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Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and is published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.
The Polish city of Kraków has been rated as the 16th best in the world to live in and visit in a new list compiled by Time Out based on a survey of local residents in 150 cities worldwide.
The magazine described Poland’s second-largest city as a “real-life fairytale”, with its historic, UNESCO-protected centre. It also noted that Kraków scored very highly for walkability, with 83% of residents saying that it is easy to get everywhere on foot.
As well as the picturesque medieval Old Town, Time Out pointed to the city’s trendy Kazimierz neighbourhood and the attraction of walks along the Vistula River, which runs through the centre of Kraków.
It noted a thriving culinary culture, recommending both eating one of the famous zapiekanki – a half-baguette covered in mushrooms and melted cheese – on Plac Nowy in Kazimierz and visiting Bottiglieria 1881, Poland’s only restaurant with two Michelin stars.
Time Out also highlighted the recent reopening of a set of bars, eateries and entertainment venues located in a rundown former communist-era hotel alongside the river.
The magazine’s survey found that 87% of locals approve of Kraków’s dining scene, while 86% like the city’s art and culture, which include the Museum of Contemporary Art in Kraków (MOCAK), the Czartoryski Museum, and Słowacki Theatre.
Time Out also highlighted two major annual attractions in Kraków: June’s Great Dragon Parade, which refers to the city’s founding myth about a beast living below Wawel Castle; and its Christmas market, which the magazine previously rated as “the most iconic in the world”.
The Christmas tree on Kraków's historic market square has been named the "most iconic in the world" in a ranking by @timeout magazine https://t.co/hO250nfQot
— Notes from Poland 🇵🇱 (@notesfrompoland) December 23, 2024
Kraków’s latest distinction follows a number of other accolades. Last year, it was named as Europe’s best city break destination for the fifth time by British consumer association and magazine Which? In 2024, Time Out itself ranked Kraków’s Zabłocie district as one of the “coolest neighbourhoods in the world”.
Poland itself is also seeing rising interest from international travellers. Last year, the country recorded the EU’s second-largest rise in tourism, behind only the Mediterranean island state of Malta.
However, Kraków’s growing popularity has also caused tensions with local residents, who complain of overtourism and soaring prices. In 2024, the local authorities appointed the city’s first “night mayor”, who is tasked with reconciling the interests of residents, tourists and businesses.
Time Out’s new list of the 50 best cities in the world was compiled based on a survey of 24,000 people living in 150 cities, as well as the magazine’s own experts and local writers. Melbourne in Australia was placed at number one on the list, followed by Shanghai in China and Edinburgh in the UK.
Notes from Poland is run by a small editorial team and published by an independent, non-profit foundation that is funded through donations from our readers. We cannot do what we do without your support.
Main image credit: Kevin Perez Camacho/Unsplash
Daniel Tilles is editor-in-chief of Notes from Poland. He has written on Polish affairs for a wide range of publications, including Foreign Policy, POLITICO Europe, EUobserver and Dziennik Gazeta Prawna.
