I visited one of Europe’s cheapest and most walkable cities 2 hours from London—not Prague

I’ve been to many European countries for a city break, including Belgium, Germany, and the Netherlands. While I adored the capitals of these countries, there was something about my recent visit to Kraków, Poland, that I’ll never forget. This includes how affordable the trip was for starters, how affordable it was out there, as well as how walkable the city was. Many European countries often require you to get a tram, train or metro in order to navigate the city, but Kraków was different. What’s more, it’s less than a two-hour flight from London.

The city, once Poland’s capital, was so walkable that the only transport I needed to get was the train from the airport into the city. Other than this transport, I managed to navigate the city easily, with everything around a 20-minute walk from the main plaza.

Kraków had been on my list to visit for five years for a number of reasons, including the beautiful architecture and rich history.

I mainly visited the city for an excursion to Auschwitz to learn about the Holocaust, so I went into the city with little expectations, as I wasn’t planning on spending lots of time exploring.

However, as I walked around the city, I ended up finding more and more gems, and I absolutely loved it.

Everything from the market square called Rynek Glowny to the Wawel Royal Castle, all of the main attractions were within very short walking distance from one another.

The plaza is the site of the Cloth Hall, a Renaissance-era trading outpost and a 14th-century Gothic church.

The city is also ringed by Planty Park and the remnants of the city’s medieval walls. It didn’t feel like you were in a city at all, as the park was super peaceful and you could walk around it to reach nearly everything.

The architecture was also absolutely beautiful too, with a blend of historical styles lining clean and looked after streets.

The Jewish quarter is also a must-visit, with a mix of historical synagogues, museums, art galleries as well as independent restaurants and bars.

In terms of food and drink, there are endless options when it comes to both Polish delicacies as well as other European foods.

I was shocked to find out how cheap it was with a chicken burger and chips costing around £8, Polish dumplings just £3 to £4, and the most delicious spaghetti carbonara just £9.

Drinks were a little more expensive than you’d expect when it comes to cocktails and alcohol, but they were still much more affordable than in other cities I’ve visited, such as Berlin and Copenhagen.

I highly recommend a weekend visit to Kraków, whether for the culture, history, or relaxation.