Quick Overview:
Krakow may have once been a stone-age settlement but it has grown and matured into Poland’s second most important city. The city has long been on the leading edge of Poland’s academic, cultural, artistic and economic life. Named the European Capital of Culture in 2000, Krakow is a major attraction and welcomes about 7 million tourists a year. With a vibrant array of clubs, pubs, restaurants and other activities, Krakow is ideally situated to host a Best Ever stag do every single time.

In a Nutshell:
• Population: nearly 755,000
• Language: Polish, but many people in Krakow speak English
• U.N. Designation: Krakow became a World Heritage Site in 1978
• Climate: Oceanic and temperate. Krakow’s temperature’s range from 18° C to 19.6° C in the summer and from -2.1° C to 0° C in the winter.

History:
Krakow dates to the 7th Century. For much of its history, Krakow has been an economic and cultural center of Poland. After the Nazi invasion at the beginning of World War II, Krakow served as the capital of Germany’s General Government and its Jewish citizens were corralled in an area that became known as the Krakow Ghetto before they were shipped off to various extermination camps. Following the war, Poland fell under the totalitarian control of Soviet-backed communists and became an industrial center. In 1978, Karol Wojtyla, the Archbishop of Krakow, was elevated to the papacy as Pope John Paul II.

Daytime Activities:
For the adrenaline-seeking stag party in Krakow, a number of activities including indoor go-cart racing, four-wheeling, paintball and firearm shooting are available. But in the crush of excitement don’t forget to take in some of Krakow’s other fine attractions. Take a walk around the Planty, a large park that surrounds Old Town. Another option is to visit Wawal Castle, a popular area to sun on the banks of the Vistula River. River cruises are also offered.

Nightlife:
Krakow boasts over 400 bars so your stag party won’t have to look far for fun. Most of the city’s revelry takes place in Old Town where there are large numbers of restaurants, pubs and dance clubs. Even as Krakow’s allure has grown and drawn in ever larger numbers of tourists, prices have remained steady. It is still very common to be able to buy a pint of quality brew for £1 or less. That’s perfect for a stag do in Krakow!

Eating:
Krakow has emerged as Poland’s culinary Mecca since the collapse of the Iron Curtain. Krakow’s cuisine has been largely influenced by the people of Central Europe as well as the Austro-Hungarian Empire. For traditional Polish fare on your stag party weekend in Krakow, try a “Bar Mleczny.” These cafeteria-style eateries became prevalent during Communist times. Also, on your stag party in Krakow, don’t miss out on the Kielbasa Van. A must for those in the know, two gruff Polish men grill Kielbasa outside their van parked in front of the market just east of Old Town. This is a delicious option for late-night eats as Kielbasa is available until 3 a.m.