Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Poland / Southern Poland / Krakow
 |  | Travel Reviews : Krakow |
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| | | | Review by loraine brant-bowen from swansea
lovely place to visit, plenty to see and inexpensive
Review by Christine Humphrys from Alton
This house is in a rural area near to Krakow, but not in Krakow itself. Krakow is about 40 minutes drive (as long as there are no traffic jams). Krakow is a vibrant, friendly city with history, culture, restaurants and peaceful parks.
Review by pietro pagano from rome
i have been charmed by the fascinating atmosphere of this city, with its particulars wiews, colours and smells. people have a kindness that i haven't encountered so often in europe.
Review by Jen Hillier from Cambridge
With the Euro exchange rate not providing much value for money at the moment, Krakow is a very appealling city destination. I don't think anyone would complain at a lovely three course meal for two, with beer and wine typically at £16.00! Very interesting and historical city with plenty going on and lots to do and see.
Review by maria meehan from bishopbriggs
Krakow is a lovely historic town everything in walking distance . food and drink was reasonable . good rail and bus transportv very cheap and important reliable Would recommend this city
Review by Paula Peck from Clare, Suffolk,England
Krakow is a wonderful city with plenty to see and do. A visit to the salt mines and to Auschwitz if you can bear it are very worth-while,but my advice would be to go to Tourist Information who are very helpful and to catch the mini buses and go to the places of interest by yourselves as they work out at a fraction of the price of pre-organised tours.
Eating in the market square is very expensive but worth it for a couple of treats. There is plenty of entertainment going on there in the evenings.
Lake Kryspinow is worth a visit if the weather is hot and you want to sunbathe and swim you catch the super bus from outside the Jubilat supermarket it goes about every half-hour.We found the interior of Wawel castle a little disappointing,but if you get there early on a monday am a lot of the admission tickets are free.
Review by Jonathan Evans from Manchester
Krakow has fabulous architecture and teh main square is something to marvel at. The city is a relaxed city and is great to wander around. Aside from the very interesting day-trips to Auschwitz and the Salt-mines, the city provides plenty for you to do, a week would still not be enough, it is the kind of place you do not want to leave.
On our first night there was a huge inflateable sceren erected in one of the squares on which they showed an onld Chaplin film in it's entirety. An old man played an electric piano (with no music) to accompany the film in the try silent-film style. It was a free event and it summed up Krakow's attitude towards culture and tourism, the next day they were setting up something else (which we didn't catch). There is a cafe in the Jewish quarter called Polakowska which is an example of the true-authentic-style restaurant you can find (especially in the Jewish quarter) me and my girlfriend had 3 meals (believing two would not be enough for the prices on the menue) and a couple of beers, we paid only £5 each and it was possibly the nicest food I have ever tasted.
I am rarely bowled over by cities , I loved Prague but it wasn't a scratch on Krakow.
Go there and love it.
Review by Steve Elliott from Cowden, East Yorks
The New Barcelona, Cleaner, Friendlier and without beggars:
There are at least 4 distinct Kracow histories to explore,
Medieval (Churches, Castles, Monuments and Museums - take a 'golf car tour')
War Time (Auschwitz-Birkenau, bus tours available daily)
Post War Communist (Nowa Huta and the Communist era - take a 'Trabant Tour')
Todays Krakow ( Sit in the dynamic and exciting main market square, drink beer, watch people!)
Review by REBECCA HOWE from BIRMINGHAM
poland in general is an ideal holiday destination to suite all ages as it offers something for everyone a fantastic holiday destination,and your money goes along way.
Review by Jenny Ford from Leicester
The visit was a taste of real life in Krakow. The city is full of quiet corners with intriguing details such as unexpected architectural features. Poland has a rich, complex and sometimes tragic history. Living in the city for a week felt like a taste of this history and culture.
