One of Poland's largest and oldest cities, Krakow is a delight for visitors from all around the world. With more than ten million tourists visiting this beautiful city every year, Krakow was also voted as one of the "Top Ten Trending Destinations in the World for 2020", according to Trip Advisor's Travelers Choice Awards.

Krakow is an enchanting town set on the banks of the beautiful Wisla (Vistula River). Its medieval old town is straight out of a fairy tale. Gothic churches, quaint market squares, an ancient clock tower, and cobbled streets all add to the city's distinct charisma and allure.

Say dzień dobry (hello) to Krakow's old town, and fall in kochać (love) with one of the first UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world. But before you leave, consider purchasing travel insurance or travel medical insurance in case of any unexpected accidents, injuries, or travel mishaps.

Things to Do for Travelers in Krakow

If you thought that Krakow is all history and ancient artifacts, you are in for a pleasant surprise. Enjoy history, museums, and reminiscence of eras gone by. But also revel in exuberant nightlife and exciting outdoor activities in the same place.

Here are our expert recommendations for enjoying this not-so-little city to the fullest:

Old Historic City Center

The Main Market Square, the largest medieval town square in Europe, is the focal point of Krakow's Old Town. Along with walking tours, visitors have the choice of bike, golf cart, e-scooter, and Segway tours to explore this medieval wonder. Don't miss attractions like the Renaissance Cloth Hall, St. Mary's Basilica, the Barbican Museum, and St. Florian's Gate during your visit.

Explore Wieliczka Salt Mine

The Wieliczka Salt Mine is unquestionably one of the most popular tourist attractions in Krakow. Located just outside of Krakow, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is an integral part of Poland's history, religion, and culture. The mines are also an amazing natural wonder that boast more than 300 kilometers (about 185 miles) of a maze of subterranean tunnels and chambers.

Awesome Adventure

Krakow is also a modern metropolis that offers several adventure activities to add adrenaline to your vacation. You may try your hand at several adventure and outdoor activities like quad-biking, shooting, bungee jumping, biking, Segway tours, kayaking, canoeing, go-karting, and more.

Experience Nature

Krakow is home to numerous small and big parks that give you the chance to rejuvenate your tired senses. Planty Park is not only one of Krakow's largest parks, but also one of the prettiest ones. Another popular choice is the wooded wonder of Las Wolski. Hike through more than a thousand acres of beech and pine forests, and enjoy hidden vistas of the pretty Vistula River.

Explore the tragic Nazi history

The Liban Quarry is a limestone quarry used as a World War II labor camp by the German army. A visit to this eerie quarry is an unsettling reminder of Poland's tragic Nazi history. The condition of several access pathways and ladders may not be safe for walking. Visitors should exercise utmost caution while entering it.

Travel Risks For International Travelers in Krakow

Road Safety

Road safety in Poland is a concern for international travelers. In the year 2019, almost 3,000 people lost their lives to road accidents. This figure is quite alarming compared to the rest of Europe. Rash driving, bad weather, and inadequacy of law enforcement have led to alarming road safety in Krakow and Poland at large. If you are planning to drive from Krakow to other cities of Poland, you may want to exercise acute caution while driving on Polish roads.

Terrorism

Like its other European counterparts, international tourists in Krakow may remain cautious of terror threats. They should be extra vigilant in public places, including tourist attractions, railway stations, and airports.

Rail and Taxi Risk

Most of Krakow is relatively safe for visitors. But there is a high risk of theft at railway stations and during rail journeys, especially on overnight sleeper trains. Visitors may also be careful of taxi drivers waiting outside airports and railway stations. They may not be regulated as official drivers and may illegally overcharge tourists.

Health Risks

Krakow experiences poor air quality, especially during the winter months. Visitors with pre-existing respiratory, pulmonary, and cardiac problems may experience increased symptoms if they do not take adequate precautions. Measles is also common in Krakow and Poland. Ensure that you are vaccinated for measles before traveling.

Weather Hazards

Polish winters are very harsh. Krakow experiences very low temperatures during winter. The low temperatures are often accompanied by heavy snowfall. Snow and ice on the roads can be really dangerous. The visually transparent "black ice" on Polish roads can be especially risky. Heavy snowfall is known to have disturbed road, rail, and air travel in Poland.

Krakow Travel Medical Insurance for International Travelers - FAQs

Medical facilities in Krakow can be quite expensive for foreign visitors. Medical aid in rural areas around this fairy-tale city is limited. Very often, visitors with severe illness or injury may need to be air-lifted to better healthcare facilities. A Krakow travel medical insurance plan provides you with a safeguard against the financial repercussions of needing potentially expensive medical aid in Krakow.

Do I need travel medical insurance for Krakow?

You are not legally required to have travel medical insurance to enter into Poland. However, Poland is a part of the European Union, and some international travelers require a Schengen visa for Poland depending on their home country's reciprocal visa agreement with the EU. As per EU regulations, travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for travelers applying for a Schengen visa.

Why buy travel medical insurance for Krakow?

There are several compelling reasons for you to buy travel medical insurance for Krakow:

• Your domestic health insurance may not pay your medical charges while you are outside your home country.
• It offers coverage for emergency medical expenses.
• It offers coverage for emergency medical evacuation.
• You can purchase an additional adventurous sports rider designed to cover any riskier-than-normal pursuits you might choose to indulge in while in Krakow.

Krakow Trip Cancellation Insurance for International Travelers - FAQs

Sometimes, the best-laid plans go to waste, and you have to a cancel a long-awaited (and already-paid-for) vacation. In addition to the disappointment, you're probably wondering what will happen to the money you've spent on plane tickets, hotel rooms, a rental car, and tour reservations. Trip cancellation insurance could help you see some of it again.

Why buy trip cancellation insurance for Krakow?

Trip cancellation insurance can reimburse you the full amount of your prepaid, non-refundable expenses if you have to cancel your trip for a reason covered underneath the policy. Be sure to review your plan's fine print before purchase for a full understanding of what situations are (and aren't) covered. You must insure the full cost of your trip, and you must have already purchased the insurance before the need to cancel arises in order to be eligible for full benefits.

What all is covered under trip cancellation insurance for Krakow?

Buy travel insurance for coverage against different travel-related risks. Find a dependable insurance policy that offers:

• Trip cancellation coverage for a covered reason
• Trip interruption coverage for a covered reason
• Trip delay coverage
• Missed connection coverage
• Coverage for baggage loss or theft

Before You Travel to Krakow: Do This

The people of Krakow love when visitors speak Polish with them. Learn some basic Polish phrases, and download a good Polish-English app on your mobile device to enjoy interacting with the local populace.

Remember to pre-book your tickets for popular tourist attractions, like the Wieliczka Salt Mines, that tend to sell out during peak vacation season.

And don't forget to buy travel insurance or travel medical insurance as an essential part of your trip. Take the time to review several different plans and pick the one that best matches your needs.

DISCLAIMER: The information within this article is intended as a broad summary of benefits and services and is meant for informational purposes only. The information does not describe all scenarios, coverages or exclusions of any insurance plan. The benefits and services of an insurance plan are subject to change. This is not your policy/certificate of insurance. If there is any discrepancy between the information in this article and the language of your policy/certificate wording, the language of the policy/certificate wording will prevail.