A compact university city which, having escaped major destruction during World War II is a treasure trove of architectural monuments and a feast of Polish culture. A lively city, good value, thankfully not over-crowded, and one that continues to develop at a steady pace.

• Out and About - on foot is the best way, with the main sites to see contained in the compact Old Town surrounded by a ring of parkland, making it easy to get around.
• Public transport is good value and efficient, ideal for moving from the old town out to the suburbs or further afield. This also allows some flexibility with hotel location as it is easy to move from hotels into different areas of the city.
• Included on UNESCO’s first World Heritage List. Its historic centre dates back to the Middle Ages. A range of historical buildings and monuments reflecting a variety of architectural styles; Medieval, Gothic, Baroque and Renaissance.
• Although not the capital of Poland, it is the country’s mostvisited city and, in addition to its museums and historical sites, it also holds various concerts, fairs and processions within its renowned Market Square, in the heart of the Old Town.
• Café Culture – established well here, as with most Eastern European cities. Pavements cafes around the Market Square and others in small houses are very convenient for comfort breaks between visiting the sites contained in the square itself.
• Nightlife – is very laid back, with most visitors happy to wander their way around the old town and discover bars and restaurants and bars at their own pace. There are however simply hundreds of bars that can be found in cellars and courtyards stretching from the Old Town to Kazimierz, whose Jewish quarter is fast becoming a ‘trendy’ area for nightlife.