Review by Debby Miller from Merseyside
For lovers of History Krakow is a must! Everybody should be made to visit Auschwitz once in their life just to s the sheer scale of the suffering that was endured. That aside, Krakow is brimming with Historical sites of interest and teaming with gothic churches. The jewish quarter Kazimierz comes alive at night with great bars and restaurants and a very cosmopolitan atmosphere. Food and drink is very cheap here, great for beer and vodka lovers especially. A good three course meal costs around £10, beers £1, cocktails £3. The Beuno Vista Club and the Swing Club in Kazimierz are great for music lovers. The Polish people are lovely, all keen to speak English, especially the younger generation so if you don't speak the language it's fine. The shopping's not great and the weather in April was pretty rubbish but if you love History, Beautiful buildings, interesting people, beer and vodka you will love Krakow.
Review by Trevor Alley from Darlington
Krakow was lovely - traffic was not!!
Review by Ruth Dunning from Belfast
A beautiful historic city.
Review by geoff weir from newcastle
great city nice friendly people we plan to return
A Krakow of a city
Krakow has been one of Europe's best-kept secrets for many years - but not for much longer.
Known almost exclusively for being the home city of the last Pope, Karol Woltya, it is now making the most of its stunning historic architecture and the vibrancy generated by a plethora of late-night bars and cafes.
easyJet runs a daily service from Luton and it is rapidly becoming one of its busiest routes. And it's not difficult to see why, as there really is something to appeal to everyone.
Some of the oldest churches in Europe are on display in the city, which is best viewed by foot. Guides are available to show you around and explain the history behind buildings, such as the Barbican and the Royal Palace on Wawel Hill.
Like many eastern European cities, Krakow's central point is the huge square which is flanked by a whole host of bars, restaurants and cafes.
With over 200,000 students residing in the academic capital of Poland there is a distinctly young feel to the city, and the warm charm of the people make it a friendly and safe place to venture around.
The number of hotels in the area means that if exploring is your thing then this is the place for you. I stayed in the Hotel Europejski, which is a two-minute stroll from the main square. With double rooms available from £25 pppn, it is great value for money and offers a fine breakfast and a magnificent bar area.
While Poland is not a nation generally known for its golf courses, this is also something that may be about to change with the opening of the magnificent Krakow Valley and Country Club. Situated between Krakow and Katowice, it's an ideal spot for a golfing weekend.
With only 3,000 players in Poland, the game is very much in its infancy, but the Krakow Valley is looking to build on that with its academy offering lessons from its four professionals and a driving range and six-hole practice course which would put many of those found in the UK to shame.
The jewel in the crown is the stunning 18-hole championship course which allows picturesque views of the surrounding areas and will test even the most accomplished of players. A round will set you back around £25, a stunning price for a course which is a good as anything on offer in more established golfing nations.
In addition to the course, there is also an indoor rifle and pistol shooting range, and also a horse riding centre with full-trained stable staff on hand to offer lessons. Plans are also afoot to build a ski lift on land next to the course, which will take advantage of the cold Polish winters and allow skiers and snowboarders to strut their stuff on the rugged hillside around the area.
With the club being a 40-minute drive from Krakow, the outstanding hotel within the grounds is the perfect place to recover from the rigours of the sporting choices on offer.
Room prices range from £35 per night for a double room. The impressive restaurant and bar area in the hotel offers a choice of polish and international cuisine.
Travel guide: Krakow
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| | | | Studies in salt
One of the most important and popular tourist attractions in this part of southern Poland is the historic Salt Mine in Wieliczka. It is the only site in the world where excavation has continued since the Middle Ages. The mine was the highlight of my tour and definitely a place anyone making the journey to Poland must take in.
Mining was seen as an occupation of great prestige in Poland. Many of the men who worked at Wieliczka were skilled craftsmen who, in their spare time, built statues, altars and monuments 350 metres underground out of rock salt.
Sculptures of the Crucifixion of Christ and The Last Supper expertly created hundreds of years ago and preserved by the low temperatures underground are enough to impress even the biggest culture-phobe.
Poland, now part of the EU, is looking to build up its burgeoning reputation as a place to visit, and with its relatively cheap accommodation, restaurants and bars, Krakow is a place that is succeeding in that aim.
- easyJet fly daily to Krakow from Luton. Ring Hotel Europejski on 00 48 (12) 423 2510. To book golf breaks at Krakow Valley and Country Club, ring 00 48 (12) 282 9467.
Feeling inspired? Book a holiday
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| | Destination Guide : Krakow |
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| | | Soak up the heritage |  | Why go on holiday to Krakow?
