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Original poster

Talk to me about Krakow please!

50 replies

Bloodynorthernrock · 12/01/2019 21:27

Attending a friend's wedding in August in Krakow so me, DH and 2 DC (4 and 7) making it our holiday this year and have booked flights for a week. Thinking about booking an Airbnb to stay but open to advice about where in or around Krakow to stay. Any tips for what to do while there would be great too!

OP posts:
Didsomeonesaybunny · 12/01/2019 21:33

Love Poland but particularly Krakow. We stayed at the hotel Stary which was reasonable and very beautiful. It’s situated in the Old Town which has so much history. The architecture is really interested, as is the food. Definitely try the pierogi’s!

We went to Auschwitz and also the salt mines. Also visited lots of museums and art galleries. One of my favourite places I’ve visited

MoorMummy · 12/01/2019 21:38

We got back Monday. Absolutely fabulous. We stayed at Aparthotel Stare Miasto which was lovely and just off the main square. Highly recommend. We visited Auschwitz and the Jewish quarter plus loads of churches.
The lonely planet guide is excellent and I’m sure will have some suggestions for activities for children .

Babdoc · 12/01/2019 21:45

Your DC will love Smoki the dragon - a statue near the river below the castle, who breathes real flames intermittently!
The original old town moat is now a lovely park called the Planty, which is worth walking through.
Auschwitz isn’t recommended for under 16 year olds, and is absolutely harrowing, but a very worthwhile and thought provoking visit for adults.
The salt mines are amazing- almost an underground cathedral, with statues of saints and kings carved out of the salt.
We stayed in the Radisson, which had fab breakfasts and was within a few minutes walk of the old centre and the massive square with the cloth hall.

BackforGood · 12/01/2019 23:41

Ooh, how strange, I'm looking for somewhere that dh and I might both l enjoy and I was going to ask about Krakow. How spooky.

Lefthanddown · 13/01/2019 02:10

Lovely city. We stopped in an air B&B in the Kazimierz Quarter which is great for street food.
Take time to go over the river to Podgorze; the former Ghetto area, the chemist museum is well worth a visit alongside a walk round the streets where plaques tell you what the buildings were used for during the war also the Catholic church is worth seeing.

I found this site useful
www.inyourpocket.com/krakow

Original poster
Bloodynorthernrock · 13/01/2019 19:20

Sorry for going off the radar, thanks for the advice so far everyone. Would love to visit Auschwitz (even moreso since reading the Tattooist of Auschwitz recently, which I would highly recommend) but definitely only if another family member can do something else with the DC as they are too young for it. Thought the old town might be a good bet to stay so will check it out and thanks for the website recommendation! Oh and Smoki sounds great Smile

OP posts:
OldGreyBoots · 14/01/2019 02:31

Been to Krakow the last two Septembers - first time stayed at the Hotel Krakow Residence, second time at Apartamenty Bonerowska 5. Can highly recommend both, obviously the apartment was cheaper - and closer to the old town square, which is where we spent most of our time. Auschwitz and Salt Mines both amazing but both very tiring days, on my first visit I did a combined tour which was exhausting but doable! I think I used KrakowShuttle for the tours, reasonable price and can't fault the service. Schindler's factory is maybe the best museum I've ever visited, covers the history of the city through the second world war.
Can't help with regard to children, but I adore Krakow and you won't struggle for things to do or places to eat!

Original poster
Bloodynorthernrock · 14/01/2019 20:22

Thanks OldGreyBoots! Really looking forward to it

OP posts:
LowbrowVictoriana · 14/01/2019 20:29

Watching with interest. My DGF was from Krakow, his father (my DGGF!) was the mayor for a time (long before war). I've never been, but would live to, looks an amazing city.
I've hinted that DH should take me for my 50th!

Molly333 · 14/01/2019 20:37

Would you not recommend autwitz for a 13 yr old ?

notacooldad · 14/01/2019 20:41

The kids could go to to the aquapark and the castle while others go to Auschwitz.

notacooldad · 14/01/2019 20:42

Would you not recommend autwitz for a 13 yr old ?
No.

