Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Poland / Southern Poland / Krakow
 |  | Travel Reviews : Krakow |
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| | | | 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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| | 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 Beaut 5x2 bathroom home with panoramic mountain views, close to Krakow, The Salt mine, Aushwitz, Zakopane Tatra mountains and Slovakia.
|  | | St Mary's View
Quality Vacation Rental Apartment in Center of Krakow with Great View.
Central Holiday Flat in Krakow, Poland.
|  | | Klasika
Luxury Standard Vacation Rental Apartment in Centre of Krakow .
Central Holiday Exclusive Flat in Krakow, Poland.
|  | | Cherry Tree Farm
A very quiet, fully modernised, 4 bedroomed country house set in 1 hectare of landscaped garden/woodland, spectacular views, 16 km from Krakow. Perfect for families.
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Holiday Rentals in Krakow |
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