Krakow is in many ways a classic 'MittelEuropa' city. Poised at a crossroads between the East and the West, the former Polish capital is one of the great historic cities of Europe. Less dainty than Prague and less grandiose than Budapest, Cracow has a beauty of its own, at times serene, at times fantastical. Although the city has a population of 750,000, the city centre is of a manageable size, and you can generally walk to wherever you want to go, be it the beguiling Ancient Jewish district of Kazimierz, or the hilltop hideaway of Salwator. The city is also serviced by a reliable bus and tram system if you need to make a swift journey from A to B. In terms of convenience, Krakow can now boast a blend of characterful modern shops, as well as delightful farmers' markets with excellent regional produce. In the Old Town, swish international labels rub shoulders with intriguing home-grown ventures. As far as the bar and cafe scene goes - many visitors concur that Krakow already outclasses many of its Western European peers, despite the fact that there was hardly anything at all 15 years ago. The restaurant scene is improving by the month, poor on Oriental and Indian, but impressive on European and International cuisine. Prices remain reasonable for Westerners in almost all spheres. As the cultural capital of Poland, Krakow is not short on things to do. There are always intriguing exhibitions opening up, whilst the permanent collections of the museums are treasures in themselves. The city's many beautiful churches, often packed during mass, double as enchanting venues for concerts. For a complete overview of the city, you will find useful resources in our links section. | 
