Warsaw & Krakow, Poland

 Poland, one of my big four to do - and it didnt disappoint either time. I went there for two summers back in 01/02 and taught English at a private school in the north-east - Ostrołęka and Pułtusk.  Very fond memories of such an amazing place! 

And plenty of tripping around and seeing a lot of the sights.  Heres a little about Warsaw and Krakow. 

Poland’s two most famous cities, Kraków and Warsaw, showcase very different sides of the country’s history and spirit. Kraków, the former royal capital, is known for its medieval beauty and cultural depth, while Warsaw, the present-day capital, reflects resilience, rebirth, and modern ambition.

Kraków’s crown jewel is Wawel Castle, perched on a hill overlooking the Vistula River. This vast complex, dating back to the 14th century, was once the seat of Polish kings and queens. Within its walls are a cathedral, royal chambers, armories, and museums filled with treasures collected over centuries. The castle’s Renaissance courtyard is one of the finest in Europe, while Wawel Cathedral holds the tombs of Poland’s monarchs and national heroes. To stroll here is to walk through the heart of Polish identity and pride. Beyond the castle, Kraków enchants with its vast Main Market Square, the largest medieval square in Europe, flanked by the Cloth Hall and the towering St. Mary’s Basilica. Despite Poland’s turbulent past, Kraków was largely spared from destruction in World War II, leaving its Old Town remarkably intact.

Warsaw tells a very different story. Nearly flattened during the war, the city had to rebuild almost entirely from ruins. The painstaking reconstruction of the Old Town, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a testament to Polish determination. But Warsaw also embraced the chance to modernize, mixing skyscrapers with historic palaces and leafy parks. Rising above the skyline is the Palace of Culture and Science, one of the so-called “Seven Sisters” built under Stalin’s direction across the Soviet Union and Eastern Europe. Completed in 1955, it remains the tallest building in Poland at 237 meters. Once controversial as a symbol of Soviet dominance, today it houses theaters, museums, cinemas, and an observation deck offering sweeping views of the capital.

Together, Kraków and Warsaw capture Poland’s layered story: one city a preserved jewel of the past, the other a living symbol of resilience and adaptation.