Krakow in February

[Frenchvanilla1991]

Hi, I am thinking of booking a few days (around 18th Feb) in Krakow. I am a solo female. I know it will be bitterly cold and happy to wrap up warm but just wondered if still an ok time to visit? Is it safe for a solo female? I'm interested in going to Auschwitz so plan to do a day tour there plus a city walking tour on the first day and a few other museums. I am open to other suggestions but looking for a cheap break and it seems there is quite a lot to fill my time. I like food and cocktails etc so would ideally like to have a nice dinner in evening too.

Following.
We are going that very week.

We went in January a few years ago and had a wonderful time. Yes it was cold but just wrap up warm! We visited Auschwitz and also the salt mine, which I would highly recommend!

Same. When we went in Feb, it was so bitterly cold we could barely stand it. We were stood in Birkenau 2 and all 3 of us said we couldn't cope with the cold, but strangely we then appreciated more how the prisoners must have felt it even more bitterly.

Loved it all, the food, the atmosphere in the town centre. The salt mines we did on a different day. Was all fab.

Great time to visit, we are heading the week after
Krakow is amazing and very safe and very casual, it's fine to go for dinner and cocktails in your sightseeing clothes . Good boots, good socks, thermals if you run to cold and hat. scarf and gloves, you will be fine

Its freezing at the camp and hot in the mine, so layers

If you are on Facebook. there's a great resource -Krakow Best travel tips, lot of trip reports, discount codes, recommendations. I think they recommend Krakowtogether for trips - hotel pick up and drop off, front of the queue etc

My son went last Feb and he did say it was unspeakably cold. It didn’t stop him from enjoying it and getting out and about.

I went in November, a few years ago which was mild. Only 4 nights so didn't do the longer trips mentioned as I like to immerse myself in a city. I downloaded the map my city app before I went and the walking tours I wanted to do to save data and it was very easy to get about. Stayed in the Jewish quarter and there was a bit of a police presence due to the tensions in Israel but it didn't feel unsafe. Had a lovely time.

Two of DS’ girlfriends (one is now DDIL) are Polish. Both said, it can be -20 degrees there in the winter, but it’s worse here, even though it might be only -5 here, because here it’s raining and windy!

They tell me, the Poles have their heating on full blast 24/7 in the winter and it’s boiling inside - think t shirts indoors!

We’ve been to Krakow, but we went in the summer. It’s a great place for a weekend break. The food is lovely!

We went in January one year . Were prepared for the arctic and it wasn't cold . Fabulous place lots to see and do and very safe feeling .

We went last Feb and it was unseasonably warm! Funnily enough I have said to people that it is one of the few places I have travelled abroad where I would say I would be v comfortable travelling there alone. Beautiful city. Plenty to do. Train is easy to use. Lots of nice restaurants- I would recommend trying Georgian cuisine.

My SIL is polish so my brother has visited there a lot. It will be very cold but they're used to it so snow doesn't stop anything happening. Roads will be well ploughed etc. So everything will be open and yes it's perfectly safe.
Just invest in some good quality thermals and a warm coat. Snow boots would be useful too.

Krakow is incredible. I've been twice, both times as a single (female) parent, first time with my daughter and disabled son, second time just my daughter. Both time I've felt incredibly safe. We've walked and publiced transported all over Krakow. I'm going back somewhen... soon... i love it

Consider staying in or on the (edge of the old town. All the transport centres around where the old walls were. Ideally you want somewhere on the walls park or within a road if you are considering any trips outside with hotel pick up (often they can't go in to the old town). Can highly recommend "the old town Great Polonia" (great polonia is a chain so make sure you know which one you book!), (although I'd strike out independently for breakfast). Only a few roads away from the main square, short walk to the station and accessible for the taxis. And cheap when we went

Auschwitz is very easy on a day tour. However you can go independently. You need to book Auschwitz ahead directly and there is a bus that used to run from the station in krakow straight there. The return journey was quicker but we had to change bus. It was significantly cheaper this way and we got there early so missed much of the crowds. It was definitely more atmospheric before the treadmill of tour groups arrived. The audioguide gave you everything the tour groups did and for us travelling independently had the advantage that when we had had truly had enough we could leave.

