Americans Can Fly Nonstop To The Best Budget Destination In Europe

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Heading to Europe this summer but still haven’t fully planned out your itinerary?

Chances are you’re a bit taken aback by the rising prices, from once-inexpensive Portugal all the way to Croatia, which has long lost its status as the “affordable alternative to Italy.” But there’s still hope for the budget-conscious traveler.

If you love medieval architecture, historic towns that look frozen in time, and most importantly, will not blow your entire budget, then you’ll love Kraków in Poland.

And guess what? If you’re an American, you can even fly there nonstop from two U.S. cities:

One Of The Most Beautiful Medieval Centers In Europe

Though it is Poland's second-largest city, after the capital, Warsaw, Kraków is, in many ways, the country's cultural centerpiece.

While many Polish cities were severely damaged by shelling during World War II, Kraków was largely protected from aerial attacks, and its UNESCO World Heritage Site of the Old Town is still one of Europe's best-preserved.

It is centered around a beautiful Rynek Główny, or Old Town Square, the second-largest in the continent after Prague's Charles Square, and a most-perfect snapshot into life in the 15th century.

In the center of the square, there is an arcaded Cloth Hall, dating back to the Renaissance era. On the northern corner, the Gothic towers of St. Mary's Basilica pierce the otherwise even, gable-roofed skyline, and to the south, you'll find a minor, yet equally stunning St. Adalbert's Church.

Built in the 11th century, it ranks among the oldest stone churches in all of Poland.

Flanking this idyllic setting, there are historic townhouses with colorful facades, decorated in intricate motifs, cafe terraces with views, and boutique shops occupying dwellings that once belonged to merchants in the Middle Ages.

Castles, Picturesque Historic Quarters & Yummy Food

Away from the Old Town Square, one of Kraków's most-visited landmarks is Wawel Castle:

Lining the Vistula River, this impressive fortification is like a children's playground for history lovers and architecture enthusiasts, with its numerous medieval towers, inner courtyards, eerie dungeons, and thousand-year-old cathedral, where Polish monarchs were once coronated.

Visiting the castle grounds is free, but in order to enter the complex, you'll need to pay an 89 złoty fee, or roughly $23.50.

Over in Kazimierz, Kraków's Jewish quarter, quirky kosher eateries, post-War renovated synagogues, and vibrant street art await—if we're talking food, Cheder Café is a local favorite:

Housed in a former synagogue, the 19th century Chevra Ner Tamid, it has a number of Middle Eastern-inspired dishes, including pita with labneh and beef pesto, and their Finjan coffee, enriched with cardamon and brown sugar, is a popular order.

Would you rather grab a takeout zapiekanka to eat alfresco instead?

Swing by Zapiekanki u Endziora, in the heart of Kazimiers, get their crispy Polish baguette with cheese, mushroom and onions ((around $3.75), and make your way towards Planty Park, a green belt surrounding the Old Town.

It's the best spot for feeling closer to nature without leaving the city, and people-watching as you gorge on Polish street snacks.

World War II Heritage

Lastly, if you're into museums, then you can't miss out on Schindler's Factory Museum:

We're sure you're familiar with Schindler's List, and if you shed a tear or two watching the Spielberg classic, be prepared for yet another heart-wrenching recount of Oskar Schindler's efforts to save Jewish families during the Holocaust.

Of course, no visit to Kraków is complete without a day trip to Auschwitz-Birkenau, a largely-intact concentration camp established by the Nazi Germans at the height of World War II.

A short one-hour drive from the city, it is now an open-air museum telling devastating tales of Europe's greatest tragedy.

There are many alternatives traveling from Kraków to Auschwitz, but without question, the most convenient is booking a guided tour, costing from as cheap as $26 per person on GetYourGuide.

Kraków Is The Best Budget City In Europe

As you might have noticed, prices in Kraków are definitely on the cheaper end of the European price scale compared to most Western cities.

Street food and snacks cost around $1.50–$3, and budget meals in casual Old Town eateries star from as low as $10—on that note, you shouldn't miss out on a traditional ‘milk bar' experience at Milkbar Tomasza, in the heart of the Old Town.

They're famous for their meaty soups, generously-filled potato pancakes, and Polish pierogi, and in general, you won't spend over $6–$9 ordering a main dish here.

It's no wonder British publication The Independent has listed Kraków as Europe's best budget city this year.

Fly Direct To Kraków From The U.S.

Perhaps surprisingly to some, you don't need to resort to connecting flights to get to Kraków (KRK) from the U.S.

Warsaw isn't the only Polish city to host nonstop Transatlantic flights, after all: Americans can opt instead to fly straight to Poland's main cultural hub from either Chicago–O'Hare or New York–Newark (only available in the summer months).

Poland's national carrier LOT is the one airline operating on these routes, with all the relevant information listed below:

U.S. city	Airline	Flight frequency	Days of the week	Average roundtrip fare
Chicago (ORD)	LOT Polish Airlines	4 flights a week	Sunday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday	$545–$711
New York (EWR)	LOT Polish Airlines	1 flight a week	Friday	$550–$590

Book your tickets directly with LOT here.