Krakow is a characterful and charming city break in Europe – and it won’t cost the earth. Here’s our insider guide to getting the most out of a visit..
. Krakow. Photo: Maria Swärd / Getty Browsing the markets in Kazimierz.
photo: Getty Planty park in Krakow. Photo: Michal Krakowiak / Getty As one of Europe's oldest cities, Krakow has tonnes of historical beauty to offer, but it doesn't stop there. With our travel tips you'll deviate from the beaten path, but at the same time won't miss any of the city's most famous attractions.
Krakow's Christmas markets The Old City All roads in Krakow seem to lead to the Main Square, the heart of the old city. As one of the largest medieval market squares in Europe, it’s home to many historical attractions – think of St. Mary's Basilica, the Town Hall Tower and the Cloth Hall, for example.
It’s also here that its gorgeous Christmas markets are held. Afterwards, follow the royal route with its starting point at the Florians Church, winding past the most famous attractions – and don't forget Florianska Street and Grodzak Street. A nice place to satisfy an appetite? Pierogarnia Krakowiacy for pierogies or Polish dumplings, or Zaczyn for local pastries with coffee.
mariacki.com Wawel Castle Legends about dragons, heroes and kings inhabit this castle complex, which was the main residence of the Polish royal family for five centuries. Today, it’s a castle museum with a phenomenal view of the Vistula River, where you can relive the atmosphere of yesteryear in the cathedral, the royal gardens, the dragon cave, the armoury and the state chambers.
Large parts can be visited for free, but for the full experience you need to purchase a ticket. As an alternative, enjoy a drink or meal with a view of the castle from the terrace of Cafe Manggha. wawel.
krakow.pl , manggha.pl Auschwitz & Birkenau If you set foot on Polish soil, it’s hard to ignore Auschwitz and Birkenau.
The concentration camps are about an hour-and-a-half’s drive from Krakow (though bear in mind that they can be an upsetting visit, and taking children under the age of 14 is not recommended). There are many buses every day, making traveling on your own certainly feasible, and you can also book an organised day excursion. auschwitz.
org Browsing the markets in Kazimierz. photo: Getty Kazimierz The old Jewish district of Kazimierz is knitted with charming alleys, numerous wall paintings and atmospheric bars and eateries. Mosey through the alley of Józefa St.
Yes, where a scene from Schindler's List was filmed, visit the oldest European synagogue and enjoy the local specialty zapiekanka or pizza roll on Plac Nowy square. Thirsty? You can find zingy cocktails In the bars Singer (ul. Estery 20) and Alchemia ( alchemia.
com.pl ). Zakrzówek Lake Looking to cool off during hot summer days? Then head to Zakrzówek Lake, just a 20-minute walk from the centre.
The clear blue lagoon with its steep rock walls is largely fenced, but the beach and several swimming pools are freely accessible. Get there early during warm weather, however – due to the limited number of visitors, long queues can arise. Weekday mornings are best.
Schindler's Factory You’ll discover even more sobering war stories in the former factory of Oskar Schindler, who saved many of his Jewish employees from death in the concentration camps. The permanent exhibition gives a good idea of what things were like in Krakow under the Nazi occupation. schindlers-factory-tickets.
com Planty park in Krakow. Photo: Michal Krakowiak / Getty Free visits to museums Many museums can be visited for free on certain days of the week. Usually on Monday or Tuesday.
Make sure that you reserve your ticket well in advance, because the free tickets are often limited in number. This also applies to paid tickets. The key is to be quick.
Take the tram In the old city you are best off on foot, but if you want to discover other districts, the tram is best (running from 5am to 11pm). You can buy tickets at the stops, on the trams themselves with cash or via the JakDojade app. Don't forget to validate the ticket as soon as you get on - to avoid fines – and note that the city is divided into three zones, which determine the price (you can check this on the city maps at the payment machines).
Night buses run at regular intervals later on, while the night trams only run once an hour. mpk.krakow.
pl , jakdojade.pl Smoking and drinking in public Drinking in public areas is prohibited and public drunkenness is not tolerated by law enforcement. Smoking in public is also not allowed, and there are hefty fines for it.
A post shared by Kuchnia U Babci Maliny (@kuchnia_u_babci_maliny) € Kuchnia U Babci Maliny In Poland, milk bars are remnants of a Communist past. This is one of the most famous in Krakow. Don't expect gastronomic frills, but you've come to the right place for a traditional meal at a very affordable price.
kuchniaubabcimaliny.pl €€ Halicka bar and restaurant Foodies will enjoy a pit stop in this Instagram-worthy hotspot in the centrally located Puro Hotel. You can sip a delicious cocktail in the bar or enjoy a refined tasting in the restaurant.
On the menu? Local dishes with an international twist. purohotel.pl €€€ Cyrano de Bergerac Refined French cuisine and a fairytale setting in a medieval cellar are the order of the day at this popular restaurant, which has already attracted local celebs.
cyranodebergerac.com.pl A post shared by New Port Hotel (@new_port_hotel) € - Meininger Kraków Centrum With its modern rooms and dormitories, Meininger Kraków Centrum is a cross between a hotel and a hostel.
Located right in the centre. meininger-hotels.com €€ - New Port Hotel In this unique hotel on the water you can drift off to sleep with a beautiful view of the Vistula River and the city behind it.
The city centre is within walking distance. newporthotel.pl €€€ - The Bonerowski Palace Would you like to stay in luxury in a hotel with a view of the city's historic market square? Look no further.
The Bonerowski Palace is your perfect base in the old part of the city. palacebonerowski.pl A post shared by Wódka Café Bar (@wodkacafebar) Vodka Café Bar Polish nightlife is accompanied by vodka.
Lots of vodka. And that’s exactly what you’ll find in Wodka Café Bar in the old city centre. Expect one of the smallest bars in the city with an extensive range of no fewer than a hundred different vodka flavours.
Instagram: @wodkacafebar Prozak 2.0 In this underground nightclub, techno and house lovers can party until the early hours. It’s spread over two floors in various rooms where local and international DJs perform.
Instagram: @prozakdwazero Spolem Deluxe No pumping beats, just pop music from the seventies, eighties and nineties in an interior that catapults you back to Communist times. You can escape the hustle and bustle of the dance floor in the separate bar area. Instagram: @spolemdeluxe A post shared by 📍Kraków | Cracow best tips, pictures and info (@krakowhello) @krakowfood.
kati - tasty places to eat, tipped by local foodie, Kati Płachecka @dawnykrakow - historical facts from a city guide @krakowhello - great sights and tips from a local The weather in Krakow is at its most pleasant from May to September. If you want to avoid the big crowds, definitely avoid July and August, however. In winter, the city’s Christmas markets are among the most intimate and atmospheric in Europe.
Krakow’s airport is 17km outside the city centre, with trains running between to Kraków Główny (the main station in the Old Town) and taking about 20 minutes. Ryanair flies from Dublin Airport and Belfast International to Krakow. ryanair.
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