Planty Park

Planty Park is a green belt of roughly four kilometres that encircles Krakow's Old Town, in Poland's Lesser Poland region. It was laid out in the 1800s on the site of the medieval city walls and moat, after the fortifications were demolished, and it replaces the former defences with a continuous ring of lawns, trees and paths. Benches, fountains, statues and small themed gardens line the route, and the south side offers views toward Wawel Hill. The park is divided into distinct sections, each with its own character, and a loop of the whole ring takes between one and two hours at a leisurely pace. Visitors can join at almost any point, for example at St. Florian's Gate, near the Barbican, or close to Wawel, and walk in either direction. Spring blossoms and golden October foliage are the most photogenic periods, and shaded paths make the park a cool refuge in midsummer. The best photographs are of the Wawel viewpoints on the south section and the old wall remnants near the gate. The park is open around the clock and lit at night, and it is free. Weekday mornings are calm, while sunny weekends bring families, joggers and students, and the sections near the main tourist routes fill up first. Refreshment stands are few on the north section, so water is worth carrying. The park pairs well with a walk along Florianska Street or a visit to the Barbican, and it provides a quiet counterpoint to the busy Main Market Square.