Krakow attractions

As the throbbing heart of Old Town Krakow, The Rynek Glowny (Main Square) is a mighty 10-square acres and stakes its claim as Europe’s biggest market square. It's also one of the best places in the city for some breakfast. Order the Polish breakfast special: a hot plate of kielbasa sausages, sliced ham and creamy soft cheese. Then work it off with a stroll and admire the stunning yellow and peach pastel-coloured buildings. Don't miss a selfie opportunity by the 13th-century Gothic Town Hall Tower either. There are plenty of squares in Europe, but this is undeniably one of the most beautiful.

German industrialist Oskar Schindler was a spy and a member of the Nazi party. He bought an enamel factory in Krakow before the German invasion. As the war continued and death tolls rose, Schindler used his connections to save the lives of more than 1,200 Jews who worked for him. His story was told in Oscar-winning movie Schindler’s List. This factory is now a museum telling the story of life in Krakow during World War II. And of course, how Jewish communities were systematically eliminated. It’s a heavy but important part of any trip to Krakow.

For a proper Krakow dining experience you need to pop into a Milk Bar. These unpretentious local diners have always been the places to come for cheap meals. Even more popped up after WWII as a result of communism, subsidised by the Polish state. Prepare your ears for 90s rock music, which always seems to be blasting from a set of ancient speakers. But if you don't mind Livin’ on a Prayer while eating your sausages, you’ll be fine. You won’t get authentic Polish cuisine in a place like this anywhere else. Just remember Milk Bars don't serve alcohol, so it's a place to line your stomach first... just like real milk is supposed to do.

For over 500 years, Kazimierz (the Jewish Quarter) was the bustling centre of Jewish life in Krakow. Destroyed in the war, it fell into disrepair and became one of Krakow’s least salubrious districts. Thanks in part to Spielberg's Schindler's List its fortunes took a turn for the better in the 90s. Now this bohemian ‘hood boasts some of Krakow’s hippest bars and eateries. It's a great place for wandering around and to get a sense of how far the city has come since WWII. If you visit during the summer Jewish Culture Festival, expect Kazimierz’s streets to be pounding with live music and much celebration of modern Jewish culture.