Arriving in Krakow any stereotypes about Eastern Europe are quickly dispelled. Exiting the train station is via the marvellous Gallery Krakowska, an absolutely massive 3 floor shopping centre filled with modern stores packed full of the latest brands spread out along wide open spaces punctuated by the more than occasional fountain.

Exiting the shopping centre, a short walk takes you to the one of the primary attractions of Krakow, its main square. It is the largest square in Europe and the central hub of the city. Even within the square itself there are over ten bars all perfectly suitable to watching the world go by with a beer or a warm coffee. By day it is interesting to simply watch the largely cosmopolitan crowd pass by with many locals heading to and from work among tourists taking photos and the occasional horse-drawn carriage.

For those looking for a city to party in, this is definitely a very worthy and popular choice. Did you know that Krakow has more bars per square meter than any other city in Europe? It is also considered to be one of the stag capitals of Europe. There are countless massive multi-story clubs with cheap entry fees, the latest DJs and a healthy mix of tourists, locals and ex-pats.

If you prefer somewhere quiet, there is also a wide variety of more relaxed bars where a peaceful drink can be enjoyed. One of many unique aspects of Krakow, the majority of these quiet bars are located underground with original brick walls and ceilings often lit by candles leading to a strange warm and often romantic atmosphere. Add to this, the generally very friendly staff that is very used to tourist customers that do not speak polish.

Of course being Poland, on average a pint will cost under two Euros and the price of vodka could only really be described as dangerously cheap. They sell it by the tray here and have a strange tendency to fill those trays with multiple different types and flavours of traditional polish vodkas. Based upon experience, I strongly advice you to share these trays. Though should you get lost, it is a safer place to stumble about than the majority of other European cities, both East and West.

Many people who come to Krakow in fact do so however, not for the wild nightlife but for the historical landmarks of Europe that are present both within the city centre and nearby. One of the most interesting places to visit in Poland is located two hours from Krakow, the haunting remains of the largest World War II concentration camp Auschwitz. Here it is possible to witness the infamous gas chambers as well as the living quarters of the staggering amount of Jews that perished here. There are many companies offering excursions to what many have described as a uniquely chilling experience.

It is also worth noting that these companies also provide excursions to the Wieliczka Salt mines. This unique attraction offers 200 kilometres of underground passages built over the last 900 years and it includes large caverns, lakes and chapels all up to 190 meters underground. It is no wonder that it is officially classified as a UNESCO world heritage site.

The city centre also provides enough beauty to easily fill more than a few days of sight-seeing. Aside from the Main Square which is likely to be frequent feature of your trip, heading south takes you towards the vibrant district of Kazimierz, home to the city’s large Jewish community before the Second World War. While it is undoubtedly full of history and character it now also houses a concentration of modern bars and cafes that rivals the main square area making it a vital destination for those in Krakow even just for the weekend.

Historical attractions at this side of the city range from the marvellous Wawel Castle which towers over the Vistula River which winds through the city to Schindler’s factory and museum, which illustrates the heartbreaking story that many people have seen dramatized in the Stephen Spielberg movie which itself was filmed in Krakow.

In conclusion, Krakow offers a strange combination of dramatic nightlife and breathtaking historical treasures. Provided you can take it easy on the polish vodka, you will have a trip full of both wild nights that you can’t quite remember and days of sightseeing that you will find it hard to forget.