Under $100: Kraków, Poland

Kraków is one of Poland’s oldest cities and its second-largest. From an important Stone Age settlement to one of modern-day Poland’s key financial, cultural and intellectual hubs, Kraków has a lot to offer.

The city’s entire Old Town was named among UNESCO’s first-ever World Heritage Sites in 1978, and it was fortunate enough to escape much of the destruction endured by Poland during the first and second World Wars. Because some of its most beautiful palaces, churches, theatres and mansions were preserved and can be seen for free, Kraków is one of the best cities to visit on a budget.

The city is a showcase of a variety of architecture styles including Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque. Notable representations of the styles, which can be seen for little to no cost, include the Wawel Cathedral and the Royal Castle; St. Mary’s Basilica; Saints Peter and Paul Church; and the largest medieval market square in Europe, the Rynek Główny. Stroll Kazimierz, notable for its Renaissance buildings and picturesque streets, or visit one of the city’s 28 museums and public art galleries, including the National Museum, featuring works by Leonardo da Vinci and Rembrandt. For $9, visitors can get a pass to all 12 of the National Museum’s galleries and branches.

Situated on the Vistula River at the foot of the Carpathian Mountains between the Jurassic Rock Upland to the north and the Tatra Mountains to the south, the city’s location offers not only a modern urban experience but opportunities for nature-based adventures as well. Visit the Kraków Zoo for only $5; the Botanic Garden at Jagiellonian University for only around $2.50; or explore a few of the city’s 40 parks, gardens and forests such as Park Krakowski and Planty Park, established in 1922 in place of the old city walls around Old Town.

Nothing completes a day of sightseeing like authentic Polish comfort food, which often consists of a lot of cheese, sausages, bread, potatoes, noodles, pies and dumplings. For only $3–5 per person, head to Bordo Café for authentic Polish food including soups, stews and heaping plates of meat and dumplings.

For a cheap nightcap, visit Café Philo, an artsy, bohemian spot open 24 hours a day, offering a cozy atmosphere and entertainment. If you’re really stretched, order the café’s free traditional Filowianka drink — tap water with ginger juice.

For one of the best vegetarian meals you’ll find anywhere in the world, head to Pod Norenami, where $5–10 will get you a filling, delicious meal. Take in views of Wawel Castle and Vistula with your meal at Café Oranżeria, where you can enjoy a nice, three-course meal for around $15 or just a $2 espresso. No trip to Poland is complete without a traditional beer hall experience. Kompania Kuflowa – Pod Wawelem is as traditional as they come, down to the music, costumes and oversized pints of beer. While it can be busy, there are always great specials and delicious, cheap comfort food.

While the bulk of Kraków’s historic area was turned into a pedestrian zone, making it easy to see some of the most beautiful sights on foot, the city offers an expansive network of tram and bus routes, as well as minibus operators, and local trains connect some of the outlying suburbs. There’s also a bicycle-sharing program called Wavelo offering more than 1,500 bikes at 150 stations.