Consider doing a tour to zakopane mountains, wooden village and thermal spa. Can highly recommend the Termy Bukovina. Such a spectacular trip weve done it twice. However do check which Termy they are taking you to. I think most the options are ok but there is one thermal spa that is little more that a local leisure centre. The Bukovina is truly spectacular and so relaxing, especially if you've done Auschwitz previous day/earlier in the week. We did this as a private tour both time and whilst an expensive treat it is utterly unforgettable.

Google maps works fantastic out there for planning routes. Both times we got a private transfer from the airport to get us into krakow as quickly as possible but took a bus back. Very safe and easy.

There is so much to see. The museums and castle are all fascinating but Some of the random museums on the outskirts are well worth taking the tram out to look, especially as often they are in a bundle deal with the underground museum under tge square. Walk out to some of the more "local" milk bars for really cheap harty food and a uniquie experience, have google translate to hand! Less barginous we did the communist tour in a Trabant last time and that was also fantastic. I haven't yet got round to the salt mills.

Eat at the Black Duck at least once. You have to book it though. Not the cheapest meal, but not the most expensive either and gorgeous traditional food. We also went back regularly to Restauracja Sukiennice in the town square for, bargainous snitzel and other specials, fabulous puddings (strudel) and cherry brandy.

Yes the horse and carriage from the main square are a tourist trap. BUT wow!! DDs turned 18 while we were there, it was a surprise birthday treat. But i wil never ever forget it, there literally is no way better to see the town.

Wear shoes with good grip if you go during snow. NOTHING stops when it snows, but it can be a bit slippy.

Ohhh oh ohh!! Don't miss the old town university and the clock!!!

One of my favourite places for all the reasons PPs have said, but ideally I'd pick January ... the Christmas decorations are left up until the last day of the month (and they're certainly worth seeing!!)

I lived not far away for one year and I never remember it being unspeakably cold, except at Auschwitz which is its own kind of cold

Krakow is a great place and you’ll def be safe etc. Just take a proper warm coat and hat.

If you love shoes don't miss Kacper Global at Stradomska 21 on the edge of Old Town. I bought a couple of pairs of leather shoes about 4 years and still wearing them, bright red and bright orange - love them.
Google them.

Nothing much ro add ro rhe above except it does have an exceptionally safe feel, Possibly the safest I've ever felt on holiday.

Just another wee tip, download Bolt before you go if you are wanting to use a taxis - it's their version of Uber. The train into town from the airport is £4 , a bolt to the front door is around £10. You order once you clear customs and you are sent the make and model of the car and numberplate and they pull up just outside the terminal entrance. It also does all the translating for you. The pricing is dynamic, so it does vary depending on demand Once in Krakow walking is the way to travel. We stay in the Jewish quarter right down beside the river and we walked everywhere - well we got the train to the salt mines , but other then that we walked

You must try an obwarzanek krakowski which are sold by street vendors everywhere - about 60p. A kind of bagel but OMG - amazing and go to Plac Nowry for Zapiekanki - like a French bread Pizza - amazing . Queues of people from all walks of life ordering this delicious food. Street food is really good - Judah Market has some of the best. We actually eat more street food then we do restaurant meals because its just really so good

Another tip, if like us you are there for sightseeing, don't spend a fortune on a hotel. You won't be in it very long. We go Airbnb and pay around £200 for the 5 nights for a lovely apartment in the Jewish quarter which is fully equipped and spotless

You are going to love it there

Krakow is a very safe town, you‘ll have no problem there as a single woman.
However, I‘m going to go against the grain here about the weather. I live in a slightly different part of Central Europe and it’s foul and depressing at this time of year. Great if you can get a cold and crisp but sunny day, or gently falling snow, but you’re just as likely to get freezing fog like we have today - sucks all the joy out of anything, and merely being outside is a misery. I wouldn’t want to be doing outdoor sightseeing today. Maybe you’ll be lucky though. I‘ve often hosted friends who think the Feb half-term is a great time to visit, and they‘re grossly unprepared for the conditions.

