If Krakow is worth a visit?

[DorothyZbornak]

DH has a significant birthday this year. He has warned me that under no circumstances am I to organise a surprise party with 100 people jumping out from behind the furniture

That suits me fine. He's decided he'd like us to go away for a few days to somewhere we haven't been before, but a short enough flight, so he's been looking at Krakow.

So I'm just wondering if anyone has been before? Is it someplace that's worth visiting? Is there anything in particular that we should see or do there (it will just be the two of us) Any recommendations for food/drink etc?

His birthday's not until September, so we're probably looking at going sometime around the end of September/start of October.

Loved it. Went a few years ago, great food, cheap, reasonably priced trips. We went to Auschwitz which was very interesting but sad and we went to the Wieliczka salt mines which are underground. The cloth hall in the main square is worth a look and there are fab bars, cafes and restaurants

Krakow is a really pretty small city so easy to explore, lovely town square with street artists, cheap food and drink, we went tothe Salt Mines and Auschwitz which was an experience I think about a lot, excellent public transport too.

It's a beautiful place, full of history. We went to Auschwitz from there on a tour (booked in the city centre), which was something I will never forget. Also the Oskar Schindler museum. I would definitely go back. If you want somewhere pretty but less history though, I would recommend Tallinn.

We used Krakow Direct for tours before we went, and used them for airport travel

yip loved it nice city for wandering about in, great food and cheap

auschwitz is a full day trip

We loved it, so easy to get around on foot as well.

Very friendly and cheap - only time we've come away from a break with money left over

I absolutely loved Krakow! Also did the salt mines and really enjoyed them. Did a few city tours on these little bus things that drive around which was a good laugh and also super interesting.

There are loads of great bars and restaurants too! I wasn’t hugely keen on the polish cuisine but there was an amazing Mexican place with HUGE cocktails!

At the risk of being that poster the 'is it worth visiting ' made me squirm a bit.
The Auschwitz connection is always going to be the first thing associated with it. It will never not be worth visiting.

Very nice place. I didn’t rate the food but then don’t enjoy Eastern European food in general.

I preferred Prague though. Lovely city.

Beautiful place. There is a large square with bars and restaurants. Sometimes some entertainment on in the Square which creates a lovely atmosphere, especially on an evening when sat outside having a meal and a bottle of wine. Auschwitz was a very interesting and moving visit, and the saltmines were good too.

Absolutely love Krakow. Also recommend Gdansk or Budapest. We went to Krakow at Easter. Lovely markets and a concert in the church. Birthplace of St John Paul.

I'm that poster too. I am astounded that anyone would ask if there is anything in particular to do there. So much so this is one of the few threads that made it across the room to DH

This is a fairly recent thread about Krakow that I had in my Watching list. It's got some good recommendations.

I loved Krakow, loads of history and places to see both in the city and a little further away. The chocolate served in the cafe in the castle is gorgeous.
I booked through the British Airways site.

YES YES YES!!!!!

You must stay in Betmanowska Main Square Residence though.

Fab city. Go!

It's a wonderful city, steeped in history, so there is lots to do and see.
The Cathedral/Royal palace complex is amazing, there is a tour of the University with its Copernicus links, the old Jewish Quarter museums can be emotional to visit, there are some wonderful art galleries especially the one above the market hall in the main square which is easy to miss.
Leonardo's Lady with an Ermine is often on tour elsewhere but you might be lucky enough to see it while it's at "home"in Krakow.
A visit to the opera house would be a lovely evening.

The food is fantastic, as is the vodka, the people are warm and friendly.

Be sure not to miss the Franciscan church with its interior painted by Stanislaw Wyspianski and his stained glass windows. Enter the church by the west door and walk up the aisle to the alter before you turn around to get the totally stunning effect of the vast window!

ALTAR!

Brilliant place. Beautiful architecture, great free walking tours, fabulous and cheap food. Don’t miss the salt mines.

Krakow is an amazing place. Would return there in a heartbeat any time. Do visit Auschwitz, and recommend the Gestapo Headquarters too (both heartbreaking).. also the free walk of Jewish Krakow, simply amazing. And find the "wodka bar" ( look it up on trip advisor) -
Fantastic place.

Talking about it makes me want to go back right now.

Ooh I'm visiting with my sister in a few months and now I'm excited!

How long would people recommend going for?

I love Krakow we've been twice once in winter (it was so cold DH wore a pair of my thermal tights under his jeans) and once in summer. I actually liked it more in winter. We hired a car for £25 for five days (a brand new fiesta), drove out to Auschwitz and did a private tour rather than a big coach trip, indescribable experience. The salt mine is fascinating, we also did the castle, Schindler's factory and a few museums, and lots of walking around with a guide book. Food isn't amazing but cheap. Vodka is delicious and as cheap as a soft drink. We probably won't go back now until DS is old enough to learn from the history