Poland welcomes millions of tourists a year, keen to explore the country’s rich cultural and historical heritage.
Its boasts some of the most beautiful cities that Europe has to offer, despite the devastation wrought by World War Two.
Warsaw’s old city was painstakingly restored to its original appearance following its complete destruction under Nazi rule – a testament to the pride and determination of its people.
One of country’s most beautiful cities is situated in the south and was spared the fate suffered by Warsaw and Gdansk.
Krakow is situated on the Vistula River and dates back to the seventh century. Its Gothic and Renaissance architecture helps top attract millions of tourists.
Official figures show that 9.3 million visitors came to the city in 2023 – almost twelve tines the number of actual people living there – and many of them are Brits.
Many come to party hard in one of the city’s numerous pubs and clubs, which also draw in a lot of stag parties and hen dos from the UK.
But local residents are increasingly fed up with the wild and unruly behaviour of the partying hordes.
Many complain of drunk tourists who scream, vomit and fight, making life intolerable for locals.
Residents have taken legal action against the town hall, accusing it of failing to address issues related to noise and excessive drunkenness.
“The disregard for the law has become a symbol of tourism in Krakow,” Ryszard Rydiger told France24.
The lawyer behind the initiative added that the tourists behave like “Tarzan in the jungle”.
The epicentre of disorder is Szewska Street, where Jan,23, works at a nightclub frequented by partygoers.
He described the street as a place “at the heart of darkness” and said the city needed to introduce “appropriate legislation so that we keep tourists, but without noise, disorder and rubbish.”
Over the course of 2023, police were called out to deal with disturbances 6,800 times in the city centre.
Often the incidents involved excessive consumption of alcohol and destruction of public property, according to municipal guard spokesman Marek Aniol.
Campaigners have put up posters around the city demanding that visitors show it the respect it deserves.
“You are in the city of Polish kings; it deserves respect,” read the posters.