you don't miss anything:

• Krakow's Jewish Quarter: Kazimierz, Krakow's Jewish quarter, is one of the most popular districts in Krakow and is home to synagogues, palaces, majestic houses, churches, bridges, stories and legends. Not to be missed!
• Schindler's Factory: Oskar Schindler was a true hero of the Second World War, and in his factory-museum you can relive his story through photographs, old documents and other artefacts.
• Wieliczka Salt Mines: an 800-year-old underground world consisting of 20 underground chambers stretching over 3 kilometres at a depth of 135 metres below ground. A unique experience not to be missed!
• Auschwitz Concentration Camp: located just 50 km from Krakow, this concentration camp encapsulates the horrific history experienced by the Jewish people during World War II.
• Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains: discover Poland's most popular mountain resort, where you can take a cable car ride and discover the wonders of the Tatra Mountains.
• Wawel Castle: both the hill and Wawel Castle are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. A must-see if you want to discover one of Poland's wonders.

Top sights to see in Warsaw

If you visit the Polish capital, be sure to explore the following monuments and museums:

• Warsaw Ghetto: discover all the secrets of the Warsaw Ghetto, the largest in Europe, and visit the remains of the only synagogue that survived the Holocaust.
• Warsaw Royal Castle: one of the city's most important monuments, which hides fascinating stories of Polish royalty within its walls.
• Polish Vodka Museum: if you want to learn how vodka is made and the history of this drink, while enjoying a drink, you can't miss this visit.
• Chopin concert: enjoy the best works of one of Poland's most famous composers in the old town.
• Treblinka Concentration Camp: at this concentration camp, you can remember the atrocities of the Second World War and also honour the victims at the memorials inside.

Warsaw was completely destroyed during World War II. Few places remained intact, so once the conflict ended, a process of total reconstruction began. If you are interested in Soviet realist architecture, you should visit Warsaw and admire the fantastic work that modern architects and designers have done here.

Warsaw is a much larger city, a European metropolis with a more modern look. You will find impressive skyscrapers, wide boulevards, luxury boutiques and alternative restaurants. Its modern buildings have made it the centre of financial and business activity in the country.

Krakow, on the other hand, did not suffer the ravages of war to the same extent, so if you are motivated to admire beautiful historic buildings, medieval squares, Gothic constructions and cobbled streets, then Krakow is the place for you. In comparison, the city of Krakow is much smaller and almost all of its architectural appeal is concentrated in its historic centre: its famous Market Square is the largest medieval square in Europe and its monuments date back to centuries before the Second World War, so Krakowians are proud of its authentic historical appeal and fairytale charm.

Both destinations offer interesting cuisine, although there are marked differences.

• Krakow: In general, it offers a wider selection of traditional Polish food; the best restaurants in Krakow have managed to translate the most significant aspects of Polish cuisine into their dishes. Around the Market Square and throughout the old town, you will find a large number of restaurants, cafés and bars in all possible price ranges.
• Warsaw: It is a cosmopolitan city in every sense of the word, whose gastronomic offerings are based on diversity. It is a place where you can find many options for highly sophisticated food capable of satisfying even the most demanding palates. You can find many traditional Polish food options, but also many international restaurants if you fancy some sushi or a simple pizza for dinner.

Both Krakow and Warsaw are cities with a seductive nightlife; both destinations are full of traditional Polish bars, although with certain peculiarities.

The popular Polish taverns located in old cellars filled with cigarette smoke are everywhere in Krakow, not to mention the charming nightclubs in the Jewish Quarter. It could be said that Krakow's nightlife is distinguished by its traditional touch. Some alternatives for bars and clubs in Krakow are:

• Alchemia
• Shakers Club
• Club Jaszczury
• Harris Piano Jazz Bar
• Strefa Piwa

Warsaw's nightlife is characterised by its diversity. However, in the Polish capital, as in Krakow, you can find traditional Polish bars serving drinks for around €1. Some alternative bars and clubs in Warsaw are:

• La Playa Music Bar
• Bar Wieczornycl
• Level 27
• The Roots Cocktail Bar & More

If you're on a budget, it's good to know that both cities are in a similar price range for accommodation, attractions and restaurants. However, bear in mind that Warsaw is the financial and economic centre of the country, so a slight increase in the price of most services, including transport and food, is completely logical and to be expected.

Although Krakow is generally a cheaper city to visit, prices for the most important services increase slightly during peak tourist seasons such as summer. Keep this in mind if you want to save money on your next trip. In Warsaw, prices remain more or less stable throughout the year.

In terms of tourist numbers, Poland in general is a destination that has experienced significant growth in the flow of tourists not only from the European continent but also from distant destinations such as Asia, the Middle East and the United States. This is mainly due to improvements in the quality of the infrastructure connecting its cities, as well as an increase in the range of accommodation and activities focused on the tourism sector.

The latest statistics indicate that Warsaw as a city has received up to 23 million visitors in a year, while its sister city Krakow has reached the impressive figure of up to 14 million. Significant growth is predicted for both destinations in the future.

Mobility is not a problem in either city. Both locations have an excellent public transport system that includes trams and buses. On the outskirts of both cities, you will find international airports where flights from all corners of Europe land and take off.

However, it is important to note that Warsaw's train system is much more functional. The city of Warsaw is much better connected both to other important points or cities within Poland and to other important points or cities in the rest of Europe. This means that, depending on the destination from which you are travelling to Poland, arriving in Warsaw may be much easier than arriving in Krakow, at least when using this means of transport.

A common dynamic in nations around the world is to have rival cities, which generally correspond to cities with high political and economic power within a country. Poland is no different, and this historical rivalry exists between Krakow and Warsaw.

For centuries, the official capital of the country was located in Krakow; however, King Sigismund III decided to move the capital to Warsaw after accidentally burning down Wawel Castle. Much later, the rivalry would be cemented by the Nazi invasion of Poland; while Warsaw was almost completely destroyed, Krakow retained all of its historic buildings and medieval charm.

Although the inhabitants of Warsaw acknowledge the beauty and unique charm of their rival Krakow, the fact is that they retain the honour of being the nation's capital, while Krakow remains the second most important city.