Talk to me about Krakow please!

[Bloodynorthernrock]

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!

I did a tour of Auschwitz. I wouldn't take a child under the age of 16.

Loads of interesting stuff and tips, thanks everyone!!

MoorMummy I'm staying at the Jana 3 apartment ... it was actually through booking.com, but I see the owner's a Superhost on AirBnB as well

And I've put the Gossip Cafe on the list

Don’t miss the Wodka bar, a tiny little place but it’s has over 100 different flavours of vodka to sample. 6 large ‘samples’ was 25 zloty (about £5) and they are gorgeous. Prepare to get drunk once you get outside and the cold air hits you!

I just booked the 6h Auschwitz-Birkenau tour

Going by the tour websites, I think the actual tour is about 3.5 hours and the rest of the time is spent driving there and back

BTW does anyone know if I need to book a tour before I go, or can it wait until I get here?

Puzzled you can pick up the tour all over. No need to pre book. However if you want to do Schindlers factory good to book as they only let so many in.

Here are some pictures of the bar, it’s very to find just off the main square. We also did a golf buggy tour of the old town, kazimiertz anf over the river to the Schindler factory area. They will do a good deal if you haggle, the drivers always hang around the edges of the main square.

We atyed in the Globtroter hotel, very olde worlde in a great location in a small square just behind the main square. Opposite is a bakery and restaurant called Bistro Charlotte - the home made breads and jams are fabulous and it’s frequented by mainly locals, it’s was lovely.

www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowUserReviews-g274772-d3585143-r405870291-Bistro_Charlotte-Krakow_Lesser_Poland_Province_Southern_Poland.html

globtroter-krakow.com/

F

3 days

I did lots of cultural stuff there. Theatre, cinema (both with subtitles) and concerts.

Following

We were there about 15 months ago and are heading back later this year. Hands down it's been my favourite holiday in a very long time. I've banged on about it enough times on MN

We stayed for 3 full days, went on the 3.5 hour Auschwitz guide and then the same day in the afternoon we went to the Salt Mines. We loved just dandering about. We stayed very centrally, walked down by the river up to Wawel Castle, lots of stops for food/ coffee, just general mooching. We liked Our Lady's Church in the Main Square but I'm one for lighting candles .
I can't really explain why I loved it so much but we both did.

Implants 😂😂🤣 re lighting candles I was the same - my husband said we went in so many churches he couldn’t tell one for ano

One from another ( posted too soon). The basilica you mention is quite stunning and you can go in the side door as a tourist for 10 zl

I want to go back just to eat things...

Yes, they have my kind of food there. Including great ice cream. And cheaper than in the UK.
The centre of town is quite small - you can walk everywhere you're likely to want to go. Makes for a relaxed holiday.
Of course Auschwitz and the Schindler museum are extremely grim.

We did a boat trip, which was lovely. The Schindler museum is excellent and the art gallery next to it is worth going to as well. It's okay for children as it's not just paintings, there are also installations, films, collages etc. We did the Aushwitz tour, which I think you have to do if you can but it's harrowing! I loved the buggy tour and it would be great for children as you see lots of the city without having to wander round. It also gives you ideas for where you want to go later. We stayed in the In Point Smiley apartment which is pretty central and very well appointed. It's on Air B&B. It has a reception service which will arrange transfer from airport and tours and deal with any issues (eg one of our suitcases didn't arrive with the plane and they sorted it for us).

stradonia.com

We stayed here, between Wawel castle and the pinball museum, so half way between the old town & Jewish quarter.
Fantastic place, lovely apartments and super cheap.
Didn't do Auschwitz, just lots of wandering, eating and drinking.
Starka restaurant is just lovely, they had live music when we went on a Wednesday. You'll have to book weeks before you go as it's so popular.
How
You'll definitely enjoy, it's an absolutely gorgeous city.

Getting excited now, it sounds great!! Thanks for all the accommodation suggestions, need to start checking them out...

We had a great family holiday in Poland last summer.

We had 5 nights in Krakov, in an apartment in the Jewish quarter. We went to the Schindler factory, the Chemist museum, Wawel castle, Auschwitz/Berkenau and the Salt mines. The salt mines were particularly fab; our amazing guide had come across a visit by a Mr Tolkien in the visitors book and had a theory it was JRR and served as an inspiration for Moria. Also apparently Smaug is very close to the Polish word for dragon. We did lots of wandering around the many cute shops and eating out very cheaply.

We then did 5 nights in the Polish national park in a little log cabin. Very alpine vibe. We did some walking and climbing, had a day at a lake beach and generally had a wonderful chilled time.

Pimiento is a good place to eat.
We found a great bar decorated in Communist era newspapers....huge vodka selection. Ridiculously cheap.
Much needed after visiting Lost Souls Alley 😀

Btw, the lovely Polish lady who owns Apartment Paulove stocks the fridge full of local delicacies.