Thanks all really helpful advice! I've booked now and added some of the suggestions to Google to remember places to go! I have provisionally booked a tour to auschwitz but time can vary and I am able to cancel it. So I'm wondering if I should just try and go myself so I can get there early? Any recommendations?

I'd say to definitely try to do Auschwitz on yourr own, @Frenchvanilla1991. As mentioned it was January when I went, and even then the crowds were horrendous, so while it may have been just our guide we were rushed around and it spoiled being able to take time to reflect on the displays

Also try to avoid the tourist resturants; while very good they can't hold a candle to the down home Polish places and are much more expensive (and prices have gone up a lot recently)

In particular look up U Babci Maliny and Milkbar Tomasza - it's a cafe rather than anything to do with milk and that's just what they once were - and don't forget to enjoy their hot chocolate which is not like anything you get in the UK
Trust me, you'll be drooling

Typo

As mentioned above, we did auschwitz independently. It is very very doable, i foubd it fab using Google maps to route plan and there used to be a ton of guides on YouTube about doing Auschwitz independently that were worth a watch.

I'd be a little wary about staying in the Jewish Quarter if there is risk of snow and it's your first visit. Your main places your definitely going to want to see will centre on the old town (castle, square, underground museum, transport links). When we went in October it was an easy walk between the Jewish quarter and old town (we did it just put of interest many evenings), but when we went during snow in December walking, especially after sundown, was much more cautious as the paths could be very slippy and was very glad to have been based nearer where we liked to go for dinner.

Yy to the bagels!!! we had them for breakfast, took them for packed lunches and all sorts.

Thanks for the mountains of recommendations, been super helpful! I've found a nice hotel in the old town with a few nice bars and restaurants on the same street so means I don't have to go far in the evening alone if I don't want to! I've provisionally booked Auschwitz tour for 7am but will do some research into potentially going alone instead. I've booked a free walking tour for when I arrive and also want to go to Schindlers Factory, cloth hall etc so will have a day of wandering. I am thinking about booking the salt mine too but not sure whether to do that or just give myself some extra time to just wander in Krakow (and eat!). Really looking forward to it!

Honestly, I would just take the tour to Auschwitz. It is a trek from the train station (we did it that way). You can get a bus but they aren't frequent and if it is cold you don't want to hang around.

We went there last year for feb half term. Was very mild, I would say +10-12 C, and dry. It's a fab city, great food, I loved it. I don't know if it's a typical weather though, last year we went to the mountains of zakopane right before krakow and there was no snow. It felt very safe

With Auschwitz there's three ways of doing it - booked tour with pick up via a 3rd party, booked tour direct with Auschwitz via the website, or a walk around at your own pace. If you want to walk around unescorted, they open those tickets at around 1pm - check the website, times change seasonly. However you can do Birkenhau alone at any time so you can go up, do that first then do Auschwitz

There is another option if you don't feel up to Auschwitz ( I can't face it tbh ) , Krakow Plaszow - the Krakow concentration camp where those captured during the Warsaw uprising were sent. We walked it, about 2 miles the other side of the river but a Tram stops outside Krakow Cemetery ( worth a walk around ) and it's a five min walk from there. It no longer exists , the Germans blew it up, but it's now a memorial with notice boards explaining what was where and the history of the camp. Its actually very moving, especially when you come to the Old Jewish Cemetery - or the remains of it

We did Schindlers factory , the Ghetto wall and then walked on up - google maps - and got the tram back as we were walked out by then :)