Krakow

Krakow – the former capital of Poland is currently one of the most interesting European cities. With its cultural heritage, magical architecture, intense nightlife and international character, it is the perfect place for a city break or a longer holiday.

Exploring the Area

Krakow is the second largest city in Poland. Situated on a river with a majestic castle in the background, it retains much of its historical character. The narrow, medieval streets form a labyrinth of alleys, interwoven with charming restaurants and bars. Most of them end at the Main Market Square – the oldest in Europe, where today you can feel the atmosphere of the former market square. Just a few minutes’ walk from the Market Square is Kazimierz – the former Jewish quarter. Old synagogues, cemeteries, signboards at some stores remind us of the fate of this place, marking the history of 20th-century Europe. In Kazimierz, the past meets with the present – mysterious and mystical in the day, and comes to life at night with conversations, music and fresh international energy.

Eating

Krakow, known for its hospitality, welcomes guests with fresh bread and salt. This tradition is reflected in a bagel-obwarzanek – a simple wheat pretzel, richly sprinkled with salt, which can be bought from street vendors. Poland prides itself on its bread – bread was the basic product in every Polish home for many years. Being in Krakow, it is worth trying the natural Polish bread prepared on rye sourdough, preferably still warm and generously spread with butter.

Krakow’s culinary scene is very diverse – Polish and international dishes can be eaten at any point of the city, from exquisite restaurants to street stands. It is worth starting the day with a traditional kosher breakfast, and for a dinner choose outstanding Argentine steaks, with a glass of red wine. Polish and Old Polish cuisine should be tried in a traditional restaurant – in accordance with the Krakow tradition, often located in one of the atmospheric cellars, richly decorated and reminiscent of old, noble times. The most popular local dishes are tartare – raw, chopped beef served with raw egg yolks and toppings, bigos (cabbage stew)- aromatic dish of boiled cabbage, and sour soup – a soup prepared on sourdough. Trying regional will take a while to start with dumplings – rarely anyone falls in love with them from the first bite. Despite the fact that Polish cuisine is not considered to be particularly easily digestible, a glass of local vodka traditionally drunk with a meal will certainly facilitate feasting.

Drinking

The most popular drink in Krakow is definitely beer – you can choose among the most popular brands, but more and more often in the offer of restaurants and bars are available beers from small, local breweries produced by a craft method. An excellent idea to spend an evening and at the same time combining it with a solid dose of knowledge is a walk along the trail of Polish vodkas and tinctures, prepared from seasonal fruits – plums, raspberries, pears and nuts. The restaurants offer a wide selection of wines and international spirits, and for a cocktail you can go to one of the stylish bars in the Market Square or Kazimierz.

What to See and Do

Krakow attracts with its atmosphere – a unique mix of history and tradition with modern culture, international climate and countless opportunities to spend free time. you can circulate the narrow streets of the Main Market Square and Kazimierz all days long, visiting the most important monuments of historic architecture – churches, basilicas, Wawel Castle, pre-war tenement houses. Krakow is an ideal starting point for day trips to the most popular destinations in the area. It is easy to reach Wieliczka – the oldest salt mine in Poland, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List; the former Nazi extermination camp Auschwitz Birkenau; traditional Polish mountain village – Zakopane, or go on a picturesque rafting down the Dunajec. The city hosts cultural and historical festivals, exhibitions and concerts throughout the year. Krakow is a cultural centre and both residents and tourists can fully take advantage of its offer.

Where to Stay

The most popular places to stay in Krakow are the vicinity of the Main Square and Kazimierz. By choosing one of these two locations, you will save time on commuting to the main monuments and you will be able to fully feel the atmosphere of historic Krakow. At any time you will be able to take a walk along the Vistula River, or go out for coffee to one of the cozy cafes or restaurants.

How to Get Around

Krakow has a well-developed communication network. Public transport includes buses and trams, and UBER and taxis are a popular means of transport. The city is compact enough that most of the popular places can be visited on foot or by bike (borrowed at one of many tourist points). For those who value comfort, a good option may be a covered melex journey, for those who like adventures to buy a Hop On-Hop Off bus ticket, and for those who seek a romantic atmosphere, a fairy-tale cruise on the Vistula or a horse-drawn carriage.

Krakow is an ideal starting point for day trips, and the distance to the most popular destinations does not exceed a few hours by car:

Auschwitz – 60 km
Wieliczka – 11 km
Zakopane – 85 km
Czestochowa 104 km
Wadowice – 38 km
Zabrze – 89 km
Tychy – 68 km

To each of these places you can get a rented car with a driver, guaranteeing speed, privacy and full mobility during the tour. Alternatively, there are bus and rail connections with each of the indicated cities.

Highlights

Krakow is the perfect place for you if:

• you love culture,
• you are curious about getting to know the place through the prism of its history,
• you are interested in architecture – baroque, gothic and renaissance, as well as a new one, marked by the era of socialism,
• you value cities that combine historical character with a fresh, artistic atmosphere,
• you enjoy city life – full of pub gardens, buzz and nightlife, but without the chaos of big metropolises,
• a varied offer of sightseeing opportunities is important to you – a combination of activity with comfort and high-quality tourist service,
• you like to draw from the local cultural offer – you are happy to go to concerts, performances, operas and participate in festivals,
• love of the cities with a soul, which in addition to monuments and popular attractions, have in them the secrets to discover.

Krakow for people with disabilities

Tours offered in Krakow can be successfully adapted to the needs of disabled people – our guides will carefully modify the route so that it is as comfortable as possible for people with limited mobility or special needs. We kindly ask you to enter information about disability when you contact us – thus we can guarantee a safe and the most convenient format for visiting the city.

Travelling with children

Krakow is a very good choice for families with children. A lot of attractions await children, schoolchildren and teenagers. The city is safe and friendly for children – the traffic around the Main Square is limited, cafes and restaurants offer a menu for children and there are many playgrounds and parks in the city. A suggestion of active play can be a visit to the Aquapark, visiting the theater, participating in workshops for the youngest or playing in the open air. In Krakow, the private care service for children is very popular – spending a few hours together and leaving children under a professional and careful eye will not be a problem.

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