Euro 2012 travel guide: Krakow

Krakow isn't hosting any matches during Euro 2012, but many fans ? not to mention the England squad ? are basing themselves in Poland's most beautiful city for the tournament. East Europe experts inyourpocket.com guide us around? Warsaw, Gdansk, Wroclaw and Poznan city guidesWhere to StayTo many the omission of Krakow from the final list of host cities for Poland/Ukraine's Euro 2012 bid seemed illogical. Being one of Europe's most popular city break destinations, it is the Polish city best able to handle many of thousands of visitors. This fact has not been lost by at least three of the national sides, with England, Holland and Italy deciding to base themselves in the city.The England team will be based at the Stary Hotel adjacent to Krakow's wonderful medieval square, while Holland have not only bagged the Sheraton but the best training facilities as well at Wisla Krakow's stadium. With the choice of accommodation in Krakow so wide, the fact that it will not host any games means that the city is likely to offer some of the best deals on rooms. A few to recommend outside the top bracket are the historic Royal Hotel (+48 12 421 3500, singles from only ?45) facing Wawel Castle from the green environs of Planty Park; the friendly and comfortable Wielopole (+48 12 422 1475, singles from ?60-90), which offers a great location and value for money, or Goodbye Lenin Hostel (+48 12 421 2030, dorms ?9-14, doubles ?35) ? one of the city's top-rated and most social hostels in the historic, former Jewish district of Kazimierz, ideal for enjoying the city's atmosphere and nightlife. Possibly the best deal will be found by renting an apartment. Our favourite are the three Red Kurka apartments (+48 535 919 135, ?80-135 per night), which were designed by graphic artist Marcin Kubiak and are extremely hip.Where to EatThose sampling the local cuisine for the first time will find it to be simple, filling and fortifying for the task ahead. The market square's Wierzynek is the most famous name in town. Also check out Gessler, which practises the same high degree of service but without the stuffiness. For casual elegance Miod Malina and Marmolada are a treat.If you want to enjoy great local food among the locals, Polakowski is an easy choice, or go for complete cultural immersion at U Stasi, a tiny, inconspicuous cafeteria tucked away in a courtyard serving incredibly cheap simple home-cooked Polish food. Finally, no trip to Krakow would be complete without trying the city's official street food: a zapiekanka (a sort of long, French bread pizza) from the roundhouse stalls on Pl. Nowy.Where to DrinkJust when it looks like the city couldn't possibly handle another bar along comes a new place squeezed into a space the size of a toaleta. Most bars will have big screens to show the games and the challenge will be more how to avoid a match than to catch one. If you want to see the game and sample a little of the character of the city, then Pl. Nowy in Kazimierz is the place to head (try the garden at Le Scandale), while in the old town head to Centrala or Buddha for their courtyard gardens, or House of Beer to try some Polish microbrews. And Poligamia, midway between the old town and Kazimierz, is a stylish foreign-friendly pub with great beer and few tourists.The Krakow Fan ZoneFound on the Blonia (literally meadows) to the west of the city centre, the site is not only directly between the stadiums of the city's two major clubs ? Wisla and Cracovia ? but also well versed in handling large crowds. It was here that the late Pope John Paul II, who was born nearby, said mass to more than one million people.What to see and doYou're spoilt for choice when it comes to sightseeing, but with it being summer ? and summer in Krakow being sweltering ? we recommended you stay outside. Do that by simply walking the Route of Kings from the Florianska Gate, through the main market square down ul. Grodzka and up to Wawel Castle. The route will take you past most of the city's most notable and impressive buildings to the castle that represents Poland's spiritual heart and is the burial place of kings, saints and Lech Kaczynski, the Polish president killed in the air disaster of 2010. For those interested in Krakow's Jewish or second world war history, the Schindler Factory Museum is one of the best exhibitions in the country and thoroughly recommended.For advice on accommodation in and travelling around Poland, see our Euro 2012 travel guide to Warsaw ? Further information: inyourpocket.com/polandKrakowPolandEuropeCity breaksShort breaksEuro 2012guardian.co.uk © 2012 Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds

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