Few European cities wear their history as vividly as Kraków, where Wawel Castle rises above the Vistula and the Cloth Hall continues trading, just as it has for centuries. Yet behind the Gothic façades, the city is fast becoming one of Europe’s most dynamic modern economies. Tourism has rebounded strongly, with Ryanair’s $800-million expansion of its Kraków base driving record passenger numbers at John Paul II International in 2025. On the cultural front, a museum devoted to the brilliant, beloved polymath Stanisław Wyspiańskiof anchors a growing arts corridor and burnishes a #22 ranking for Museums.
Business confidence remains equally high. Western Europe accounted for 83% of Kraków’s 2024 FDI, with R&D and tech leading the charge. Heineken’s shared services center expansion is adding 400 skilled jobs, while UBS and Volvo’s EV tech hub are deepening Kraków’s position as Central Europe’s talent magnet, as is Google’s ongoing investment in AI research. A #37 ranking for Nightlife means young talent has space to play, too. Sustainable transport is advancing: the long-awaited metro system won’t arrive until the end of the decade, but a 2026 commuter rail upgrade will cut airport-to-downtown travel time. With high employment – ranking #32 for Unemployment Rate – and residential investment accelerating, Kraków is balancing heritage and innovation with rare finesse.