Auschwitz: Situated 70 kilometres west of Krakow stands a chilling reminder of Nazi rule. The notorious German Nazi Concentration and Extermination Camps of Auschwitz, Birkenau and Monowitz are where around one million men, women and children perished between June 1941 and January 1945 at the hands of Hitler’s forces. Around 1,400,000 visitors come to Oswiecim to see Auschwitz each year, and learn more about the horrific conditions which the prisoners were forced to endure here.
Tatra Mountains: Located along Poland’s border with Slovakia, just over two hours from Krakow, the Alpine-like Tatra Mountains is the highest range of the Carpathian Mountains. This stunning landscape is perfect for skiing during the winter months — and hiking, rock climbing, cave exploration, cycling and paragliding throughout the rest of the year. As an area of outstanding beauty, over three million people visit this region annually.
Katowice: The south-western Polish city of Katowice is around 80 kilometres from Krakow. Foreign travellers traditionally have had a tendency to overlook Katowice and the greater Silesian Metropolis altogether. However, the last few years have seen this historically working-class city emerge as one of the most innovative, culturally dynamic and economically vibrant regions in all of Poland.