No other city in Poland is crammed with so many historical buildings and monuments, making it a real treat for culture buffs. Emerging unscathed from the Second World War, the city's skyline is dominated by church spires. Its heritage and vast art collection earned it World Heritage status in 1978, and was celebrated again when Krakow was crowned European City of Culture in 2000.
Many say that Krakow has everything Prague has to offer but at lower prices and with fewer tourists. It has emerged as a short break destination and is popular for stag and hen weekends. But consider sticking around for longer. You won't be disappointed.
How much does it cost?
Flights to Krakow start at around £200 return, with LOT Polish Airlines providing direct services from London. New low-cost services with easyJet are available. A three-night city break in bed and breakfast accommodation, plus flights, is around £300 per person.
When should I go?
The tourist season runs roughly from May to September. July and August have the biggest crowds, with average daytime temperatures reaching 24C (71F) in July. The best time to go is mid-May to June or September to mid-October.
During winter the weather is often freezing, January highs only average 0C, but it's still good for city visits.
What should I do when I'm there?
Your first stop should be the elegant and fascinating Old Town, which is compact enough to explore on foot. At its centre lies the Main Market Square, said to be the country's largest medieval town square. Soak up the old world atmosphere and pop into the Historical Museum of Krakow, the 14th-century Cloth Hall, and the breath-taking St Mary's Basilica. When you feel tired, head for the park of the Planty, which rings the square.
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| | | Cathedral and castle | | Where should I go next?
To the south of the Old Town lies one of the city's prettiest streets, u Kanonicza, which leads to the Wawel castle and cathedral, both of symbolic and national importance. The Gothic cathedral is where most of the royal coronations and funerals have taken place and features a maze of tombstones, altarpieces and a beautiful Renaissance chapel.
Formerly the political and cultural centre of Poland until the early 17th century, the castle is now a museum containing five different sections, including the Royal Chambers, treasury and armoury.
Allow at least three hours for your visit to the Wawel but avoid the weekends when the crowds descend.
Anything else I should know?
Thanks to the Hollywood film Schindler's List, which depicts events during the Holocaust, the Kazimierz area, which has a strong Jewish heritage, now draws scores of visitors. You can tour the former Jewish ghetto, Schindler's factory and Plaszow death camp.
Many visitors, however, book an organised day trip or travel by train or bus to Auschwitz, the former Nazi concentration camp. Entrance is free although there is a nominal fee for a 15-minute documentary. Adults are advised not to take children under the age of 13. There is also a special bus to the nearby Birkenau camp.
Any other good day trips?
On the city outskirts lies the Wieliczka salt mine, a Unesco World Heritage Site that is still operating 700 years after it was established. The upper three levels of the mine have been turned into a museum. Visitors walk through underground pits and chambers that have been made into chapels, monuments and statues. There are even underground lakes. The mine is open daily, with English-speaking tours available between June and September.
Outdoors-lovers should make time for Ojcow National Park, which is dotted with caves, impressive rock formations, plant life and two castles. Eight daily buses from Krakow serve the park.
Where's good for nightlife?
Krakow has a wealth of cafes, many in attractive old buildings and medieval cellars. In the Old Town, you will also find discos and student clubs. Vodka dives are probably best avoided.
There is a lively cultural life including the Piwnica pod Baranami, Loch Camelot and Jana Michalika cabarets. Theatre-lovers should head to the Cricot or Stary Teatr, while the Filharmonia is home to one of the country's best orchestras.
Other musical highlights include the Music In Old Krakow Festival every August. Jazz festivals also take place in July, August and November.
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| | | Hearty cuisine | | What's the food like?
Polish food is hearty; thick soups and sauces, potatoes and dumplings, lots of meat but not many vegetables. Characteristic flavours are dill, marjoram, caraway seed and wild mushroom.
Favourite dishes include bigos (sauerkraut and meat), barszcz (beetroot soup) and pierogi (ravioli-like dumplings stuffed with cheese, meat or wild mushrooms).
Stuffed cabbage leaves, potato pancakes, knedle or sweet dumplings and dried meat sausages rather like salami are also common and delicious.