Vanillamanilla1 · 14/01/2019 20:45

I've just come back from there last week
Stayed in aparthotel stare misto , very lovely very reasonable.. watch those ceilings, very odd if you're on the top floor
Lots of places to eat but don't eat in the Grande grill in the main square
One member of staff Natalia particularly rude and seems to mock the British but not discreetly rather , alot of side eye and Whisper going on, food was terrible ... Spoke to others there and they rated Moo Moos
There's a vegetarian Chinese about 10 minutes walk .. fabulous !! I had egg and vegetables fried rice ...took it back to the hotel it was gorgeous ! Will try find the name for you
Wine is very expensive, and the measure of wine is tiny ... Bottle of pinot grigio was £20 ...vodka and beer not so expensive
Cheap as chips overall , there's a Macdonald's nearby , bizarrely the breakfasts are a poor show compared to ours but my friend rated the main meals
Staff at stare miasto will sort out anything, any taxi , any trip , they are very helpful and speak perfect English ... I got pick pocketed at birkenau and they were so helpful..had to explain what pick pocketed was and small brown envelope ( what my cash was in ) but as soon as she realised what I was on about she was horrified and was on the phone straight away .. do not carry more cash than needed , it's so close to the main square you can pop back for more if needed ..there are safes in the room .. WiFi in the hotel is excellent.. unfortunately the hotel only does breakfast, no food after that ..but were so helpful on our leaving day we hang around and they even let us unplug the Christmas tree to charge my phone ! ..nice atmosphere in the evening, the drinks were cheaper in the hotel by a couple zloty more than the main square it all adds up tho ...

Ceebies · 14/01/2019 21:14

We had a great time doing this: www.crazyguides.com and YY to Salt Mines. They are amazing

MoorMummy · 14/01/2019 22:00

Vanilla how funny you were at the same hotel. I agree the hotel staff were helpful. We couldn’t get in Moo Moos as fully booked. We did pizza in Polski pub ( very reasonable ) and went to Sioux grill ( burgers and chicken etc , not bad at all) .

I’m disgusted that someone would pick pocket you at Birkenau of all places that’s absolutely awful.

We did the Galicia Jewish museum and the Remuh synagogue both really interesting.

Lefthanddown · 15/01/2019 16:46

I'd recommend a visit to the Absinth cafe for anybody going to Krakow without children

www.absynt-krakow.pl/index.php/en

Puzzledandpissedoff · 15/01/2019 17:54

This is surreal - I booked last night for a week there at the end of January, so am really enjoying the tips

MoorMummy · 15/01/2019 21:32

Puzzled.try Gossip cafe for brekkie or brunch , tiny but absolutely Delian and so cheap.Nakeldy ( not sure how you spell it) for cakes and coffee.I believe Moo Moo restaurant (steak and wine) near Maly Rhynek very good, was fully booked when we tried.Polski pub for a simple pizza.

Where you staying ?Im so jealous I want to go back 😊 xx

MoorMummy · 15/01/2019 21:33

Delicious not Delian ! FFS

fishym2b · 15/01/2019 21:39

Cafe Camelot is lovely and cosy for brunch in the old town. Pinball museum also good fun. Kazmeri district is great for food too, there is a lovely humus restaurant. If you like beer then viva la pinta is worth searching out. I go for work so don't tend to have time for the tourist things but it's a lovely city.

AnyFucker · 15/01/2019 21:46

I love Krakow

Have a look at Apartment Paulove in the Kazimierz district. Right next to the streets of Jewish Quarter and a massive mediaval church. Don't bother with a hotel...the apartments are fantastic and atmospheric.

I would take a 13yo to Auschwitz. The younger generation need to know

Be sure to do a city tour on the back of little private open air bus. The guide we had was hysterical and dropped us at several bars on the way round

So many unexpected beautiful spots and the people watching is fantastic

The weather will be hot in August. We had 30deg in September.

VinoEsmeralda · 15/01/2019 21:59

I just booked the 6h Auschwitz-Birkenau tour for my and DC who are 14&15. On site it recommends not for kids u 14.

Anybody done the guided 6h tour?

Corcra · 15/01/2019 22:11

We stayed in apartments twice and the grand hotel once. We found the accommodation, restaurants and bars absolutely brilliant.

MoorMummy · 15/01/2019 22:13

We did Auschwitz as a private taxi tour , it was about 74 pounds for the two of us. Our driver included video , commentary and other information.He was ( understatement) rather intense and opinionated. Look on trip adviser for ‘Polish Bob’. He did know his history though even if he wasn’t exactly my cup of tea. We left at 07.50 and were back for 2 and the weather was horrific so we made good time. We did the tour without a guide as both DH and myself are fairly well up on the subject and we preferred to wander round by ourselves. We had to take passports as ID. No entry fee though.

MoorMummy · 15/01/2019 22:14

Any Fucker I’m going to check out those Apartments, thanks.

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