Krakow for Auschwitz

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Anyone been to Krakow and visited Auschwitz?

A quick google search has told me that some areas of the city tells me some areas need to be avoided but I can’t find out which!

All advice welcome if anyone has any - thankyou.

Been to Krakow, didn't visit Auschwitz but there are loads of companies offering day tours from the city and it is also possible to visit via public transport, albeit less convenient.
I wasn't aware of any particularly sketchy areas within close vicinity (short walking distance) of the city, it seemed very nice but hopefully someone else can advise in more detail.
If you have time a trip to the salt mines is surprisingly interesting.

It was a good few years ago.

But had a lovely break in Krakow - wasn't aware of any areas not to visit but then we stayed pretty central and saw touristy stuff.

Did a day trip to Auschwitz which included the coach etc.

Krakow is a lovely city and you can get good value holiday rentals in the city centre. I've been for work and non work and stayed centrally.

Auschwitz is a very common trip from Krakow - there are lots of guided tours with transport which will pick you up from your rental/hotel in the minibus. You can also book a full day trip with Auschwitz in the morning and the salt mine (which is incredible) in the afternoon. Its a popular option as these trips tend to be good value and include the official guides from both sites.

There are lots of other things to see and do - its a nice "city break" long weekend location.

Yes. Krakow is lovely and Auschwitz easy to get to from there.

We went with an organised tour via get your guide and went to Birkenhau too. Personally I thought the salt mines was a waste of a day - if you’ve ever seen the chapel area
on tv then don’t bother as there’s very little else and it takes ages to get out at the end - very little around there too

We went to Krakow 2 years ago. Our most memorable trips were the Salt Mines and Auschwitz-Birkenau. We used taxis for both of these trips but agreed a price with the driver beforehand.

We found the city to be very friendly and spent a lot of time exploring and walking around.

St Mary’s Basilica is also well worth a visit.

Enjoy!

Krakow is absolutely lovely, we went last autumn. As a tourist you are only ever in the Old Town and Kasimierz both of which are nice safe areas.

The easiest way to go to Auschwitz is with a tour and there are loads of them. Some of them do half day Auschwitz, half day salt mines - personally I think combining them as 2 tourist attractions is icky.

High point of our trip was going to a shooting range to fire Kalashnikovs. DH and I are very very dull middle aged people and we thought, well, we'll never have the opportunity again.

St Mary's Basilica is great, time your visit so you see their altarpiece being opened. The castle is massive, we spent a whole day there and hadn't seen everything.

No comments as I have yet to visit, other than to remind everyone that next Monday will be the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

A shooting range and concentration camp as tourist attractions seem so at odds with each other

We didn't go to Auschwitz on the same trip!

But TBH there is a lot of that visiting Krakow, which is why I went to Auschwitz 20 years ago and wouldn't go again. Even then there were visitors viewing it as a grand day out, bored teens, people wanting their picture next to the crematorium and so on.

A quick google search has told me that some areas of the city tells me some areas need to be avoided but I can’t find out which!

Really ? That's not a commonly held perception.
Krakow is a lovely City.
Don't get me wrong, there can be horrible things happen anywhere in the World, but Krakow isn't known for them.

You can stay centrally and walk everywhere. We felt very safe when we went. No concerns at all.

Yes, it is usually where people stay if they want to visit Auschwitz. There are lots of different day trips you can do.
I'd also recommend the Salt Mines.

Yes this.

And please consider registering your name on the YadVashem iRemember wall.

https://iremember.yadvashem.org/?p=9892&&utm_source=pr&utm_medium=organic-english&utm_campaign=ihrd-2021&utm_content=iremember-wall

Which areas are to be avoided? I've never read that. We had a great time and loved the city. The Auschwitz tour was harrowing but fab. Did the salt mines on a different day.

We went to Krakow just before Christmas. We didn’t do Auschwitz because it felt a bit incongruous with the jolly Christmas market so I can’t help with that but the city felt very safe and it’s gorgeous so I really strongly recommend it. We stayed in an apartment about 10 minutes’ walk from the main square. We did spend an afternoon at the Schindler factory which is now a museum about the occupation. Very interesting, very grim, a bit long. The museum under the main square is excellent too.

Can you tell me where I can book the shooting range to fire Kalashnikovs? We are going to Krakow in a couple of weeks and I would so love to do this.

DD went to Krakow with the school a few years ago. When they went to Auschwitz they were strongly told what was expected of them behaviour wise. Even as year 10 students they were appalled by the actions of some visitors, young and old. So sad that people don't all treat that place with the respect it deserves.

We have just booked Krakow for Christmas time so great to hear that it's a lovely, safe place.

This is all fantastic, thankyou so much, wasn’t expecting such a great amount of positive feedback!

I had read up on the saltmines and was unsure so now that’s a definite yes! ✔️
I have read up on a thermal spa about 2 hrs away & will investigate further as this seemingly can be tied in with a river activity.

To those asking about Google mentioning safety…yep, honestly, which is why I asked. 😀

For anyone wanting to fire some guns:

https://www.shootingcracow.com/en/

We went as part of a tour but it would be very easy to get a taxi there and back. It's very professional and we felt v safe - even DH who is partially sighted had a great time.

There is also a lot of opportunity to get photos of you with your Glock.

Four of my ancestors were deported to Auschwitz, three died there and one in Buchenwald after being moved there. They are all remembered in the Shoah memorial in Paris. In 2023 I attended the event to remember 80 years of one of the deportation trains, which included one of them, where the names were read out.

Registered .
Thank you for posting this link , was not aware this was possible . 🌺

Been loads of times, both as a teacher with school trips and with my husband. Stay near the square, lots of places within walking distance then. There's loads of places offering tours to Auschwitz - you do need to show photo id now when you get there, which is a newish rule

@LlynTegid sorry for you family's loss.

@Yiayoula I think I first heard of it on here a few years ago. I do it every year now.

Just to add that if you book Auschwitz via a tour company, the entry time may vary from the one you've booked. Auschwitz give priority to school trips, etc. and it is known that some trips do get cancelled so I'd try not to leave it for the end of your holiday just in case.

It was weirdly enjoyable to watch the animated history of poland on youtube whilst we had some down time. It's a very young country.
Also the audio tour of the National Museum (lady with an ermine by da vinci is there).

I was there last year, stayed in Jewish district felt incredibly safe, at Hotel M29. Everything (Main Sq, Wawel Castle, Schindlers Factory) were a 20 minute walk and plenty of small grocery shops and lovely places to eat really nearby.

We used Krakow Direct for both airport transfers and to visit the camps, we had a private tour but they do group tours as well.

Would highly recommend, the service was fantastic.