Anyone been to Krakow?

[Colourmehappy26]

I’m going to Krakow next week, has anyone been and have any good recommendations for places to go or restaurants to eat?

I keep coming across lots of very touristy restaurants online which I’m trying to avoid!

Just me and DP, no DC.

Thanks

We went in February Pre DS. It was freezing, DH ended up staying my thermal tights under his jeans! We hired a car very cheaply and driving was easy. It meant no organised trips to things which we prefer. Salt mines were very interesting and warm even when sub zero outside! Auschwitz Birkenau is the kind of thing we should all experience, absolutely bone chilling. I'm sure you wouldn't but please don't pose for selfies, there were some tourists doing similar when we were there, it was in very poor taste. Also the coach trips were in large groups, we just drove there and booked a small tour, us and 4 others for much less than the coach trip and it meant we could talk to the guide a lot.

Jewish quarter and museums were worth visiting, we went to the castle for a few hours before our flight left. Nice but if you've visited plenty of castles before it's an optional rather than must see.
Restaurants were mainly fairly casual. We had some great food and some not so great.
We went to a bar with live music that was quite good and a bar with retro arcade machines/games that was fun

Have been 4 times, with hubby, family and more recently with friends.
There is something about that city, it takes me back in time to a happy place. Each time I go I get this feeling that I lived here before.
It is a beautiful city.
U must of course visit Auschwitz and Ocscar Schindler factory. I have been each time I visit and still learn something new. It is respecting the dead to visit. Then back to krakow to chill with thee best cocktails.

We're going to Lisbon soon and were recommended watching Travel Man with Richard Ayoade on C4 to get ideas. Just looked and Krakow is one of them too.

I must be the only one who found the salt mines not really worth the trip they're definitely impressive but if you're pushed for time there's much more to do in the city itself I'd say.
Everything else that's been suggested are definite must do's I'd say, although we didn't do lost souls alley and now really wish we had! We had a tour of the Jewish quarter on a little buggy thing because we went in July and it was HOT. The guide stopped everywhere we wanted/ he suggested.
Also, not exactly the tip you're looking for but the McDonald's in Krakow was always fresh and hot and much better than the UK, if you need a late night snack!

I had an excellent (and cheap!) midday steak at Ed Red.
Great breakfast at Hevre.
Cheder in Kazimerz did excellent fresh pita with their meze.

Hi, would the salt mines give me claustrophobia? I would love to see them but I don't know if they are spacious underground or not!

Also, if anyone has booked a private guide for Auschwitz/Birkenau, how did you arrange it. Many thanks.

Been three times and have flights booked for next year.
Jewish quarter is great for good restaurants and bars!
love having a drink in the main square people watching. Had some fab pierogi Lots of places do it, and it’s cheap as chips!
Actually just looking at booking accommodation for next year atm.
Have a great time.

The salt mines are pretty spacious. We stayed near the main square so heard the trumpeter every hour from the early morning. We stayed October half term and it does get cold. We were in casual most of the time and we were not out of place. If you go to the salt mines get some of the orange and salt shower gel. They also do a pear and it is also pretty good.

I loved it there. We were with Polish speakers but went again by ourselves and it was fine both times. We will go back.

I went 15 years ago but still remember the cheap and plentiful food. Sitting in castle grounds with a beer. Or on a river boat.
We went to an amazing all you can eat where even wine was included. That knocked my socks off lol.
Jewish quarter funky bars a d cafes.
We tried meals from all over the world including traditional cheap Polish and more fancy. Everything was great.
I remember ordering twice as much as we needed in a Turkish place. Very embarrassing

Mostly casual unless a special event.

Doing Auschwitz and salt mines in one day is awful, both are quite intense and they are not exactly in the same direction. Unfortunately the tour operators sometimes offer both in one day - avoid this option if u can.
Do try szarlotka apple cake in one of the cafes in the square in the vicinity of the basilica, the bugler and clip-clopping of old carriages....very atmospheric - you probably won't want to leave..

Hi, I went with a friend who is claustrophobic but I told her to Google images before and I suggest you do the same. They are very spacious.

There are many many stairs down though, and instead of walking back up you have to get in a lift. It was hard for my friend but she was ok being with us.

Don't do salt mines and auschwitz in one day. Auschwitz birkenau should be a day to itself. Doing both would be far too much in one day.

@greenhousegal I've attached a couple of pictures I took inside the mines, most were on my actual camera these were just with my phone. Pretty spacious, the lift back up not so much but if you're ok in lifts generally you should be fine

This is a great thread, we went pre covid and had hoped to return the following year. All the posts are reminding me why!
Can I ask though is/would anyone be nervous of going this winter given the current issues with Ukraine and Russia. Are there any concerns or is it not something I should even take into consideration and just go?

Many of my family members are from Krakow. Lovely place.

You must go to Auschwitz and Birkenau (concentration and death camps respectively); the Jewish ghetto, Wawel castle and really tbh, just walk around and explore- day and night. Great place to see on foot and not expensive compared to other beautiful European cities.

No real recommendations for restaurants as I’m not a ‘fine diner’- more a budget traveller- but again, lots of lovely cafes you come across. You must try authentic Polish food such as: zurek (sour soup), pierogi (dumplings) and golabki (cabbage rolls). V tasty and v cheap.

I bought my favourite shoes in the world in Krakow about 4 years ago and they are still in great condition.

Shop is near the square in the Old Quater, I would go back just to buy their shoes, they are so comfortable and get so many complements about them.
www.inyourpocket.com/krakow/kacper-global_149189v

OP, how was Krakow?

It was great thank you! Sorry I said I would update but haven’t yet. I really enjoyed. The Jewish quarter was definitely the best area to stay (for us), lots of nice bars and restaurants and not as touristy as the old town. I’m going to type up my notes of what we did each day and will feed back!

Glad u had a good time ☺️
I am planning a trip with friends next year.

Booked up up for next year as well. Have been a few times, and always have a great time!

Great thread , so many good tips. I wondered if I could just ask a question? DD (14) and I take city breaks as our hols and I'd love to go to Krakow. She's a mature child but does feel things deeply (the other day I was watching a series where someone died and she wasn't even watching she was doing something else but I turned around and she was sobbing away !) . She'd be just 15 next summer , is this too young do you think? She's very interested in history.

Sorry I'm talking about taking her to visit Auschwitz as part of our trip. She is studying GCSE history and will also do A level history

Personally I wouldn’t, unless she specifically asks to go and you prepare her beforehand!

@Kolarbri ok thank you. Maybe something for the future when she's adult .

Sounds like she's not emotionally prepared for it. So don't take her.

I would take a 14 year old but only if they were very mature and very into 2nd ww history. Ds1 went on a school trip /polish exchange at a young age, and he was deeply touched by it, as he should be.

and I only went a few years ago. But was fascinated by Holocaust at GCSE, A'level and beyond, and no death bothers me in an upsetting way. But I was deeply touched and saddened by visiting, which seems fitting and right.