Planty Park, Krakow (must see)

Take a walk in one of the most peaceful and beautiful places in Krakow. If urban life and sightseeing are taking too much out of you, Planty Garden is the perfect hideout. This vast garden stretched across an area of 21,000 square meters (5.2 acres) and a length of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles) offers the perfect retreat from the hustle bustle of city life.

The Park was first built in the early 19th century when the Austrian authorities were redesigning the city of Krakow in order to make it more beautiful. The Planty Park was actually constructed on the site where once stood the fortification of the city. The fort wall was largely demolished, except for the small areas near the Barbican and Saint Florian’s Gate that were preserved. The man behind the plan of the Planty Park is believed to be Feliks Radwański Senior.

Construction of the Park was done in several stages and the finishing touches were completed over a long period of time. The resultant of all that effort is what makes the park picturesque, tranquil and elegant. The park is installed with several beautifully designed monuments raised in the memory of Polish writer Lilla Weneda, composer Grażyna Bacewicz, and poet Bohdan Zaleski.

Wander around more than 30 different styles of gardens and enjoy the beautiful flowers and greenery.

Why You Should Visit:
Scenically pretty all year round! In late spring and early summer, almost the entire length of the Planty is covered by a forest-like canopy of varying shades of green, with dozens of park benches along the way. Great place to relax and people watch.