Visiting a Polish milk bar is quite an experience. It's a no-frills, self-service cafeteria which serves mainly veggie food at ultra-low prices.
Tea and vodka are the favoured Polish beverages. Vodka comes flavoured with bizarre-sounding ingredients - bison grass vodka is surprisingly good. Traditional long meals are interspersed with flavoured vodka shots.
What should I buy?
Polish towns have Cepelia shops that are good value for craftwork - Poles excel at paper cutouts, woodcarving, tapestries, embroidery, paintings on glass, pottery and handpainted wooden boxes. In Krakow head for the Cloth Hall for every imaginable Polish craft - amber and silver are especially good value.
It's also worth hunting for antiques in the monthly bric-a-brac fair held in the main square.
What is there for children to do?
Head for Blonia, a park area where you can often find a circus or fair.
Bielany on the city's outskirts is good if you fancy a picnic and is a popular spot for weekend day-trippers. The nearby Wolski Forest is beautiful.
Tourist office
Polish National Tourist Office, Remo House, 310-312 Regent Street, London W1B 3AX. Tel. 020 7580 6688.
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| | Fact File : Krakow |
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| | | Krakow | | Did you know?
Krakow's artistic heritage is proven by its vast collection of art works, believed to number more than 2.3 million.
Language
Polish.
Visas
None required
Getting there
Direct flights to Warsaw from Heathrow, Gatwick and Manchester.
Flying time from London
Around 2.5 hours.
Getting around
Most attractions are in the Old Town or within easy walking distance so you won't need buses or trams unless you're staying outside the centre.
Currency
Zloty.
Costs
Litre of petrol 50p; bottle of lager 70p; moderate restaurant meal £8; roll of film £2.50; four-mile taxi ride £2.50, but all costs will vary.
Weather
Summer temperatures range from 16C to 28C (55-75F); winter temperatures from -7C to 3C (20-35F).
Time difference
One hour ahead of the UK.
International dialling code from the UK
00 48 22.
Voltage
220V.
Opening hours
Most shops open from 7am or 8am until 6pm or 7pm, Monday to Friday, with a half day on Saturdays; 24-hour general stores can be found in most districts.
Health — before you go
A vaccination against hepatitis A is advised; adequate health insurance is a must.
Health — when you are there
The water is OK to drink, but you may prefer to stick to bottled for reasons of taste. Air and water pollution levels in Poland are high.
Warnings
Some transport inspectors are on the prowl for foreigners. Make sure you have proper tickets for yourself and your luggage as no mercy will be shown.
Emergency
Police national emergency tel 997; ambulance tel 999.
Customs
There are four daily meals in Poland: an early breakfast, a light snack for second breakfast, a substantial lunch taken after work and a small supper before bed.
Pets
Poland is not part of the Pet Travel Scheme so normal quarantine rules apply.
Tipping
Tips of around 10% are expected from westerners.
Tourist office
Polish National Tourist Office, Remo House, 310-312 Regent Street, London W1B 3AX. Tel 020 7580 6688.
Useful website
poland.dial.pipex.com/
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| | Available rental properties in Krakow |
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| |  | | Cracowstay Luxury Apartment, Krakow City Centre
Our Krakow apartment is located in one of the most charming parts of Krakow, 5 mins away from the main tourist attractions in historic center of Krakow. It has all it takes to enjoy your holiday
|  | | The Retreat Osieczany
English owners 5x2 bathroom home with panoramic mountain views, close to Krakow, The Salt mine, Aushwitz, Zakopane, check our reviews they say it all.
|  | | The cottage retreat
English owners listed beaut traditional Polish house 4bed 2bathroom large garden in Myslenice, Near Krakow, Zakopane, Skiing, Wieliczka salt mine, Au
|  | | Rubinstein Apartment
Situated in the trendy Jewish Quarter Kazimierz, this is a spectacular luxury 1 bedroom apartment, stylish decorated
|  | | VILLA MAKOWICA
Four bedroom two bathroom house in the mountains, with new road straight to the property by normal car.
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Holiday Rentals in Krakow |
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 |  | Family and kids (22) | | | Culture and history (14) | | | Beautiful Scenery (14) | | | Lively nightlife (9) | | | Good dining (8) |
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